Mu Rong Liu Zun, who had been sitting beside her, had not missed Ji Feng’s admiration. However, Emperor Xian was not one to indulge in the company of women. Thus, he casually reached out, took Mu Qingyao’s hand, and spoke softly.
“The Empress of the Danfeng Kingdom is most thoughtful.”
Ji Feng, watching the intimate pair at the head of the hall, felt her eyes deepen with unspoken emotion. Her face instantly turned grim, but she managed to suppress it. With a wave of her hand, her subordinates brought forward a large chest.
The tribute from the Danfeng Kingdom was a pair of jade qilin, entirely emerald green and emitting a subtle sheen. While these jade qilin were smooth and lustrous, they could hardly be considered rare treasures, especially when compared to the golden Buddha from the Qingluo Kingdom.
A murmur went through the crowd. Amidst their whispers, Ji Feng’s face broke into a triumphant smile. She swept her gaze proudly across them before her eyes finally settled on the Emperor on the throne. She spoke slowly.
“Emperor Xian, please allow this Crown Princess to demonstrate the extraordinary qualities of this treasure. Eunuchs, extinguish the lights in the hall.”
Upon hearing the Crown Princess’s words, everyone’s curiosity was piqued, their eyes filled with surprise.
Could this treasure possess some hidden, profound secret? They all looked towards the Emperor on his throne. Mu Rong Liu Zun’s pupils darkened, and with a command, he said coldly, “Douse the lights.”
The eunuchs and palace maids below stepped forward with practiced efficiency, covering the radiant night-blooming pearls that lit the hall. The hall was plunged into darkness.
Everyone sat still as a faint ethereal glow emerged, growing clearer. It slowly enveloped the hall. Though lacking the brilliance of the night-blooming pearls, its radiance was not weak, and the hall’s scenery was visible. This soft glow was emanating from the jade qilin themselves.
Now, as they looked at the jade qilin, they were not only bathed in green light but also appeared more lifelike. The crowd could even hear the gentle sound of flowing water.
“So, it’s actually a treasure!” The hall erupted with excited voices, the discussions growing louder and more fervent.
“Indeed, the treasures presented by the Danfeng and Qingluo Kingdoms are both extraordinary. If only money could buy such things!”
For a time, the topic of conversation revolved entirely around the jade qilin. Emperor Xian, seeing the hall in such a lively state and his ministers losing their composure, let out a cold snort. His captivating voice echoed through the hall.
“Bring back the night-blooming pearls.”
The eunuchs immediately removed the dark cloths. The bright night-blooming pearls illuminated the hall once more, their light obscuring the radiance of the jade qilin, rendering them indistinguishable from ordinary artifacts.
Yet, everyone knew it was a remarkable item. Their amazed gazes turned towards Crown Princess Ji Feng. Her face wore a smile of arrogance, making her appear even more alluring and captivating.
Subsequently, the other four nations presented their tributes, all consisting of rare and precious items. However, in general, the most outstanding gifts from the six nations were the golden Buddha and the jade qilin. The Emperor commanded them to be received.
After the ceremony of gift-giving by the six nations concluded, the Emperor gave an order, and the banquet officially commenced.
Palace maids, clad in resplendent attire, moved gracefully among the guests, refilling wine and serving dishes. The aroma of fine wines and delicacies filled the hall.
Joyful music swelled as ten court dancers, like colorful butterflies, gracefully entered, stepping onto the large red carpet in the center and beginning their dance…
It was a pleasant evening.
Qingyao, while elegantly savoring the exquisitely prepared dishes, raised her eyes to observe the expressions of everyone below. Her indifferent gaze swept through the crowd, landing on the moonlight filtering in from a corner of the hall.
If this were not a cleverly disguised abyss, everything would be truly beautiful. What a pity.
“Imperial Sister-in-law, don’t you find that Crown Princess to be utterly detestable?”
The speaker was Princess Xingzhu, who leaned forward, whispering unhappily into Mu Qingyao’s ear. Mu Qingyao calmly continued eating, not even glancing at Xingzhu.
Mu Rong Xingzhu, not receiving the expected reaction, huffed in dissatisfaction. “Imperial Sister-in-law, you can actually eat?”
What was Imperial Sister-in-law thinking? That woman was clearly coveting her Imperial Brother. Yet, Imperial Sister-in-law seemed to act as if she saw nothing, eating with a composed demeanor. It was she, the sister, who felt displeased. This role seemed reversed.
Besides, her Imperial Brother was the Emperor. It was normal for him to have a few women in his harem. Was she trying to protect Imperial Sister-in-law? Mu Rong Xingzhu looked utterly bewildered.
Mu Qingyao set down her jade chopsticks and turned to look at Mu Rong Xingzhu. This girl was truly naive. This was no longer a simple relationship between a man and a woman. The current situation was as turbulent as the wind and clouds. She pursed her lips and twitched the corner of her mouth.
“What is there that I cannot eat?”
Indeed, what was there that she could not eat? Although her Imperial Brother was handsome, a rare beauty among men, it did not mean she liked such a man. Since she herself was not moved, it seemed she had no reason to be angry, regardless of his actions. Therefore, it was better to calmly enjoy the delicious food.
The food in this palace was not something one could always enjoy. Perhaps she would be leaving here soon.
“Imperial Sister-in-law?”
Mu Rong Xingzhu was astonished and completely speechless. Since the person concerned did not care, why should she? She withdrew her head and returned to her seat, burying herself in eating.
Princess Mu Rong Xingzhu’s actions did not escape the Emperor’s notice. Although his gaze seemed to be fixed on the dancers, nothing that happened around him escaped his attention. He had initially been indifferent to what his Imperial Sister cared about, but upon realizing her lack of reaction, his heart stirred slightly.
As the music ended, the dancers retreated.
Silence fell upon the hall. Ji Feng, who had been seated, stood up. Her alluring and voluptuous figure drew many gazes. What did the Crown Princess of the Danfeng Kingdom intend to do?
“I have heard that the Xianyue Kingdom is a land of etiquette, renowned for producing talented scholars and beautiful ladies. I presume the Empress of Xianyue possesses both talent and beauty. May I ask if this Crown Princess may engage in a contest of zither, chess, poetry, and painting with the Empress?”
The moment these words were spoken, a deathly silence fell upon the hall of the Liuli Palace. Who here did not know that Empress Mu was famously known as a woman infatuated with handsome men? Although she had shed the reputation of being a simpleton, no one had ever witnessed her talents. Was the Crown Princess of the Danfeng Kingdom not intentionally provoking her?
Mu Rong Liu Zun’s expression darkened. Just as he was about to speak, the Empress Dowager spoke first.
“This Empress Dowager also wishes to witness the Empress’s talents.”
Unexpectedly, the Empress Dowager had spoken at this moment, echoing the words of the Crown Princess of the Danfeng Kingdom.
Everyone could see the situation clearly. The Empress Dowager of the Xianyue Kingdom and the Empress were at odds with each other. Otherwise, she would not have spoken at this moment to make things difficult for her. At this juncture, no one dared to say anything further.
Mu Rong Liu Zun cast a grim glance at his mother, suppressing the ice in his heart. He believed that with Mu Qingyao’s intelligence and wisdom, she would not let these two women have their way. He pursed his lips, waiting silently for the ensuing spectacle.
Mu Qingyao’s expression suddenly turned cold. She hadn’t expected the Crown Princess of the Danfeng Kingdom to be such an imbecile, directly provoking her without regard for the occasion.