Qing He! Qing He! Qing He!
He gnashed his teeth in hatred, yet felt a profound sense of powerlessness.
She herself didn't want to return to his side!
She had never thought highly of him!
He had had many women, at any time, indulging in pleasure at will. Women, to him, were merely playthings, garments he could discard at any moment.
But ever since he met this woman, he had faltered. Not only that, but he didn't know when his feelings for her had subtly changed.
Perhaps it was when she coldly collected the corpse of that maid.
Perhaps it was when she ruthlessly poisoned his concubines.
Perhaps it was when she went to great lengths to find a patron for someone else.
Perhaps it was when she quietly shed tears while gazing at the moon.
Perhaps, ...
She was different; she had begun to stir his thoughts. At first, he only wanted to subdue her, to use her. Later, it changed. He hadn't touched a woman in a long time. Although his impotence had long since healed, he still didn't want to.
He wanted to touch her, desperately.
But she was full of sharp edges, her gaze filled with disgust and disdain. She thought he was dirty.
How was he dirty? He had scrubbed himself raw. He had become like a woman, bathing every day. He had even washed his beloved horse until it smelled fragrant. Where was the dirt?
She clearly looked down on him, a Turk. This heartless woman, no matter how well he treated her, it was useless.
He had known long ago that she wasn't a princess, yet he had kept it hidden from those old men in the royal court. But she showed no gratitude. When General Shenwu specifically requested her, she had eagerly cast him aside.
He had fought hard on the front lines, and upon returning, he found she had already been sent away by those old men. He heard she hadn't even looked back when she left.
It was infuriating, so infuriating!
His gaze was dark and ferocious, filled with unwilling hatred. Qing He turned her head, her long earrings swaying with her movement, adorned with pearl hairpins, making her look exquisitely beautiful, as vibrant as a peach blossom.
The Great Prince felt a surge of heat, realizing he was aroused.
He knew that even now, this woman was constantly stirring his nerves, captivating him, making him lose his reason.
Vixen!
"This King is feeling unwell and shall take his leave!" He glared fiercely at Qing He once more, turned abruptly, and departed in haste.
The envoy, along with the injured Meiduo, also hurried away.
Qing He sneered, tugging at the corner of her mouth.
Stud.
After he left, the atmosphere in the hall became lively again. Noble ladies from prominent families performed dances, creating a scene of harmony.
Ling Yao spoke with Qu Linglong for a while, her waist starting to ache. She then looked at Xiao Shan, who was seated among a group of military officers, nodding in agreement as if discussing something. His demeanor was steady, reserved, cold, and authoritative, completely unlike his rough and boorish behavior when scolding the Great Prince.
"Imperial Sister, are you tired?" Emperor Mingde asked with concern. "I shall escort you back."
"You are the Emperor; how can you leave the banquet? I can return by myself." Ling Yao slowly stood up, supported by Yu Liu.
Emperor Mingde glanced at Xiao Shan, his expression darkening slightly.
As she stood up, Xiao Shan, as if sensing her movement, looked over and also stood up.
"My colleagues, we shall discuss this another day. This general must escort the Princess back."
"Farewell, General."
"We bid the General farewell."
The generals watched him leave with immense admiration. "The General and the Princess are truly a match made in heaven!"
The civil officials beside them curled their lips. They truly didn't see where the match was. If she were paired with the distinguished and handsome Commander Song, that would be a divine couple, a perfect match.
Xiao Shan's brows relaxed. He took the fox fur from Yu Liu and draped it over Ling Yao, his hand hovering around her waist. He bent down and whispered, "Tonight, the Divine Maiden displayed her might. I am greatly admired."
"Hmph!" Ling Yao snorted lightly. As she walked past a table, she addressed a woman who was looking around carelessly, "Whose daughter are you?"
The woman hastily knelt. "Replying to the Princess, this humble daughter is Hao Yue, daughter of General Hao, the Kyoto Garrison Commander."
"Hao Yue," Ling Yao murmured. "Why do you keep looking at General Xiao?"
All eyes turned to them, including the Emperor in his high seat. Hao Yue was extremely nervous.
General Hao, who was drinking with the military officers, was also startled and quickly got up to go over.
"My daughter is unruly and has offended the Princess. I beg the Princess's forgiveness."
Xiao Shan raised an eyebrow, looked at Ling Yao, and a small smile curved his lips.
"I am asking you?"
Ling Yao's voice was unreadable, her tone uniquely clear and pleasant, which somewhat relaxed Hao Yue.
"This humble daughter, this humble daughter heard my father say that General Xiao possesses immense strength, capable of lifting several hundred pounds of stone lions by himself. So, I just wanted to see how much General Xiao could eat."
A smile flickered in Ling Yao's eyes. "Then did you see how much he ate tonight?"
"Ah? This, I didn't see what he ate, only saw him drink some wine."
Ling Yao looked at Xiao Shan. Xiao Shan quickly held up three fingers. "Only three cups, no more."
Drinking too much is bad for the body; he remembered that!
"Rise!" Ling Yao said to General Hao, who was kneeling. "General Hao's daughter is frank and adorable. Quite good."
"Thank you, Princess, for your praise," General Hao said loudly.
This was the first woman the Princess had praised tonight, and it turned out to be his simple daughter. Although he had no intention of having his daughter enter the palace, he was still overwhelmed with joy.
Hao Yue was also overjoyed. Her father was a rough man, not of high rank, and having lost her mother at a young age, she was not skilled in anything—music, chess, calligraphy, painting, cooking, or needlework. Noble ladies disdained her. In the past, when she came to the palace, she ate and drank alone, then helped her drinking father home.
Unexpectedly, today she received praise from the Divine Maiden Princess.
The Princess was truly beautiful!
Like the moon in the sky.
She wouldn't be able to sleep tonight.
Ling Yao and Xiao Shan walked out of the hall side by side. Xiao Shan lowered his head and chuckled, "Were you a little jealous just now?"
"Not exactly. I was just curious. After all, she's not as blind as I am."
"Heh heh..." Xiao Shan knew her contrary nature well. "Then I have eaten a lot of vinegar. Eyes have been cast upon you, wishing they could replace this general. Especially that Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. I must find an opportunity to spar with him someday."
Who was the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review?
"You're talking nonsense again."
The two walked away, embracing.
From the shadows at the entrance of the hall, a person emerged.
The guards quickly saluted. "Commander, why have you come? Didn't His Majesty order you to rest for a month?"
"Just came to take a look."
In the darkness, the guards couldn't see his face, but they felt the commander's voice was still a bit weak.
"Don't worry, Commander. Your subordinate will pay close attention."
"Mm."