The ministers looked at Mu Qinglan in surprise, finding her complexion rosy.
They hadn't expected His Majesty to appear, and that her health had improved.
Seeing the Grand Commandant's gaze, Xiao Ye turned his cold eyes towards him.
Unaware and indifferent, he finished the tea in his hand.
"Your Great Dynasty is very polite. Thank you, Empress, for your generous hospitality."
At the moment the Empress appeared, the Prince seemed somewhat astonished.
He dared not be so presumptuous towards the Empress of the dynasty; the friendly relations between the two countries still required deeper engagement.
The Empress sat on the throne and had the palace attendants pour the wine.
"I will make you feel at home."
The Prince exchanged pleasantries with a smile, and their diplomatic minister presented gifts to the dynasty.
On the grand banquet stage, a spectacular performance unfolded.
A group of well-trained men displayed astonishing agility on stage, moving with grace and speed.
They wielded spears and swords!
The Prince exclaimed with delight, "Your Dynasty's warriors are so elegant! In our country, they just swing hammers!"
Due to the differences between the two countries, the Prince was thoroughly entertained.
"Is this called xiake?"
The Empress nodded at his words and said, "If there is anything in my Dynasty that the Prince fancies, you may take it as you please."
This was an extremely friendly gesture, one that honored the long-standing friendship between the two nations!
The Prince smiled gleefully. He suddenly turned to Xiao Ye and said, "I've heard that Chancellor Xiao of the Dynasty comes from a military background. Could you perhaps demonstrate your swordsmanship for this Prince?"
Xiao Ye's expression darkened slightly. He cast a nonchalant glance at the Prince.
"I haven't wielded a sword in many years, and I truly cannot meet the Prince's request."
"Just give it a casual try. When I stayed at the inn, I heard storytellers talk about you!"
The Empress frowned, noticing the Prince's interest in Xiao Ye.
Her gaze fell upon Xiao Ye, unable to discern his emotions.
However, the Empress, intending to put Xiao Ye in a difficult position, calmly commanded, "I have also seen Lord Xiao display his swordsmanship before, and it was far more beautiful than what these performers showed. The Prince is also visiting the Dynasty for the first time; why not let him witness your prowess?"
For a Chancellor to demonstrate swordsmanship for a Prince implicitly lowered Xiao Ye's status.
However, since the Empress had ordered Xiao Ye, the ministers also wished to observe his reaction.
Xiao Ye remained seated, utterly composed.
He looked up and shook his head, "Your Majesty, Empress, your humble servant cannot wield a sword."
This was a direct refusal of the Empress's command, an act of audacious defiance.
The atmosphere instantly became strained. Few would dare to defy the Empress, and Xiao Ye was perhaps the only one.
The ministers, who had been smiling and offering flattery moments before, now fell into a long silence.
The Empress narrowed her eyes, observing Xiao Ye's unhurried demeanor.
She glanced at the Prince and offered them an apology.
"A dampener."
The Prince looked at Xiao Ye with displeasure, unwilling to force the issue further since he did not want to see the swordplay.
He could only watch the Dynasty's prepared performances throughout, while deliberately trying to provoke Xiao Ye.
"Chancellor Xiao, your careless attitude would earn you punishment in our country."
Xiao Ye took a slow sip of his tea and casually remarked, "Our Empress is very tolerant and magnanimous."
Unable to touch a nerve with Xiao Ye, the Prince turned his attention back to the songs and dances.
The Dynasty had arranged countless dancers, showcasing their delicate beauty.
The Prince had never seen such graceful and fluid dance moves, and he instantly forgot about Xiao Ye.
The dancers writhed their waists with great effort, making the Prince's mouth water.
Seated on the throne, the Empress looked down at the scene, believing the reception would conclude perfectly.
However, after the Prince had sampled some refreshments, he stood up, intending to request some dancers to accompany him back.
Suddenly, his steps faltered, and blood trickled from his nostrils.
Those present, seeing the Prince's condition, cried out in alarm, "Why is the Prince suddenly bleeding?!"
With a thud, the Prince collapsed.
The envoys were thrown into a panic, rushing to the Prince's side.
"Call the imperial physicians, quickly call the imperial physicians."
The Empress's expression changed, and she could no longer sit still.
As the imperial physicians hurried towards the Prince, the entire atmosphere became extremely tense.
The ministers prayed fervently that the foreign Prince would not meet his demise, for otherwise... their entire dynasty would be in peril!
But alas, what they feared most had come to pass.
The imperial physicians cried out in sorrow, "The Prince is dead!"
The foreign visiting ministers were disbelieving. They said with great anger, "How is this possible? Our Prince was so healthy! How did he die in your Dynasty?"
"Did your Dynasty deliberately kill our Prince?!"
This was their country's most favored Prince, and he had died so suddenly at the banquet.
The Empress's breathing grew rapid. She calmly stated, "Regarding the Prince's death, I will provide you with an explanation."
"You killed our Prince! What use is an explanation?!"
A diplomatic minister, his face contorted in fury, turned to glare at Xiao Ye, "He was sitting closest to the Prince just now, and the Prince had a verbal altercation with him. It must have been him who murdered our Prince!!"
If this accusation had been directed at someone else, the Empress would have dismissed it as pure slander.
However, when it concerned Xiao Ye, it was indeed plausible that this treacherous official would disrupt the friendly relations between the two countries.
Yet, Xiao Ye calmly refuted, "Your humble servant was sitting here and had no physical contact with the Prince."
The foreign envoys glared at Xiao Ye, "If it wasn't you, how could the Prince have died?"
"Imperial physicians, can you determine the cause of the Prince's death?"
Mu Qinglan asked.
The imperial physicians inserted silver needles into the Prince's throat, and the needles immediately turned black. "The Prince... died of poisoning."
"Your Dynasty killed the Prince! Prepare for our country's retaliation!"
The envoy, filled with rage, departed with the Prince's body.
Mu Qinglan sat rigidly on the throne, unable to salvage the ruined banquet.
Her icy gaze fell upon Xiao Ye, her murderous intent entirely unrestrained!
Xiao Ye, you truly deserve to die!
No matter what, I will kill you!
Xiao Ye's expression remained serene, seemingly unaffected.
Only, his voice reached the system, "It's almost over."
The system was somewhat surprised. Was the host's current reincarnation cycle nearing its end?
However, based on the host's interactions with the Empress, could the mission value be redeemed?
It grew increasingly eager to view the mission bar, but could only wait for the illusion to shatter.
The Grand Commandant and Marquis Lin'an were together, and they both wore smiles.
The next day.
The Empress personally summoned Xiao Ye, even before the morning court convened.
With the Prince's death being attributed to Xiao Ye, and fueled by those with ulterior motives, the matter had already become the talk of the town.
When Xiao Ye received the news, he was still at the Chancellor's residence.
Xiao Si, seeing that the Chancellor was about to leave, looked on with a troubled expression. "Chancellor, the Empress likely intends to punish you."
"Perhaps you should not go."
"How can I defy an imperial decree?"
Xiao Ye smiled faintly and donned his official robes.
Under Xiao Si's worried gaze, Xiao Ye spoke calmly, "When I return, there is an important matter I need you to handle."
Xiao Si nodded.
Xiao Ye boarded his carriage and proceeded to the palace, where he met the Empress.