"Your Majesty, I thank you."

The Emperor of Southern Xinjiang touched Consort Shu's fair cheek: "She's so obedient."

Consort Shu laughed shakily, leaning most of her body against the Southern Emperor, her laughter so loud it seemed to shake her whole body, her beautiful face showing no sign of strain.

The Emperor of Southern Xinjiang stepped back with a look of disgust and unceremoniously pushed away Consort Shu's arm in front of everyone.

The smile on Consort Shu's face froze.

"Consort Shu is drunk, go back and rest." The Emperor of Southern Xinjiang waved his hand and then beckoned to another consort.

The concubine was stunned for a moment, then immediately smiled.

Before they even got close, the Emperor of Southern Xinjiang said again, "Never mind, you go with Consort Shu."

The concubine paused in her act of sitting down, glancing nervously at the Emperor of Southern Xinjiang.

Many people below were watching this scene. Her face flushed red, and she tried to act coquettishly, but she only met the dark and gloomy expression of the Southern Emperor.

He had no choice but to help Consort Shu up, saying, "Sister Consort Shu, let me accompany you out for some fresh air."

Consort Shu curtsied to the Emperor of Southern Xinjiang: "Your Majesty, I take my leave."

Once the person left, the seat next to them became empty.

The atmosphere became somewhat awkward.

Today is a banquet held by the Emperor of Southern Xinjiang to celebrate Consort Shu's birthday. The banquet has just begun, yet Consort Shu has been asked to leave.

This is so strange.

Princess Jia Hua's eyelids twitched, and she had a bad feeling. She lowered her eyes, clutching a cup of tea in her hand, and pursed her lips.

"Miss Zhao!"

The Southern Emperor's gaze suddenly fell on Princess Jia Hua, his face beaming with a bright smile as he waved to her.

Princess Jia Hua's heart sank, and she subconsciously looked up at the head of the table, only to meet a pair of eyes that were determined to win.

Her heart sank.

Just as she was hesitating, Princess Jiahua was about to get up.

Suddenly, a long, rough hand landed on Princess Jia Hua's hand, helping her to her feet. The Seventh Prince called out, "Father!"

"Seventh Prince, your eyes look drunk. Are you drunk too?" The Southern Emperor's gaze fell on the two's tightly clasped hands. He narrowed his eyes, a hint of ferocity flashing in them.

The seventh prince said, "Your Majesty promised to reward me for my victory over Northern Chu and Shu. I have made up my mind. I request Your Majesty to grant me a marriage."

"Seventh Brother!" The Emperor of Southern Xinjiang slammed his fist on the table.

The atmosphere instantly became tense.

Everyone present knelt down, not daring to breathe.

The seventh prince raised his chin: "Father, a ruler's word is law."

The Southern Emperor's anger grew stronger, but just as it was about to erupt, he suddenly smiled, his gaze shifting to a woman among the guests: "Seventh Prince is not young anymore, it is indeed time to bestow a marriage upon him, so bestow it..."

“Father, Miss Zhao saved my life. I have promised Miss Zhao that I will marry no one but her. I beg you to grant me your blessing. After the marriage, I will go to the battlefield without any distractions and continue to fight for you and the Southern Frontier.”

The seventh prince looked determined.

Everyone was dumbfounded. This seventh prince was defying the emperor for the sake of a woman from Northern Chu?

The Southern Emperor glared angrily at the Seventh Prince, his eyes sharp as knives.

The father and son stared at each other, neither willing to give in.

"Seventh Prince, are you threatening me? There are plenty of generals in the Southern Frontier, it's not like I can't do without you. I can pretend you never said anything." The Emperor of the Southern Frontier pointed to an empty seat to the side.

Its meaning is self-evident.

Have the Seventh Prince bring the person over.

The Seventh Prince remained motionless, tightly gripping Princess Jia Hua's hand, whose palms were damp with fine sweat.

Nervous, uneasy, and even more so, terrified.

If the Seventh Prince compromises, she will face an abyss and be smashed to pieces.

"Father, a gentleman's word is as good as gold. I beg you to bestow Miss Zhao upon me as my consort, so that I may fulfill my promise," the Seventh Prince said again.

The vast hall fell silent instantly.

The Southern Emperor stared intently at the Seventh Prince.

Neither of them gave way to the other.

No one dared to step forward and try to persuade them.

"Father, I have found someone I truly love. I beg you to grant my wish," the Seventh Prince said in a deep voice.

After a moment of awkward silence, the Southern Emperor smiled and said, "Since you like it, then so be it."

Princess Jia Hua breathed a sigh of relief, as if she had come back to her senses and found a sense of reality. She lowered her head.

"but……"

The Southern Emperor, with a half-smile, drawled out, "You are, after all, the Seventh Prince. Your marriage cannot be rushed. With war imminent, you should go to war first. When you return, I will prepare a grand wedding for you as a reward."

Princess Jia Hua's heart was in turmoil again.

The Seventh Prince pursed his lips.

"What, are you still not satisfied?" The Southern Frontier Emperor roared in anger.

The Seventh Prince lowered his eyes: "Your subject obeys the decree."

The banquet ended on a sour note.

Before Princess Jiahua left, she was stopped by the Empress's people. The nanny said to the Seventh Prince, "Her Majesty the Empress wishes to meet this Miss Zhao."

The seventh prince wanted to go along, but was stopped by the nanny: "Your Highness, don't you trust the Empress?"

Upon hearing this, the Seventh Prince said to Princess Jia Hua, "Miss Zhao, I will wait for you in the front hall."

Knowing she couldn't dissuade Princess Jia Hua, she had no choice but to nod. She followed the nanny all the way to Fengyi Palace. The night wind was hot on her face, and she frowned, her eyes full of vigilance.

She couldn't believe the Empress was that curious!

The door creaked open

The nanny said to Princess Jia Hua, "Go inside, Her Majesty the Empress is waiting for you."

Inside, everything was blurry and indistinct, with only the faint flickering candlelight. Princess Jiahua lifted her skirt and knelt on the ground, raising her voice: "This humble woman, Zhao, greets Her Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty live a thousand years!"

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