Chapter 59

Xi Ruoyu shook her head slightly, "That's not appropriate."

Liu Qing was caught between a series of unsatisfactory words, which finally turned into a soft sigh, "Your Highness, sometimes being too rigid can be a disadvantage."

Look at those two, one is straightforward and still has a childlike innocence, the other is alluring and seductive with her seductive eyes. Even he felt embarrassed, let alone His Majesty, who is a woman.

Xi Ruoyu did not answer; his back was straight, like an unyielding bamboo.

But he dared not raise his eyes to look at his wife in front of everyone.

He didn't want to put His Majesty in a difficult position; His Majesty had already been very, very good to him.

He was content as long as His Majesty would not despise him.

Ignoring the bitterness and pain in her heart, Xi Ruoyu lowered her eyes, and her eyes reddened slightly at the corners.

"Has Ruoyu forgotten what she promised me?" Lingwu's eyes were filled with tenderness and laughter, and anyone who saw it could tell how much she doted on her.

Xi Ruoyu looked up in disbelief and met the gaze of Ling Wu, who was sitting at the head of the table. Her bright eyes seemed to say: Your Majesty is speaking to your servant.

Lingwu nodded with amusement.

Xi Ruoyu was stunned for a moment, then stood up, shook her head, and said solemnly, "Your subject has not forgotten."

Liu Qing then handed over the mooncakes, which Xi Ruoyu hesitated to offer to Ling Wu.

Qian Qing, who disliked Ling Wu because of one sentence, sneered at Xi Ruoyu, "Pretentious!"

Before Xi Ruoyu could bow and apologize to Qian Qing, Yun Ji said with the envy of a little brother next door, "Wow~ that was made by Brother Lan himself! Brother Lan is so skillful!"

Xi Ruoyu blushed at the praise and was somewhat at a loss for words. "No, not at all." But because of her aloof temperament, it seemed as if she was not giving Yun Ji any face.

"They don't appreciate your kindness," Qianqing said sarcastically to Yunji.

Standing in the center, not knowing what to do, Xi Ruoyu's face had long since lost its rosy hue.

Seeing this, Lingwu raised her hand and beckoned, "Come to my side, let me see if it is really as exquisite as Yunji said."

Xi Ruoyu nodded in obedience, but Yun Ji was not like usual, trying to take advantage of Ling Wu's charm.

Instead, he picked up a piece of pastry, trying to use it to suppress the bitterness welling up in his heart.

But after taking a bite, he would throw the other half away.

It's so bitter and astringent...

Lianwu behind Yunji frowned slightly.

Is his master using Lan Guijun as a stepping stone?

Xi Ruoyu, who was being served closely, had her ears burning red, but she still kept to herself and did not get close to Ling Wu, which pleased the court officials.

Seeing this, the court officials also toasted the Left Prime Minister, but when they saw that the Left Prime Minister was sitting upright and had a serious face, they silently suppressed their restless hearts.

At this moment, a clear and melodious bell rang, and a handsome young man dressed in Hu clothing entered the hall.

He entered slowly, bowed once, and then rose again, his dance, performed to the beat of drums, was already filled with exotic beauty.

As soon as the dance ended, thunderous applause erupted.

Knowing who this person was, Lingwu asked Xi Ruoyu in a low voice, "Did your mother mention this person to you?"

Xi Ruoyu shook her head, her eyes filled with confusion.

Ling Wu took a deep breath and then glanced at Xi Jiuqin, who was sitting upright like a gentleman.

How did she manage to bring the third prince of the Quanrong to us?

If she remembered correctly, this third prince eventually succeeded in ascending the throne of the Quanrong, right?

The Quanrong prince's face was different from the gentle and clear-headed men of the Qi Dynasty; instead, it was deep and subtly contained an air of arrogance.

He bent down, clenched his fists and placed them on his chest, performing a Quanrong salute, and then knelt down again to perform the Qi Chao salute.

Thorough, yet retaining his own pride.

"Your subject, Zisangqi, greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be well."

"Rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Zi Sangqi stood up and stared at Ling Wu blatantly.

I had long heard that the Empress of the Qi Dynasty was born as if she were a god descended to earth, and now I see that the rumors are indeed true!

Seeing his intense gaze, Xi Ruoyu frowned.

Zi Sangqi showed no restraint or shyness befitting a man; his deep blue eyes were filled with undisguised adoration.

"Your Majesty, I have traveled thousands of miles to serve you!"

"puff--"

"Cough cough—"

"Cough cough cough cough cough cough cough—"

Some people were shocked and made strange noises. Fortunately, there were many people, so it was unclear who it was; otherwise, it would have been a breach of etiquette in front of the emperor.

Zi Sangqi frowned, puzzled, then, fearing that Ling Wu hadn't heard him because he had been too noisy, he repeated himself loudly:

"Your Majesty, Zisangqi wishes to become your servant!" He said firmly, without any shyness.

If there weren't so many people around, he would have liked to express his love directly, but he heard that the Qi Dynasty people were very reserved, so he restrained himself.

Ling Wu glanced at everyone's reactions.

Xi Ruoyu lowered her head, making her emotions unreadable. Qian Qing was choked by the shock she had just experienced, her face flushed red. Yun Ji, on the other hand, remained calm.

However, a hint of displeasure appeared on Sang Yu's face.

As for the "culprit" Xi Jiuqin, he nodded to himself, and then, seemingly feeling that it was too serious, he stiffly pulled up his lips and gave a rigid smile!

Ling Wu silently looked away...

"By imperial decree, the third prince of the Quanrong, Zisangqi, is hereby granted the title of Third Rank Official, with the honorary title of 'He', and shall reside in Changning Palace. He shall be given a seat."

The rank of third grade is not low, but looking at the entire harem, he is not considered high.

Changning Palace was quite far from her Fengyi Palace, and the title "He" was a wish for peace between the two countries.

After all, this third prince ascended to the throne step by step, his feet treading on blood and corpses.

Qianqing couldn't tell whether she felt relieved or annoyed at that moment.

Having experienced a unique and exotic beauty unlike anything in the entire Qi Dynasty, can Lu Chengfeng truly still catch His Majesty's eye?

The next moment, Lu Chengfeng, dressed in white and holding a jade flute, slowly appeared in everyone's sight.

After days of hardship, Lu Chengfeng's once slender, white fingertips became somewhat swollen, but his slender figure was the most favored by the women of the Qi Dynasty.

His face was as handsome as jade, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes. His gentle and refined demeanor dazzled the many female officials.

But before Lingwu and Jingchun's eyes, the scene of Lu Chengfeng lying on the ground covered in filth that day suddenly appeared.

Ling Wu frowned noncommittally, and because of her frown, the court officials who had originally been fond of Lu Chengfeng all lost their composure.

Zi Sangqi was quite amazed; this group's ability to change their expressions was even better than that of the Wang sisters.

When Lu Chengfeng finished playing his soothing and beautiful music, no one applauded.

This was completely different from the astonished reaction of everyone after Zisang abandoned her dance.

Lu Chengfeng was unaware of what had happened before, but that did not diminish his current embarrassment and awkwardness.

He tightened his grip on the jade flute, parted his thin lips slightly, gritted his teeth and knelt down, then bowed his head and said, "This servant, Lu Chengfeng, wishes Your Majesty to be as constant as the moon, as rising as the sun, as long-lived as the Southern Mountain, and as flourishing as the pine and cypress, with no one less than you."

Lingwu sipped her wine lightly, ignoring him.

Upon seeing this, Lu Chengfeng's heart jumped.