A month later, it was Huangfu Jue's coming-of-age ceremony.

Xuanyuan Zhan and Su Xuening both doted on Huangfu Jue, so his coming-of-age ceremony was no less grand than Xuanyuan Xi's.

A grand banquet was also held, inviting civil and military officials as well as imperial relatives.

It just so happens that many of Xuanyuan Xi's relatives are still in Dongchu because of his ascension to the throne and his wedding a few days ago.

For example, Su Yun'an and Duanmu Junyu knew that Huangfu Jue's coming-of-age ceremony was coming soon, so they stayed to attend the ceremony before returning home.

Everyone's gifts were all trying to match those given by Xuan Yuanxi, except for Xuan Yuanzhan and Su Xuening, who both gave extra generous gifts.

When their son came of age, the two of them prepared no special gifts other than the imperial edict of abdication.

Duanmu Yao also specially gifted Huangfu Jue a portrait painting, which was of course not Huangfu Jue's, but her own.

Actually, she painted two portraits, one of each person. However, she kept the one of Huangfu Jue with her and gave her own portrait to Huangfu Jue.

Huangfu Jue was naturally very pleased with the gift from Duanmu Yao.

Of course, he would like whatever Duanmu Yao gave him!

After everyone had finished presenting their gifts, a palace attendant announced from outside: "The envoy from Southern Qi has come to pay his respects!"

Upon hearing the announcement, everyone turned to look at the doorway.

By the way, today is Huangfu Jue's coming-of-age ceremony. How could the Southern Qi not send someone? Back when it was the Crown Prince's coming-of-age ceremony, the Southern Qi sent an envoy to deliver gifts.

Soon, a handsome middle-aged man dressed in black entered the main hall with two attendants dressed in Southern Qi attire.

None of the people present recognized this handsome middle-aged man, nor was he the Southern Qi envoy who had come to present gifts for Xuan Yuanxi's coming-of-age ceremony.

Huangfu Jue was the only one in the entire hall who recognized this person. He stared blankly at the newcomer, memories from the depths of his mind slowly surfacing, and his eyes gradually reddened.

Duanmu Yao realized that something was wrong with Huangfu Jue. She glanced nervously at the newcomer and then looked at Huangfu Jue with concern.

Xuan Yuanxi, Xuan Yuanzhan, and Su Xuening seemed to sense something was amiss, and the group exchanged glances.

The handsome middle-aged man walked up to Huangfu Jue, looking at him with tenderness and affection, and reached out to pat his head: "Jue'er..."

Before he could touch Huangfu Jue, Huangfu Jue tilted his head to the side.

The obvious look of disdain made Huangfu Shenglin's heart ache sharply.

Huangfu Shenglin withdrew his hand dejectedly and said in a hoarse voice, "Don't you remember Father Emperor?"

Huangfu Jue frowned and stared at Huangfu Shenglin for a while before bowing to him and saying, "Father!"

The word "Father" brought tears to Huangfu Shenglin's eyes, and he was filled with guilt.

At the same time, Huangfu Jue's cry of "Father Emperor" finally revealed the identity of the Emperor's consort, Sheng Ling.

All the civil and military officials gathered together, discussing the matter animatedly.

"This is the Emperor of Southern Qi! Wasn't it said that the envoy from Southern Qi was coming to pay homage? Why has the Emperor of Southern Qi come in person?"

"But today is his son's coming-of-age ceremony. It's such an important event, it's normal for him to come in person!"

"After the Southern Qi emperor sent his son to our Eastern Chu, he never came to see him again. Alas, there has been a rift between father and son!"

"Isn't that right? His Highness Jue isn't close to the Emperor of Southern Qi at all; he's much closer to our Emperor Emeritus and Empress Dowager!"

"They were raised by our Emperor Emeritus and Empress Dowager themselves, how could they not be close to them?"

Huangfu Shenglin listened to the ministers' discussions and looked up at Xuanyuan Zhan and Su Xuening on the jade steps.

In fact, he was grateful to them. If he had any other way back then, he would not have been willing to send his son to Dongchu. However, in order to successfully summon the White Tiger Divine Beast, he had to reluctantly give up his son and send him to Dongchu.

Although his son was in Dongchu, he had sent people to his side all these years. He knew that Xuanyuan Zhan and his wife treated Jue'er very well, like their own son, and he was grateful to them.

Huangfu Jue stepped forward and bowed deeply to Xuan Yuanzhan and Su Xuening: "Thank you both for taking care of my Jue'er all these years. Huangfu Shengling is deeply grateful!"

Su Xuening and Xuan Yuanzhan exchanged a glance, and Xuan Yuanzhan quickly said, "Since you sent the child here, it means you trust me. I naturally cannot mistreat him. Besides, you are giving him to us as our son-in-law. As a son-in-law, how can we not take care of him!"

Hearing Xuan Yuanzhan say that, Huangfu Shenglin breathed a sigh of relief.

It seems that the Emperor of Eastern Chu has approved of their Jue'er, which makes it easier for him to speak later.

"This must be the new emperor of Eastern Chu. I didn't have time to send a congratulatory gift when the new emperor ascended the throne last time. This time, I have specially prepared a congratulatory gift. I hope the new emperor will not mind." Huangfu Shenglin said to Xuanyuan Xi.

Xuan Yuanxi quickly stood up and gave Huangfu Shengling a junior's bow: "Thank you, Uncle."

He was originally the new emperor of Eastern Chu, and Huangfu Shenglin was also the emperor of Southern Qi, so he did not need to bow to him.

But he is, after all, Huangfu Jue's biological father and will be Xing'er's future father-in-law. For the sake of Huangfu Jue and Xing'er, he should perform this junior's etiquette.

Xuanyuan Xixing's gesture of respect elevated Huangfu Shengling's standing among the civil and military officials and imperial relatives of Eastern Chu.

Huangfu Shenglin then greeted Duanmu Junyu and Su Yun'an as well.

Since they were all emperors of various countries and would later become relatives, Duanmu Junyu and Su Yun'an were very polite to Huangfu Shenglin.

Huangfu Shenglin also greeted Pei Luo and You Yi, as well as Dao Yi and the others.

Huangfu Shenglin knew that there were three national teachers in Dongchu, who were the teachers of the emperor and empress Xuanyuan Zhan and Su Xuening, and even the new emperor and empress Xuanyuan Xi and Leng Xiyue. They were reclusive masters, so he naturally had to pay his respects.

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