Deep within the nine-tiered palace complex of the Dayan Imperial Palace, the Linde Hall by the Taiye Pond is brightly lit, as if it were daytime.

Outside the palace, the white marble square was filled with congratulatory gifts from various countries.

Yue Fuguang's eyes were opened, and he witnessed the exotic treasures from various countries.

Her seat was arranged next to Chongshan.

Originally, Emperor Mingxi intended to place her below him at the same table as the Crown Prince.

But when I think about the large number of foreign envoys attending the banquet today, and the unspoken thoughts of Yue Fuguang, why some of them can hear them while others cannot?

The fact that they could not find a pattern became a persistent doubt and a matter that the rulers and ministers of Dayan could not shake off, and something they urgently needed to figure out.

The Taoist priest Xuanmingzi, whom Emperor Mingxi had invited, had not yet arrived. Fearing that something might go wrong at the banquet, he had Yue Fuguang sit next to Yu Chongshan.

Once the Dayan ruler and his ministers discover that a foreigner can hear the Little Immortal Lord's thoughts, Yu Chongshan will immediately "fall ill" and naturally leave the table with his granddaughter.

As for why Yu Chongshan, who was getting stronger every day, fell ill, Yu Chongshan clutched his chest and thought, "Who can explain an old ailment?"

At the hour of You (5-7 PM), drums and music resounded.

Inside the hall, the beams were made of sandalwood from the cloud-topped roof, and the lamps were made of transparent palace gauze, illuminating the entire hall. The silk and jeweled curtains fluttered in the wind, and from time to time, the fragrance of incense mixed with various cosmetics wafted into the nostrils of the moonlit hall.

"Little bead, the scent is too strong, I'm suffocating! Please block it out for me!"

【Master, would you like some perfume sprayed around you?】

"No need. The smell here is too strong and mixed. Adding perfume would just produce some strange odor."

It's terrifying to even think about!

On the jade steps, Emperor Mingxi, dressed in full imperial robes, sat majestically on the high platform. His crown tassels hung down, and his face was hidden behind twelve strings of jade beads. Only his calm, sea-like gaze occasionally swept over the assembled envoys below, exuding an aura of authority without anger.

On the right is the Empress Dowager, on the left is the Empress, and below them are the Crown Prince, princes, and princesses.

Among these people, only the Prince of Qi, the Prince of Ming, and the Ninth Prince were missing.

Yue Fuguang and Yu Chongshan were positioned right next to a host of high-ranking officials of the first and second ranks, including the Ministers of the Three Dukes and Six Ministries. They could see the emperor's face clearly when they looked up, as well as Eunuch Qian, who was standing ramrod straight.

Qian Gui saw Yue Fuguang looking at him, and immediately straightened his back and gave her a fawning smile.

As the envoys from various countries took their seats one by one, with the system in hand, she quickly spotted Bei Yue, whom she had long heard of but never seen, and Lan Xuan'er, who might become the Ming Princess.

Even though Ming Wang was under house arrest, it still couldn't stop Lan Xuan'er's determination to marry him. She declared that she was willing to wait for him to recover.

Lan Xuan'er is either love-struck or has ulterior motives.

Surely it couldn't be that the Ming King put a 'love potion' on her!

They presented a "Hachisakaki Pine" planted in an Akagami pot, whose needles are said to reflect people's hearts on moonlit nights.

The accompanying priestess stood quietly behind her, the bells on her hairpins moving automatically without wind, emitting a clear and crisp sound.

"Little bead, can that thing really reveal a person's true heart? And that bell, does it contain poisonous insects?"

【Master, these pine needles absorb sunlight during the day and emit a fluorite-like glow at night. At night, you can only see a person's face reflected in them.】

The bell does indeed contain a poisonous insect; when controlled by someone outside, it appears to move without wind.

The Dayan rulers and ministers, who were initially quite surprised, instantly calmed down after the divine artifact explained it to them – it was all a routine!

The Beili delegation was led by Bei Yue, a man who was very strong and imposing, but who did not give the impression of being just a muscle-bound, simple-minded fellow.

They were all dressed in elaborate black robes and wore black hats of the same color. Their faces were solemn, and the gifts they gave were also conventional, unlike those of Nanzhao, which exuded mystery and eeriness.

Next came the Western Qiang, who wore clothes made from a combination of animal hides and brocade, with animal tooth collars around their necks, and their rugged, bold faces bore the marks of time.

Next to them were the delegation from the Nanyue Kingdom, adorned in colorful feathered robes, and the Dongyi delegation, which was rather short and had little presence.

The South Vietnamese delegation presented dragon blood wood, whose natural grain forms a pattern of galloping beasts and faintly exudes the fragrance of plants.

The Dongyi people live by the sea and are rich in pearls, corals, and other products. This year, they once again presented precious colored Dongyi pearls and corals, as well as giant clam shells that looked 'torturous' in the moonlight.

In addition to presenting exquisite knives inlaid with gemstones and various other objects, the Western Qiang also brought Emperor Mingxi a living creature—a falcon.

The falcon was pure white, with sharp, lightning-like eyes, and gold chains around its feet. Even in a bustling crowd, it remained firmly atop the strong arm of a warrior from the Western Qiang.

After a quick glance around, it was clear that the Dayan people were more refined in terms of clothing, food, and manners.

At the start of the banquet, the eunuch announced in a long voice: "His Majesty bestows this banquet—May His Majesty live ten thousand years!"

Hundreds of palace maids, dressed in colorful gowns, fluttered like butterflies among flowers, presenting delicacies in a continuous stream.

The pearl fish slices from the South China Sea are as thin as cicada wings, the roasted rhinoceros meat from the Northern Frontier is fragrant, the jade marrow soup from the East China Sea is crystal clear, and the wine from the Western Qiang region is as rich as blood...

Furthermore, the imperial chefs have ingeniously prepared dishes such as "Peace and Tranquility of the Nation" and "Prosperity of the Dynasty," which are auspicious blessings and expectations—these are called "artistic dishes."

Putting aside the taste, the presentation alone is indeed extremely exquisite and beautiful; it's truly different from what's served at state banquets!

During the banquet, the Imperial Music Bureau presented music, including the dignified and peaceful "Nine Merits Dance" as well as specially choreographed pieces with exotic flair.

When the unique snake flute music from the distant Xining Kingdom sounded, a golden-scaled python coiled and danced in the hall to the music, drawing gasps of amazement and fascination from those present.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, the atmosphere in the main hall became increasingly lively.

The dozen or so exquisite bowls and plates in front of Yue Fuguang were all dishes that suited her taste.

While Emperor Mingxi was receiving toasts from various foreign delegations on stage, he did not forget to keep an eye on her situation.

It's true that these two have been too quiet tonight. After a few rounds of drinks and food, they've lost their appetite. So far, they've only said a couple of sentences, and they still haven't figured out whether anyone in the foreign delegation can hear their thoughts.

If you were to say that it's because it's the Emperor's birthday that these two are giving him face and not saying anything, even if you dare to say it, Emperor Mingxi wouldn't believe you!

He knows he doesn't have that much face.

Just as Emperor Mingxi was thinking this, a long-awaited voice suddenly sounded in his ear: "Master, how many of these princes and princesses in this hall do you think will actually inherit their fathers' thrones in the future?"

The princes of Dayan who could hear each other's thoughts: "My Lord, don't come any closer!" Everyone knew that the one who later ascended the throne in Dayan was a good-for-nothing, and the country was destroyed in less than two years.

I wonder what became of them back then? Were they alive or dead?

If his father finds out which of them it was, will he even live to see tomorrow?

The Crown Prince who died young: It's impossible for him to exist. This is heartbreaking, my divine artifact!