Hall of Supreme Harmony

The emperor arrived late, and as Zheng He's high-pitched singing began, the previously chatting and laughing crowd immediately stood up to greet him: "Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

Emperor Jingcheng strode onto the golden dragon throne, sat down steadily, and exuded majesty in his eyes and brows.

"Everyone, please rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"Today, the four kingdoms have gathered together, and I am overjoyed."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Prince Yuan raised his wine cup, stood up, and walked to the center of the hall: "On such a solemn day, your subject respectfully greets Your Majesty, the Emperor of Dongyang, the Emperor of Beixiang, the Emperor of Nanling, and all the ministers!"

Di Jingcheng raised his wine cup, laughed heartily, and held the cup high: "Good!"

Everyone had already stood up, and after the emperor drank it, they all tilted their heads back and drank it down as well.

Gong Yuhan stood up, followed by a servant who carried a brocade box covered with red silk. What was inside was unknown. Everyone was curious and leaned forward, craning their necks. Di Jingcheng's eyes also flickered slightly.

The Emperor of Nanling bowed slightly and said, "Your Majesty, this is a precious treasure I present to you. It is a string of rare warm jade beads, and the jade is a rare purple color that shines brilliantly in the sunlight. In addition, this jade has health benefits, and its color will change according to the health of the wearer. Please accept it, Your Majesty!"

Having said that, Gong Yuhan personally lifted the red silk, opened the brocade box, and the purple jade bracelet was revealed before everyone's eyes. Reflecting the light in the brilliant lamplight, it was dazzling and extremely beautiful.

Zheng He went down twice to present the brocade box. Emperor Jingcheng held the jade bracelet in his hand and gently played with it. It was indeed a fine item. He would have the imperial physician examine it carefully and then give it to his own precious daughter to admire.

Thinking this, Emperor Jingcheng's lips curled into a doting smile. Seeing this, everyone looked at Gong Yuhan with somewhat intriguing expressions. They thought to themselves that Gong Yuhan had actually won the emperor's favor with just this one item; she was indeed no simple character.

"Very well, since that's the case, Prince Yuan, bring the items up!" Di Jingcheng was clearly in a very good mood.

Prince Yuan presented the draft treaty he had prepared in advance. Then, Prince Yuan, representing Xijing, and Gong Yuhan, representing Nanling, signed the "Southwest Treaty" in front of everyone.

The main contents of the treaty are as follows: Nanling is subordinate to Xijing and becomes a prefecture of Xijing; the emperor of Nanling will no longer call himself emperor and will submit to Xijing; the emperor of Nanling will be a hostage in Xijing for five years, and officials from Xijing will be stationed in Nanling Prefecture.

Gong Yuhan did not resist at all, because Emperor Jingcheng also promised to guarantee the Nanling royal family a life of wealth and honor, but they would no longer have any political power.

Yang Mingyue and Liu Xinqi looked down on Gong Yuhan for a moment. How could the former emperor of Nanling have entrusted the country to such a person? Not to mention making any achievements, he couldn't even protect the country now, and he himself was beheaded.

The banquet continued. Emperor Jingcheng was in high spirits that evening, and he accepted all the toasts offered to him by the ministers. Midway through the banquet, Yang Mingyue suddenly stood up and stepped forward with the veiled woman behind him.

"Your Majesty, to express the sentiments of Dongyang, our country is willing to present our legitimate princess, Princess Mingyu, to Your Majesty."

"Mingyu, dance for His Majesty!"

Yang Mingyu stepped forward and said softly, "Mingyu greets His Majesty Xijing!"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jingcheng's face darkened. The women in the harem were already enough of a mess, causing his beloved troubles. Was Yang Mingyue deliberately trying to annoy him?

"My coronation ceremony has already been announced to the world and is still in preparation. Emperor Dongyang should not allow me to be implicated in disloyalty and injustice, should he?" Emperor Jingcheng said coldly.

Yang Mingyue chuckled nonchalantly, "Your Majesty is quite right." He didn't say anything more, so Princess Mingyu had no choice but to retreat, her eyes filled with regret. This Emperor Xijing was a dragon among men, and she had long admired him, but she never expected to be rejected by him in just a few words.

"In that case, I will take Mingyu back with me."

Di Jingcheng narrowed his eyes and looked at Yang Mingyue and his sister below. He suddenly remembered that harsh winter, when it was a banquet like this, Qinghe was kneeling in the snow, and his Azi died tragically in the cold palace.

Lost in thought, he ignored the people below and continued drinking. Yang Mingyue had already left the banquet at some point, and soon Er Gong Yuhan and Liu Xinqi also disappeared.

——

After Emperor Jingcheng left, Azi got up and had some dinner. She ate a bit too much, so she took her people outside for a walk to digest.

Two young palace maids held lanterns in front, while Qinghe and Zheng San supported her from the side, followed by more than a dozen palace maids and eunuchs.

Azi, Qinghe, and Zheng San chatted, occasionally letting out a soft laugh. At a fork in the road in the Imperial Garden, a dark figure appeared from behind the bushes, startling Qinghe. Azi also quickly stopped, nervously gripping the arms of the two beside her.

"What's wrong?"

Qinghe patted her hand reassuringly and shouted at the dark figure, "How dare you! Who's there! Come out now!"

The dark figure slowly approached, and by the light of the palace maid's lamp, the person in front of him could be seen as a tall man, but his face was completely unfamiliar, and he had never seen him before.

Azi carefully examined the man in front of her. She saw his face clearly. He was very handsome, but he had a bit of a wicked and roguish air about him. His eyes didn't look very proper either, giving people a very hooligan and unserious feeling.

As Azi watched her approach, she instinctively took a step back.

Yang Mingyue also carefully observed the woman before him. She was delicate, charming, and uniquely beautiful. A hint of amazement flashed in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by desire. Azi was startled by his gaze.

Zheng Sanhu stood in front of Azi and said, "How dare you be so insolent in front of Her Majesty the Empress! Get out of here at once!"

Qinghe quickly instructed several eunuchs behind her to step forward and protect Azi tightly behind her.

Upon learning the identity of the woman before him, Yang Mingyue became even more excited. He was more interested in Emperor Jingcheng's woman! Instead of retreating, he stepped forward and bowed respectfully: "Emperor Dongyang, Yang Mingyue, Empress Xijing, greetings."

Azi felt that the man in front of her was extremely dangerous. The way he looked at her was like that of a predator, making her feel suffocated.

She tried to calm herself down and said coldly, "As the Emperor of Dongyang, shouldn't you be in the Hall of Supreme Harmony? Why are you wandering around the palace?"

"I've had some wine and came out for some fresh air. Your Majesty wouldn't even allow that, would you?"

Azi had no reply, but smiled slightly: "In that case, I have other matters to attend to and will take my leave first. Emperor Dongyang, please enjoy your stroll."

After saying that, she took Qinghe's hand and turned to leave, but Yang Mingyue took a few quick steps forward and blocked the group's way.

"This is outrageous! This is the Xijing Imperial Palace, not Dongyang. What is the Dongyang Emperor doing?" Azi was extremely annoyed with Yang Mingyue in front of her.

"The Empress is not only stunningly beautiful and incredibly alluring, with a graceful figure, but even her angry expression is captivating. Truly fascinating." Yang Mingyue's tone was frivolous, her greed undisguised.

Azi felt her face suddenly burning hot. Where did this lecherous man come from, daring to flirt with her like this?

She was furious and shouted, "Qinghe, grab him! Grab him, all of you!"