A moment later, the ten beauties stopped dancing and stood up in two rows, with the woman with peach blossom eyes standing in the middle of the first row.

"Good, good, good!" Emperor Rui said three times in a row. He looked at the ten beauties with amazement, and finally his gaze settled on the woman with peach blossom eyes. He pointed at the woman and said in an exceptionally gentle voice, "You, come to my side."

The woman smiled sweetly, curtsied, and softly said, "Yes."

Liang Yihan took everything in. A strange smile, a mixture of contempt and satisfaction, appeared on his lips.

The woman moved gracefully and slowly to Emperor Rui's side, bowed again, and said softly, "This humble woman, Jiang Tao'er, greets Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"

Jiang Tao'er's voice was extremely soft and charming, each sound penetrating Emperor Rui's ears, making his bones melt. He reached out and helped Jiang Tao'er up, taking her soft, boneless hand in his, and said with a smile, "Jiang Tao'er, what a good name, what a good name... Oh dear, why are your hands so cold? Someone, quickly fetch one of my cloaks!"

As soon as Emperor Rui finished speaking, a young palace maid came forward with a cloak and whispered, "Your Majesty, here is the cloak you requested."

Emperor Rui was taken aback; he had long forgotten about ordering someone to fetch a cloak for Ahua. He didn't delve into it, stood up, took the cloak, and personally fastened it for Jiang Tao'er, saying gently, "It's chilly at night; don't catch a cold."

Jiang Tao'er smiled gently and said softly, "Tao'er thanks Your Majesty for your concern."

Emperor Rui held Jiang Tao'er's small hand, his eyes fixed on her, and said loudly, "It's late, let's end the banquet today!"

Upon hearing this, everyone stood up one after another, walked to the center of the Moon-Viewing Platform, knelt on the ground, and said in unison, "Yes, we respectfully see off the Emperor."

Emperor Rui nodded and ordered, "Guards, take all these beauties from the Jade Prince's residence away and settle them properly! Tao'er, you come with me."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Jiang Tao'er gave a graceful bow, her peach blossom eyes slanting slightly, almost stealing the Emperor Rui's soul.

Emperor Rui felt a surge of warmth in his heart and pulled Jiang Tao'er to leave.

At this moment, Yu Ke behind Zhang Chao coughed lightly. Zhang Chao suddenly remembered the important matter of the day and hurriedly called out, "Your Majesty!"

"Hmm?" Emperor Rui stopped in his tracks, turned around and looked over, a hint of anger visible on his face.

Zhang Chao understood Emperor Rui's thoughts very well. He could tell from his expression that the emperor was angry. Zhang Chao's heart trembled, and he thought to himself, then lowered his head and said, "It is late and the dew is heavy. Your Majesty should be careful on your way back to the palace."

Emperor Rui snorted in displeasure and said impatiently, "I know, I'm not a child anymore! Prepare to return to the palace!"

"Your Majesty, you are departing!" The middle-aged eunuch, around forty years old, shouted in a high-pitched voice. The many eunuchs and palace maids who followed Emperor Rui followed behind him, and the group filed down the wooden steps and left one after another.

Zhang Chao, Liang Shen, and the others remained kneeling on the ground, and once again said in unison, "Respectfully seeing off His Majesty!"

Only when the footsteps of Emperor Rui and his entourage could no longer be heard did everyone stand up.

A strange smile played on Liang Shen's lips as he cupped his hands in greeting to Zhang Chao and said with a smile, "Lord Zhang, the banquet is over, shall we go?"

Zhang Chao's entire face was black. At today's banquet, Xuan Yuanhao and Liang Yihan had stolen the show, while Zhang Chao had made a complete fool of himself!

He barely suppressed his anger and said in a deep voice, "Lord Liang has raised a fine son!"

"Is Uncle Zhang talking about me?" Liang Yihan smiled lightly, completely ignoring the sarcasm in Zhang Chao's post, and bowed, saying, "Thank you for the compliment, Uncle!"

Zhang Chao felt a lump in his throat, and he coughed, gesturing for someone to step towards the top of the wooden stairs. He said in a deep voice, "It's late, we should be going. Your Highness, Lord Yang, please go first!"

Liang Shen laughed heartily twice, and without standing on ceremony with Zhang Chao, he cupped his hands in greeting and took the lead towards the wooden stairs.

Xuan Yuanhao and Liang Yihan bowed to Zhang Chao and followed Liang Shen. However, as Xuan Yuanhao left, he couldn't help but glance at Liuli, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

Zhang Chao stayed behind with a dark face. He turned to look at Yu Ke, Liu Li, and A Hua, and first said to Yu Ke in a low voice, "Young Master Yu, you have seen what happened today. I will discuss your matter another day."

Yu Ke nodded and said, "Yes."

Then, Zhang Chao glanced at Liuli and Ahua, sighed heavily, and turned to leave.

Liuli and Ahua exchanged a glance. Liuli shrugged and said indifferently, "Let's go, Ahua."

"Okay." Ahua replied and followed Zhang Chao with Liuli and Yuke.

Zhang Chao led Liuli and the others out of the palace. Zhang Chao boarded the carriage that was waiting outside the palace, while Liuli, Ahua, and Yu Ke could only follow behind the carriage.