Xin Kui's heart sank.

Qiqige, seemingly oblivious to Xin Kui's slight change in expression, continued, "I've admired heroes since childhood. Seeing General Xin's demeanor yesterday, he truly lives up to his reputation… It's just a pity that you've already beaten me to it, elder sister." Her tone was regretful, yet tinged with a hint of provocation. "However, I've heard that it's common for nobles of the Great Liang to have multiple wives and concubines? If you value sisterly affection and the bond between the Northern Di and the Great Liang, you surely wouldn't mind sharing a husband with me, would you? After all, my status is far superior to those of dubious origin…"

“Princess Qiqige!” Xin Jiuwei’s face darkened abruptly, her voice icy. “Watch your words!”

Xin Kui's face paled slightly, but her back remained ramrod straight. She looked at Qiqige, her voice clear and icy: "Princess, please be careful with your words. First, Kui and the princess are not sisters; there is no need to concern ourselves with such empty sentiments. Second, my husband, Xin Yunzhou, has sworn an oath that he will have only me as his wife for life and will never take a concubine. His Majesty and Her Majesty can both bear witness to this. Third, friendly relations between our two nations should be based on sincerity and mutual benefit, not on sacrificing a woman's happiness and engaging in such despicable calculations. Princess, your status is noble; it would be better not to belittle yourself by uttering such words that dishonor the nation and demean yourself."

Her words were powerful and decisive, ruthlessly tearing away Qiqige's hypocritical mask and the Northern Di's schemes.

Qiqige hadn't expected Xin Kui to be so resolute, and her face flushed red with shame and anger: "You! You're just a..."

"Princess Qiqige!" Xin Jiuwei stood up, her phoenix eyes filled with sternness. "The words of the Duchess of Zhenguo are exactly what I mean! General Xin and his wife are a loving couple, a beautiful story in our Great Liang, and no one is allowed to interfere or disrupt it! If the Northern Di are truly sincere in their friendship, Great Liang will treat them with courtesy; but if they harbor ulterior motives and attempt to use a woman's marriage as a bargaining chip to disturb the peace of our court officials' families, don't blame me for disregarding the friendship between our two countries! Guards, show them out!"

The Empress directly ordered him to leave. Qiqige's face turned pale and then red, and in the end, she did not dare to be presumptuous in front of the Empress. She could only glare at Xin Kui hatefully before leaving in a sorry state.

The pavilion fell silent. Xin Jiuwei grasped Xin Kui's cold hand and noticed it was trembling slightly.

“Wei’er…” Xin Kui’s voice choked with emotion, not from fear, but from anger and grievance, “How could they… How could they do this…”

"Because they are foolish and greedy," Xin Jiuwei said coldly. "Seeing you doing well, they tried every means to sabotage you, hoping to use you to climb up the social ladder to Brother Yunzhou, even at the cost of sacrificing another daughter. Rest assured, with me and His Majesty here, we will never let them succeed!"

Xin Kui leaned on Xin Jiuwei's shoulder, feeling a sense of relief from her sister's unwavering support. However, the arrival of the Northern Di delegation had clearly cast a shadow over her life.