The situation became quite awkward at one point.

Of course, Liang Qingqing was the only one who felt awkward.

They were prepared for a struggle, but Zhou Yinghuai refused so decisively. How could the next steps proceed?

Liang Qingqing clenched her fists tightly, her smile already somewhat forced.

"Can't you give me a chance to make amends?"

"Make amends? Your Majesty, do you even know what you're saying? What debt have we ever owed each other?"

Liang Qingqing lowered her eyes and chuckled.

“Zhou Yinghuai, I know you. You are a man of great talent and have the ability to govern a country. It is a great pity and I am heartbroken to see you fall into the position of a traitor. This time, I am only giving you one chance.”

After saying that, Liang Qingqing turned around and looked behind her, then poured Zhou Yinghuai a glass of wine.

"As the Empress of the Great Zhou, my personal visit to you is enough to demonstrate how much our Great Zhou values ​​you."

Now an opportunity is presented to you. Drink this cup of wine, stay in the Great Zhou, and we will give you a better chance to demonstrate your abilities.

Zhou Yinghuai had guessed the other party's intentions from the beginning, but after hearing her say it herself, he still couldn't help but sneer.

"Your Majesty, are you saying these things to my face because you think you can replace His Majesty of the Great Zhou, or are you deliberately deceiving me?"

Liang Qingqing smiled, her face full of confidence.

“Since I said it, I will definitely do it. Whatever Jin Shu can give you, I can give you double. Power, status, or even your ambitions, I can satisfy them all.”

"Heh... You're being too optimistic about the current situation of the Great Zhou. Your Majesty, why don't you take a trip to my Northern Kingdom when you have time? You don't need to go to the capital; just visit a small border town. After you've seen it, you'll realize that you're just a... clown."

The last sentence, though seemingly casual, completely broke Liang Qingqing's defenses.

The smile on her face had vanished, replaced by anger and embarrassment. It was as if everything she had just displayed was nothing but trash in Zhou Yinghuai's eyes. How could Liang Qingqing, the mother of the nation, be insulted like this by a traitor?

She slammed her hand on the table.

"Zhou Yinghuai, did I give you face and make you think you're so capable? You think you can look down on the world just because you're in the North? What a joke! In the eyes of my Great Zhou, your North is just a bunch of clowns! Once you've had your fun, Great Zhou can crush you with a single finger!"

"Guards! Zhou Yinghuai has insulted me! Arrest him and throw him into the imperial prison; give him a hundred lashes first!"

After he finished speaking, more than a dozen guards rushed out to grab Zhou Yinghuai, but before they got close, a deep voice suddenly came from the side.

"Let's see who dares to arrest the Prince Regent of the Northern Kingdom!"

Jin Shu, dressed in a vermilion palace gown, slowly walked forward. Wearing a jade crown, her face was cold and aloof. Her regal aura was so imposing that the guards stood rooted to the spot, too afraid to move.

Liang Qingqing was almost laughing out of anger.

"The Northern Kingdom? Ha, a bunch of rabble who think they're invincible? Jin Shu, don't be so arrogant. Do you think you're a real dragon? You're not even a worm on the ground! The Great Zhou doesn't even consider you a threat!"

"You don't take me seriously? Fine, then. Do you want me to prove to you whether the Great Zhou Dynasty truly respects my Northern Kingdom?"

"Prove it? How do you intend to prove it? Do you only kneel down and beg for mercy when my Great Zhou army is at our gates?"

Jin Shu rolled up her sleeves and shook her head.

"It doesn't have to be that complicated; there's an even simpler way."

"what else……"

Before Liang Qingqing could finish her sentence, Jin Shu swung her arm and slapped her across the face.

This slap completely stunned Liang Qingqing, and the surrounding kings also stood there dumbfounded, their eyes wide open, unable to believe their eyes.

Liang Qingqing covered her face, trembling all over, her eyes red-rimmed, and stared at Jin Shu, letting out a low growl.

"How dare you hit me?! Help!!"

The guards reacted quickly, drawing their swords and surrounding Jin Shu and Zhou Yinghuai. The blades were sharp, and Zhou Yinghuai tried to shield Jin Shu, but she pushed him away.

"Jin Shu, arrogance will only lead to your demise! The Great Zhou is just looking for a reason to declare war on you, and you've gone and pushed yourself into the fire!"

Liang Qingqing was both angry and amused, but before she could give the order, a loud shout came from not far away from her.

"His Majesty has arrived—!!"

Liang Qingqing's originally angry face was immediately filled with grievance and resentment. She covered her face and watched Huangfu Rong walk over, her eyes filled with tears, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall.

Huangfu Rong walked over, and all the kings bowed to him.

"What's wrong?"

The maidservant immediately knelt down and cried.

"This lady from the North just slapped Her Majesty the Empress! Her Majesty offered her a toast, but she repeatedly provoked her! Her Majesty has been patient for the sake of peace between the two countries, but they have gone too far!"

Huangfu Rong stared coldly at the finger marks on Liang Qingqing's face, then turned to look at Jin Shu.

"What do you mean? Do you really think the Northern Kingdom is the only powerful nation?"

"Your queen was just about to punish our Prince Regent. Not only did she try to undermine us in front of me, but now she's trying to bully us. If I don't punish her, will she immediately send people to arrest us all?"

Or is this banquet actually aimed at us? Could it be that the entire imperial garden is surrounded by guards? And after we've had a few rounds of drinks, if any of the rulers present have offended you before, you'll just detain them?

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the group of rulers who had initially intended to watch the spectacle immediately became quite complicated.

Just now, Liang Qingqing gave the order, and so many guards jumped out of the flower bushes. What does that mean? It means that I must have already been surrounded by guards.

With his plan exposed, Huangfu Rong's expression was beyond ugly.

Jin Shu, however, had no intention of letting him go.

"If anyone dares to draw their sword against me now, who among you will dare to stay and drink later?"

However, these are all just my own speculations. The Great Zhou, as a powerful nation in the Central Plains, is vast and rich in resources, and its ruler is known for his tolerance and magnanimity. Surely they wouldn't resort to bloodshed over a minor conflict?

Having said that, what could Huangfu Rong say? He could only frown and order all the guards to leave.

Seeing this, Liang Qingqing's gaze towards Huangfu Rong held a hint of resentment.

But she knew now was not the time to lash out, so she could only turn and leave with a dark expression.

When she returned, she had changed into a phoenix robe that matched Huangfu Rong's, and with a head full of pearls, she was quite eye-catching as soon as she appeared, perfectly embodying elegance and nobility.