The banquet that evening, overseen by the Minister of Rites, was a farewell feast arranged in the palace. Although Luo Jiu was merely a figurehead and the ruler of the nation, he could not be absent.

Luo Jiu's heart had been pounding wildly since the afternoon, as if it were a sign that something bad was about to happen, making her a little anxious.

The moment reached its peak was when the Southern Saintess Si Nanyin offered her a toast.

"I have heard that the Emperor of Qi ascended the throne at a young age and has been diligent and hardworking during his reign. Under your leadership, Great Qi is even more prosperous than before..." Si Nanyin picked up her wine cup and drank it all in one gulp.

Everyone in Qi Kingdom knows that the prosperity of Great Qi is all due to the rule of the Regent. Si Nanyin's words were merely meant to mock Luo Jiu, but there were still some fools who didn't understand and applauded Si Nanyin's boldness.

On the other hand, everyone on the Qi Kingdom's side turned pale because of Si Nanyin's words.

No matter how bad Luo Jiu is, he is still the emperor of Qi. If Luo Jiu is humiliated, it is Qi that is humiliated. The matter between Luo Jiu and the regent is Qi's own political affair, and it is not for outsiders to comment on.

Luo Jiu just smiled faintly, looked at her, and didn't say anything or drink the wine in her glass.

Si Nanyin picked up the wine pot again, poured a full cup, and said, "What I admire most is that your country's emperor is a woman, yet she is so wise and resourceful. I am truly far inferior to her. I salute you."

Luo Jiu's mind went blank for a moment. The sudden exposure of her identity left her stunned on the dragon throne.

Aimlessly, their lifeless eyes darted down the court. Some looked surprised, some suspicious, some angry, and others had eyes that scanned everywhere, a naked gaze that seemed to want to strip them bare… It was disgusting…

Upon hearing this, everyone present could no longer remain seated and began to voice their questions. The noisy chatter immediately filled the entire hall.

"You, you, you...you vixen, how dare you speak so arrogantly on our territory!" Prime Minister Ye Si was furious, his face flushed red, his voice trembling as he rebuked Si Nanyin.

He had watched Luo Jiu grow up, and although she was sometimes mischievous and naughty, which could drive him crazy, how could anyone slander her like this?

"That's right, you vixen! You come to my Qi Kingdom and disrespect His Majesty. Don't you want to die?" another minister accused, none other than Yin Quan, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.

This person is usually very fair and principled, and would never make a hasty conclusion without understanding the facts. Yet this time, he has also blindly defended Luo Jiu.

"Why are you so angry, gentlemen? Whether your emperor is a woman or not can be determined by summoning the imperial physician for an examination. Why accuse our holy maiden without any investigation or reasoning?" the envoy from the Southern Kingdom said, standing up.

“That…makes sense…” Yin Quan said after a moment of silence.

Just then, amidst the clapping, a burst of crisp applause rang out. When everyone stopped and looked towards the source of the sound, they heard Gu Muchen stop clapping and say:

"So this is how the Southern Kingdom's etiquette is. First, you openly slandered His Majesty in the main hall of my Qi Kingdom, and then you made His Majesty examine you in public."

So what if she is a woman, or not? Regardless of whether she is or not, you have no right to make this demand. This is the internal affair of my Qi Kingdom, and it has nothing to do with outsiders.

All who come are guests, but I will not tolerate such rude and barbaric people behaving so presumptuously in my Qi Kingdom's palace!