As Song Yaozhu and Xie Liwei stood up, Song Yaozhu held her teacup. Xie Liwei offered a few perfunctory words of respect and was about to drink when Dongfang Shi across from her said, "On His Majesty's birthday, why is the Princess Consort of Xiaoyao only drinking tea and not wine?"

His words were clearly meant to stir up trouble. Although Yuwen Wuji was displeased, he was just trying to cause trouble for Xie Liwei, and he was happy to watch this harmless spectacle.

"The Regent is unaware that Princess Xiaoyao is pregnant and therefore cannot drink alcohol."

One person kindly explained.

Unexpectedly, Dongfang Shi chuckled and said, "So the people of Dachen are so precious? Our slaves in Donglin can give birth even if they only eat spoiled food."

Xie Liwei retorted sarcastically, "Fortunately, our Emperor is a wise ruler who did not adopt the slave system; otherwise, where would we find this prosperous era? How can the country be stable if the people are starving?"

Yuwen Wuji was very pleased to receive a compliment from Xie Liwei.

Dongfang Shi's expression froze for a moment. He could naturally tell that Xie Liwei was mocking their Beiqing regime for being unstable and warning them of a popular uprising.

His gaze lingered on Song Yaozhu's face for a moment before he looked away. Hmph, if this woman is pregnant, she'll be quite valuable.

Soon, after the congratulatory remarks were finished, the gift presentations began, starting with the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince presented the Emperor with a Ruyi Buddha statue, which earned him praise from Yuwen Wuji. Then it was Prince Xuan and others who presented the statue.

When Xie Liwei arrived, he presented him with a bucket of ginger, which was very perfunctory.

If this were the first time he had given such a gift, one could praise his cleverness. But this bucket of ginger was a gift from a corrupt official of the previous dynasty who was trying to curry favor with the emperor. That official was not only greedy but also stingy, which is why he chose such a gift.

It's one thing for Xie Liwei to imitate others, but when Yuwen Wuji turned thirty, he also gave him a bucket of ginger.

Yuwen Wuji's lips twitched slightly, but he said nothing. After all, with so many people present, he couldn't very well humiliate Xie Liwei while simultaneously showing other nations that he, as the ruler of a country, was neglecting his duties.

Soon, it was time for the nations to present their gifts.

The Eastern Kingdom still sent more than a dozen beautiful female slaves, while the Northern Qing Kingdom found it quite unusual.

Prince Tuoba Yunwu of Beiqing stood up and said, "Beiqing presents a pill that can cure one hundred kinds of snake venom!"

After he finished speaking, two men from Beiqing walked up to the main hall, one of them carrying a basket. He took out a ten-foot-long snake with an inverted triangular head from the basket. The snake had very bright spots on its body and was a highly venomous viper.

The man grabbed the viper by its seven-inch mark and pried open its mouth, revealing its four sharp teeth to everyone present.

"My God! It's a poisonous snake! What are you Northern Qing thinking, bringing a poisonous snake to the banquet!"

There were many women present, and they all screamed in fright when they saw the viper.

"What are you Northern Qing trying to do!" a minister stood up and questioned. Although it was a question, his tone was extremely horrified, as if he had been severely frightened.

"Don't panic, everyone." The Prince of Beiqing was clearly very satisfied with the effect of the scene, which had scared the people of Dachen half to death, hahaha.

"Please look."

The person holding the snake pinched it and placed it on another person's body, whereupon the snake left four bloody holes in the person's body.

The bitten person quickly collapsed to the ground, convulsing, foaming at the mouth, and rolling their eyes upward.

Everyone gasped in surprise; the snake's venom was incredibly potent!

Then, the snake handler took out a pill from the brocade box, dissolved it in the tea, and fed it to the person who had been bitten.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the person who had been bitten began to wake up and weakly got up from the ground.

Yuwen Wuji was greatly shocked; there was such a powerful medicine!

"This medicine can cure one hundred kinds of snake venom and is one of our country's national treasures. Today, I present it to His Majesty of Great Chen and wish His Majesty a long and healthy life!"

Yuwen Wuji was very satisfied with the gift and immediately returned the gift. When the Minister of Revenue heard that he wanted to return ten cartloads of tea and medicinal herbs, his eyelids drooped sharply.

With such extravagant spending, they'll ruin the entire Chen Dynasty sooner or later!

After the people from Beiqing finished presenting their gifts and left, Xie Liwei's hand, which was resting on the table, twisted Song Yaozhu's fingers.

"What tricks is Beiqing up to?"

Song Yaozhu kept her gaze fixed on the two Beiqing people who had just performed. Seeing them retreat outside the hall, she thought, "They were definitely up to no good."

Xie Liwei raised his hand, and a young eunuch came forward, listened to his instructions, and then withdrew.

When Yuwen Wuji saw this, he was naturally puzzled about what Li Wei wanted to do, so he asked Li Wei to go and find out as well.

A short while later, Li Wei returned and said, "Your Majesty, the Prince of Xiaoyao said that this wine is very mellow and fragrant, but he would like to drink it with some ice. He has sent someone to fetch the ice."

Yuwen Wuji lowered his eyelids rather disappointedly. He was currently recuperating and avoiding spicy foods, so his cup contained only plain water.

A short while later, the little eunuch brought a small basin of ice into the hall. When King Xuan saw Xie Liwei adding ice to his cup, he became interested and asked for a piece.

The young eunuch carried a basin of ice to Prince Xuan's side and said, "Your Highness, Prince Xiaoyao asked me to tell you that although ice is refreshing, it is harmful to the lungs and internal organs, so you should not eat too much."

King Xuan stroked his mustache and laughed, "Then give me a small one."

The young eunuch quickly put a small piece of ice in his hand and retreated.

King Xuan took a sip of wine with ice and said with great pleasure, "It tastes much more refreshing with ice!"

He raised his cup to Xie Liwei, then, remembering the message the little eunuch had relayed to him when he bent over, he turned to tell his men to keep an eye on the two people in Beiqing.

Soon, someone returned and told him, "After those two from Beiqing left the main hall, they were watched as they went to a side hall. Nothing unusual was observed."

King Xuan frowned. "Has that snake been dealt with?"

The subordinate was taken aback and quickly went to check. He returned soon with a displeased expression, saying, "The snake is gone!"

King Xuan took a deep breath, thinking to himself that the people of Beiqing were indeed cunning!

This snake's venom is so potent that anyone bitten would likely be in grave danger. And their emperor happens to possess an antidote!

If the Emperor gives away the antidote, he might use snakes to assassinate again next time. If he doesn't, wouldn't that make him seem like an unkind and cruel ruler, potentially causing discord between the emperor and his ministers?

Unfortunately, with such a grand palace banquet today, they cannot openly arrest the snake. If they make too much of a fuss, they will lose face for their great nation. Beiqing is truly cunning!

King Xuan's expression darkened slightly. After pondering for a moment, he beckoned to his daughter.

"you go......"

Upon hearing this, Yongle raised an eyebrow and said, "Don't worry, I guarantee I'll handle this matter well for Father!"

Yongle went off, patting his chest in confidence.

King Xuan then sent someone to tell Yuwen Wuji a piece of news. After hearing it, Yuwen Wuji was so angry that he wanted to leave the room on the spot.

Those people in Beiqing are truly vicious and scheming! Thinking about how he had just given away over a dozen truckloads of goods, he felt a sharp pang of heartache!

He took a deep breath; he had to get his revenge!