"I'm old and useless now, that's why that villain kidnapped Gu Jinxi."

As she spoke, her usually dignified eyes reddened slightly.

"It's alright, it's alright."

The Empress Dowager said it several times in a row.

"Fortunately, it was a false alarm."

"I have heard that it was thanks to the monarch of the Great Qi that Jinxi was rescued. He happened to capture the villain."

Gu Jingchun nodded.

"Yes, it's all thanks to him."

Did you thank him?

Gu Jingchun nodded.

"Thank you already."

The Empress Dowager then said, "Tell Hechuan that a palace banquet will be held tomorrow to express our gratitude to the ruler of Great Qi."

"Since he saved our future crown prince of Great Qi, we must not lose the magnanimity of Great Cheng."

Gu Jingchun understood that she would wait until the Empress Dowager fell asleep before getting up to tell Shen Hechuan about the Empress Dowager's decision.

Although Shen Hechuan disliked Mo Junxing very much.

But it was indeed Mo Junxing who saved Gu Jinxi this time, so he should express his gratitude both morally and logically.

However, he didn't think Mo Junxing would be so kind, nor did he believe it was such a coincidence that he happened to encounter Gu Jinxi being taken away.

Not only that, he also felt that he was inextricably linked to Mo Junxing at this time.

Perhaps the other party is Mo Junxing's man, and all of this is just his own doing.

Mo Junxing did all this largely because he wanted to gain Gu Jingchun's trust.

For this reason, Shen Hechuan kept a cold face and was very unhappy.

Soon, the day of the banquet arrived.

Apart from Mo Junxing being present.

Shen Hechuan also invited many prominent families and ministers from the court to accompany him.

However, it wasn't as grand as the first time.

At the banquet.

Shen Hechuan sat high on the dragon throne.

Because of his current status, Gu Jingchun could only sit in the seat below him at most.

Because of his status, Mo Junxing sat opposite Gu Jingchun.

Next to them are the ministers of Dacheng and Daqi.

There was nothing wrong with the seating arrangement, but when Shen Hechuan saw that Mo Junxing was sitting opposite Gu Jingchun, he couldn't help but clench his teeth.

Especially when he saw Mo Jun not moving, he would turn his gaze to Gu Jingchun.

Whether he was drinking tea, wine, or even just eating some food, he would always look up and give Gu Jingchun a meaningful look.

And Gu Jingchun would even nod at him from time to time.

This made Shen Hechuan even angrier.

He simply raised his head and stopped looking, instead giving the order to begin the performance.

The dancers this time were all stunningly beautiful, and their dance was absolutely brilliant.

Shen Hechuan hoped that Mo Junxing could shift his attention away from Gu Jingchun.

But he didn't.

Finally, Shen Hechuan could no longer hold back and raised his glass.

"My lord, this banquet today is to thank you for saving me... Da Cheng's son, what do you think?"

Mo Junxing's cooperation was rare.

He also raised his glass high, "Today's banquet..."

As he spoke, he glanced in Gu Jingchun's direction before continuing, "I am very satisfied and thank Your Majesty for your hospitality."

His words were pointed, causing Shen Hechuan's gaze to turn cold instantly.

Mo Junxing had already downed the wine in his hand, turned the wine glass upside down, and looked at Shen Hechuan provocatively.

"readily!"

Shen Hechuan narrowed his eyes, tilted his head back and drank the wine in his hand in one gulp. He also turned his wine glass upside down, and then they both smiled with narrowed eyes.

The two of them, as if they were locked in a contest, began drinking incessantly.

After finishing one cup, I drank a second one, and then a third one.

Under the watchful eyes of all the ministers, Shen Hechuan and Mo Junxing drank cup after cup.

Just when the two of them had drunk almost enough.

Mo Junxing spoke through his drunken haze.

"Your Majesty, you have a good capacity for alcohol."

Mo Junxing praised him, then quickly changed the subject.

"Your Majesty, I have been bothering you in Dacheng for many days. Today, I would like to present you with a few gifts, hoping that you will like them."

Upon hearing this, Shen Hechuan raised an eyebrow.

"oh?"

"Your Majesty is too kind. I am quite curious about what kind of gift Your Majesty will give me."

After Shen Hechuan finished speaking, Mo Junxing immediately clapped his hands.

Soon, several women walked into the main hall one after another.

Several very beautiful women.

Moreover, they were all dressed in revealing clothing and had alluring figures.

He walked slowly to the front of the main hall and bowed respectfully to Shen Hechuan.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

Her charming voice, stunning face, delicate and fair skin, and curvaceous figure instantly attracted the attention of everyone present.

Several ministers, having drunk wine, couldn't help but speak up upon seeing such a beautiful woman.

"Everyone says that the Great Qi produces beautiful women, and now it seems that this is indeed true."

"Look at their figures, they are really beautiful."

I've heard that the beauties of the Great Qi are exceptionally skilled at the Water Snake Dance; their slender waists sway like water snakes, it's incredibly captivating.

After the ministers finished speaking, one of the women slowly raised her head.

Upon seeing the woman's face clearly, the minister was so startled that he hiccuped.

"This...this woman's face...how does it look so much like Gu Jingchun!"

One sentence made Gu Jingchun look up abruptly.

This also made Shen Hechuan, who had been motionless, look up.

Both men looked at the woman and exchanged a glance.

Looking into Gu Jingchun's piercing gaze, Shen Hechuan felt his heart race even faster.

I was so scared!

He quickly lowered his eyes, not daring to look at the women even once.

"Your Majesty is too kind. I am currently in mourning, so please refrain from having these beauties."

As he spoke, he looked at Mo Junxing again.

"I remember that Your Majesty's lover ran away. You should keep these beauties to serve yourself."

After glaring at Shen Hechuan, Gu Jingchun also glared fiercely at Mo Junxing.

This guy did it on purpose, deliberately finding a woman who looked like her and giving her to Shen Hechuan.

This isn't giving her a gift; it's clearly meant to annoy her.

Moreover, if Shen Hechuan doesn't accept the beauty that Mo Junxing offers, it might cause some unnecessary suspicion.

Sure enough, after Shen Hechuan finished speaking, Mo Junxing immediately chuckled.

"Does Your Majesty mean that you are not satisfied with the gifts from our Great Qi?"

As he spoke, a hint of displeasure crept into his tone.

"I just don't know if His Majesty dislikes these gifts from my Great Qi, or if he dislikes my peaceful coexistence with my Great Qi."

He sighed as he spoke.

"I came here today with the intention of promoting peaceful coexistence between our two countries. However, considering that Your Majesty has just ascended the throne and your harem is empty, I have specially sent these beauties to express my sincerity."

"I never expected that His Majesty would send the person back without even looking at them."

It seems His Majesty has no intention of establishing friendly relations with our Great Qi.