Unlike the others who were amazed, Jun Linyu's eyes held a hint of possessiveness and a complex expression; she should have belonged to him.

Ji Chenyuan's expression became even more complicated. Ji Jiuying's stunningly beautiful face now looked almost exactly like Feng Lan's, bearing a striking resemblance.

Everyone was stunned for a moment.

Gong Mingyue frowned slightly, his dark and sharp eyes casting a chilling glance at the crowd.

Everyone shuddered, snapped out of their daze, and knelt down to pay their respects, saying, "Greetings, Grand Preceptor."

"Hmm~"

Gong Mingyue walked slowly with Ji Jiuying.

Ji Jiuying arrived at the main hall and was about to kneel down to pay her respects when an invisible force prevented her from doing so!

Without a doubt, it was that man's doing.

Seeing this, Ji Jiuying stood up and bowed.

"This commoner, Ji Jiuying, greets Your Majesty and Empress. Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress!"

The officials and nobles present looked at each other and whispered among themselves.

This season's Jiuying is too arrogant! Relying on the special treatment she receives from the Imperial Preceptor, she actually stood up to bow? Even officials of the first rank have no precedent for standing to bow.

How is this any different from challenging imperial authority?

When Ji Chenyuan heard Ji Jiuying refer to herself as a commoner rather than a subject, an uncontrollable rage surged through his veins.

Her words were undoubtedly a public slap in his face. Although he had kicked her out of the Ji family, who in Kyoto didn't know that she, Ji Jiuying, was his daughter, Ji Chenyuan?

Is she really that heartless?

Logically speaking, it shouldn't be like this!

Could it be that...?

Did she find out about that?

Emperor Jun Bufan, who wouldn't have become the emperor of Cangyue Kingdom without some strength, naturally knew what was going on.

Emperor Jun Bufan gave Eunuch Min a wink, and Eunuch Min immediately added a chair under the Grand Preceptor's seat.

"Silence, all of you!" Emperor Jun Bufan's majestic voice rang out, and everyone immediately shut their mouths.

Finally, he turned his gaze back to Ji Jiuying and said kindly, "No need for formalities, rise."

"From now on, Ninth Sister will be exempt from kneeling in the palace."

boom--

The emperor's words exploded like a bomb in the crowd.

Everyone looked on incredulously. What did Ji Jiuying do to deserve this? What gave her the right?

"Thank you, Your Majesty and Empress."

Although Ji Jiuying was somewhat surprised, she remained calm and composed in front of the Emperor and Empress from beginning to end, without losing her composure in the slightest.

It's a calmness and composure that comes from the very core of one's being; that kind of demeanor seems to be innate and has nothing to do with the protection of others.

"Eunuch Min, read out the imperial edict of investiture!"

Previously, Eunuch Min had gone to the Imperial Preceptor's residence with the imperial edict, but Ji Jiuying was not there at the time, so he had to hold a banquet to take the opportunity to confer the title.

Although the imperial edict was not read aloud at the Imperial Preceptor's residence, the news of Ji Jiuying's investiture spread.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The man called Eunuch Min stepped forward and opened the imperial edict in his hand.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Ji Jiuying is both beautiful and talented, intelligent and wise, and has made invaluable contributions by contracting with the divine dragon. As the daughter of the pride of Cangyue, Ji Jiuying is hereby conferred the title of Princess Anping, First Rank. So be it."

"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty." Ji Jiuying replied calmly, but her every move exuded an indescribable elegance and majesty, which perfectly matched the red dress she wore.

After saying that, he sat down next to Gong Mingyue.

As soon as he sat down, Gong Mingyue placed the brewed spiritual tea next to Ji Jiuying.

She didn't stand on ceremony. She slightly raised her hand, picked up the tea on the table, lightly skimmed off the foam, blew on it, and took a sip.

Ji Jiuying felt many eyes on her, some curious, some doubtful, some envious, but most of them were filled with jealousy and ruthlessness.

Some people wished they could tear Ji Jiuying off that position and sit in it themselves.

Jun Luoli was one of them. His gaze was as vicious as if it were coated with poison, and he fell on Ji Jiuying.

Ji Jiuying sneered inwardly, lightly lifted her eyelids, and coldly glanced at the people below.

She discovered that Mo Yunran was also there, and she was glaring at her with a crazed and vicious look.

Hehe~ I didn’t expect Mo Yunran’s dantian to be repaired. But it doesn’t matter. If she dares to provoke her again, she doesn’t mind making her experience the pain of a shattered dantian again.

"The banquet continues, everyone please enjoy yourselves." Emperor Jun Bufan said, his majestic and profound eyes sweeping over the crowd.

Jun Linyu was secretly delighted. Although Ji Jiuying had left the Ji family, she was still a member of the Ji family. Now she had become so outstanding and had even been conferred the title of First-Rank Princess Anping.

He was the most likely among the princes to become the crown prince, and she and he were a match made in heaven.

His princess consort can only be her. As for Yan'er, she is so kind that she will surely understand him.

Although Ji Chenyuan had known the outcome for a long time, he still regretted his actions.

All the honors had nothing to do with the Ji family.

The banquet was still in progress, and many people who wanted to get close to Ji Jiuying had to give up because the Imperial Preceptor was present.

Meanwhile, many daughters of officials were already eagerly looking for husbands.

Jun Linyu was surrounded by two beautiful women, one on each side, and he was enjoying the blessing of having two women at the same time. Ji Fengyan was kind and charming, and Liang Bingyan was dignified and generous.

Despite being accompanied by two beauties, Jun Linyu's gaze remained fixed on the woman in red.

Ji Fengyan lowered her eyes, then looked up and smiled at Liang Bingyan.

"Sister Liang, may I offer you a toast?"

A hint of wariness flashed in Liang Bingyan's eyes, but she still smiled and replied, "What are you saying, sister? It should be the younger sister who is showing respect to the older sister."

Ji Fengyan picked up her wine glass and clinked it against Liang Bingyan's.

The two drank it down together, and Ji Fengyan's eyes revealed a triumphant smile.

The changes in Ji Jiuying and Jun Linyu have recently made Ji Fengyan realize the importance of her position. In order to solidify her status, she has no choice but to devise a foolproof plan to ensure that she is officially the Third Prince's consort.

The sudden appearance of Liang Bingyan was just the right moment to carry out his plan.

"Your Highness, Yan'er would also like to offer you a toast." Ji Fengyan said with a charming smile.

Jun Linyu snapped out of his daze, picked up his wine glass and drank it down. Because his attention was elsewhere, he overlooked Ji Fengyan's little actions.

Ji Jiuying watched her do everything, chuckled, and looked like she was watching a show.

"Little Jiu'er, what are you looking at? Why are you laughing so happily?"

Suddenly, Gong Mingyue's voice echoed in Ji Jiuying's mind.

"······"

"Of course, I'm here to watch the show."

Sure enough, Jun Linyu started acting strangely, but Liang Bingyan was completely unaware and was still chatting happily with him.

Meanwhile, Jun Lintian kept giving Ji Jiuying meaningful glances, but she wouldn't even look up at him.

"Brother, what's wrong with your eyes?"

Jun Buhui noticed that Jun Lintian kept blinking and asked him, puzzled.

"No, it's nothing! I just got a bug in my eye." Jun Lintian coughed a few times, embarrassed.