As the lanterns were lit, the palace banquet was about to begin.

As a palace attendant announced, "His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!", Pei Xuan slowly walked onto the high platform under the watchful eyes of the crowd.

He wore a moon-white brocade robe embroidered with flying cranes in silver thread, exuding an air of nobility, and his face was as handsome as jade.

Pei Tang also took his seat and sat down next to Jiang Wan.

A continuous stream of delicacies was served, accompanied by singing and dancing.

All eyes were on the high platform.

Especially the noble ladies, gazing at Pei Xuan's stunningly handsome appearance, were stunned and lost in thought, their faces flushed with embarrassment.

Only Jiang Wan kept her head down and drank her soup quietly.

Pei Tang found it intriguing: "Doesn't Madam Gu think that Your Majesty is exceptionally handsome?"

Jiang Wan raised her eyes and looked at Pei Xuan, who was holding a cup and drinking.

Indeed, she possesses the appearance of a celestial being.

When she saved Pei Xuan from the brink of death, she was also amazed by his face.

She smiled and said, "His Highness the Crown Prince seems to be in a good mood."

"Of course."

Pei Tang smiled slyly.

"He received a congratulatory gift this morning and was happy all day. He didn't even lose his temper with those stinking, incompetent officials. Tsk tsk, that's rare."

Jiang Wan said, "On Your Highness's auspicious birthday, the General's Mansion has also prepared generous gifts."

Pei Tang winked and said mysteriously, "I'm afraid even the most precious treasures can't compare to those two jars..."

Before he could finish speaking, he was suddenly interrupted by a figure.

"Your Highness!"

The crowd looked in the direction of the sound and saw a woman walk forward and bow to the high platform from afar.

"Your subject, Song Shuling, requests to present a gift to Your Highness."

Facing the questioning gazes of the crowd, Song Shuling smiled and explained, "This treasure is somewhat special, so I would like to invite Your Highness to see it in person."

Pei Xuan put down his wine cup, his expression indifferent, seemingly uninterested in the treasure she mentioned, and only nodded slightly.

With permission granted, Song Shuling took out a glass lamp from her sleeve.

"It must be used together with the Purple Pearl presented by the General's Mansion to witness its wonder."

These words caused an uproar among the guests.

They had heard of the Purple Pearl's fame, but had never seen it in person.

I never imagined that such a treasure could be found in the General's Mansion!

Song Ziyu's face also showed joy.

He was worried about not having the opportunity to present the treasure to the Crown Prince in person. Although he didn't know how his second sister knew about it, he understood her intentions almost immediately.

Just as he was about to get up with a smile, his sleeve was suddenly grabbed tightly.

Looking down, he saw Gu Yurong, whose face was deathly pale.

Gu Yurong was having a pleasant conversation with several familiar ladies from prominent families, gossiping about Jiang Wan and spreading rumors that would benefit her.

Things were going very smoothly, and she didn't even notice when Song Shuling went on stage.

She was stunned when Song Ziyu spoke up and said he would take out the precious pearl.

Gu Yurong turned pale with fright and desperately tried to signal to Song Shuling with her eyes, but the other party not only failed to understand her meaning, but also became even more excited.

This idiot who's causing trouble is practically courting death.

Gu Yurong cursed inwardly.

Song Ziyu asked in confusion, "Arong, what's wrong?"

"No, it's nothing."

Gu Yurong wiped the cold sweat from her forehead and forced a smile: "Husband, let's not show off this treasure in front of everyone, I'm afraid..."

Her expression was so strange that many people noticed it.

Song Ziyu frowned: "Are you hiding something from me?"

He finally realized something was wrong, but by then the Crown Prince's men had already retrieved the pearl, and the situation was no longer under his control.

On the stage, Song Shuling proudly presented the precious pearl.

"It is said that the Ziwei star, with its brilliance encompassing the stars, can reveal strange celestial phenomena under the reflection of its crystal-clear light."

She lit the lamp.

"Your Highness, please take a look."

Everyone held their breath and stared wide-eyed.

…

Time passed by in seconds.

The "Purple Pearl" was empty, only faintly glowing with white pearly light.

It looks like just an ordinary, slightly larger South Sea pearl.

And look at these pearls and jade; their color is dull, and they are of very poor quality.

A single piece of silver, worth only a few taels, is so cheap that even nobles would consider it too inexpensive to use for embellishing shoe uppers.

"What is this?"

Pei Tang spoke first, and she chuckled.

"This is the congratulatory gift prepared by the General's Mansion? It's just a broken bead. Even I, the princess, would find it too ugly to smash. Does he really think my brother has never seen anything like this?!"

The guests were in an uproar, and gradually some began to chuckle.

"Exactly! I've seen it described in books; this isn't some kind of Purple Star Pearl at all!"

"Has the General's Mansion gone mad? Sending such shoddy goods is disrespectful to His Highness the Crown Prince..."

Having witnessed a farce, Pei Xuan's already aloof expression grew even more impatient.

"General Song, can you give me an explanation?"

Song Lingshu was dumbfounded. She had never expected this scene and stared blankly at Song Ziyu.

A fine sheen of sweat appeared on Song Ziyu's forehead.

He considered that the beads might have been soiled or scratched by her, which could be explained.

But to everyone's surprise, the beads were fake!

Seeing Gu Yurong's deathly pale face, what else did he not understand?

Song Ziyu gritted his teeth and glared at her, but seeing Gu Yurong's miserable face, he felt pity and couldn't bear to reveal it.

After much deliberation, he knelt before Pei Xuan and made a firm decision.

"Your Highness, I purchased this item from Linglong Pavilion at a high price. It seems that I have been cheated by Linglong Pavilion!"

Pei Xuan raised an eyebrow.

"...Linglong Pavilion?"

“Exactly.” Song Ziyu said decisively, gesturing to Gu Yurong with his eyes.

Gu Yurong could only kneel down and cooperate with him, wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief.

“Your Highness, this is indeed the precious pearl that Linglong Pavilion sells for three thousand taels of silver.”

Pei Tang chuckled and stood up abruptly.

"Hey, do you know that Linglong Pavilion owns a vast fortune and its influence extends throughout the martial arts world?"

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!