Ji Fengyao has always been a person who loves excitement. Based on the principle that "a fool doesn't watch a show," she couldn't help but take a few extra glances at the Di Kingdom delegation when they came out, taking advantage of their proximity.

Di Lirong noticed Ji Fengyao looking at her and proudly and provocatively raised her chin.

In an instant, she saw Shang Xiye sitting upright next to Ji Fengyao, his face so handsome that he was completely mesmerized. She reached out and pulled Di Lijunyi beside her, asking loudly, "Brother, who is that handsome man over there?"

Although Dili Junyi had heard of the God of War's fame, he had never been on the battlefield nor had he ever met Shang Xiye in person, so he naturally did not recognize him. However, he guessed his identity from the position where Shang Xiye was sitting, so he asked Shang Xiche for confirmation: "Your Majesty, Emperor of the Great Zhao Dynasty, is that the renowned God of War of the Great Zhao Dynasty, Ninth Prince?"

The Nine Kings, War Gods of the Great Zhao Dynasty!

These words were like a sour melon soaked in aged vinegar for tens of thousands of years, so sour that Shang Xiche's heart felt like it was going to rot and dissolve. But Shang Xiche could only respond with a damned yet noble and polite smile and reply, "Exactly."

"It's him! He's so handsome!" Di Lirong exclaimed in surprise, clasping her hands together in front of her chest, looking completely infatuated with his good looks.

Di Lijunyi glanced at Shang Xiye with a gloomy look, then reached out and pulled Di Lironghe beside him, saying, "Ronghe, don't keep everyone waiting, let's take our seats first."

“Yes, brother,” Di Lirong obediently agreed, and as she sat down, she didn’t forget to wink at Shang Xiye, while also glancing contemptuously at Ji Fengyao and Princess Zhaoping sitting next to Shang Xiye.

Ji Fengyao's lips twitched:

Why does this plot seem so familiar?

Could it be what she's thinking?

Princess Zhaoping: "..."

She glanced sideways at Shang Xiye, who hadn't looked at her properly since she left the house, completely ignoring her. She felt wronged.

When Di Lijunyi and Di Lirong came to the capital this time, Shang Xiche actually saw through their intentions—a marriage alliance, either to marry or to be married off.

Da Zhao is a great power, so marriage there is actually inappropriate; Shang Chuyue is an exception.

Furthermore, there are currently no princesses of marriageable age in the palace.

However, the struggle for the throne in Kyoto is fierce, and Shang Xiche is even more unwilling for his troublesome sons to marry Di Lirong, fearing that they would add a great help to the Di Kingdom and rebel, directly dethroning him.

Therefore, Shang Xiche came up with the idea of ​​having the daughter of a high-ranking official marry in his place, and changed the song and dance segment of the banquet to a performance by the young ladies of various families.

He hoped that Dili Junyi would take a fancy to a young lady and then propose to her.

After everyone was seated, Shang Xiche said a few words about friendly neighborly relations between the two countries, and then eagerly began the performance: "In addition to friendly neighborly relations, I also hope that the two countries can promote cultural and commercial exchanges and enhance communication."

Therefore, at this welcoming banquet, I have specially arranged for the young ladies of various families to perform, so that you, my envoys, may also witness the elegance and grace of the noble ladies of my Great Zhao.”

The people of Di are known for their bold and unrestrained nature; even the women practice archery, horseback riding, martial arts, and hunting. They didn't seem to care much about what Shang Xiche said.

But the high-ranking officials and the young ladies who were about to perform had dark expressions on their faces.

To flaunt one's talents in such a setting is no different from that of a geisha;

Those chosen would be married off to distant lands, while those left out would be too ashamed to face anyone in the future. For these young ladies, this banquet was tantamount to ruining their lives!

But this was the emperor's decree, and they could only obey it, not disobey it.

As Shang Xiche finished speaking...

The ladies below all left their seats to prepare at the back.

Dili Ronghe got up again.