Just then, the two had already walked out of the stairwell. Lucate immediately stopped talking, gave Leto a look, and Leto understood and shut his mouth.
Two Yan Kingdom soldiers stood at attention to one side, waving their hands to indicate, "This way, please."
Lucat immediately put on a polite smile and nodded in greeting.
Upon entering the banquet hall, Lucat immediately spotted Isabella, dressed in gorgeous attire and radiant with beauty, among the guests.
He pretended not to see it and quickly turned away to walk to another place.
However.
"Is that Marshal Lucate?" Isabella noticed him and called out softly.
Lucat's lips twitched almost imperceptibly, but he could only force a warm smile and turn to greet him.
As soon as she came in front of her, Isabella smiled slightly and extended her hand, which was only covered by a white silk glove.
Lucate gritted his teeth, bent down to take her outstretched hand, kissed it, and then smiled and praised her:
"Your Majesty, you are still as radiant as the sun."
Isabella nodded slightly, her gaze scrutinizing:
"I was quite surprised when I learned that Figueres had appointed you, a young and talented man, as Admiral of the Navy."
“For such an important position, experience is crucial.” At this point, Isabella changed the subject, chuckling lightly as she said:
"But your subsequent actions proved that His Majesty Figus had a discerning eye. Heh, you always... can bring unexpected 'surprises'."
Seeing Isabella's forced smile, Lucate maintained his polite smile:
"Your Majesty flatters me. In fact, I have already submitted my resignation and will step down upon returning home."
Leto, standing to the side, widened his eyes slightly, wondering if the marshal had submitted his resignation again.
This has happened four or five times already, hasn't it? How could His Majesty possibly agree to this?
He's so clever.
Isabella, upon hearing this, showed a slightly surprised expression:
"Oh? Why?"
"I'm not feeling well; the constant torrential rains at sea have left me with hidden ailments," Lucate said without batting an eye.
Isabella's gaze swept over his slightly thinning hairline, and she suddenly realized:
"I see. My head guard has some hair growth oil with him. If you need any, please ask him for it."
Lucat paused for a moment, then blushed and grinned, showing off his bright white teeth, and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty."
"But I don't need to anymore."
"Excuse me, I still have an audience with His Majesty the Emperor..."
Before she could finish speaking, Isabella said in a cold tone, "His Majesty the Emperor is currently receiving envoys from the Delta Federation."
"I'm afraid I don't have time to deal with you."
After saying that, Isabella turned and left.
Lucate glared at her retreating figure, cursing inwardly: "You filthy woman! How dare you humiliate me!"
So what if I tricked you a few times? You're still obediently coming over to deliver tribute, aren't you?
Don't think I don't know! You've prepared more offerings than we have!
Hmph! Dressed so flamboyantly, are you trying to seduce His Majesty the Emperor?
Hmm... Absolutely! Just you wait, I'll go warn him in a bit! You bitch, you won't get away with this!
Lucate thought fiercely for a moment, then slowly withdrew his gaze. Leto, resting his chin on his hand, sighed:
"I never expected that the Delta Federation would send an envoy as well."
"You know, they were killed by the Yan Kingdom..."
Lucate, his face grim, hissed, "Fool! Don't talk about such things here!"
Leto quickly stopped talking, and Lucart pursed his lips: "But it is indeed somewhat surprising."
"They're still fighting a civil war, yet they still managed to come over."
As he spoke, Lucat went to his assigned seat and sat down.
Of course, as an important guest, he sat at the same table as Isabella.
Lucat was annoyed, so he sat down and turned away, pretending not to see anything.
Isabella ignored her; she crossed her arms and frowned slightly.
Since her arrival, Isabella has not been able to receive a private audience with His Majesty the Emperor, which has made her somewhat anxious.
She wondered if the gifts were not sincere enough.
But it was an extremely valuable gift, which emptied the national treasury considerably and even drew criticism from some ministers.
I achieved this result under immense pressure... and even after all that, it still doesn't work?
Sigh... Isabella sighed almost imperceptibly, rubbing her smooth forehead in annoyance.
Shortly afterward, an official from the Yan Kingdom announced that the banquet was about to begin and invited the guests to enjoy traditional Chinese music.
Most of the envoys present knew very little about the mysterious Yan Kingdom, and the novel artifacts and powerful military force they had seen in recent days filled them with awe.
Everyone sat upright, hoping that the foreign music would ease the tension.
Then, an elderly man carrying a pipa led the musicians onto the stage.
Everyone in the audience was watching intently, and Isabella's somber mood lifted slightly as she prepared to appreciate the traditional music of this powerful empire with great anticipation.
However, just when everyone thought it was nothing more than an ordinary court music performance.
The old man with white hair and beard suddenly flicked his right hand, and a rapid, torrential twirling motion exploded from the pipa strings.
"Clang clang clang—!"
The music was not melodious, but rather sharp and piercing, like the clash of swords, instantly breaking the silence of the banquet.
As soon as the music began, the envoys from various countries unconsciously sat up straight, and even their expressions became somewhat solemn.
Led by the pipa, the sheng, xiao, dizi, and guan also began to play.
The deep, resonant sound of the horn was like the wind on a battlefield and the mournful wail of a bull horn, and the air in the entire banquet hall seemed to freeze suddenly.
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