An Honghan nodded in satisfaction, placing his hand on the armrest carved with a dragon's head, his domineering aura intimidating the entire audience. "Today is the day that Left Prime Minister Situ returns to court after managing the floods. Minister Situ is a meritorious official of the country, having made great contributions to Fengze Kingdom time and again. This time, he has saved the people from danger, and his merit is invaluable. This banquet is specially prepared by me to welcome Minister Situ back."
Every word An Honghan said revealed his high regard for Situ Feiyu.
Situ Feiyu rarely heard His Majesty praise him, so he immediately felt triumphant and gave Liu Fuqing a smug look, full of defiance.
In contrast, Liu Fuqing's face turned extremely ugly, and his beard trembled with anger.
The servant who was attending to him saw this and immediately raised his fan to fan him, seemingly trying to calm him down.
An Honghan, seated at the head of the table, naturally took in the expressions of the ministers below. His expression remained unchanged as he continued, "Because Minister Situ intentionally concealed the flood in Fengzhou three months ago, he has been redeemed this time. However, considering the considerable effort he has put into the flood relief efforts, he still deserves a reward. Therefore, I bestow upon Minister Situ ten thousand taels of gold."
Just thinking about those ten thousand taels of gold made Xi Xizhi feel sorry for An Honghan!
Although the national treasury was full, Xi Xizhi was still unwilling to accept that the money was given to that old fox Situ Feiyu.
"Thank you for your reward, Your Majesty. This is what I should do." Situ Feiyu had gained a lot of face today. He stepped out from behind the desk and knelt down to express his gratitude.
An Honghan gave a soft, cold snort, but because he was too far away from the seats below, no one heard him. He said, "Since I have bestowed it upon you, then accept it. I do not like anyone daring to defy my will. Does Minister Situ perhaps wish to try?"
The implication was that he wasn't being polite.
Situ Feiyu dared not push his luck and bowed to express his gratitude.
"Sit down and have your meal." An Honghan picked up his silver chopsticks, took a piece of Phoenix Golden Scale Fish, and put it into Xi Xizhi's bowl.
Even though no one said it, everyone knew that the Phoenix Golden Scale Fish was specially prepared by His Majesty for Miss Xi.
She is the only one fortunate enough to enjoy such delicious food.
Many ministers wanted to take this opportunity to get closer to An Honghan, but seeing his unchanging icy face, many ministers backed down.
Only a few highly respected senior officials dared to step forward and offer a few cups of wine.
During this time, Situ Feiyu kept pestering An Honghan, offering him cup after cup of toasts.
Liu Fuqing grew increasingly disgusted with him. He picked up his wine glass, downed it in one gulp in a huff, and cursed, "A petty person who has gotten his way."
Even at their first meeting, Xi Xizhi knew that An Honghan had an exceptional capacity for alcohol.
Watching him down one glass of wine after another without his expression changing at all, I admired his drinking capacity even more.
Those who have been in officialdom for a long time are good at socializing, especially old foxes like Situ Feiyu.
“Although Minister Situ is getting on in years, his capacity for alcohol remains as impressive as ever,” An Honghan said, swirling his wine glass.
"Your Majesty is too kind. My drinking capacity is nowhere near that of Your Majesty. I was just happy today and inevitably had a few more drinks than I expected."
Many princesses attended the banquet, and An Yunyi was among them.
She has been very favored lately, and His Majesty bestows many gifts upon her every now and then, making her the object of many people's attention.
It is no ordinary person to rise from an unfavored princess to the most powerful princess in one fell swoop. Therefore, many ministers flattered her and tried to please her, hoping that she would say a few good words for them in front of the emperor.
Unfortunately, no one else would know that her favor was only superficial. Apart from bestowing gifts upon her, her brother rarely saw her.
If I hadn't created the opportunity myself, I probably wouldn't have seen my elder brother more than three times a month.
Only then did she understand what position her sixth sister had held before. She was also a princess, but even though she had risen in rank, she still couldn't change her status in her brother's heart.
And look at that little girl beside the emperor, she has no relatives or friends, yet she receives so much of the emperor's favor. Why is that so unfair?
An Yunyi's fist clenched tightly in her sleeve as she grew increasingly unwilling to accept defeat.
He picked up the wine glass on the table and walked step by step toward the nine-step platform.
There seemed to be a strong sense of resentment surrounding them. Xi Xizhi peeked out and happened to see An Yunyi's resentment.
Despite being just a teenager, her eyes were extremely ruthless, unlike those of a little girl.
Xi Xizhi couldn't help but sigh inwardly; it turned out that power really could change a person's heart.
An Yunyi has become the second An Ruoyan.
When she first arrived in this other world, the little girl at least still had a sense of innocence in her heart, but what about now?
It has probably been worn away by the power struggles within the imperial palace.
"Royal brother, I also toast you. May the lives of the people of Fengze Kingdom become more and more peaceful and prosperous under your leadership." As she said this, An Yunyi glanced at Xi Xizhi, seemingly quite displeased that she was sitting next to her royal brother.
Even if that position doesn't belong to her, someone more qualified than her should sit there, not a seven or eight-year-old child!
How could An Honghan escape the jealousy and hatred in her eyes?
Frowning, An Honghan could only hope that she wouldn't repeat An Ruoyan's mistake.
"I appreciate your kind intentions, my dear sister, but it's better for girls to drink less alcohol." After saying this, An Honghan downed his drink in one gulp.
One sentence left An Yunyi holding her wine glass, unsure whether she should continue drinking.
After hesitating for a while, An Yunyi finally raised her glass and drank it.
Even though her brother said that girls should drink less alcohol, she was the one who offered the toast first, and her brother had already finished his drink. If she didn't drink it, wouldn't she be impolite?
After finishing her drink, An Yunyi slowly said, "I will remember this, and I will definitely follow your orders from now on."
Xi Xizhi really disliked scheming and intrigue. Seeing An Honghan and the Fourteenth Princess dealing with each other, she yawned out of boredom.
Although the palace was magnificent, the atmosphere inside was incredibly oppressive.
The longer I stay here, the heavier the burden on my mind becomes.
In the center of the hall, a group of dancers swayed their bodies, performing a series of captivating dances, each movement drawing everyone's attention.
Today, Wu Jianfeng also came to Liuyun Palace. The anger in his heart had not yet subsided. Every time he saw Xi Xizhi's carefree face, he couldn't help but think of his own tragic fate.
The Wu family drove him out of the house, leaving him a homeless dog.
Why can some people live such a carefree life?
Even the cold-blooded and ruthless emperor would dote on her like this?
Why is the world so unfair?
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