Xi Xizhi was still angry and snorted unhappily. She wasn't a real child, so how could she not understand what should and shouldn't be said?
Wasn't this just something he blurted out because An Honghan had pushed him to the limit?
While Xi Xizhi was still furious, An Honghan had a smile on his face as he reached out and pinched the child's chin, slowly lifting it up. "Given that you like men like me, I will order the imperial kitchen to prepare a Phoenix Golden Scale Fish as a reward."
Just thinking about the unique aroma of the Phoenix Golden Scale Fish and its tender flesh made Xi Xizhi's mouth water. She nodded emphatically at An Honghan, putting on an indifferent expression, "You said it, you can't go back on your word."
“I am the ruler of a country, how could I go back on my word?” An Honghan patted Xi Xizhi’s shoulder forcefully, then turned to Lin En and instructed, “Go to the imperial kitchen and deliver the message.”
Lynn bowed and said, "This servant obeys."
Lin En gradually withdrew, leaving only Xi Xizhi and An Honghan in the entire hall.
A quiet atmosphere lingered around the two of them.
Under pressure from An Honghan's threats and inducements, Xi Xizhi had no choice but to continue practicing calligraphy.
Every now and then, he would steal a few glances at An Honghan, then lean back in his chair, stealing a moment of leisure.
An Honghan, who was handling government affairs, pretended not to see the child being lazy, even though he knew the child was slacking off.
Sometimes, even An Honghan didn't realize just how much he indulged Xi Xizhi.
Time flies, and before they knew it, the day arrived when Prince Duan's envoy came.
All the civil and military officials were on high alert, eager to meet this prince.
Even Xi Xizhi was curious about Duan Yufei. Early in the morning, without An Honghan waking her up, she obediently got up on her own.
In the past, Xi Xizhi would always be dragged along by An Honghan whenever they went to court. This time, however, she obediently followed behind An Honghan.
Normally, this behavior would have made An Honghan very happy. However, the thought that Xi Xizhi was following him so obediently today just to meet a complete stranger made his mood extremely gloomy.
Lynn, who was following closely behind, clearly sensed the change in His Majesty's mood. He kept guessing the reason, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't figure out that it was jealousy.
Xi Xizhi had accompanied An Honghan to the morning court several times, and many ministers were used to seeing her sitting next to His Majesty.
They did try to offer advice, but if advice were effective, then they wouldn't be their emperor.
However, many ministers still felt that His Majesty's bringing a child to court was a disgrace to the royal family of Fengze Kingdom.
Moreover, today is the day that the Kingdom of Huiying has come to propose marriage; what kind of behavior is this!
Xi Xizhi's eyes were not blind, so he naturally took in the gazes of these ministers.
As she pondered whether to go back, An Honghan pressed down on her shoulder.
Ignore others.
Xi Xizhi understood the implication and stopped her foot from turning back.
An Honghan looked at the assembled officials with a gloomy expression, his eyes filled with a chilling coldness.
With a flick of his sleeves, An Honghan sat on the dragon throne. "If any of you ministers have something on your mind, please speak frankly, and I will help you resolve your worries."
An Honghan skillfully placed his hand on Xi Xizhi's shoulder. Even though he didn't say anything explicitly, his actions showed his protective instincts towards the child.
Many ministers looked grim, but no one dared to step forward and speak. They had tried to advise him before, kneeling for three days and three nights, but His Majesty remained unmoved. Now, who would dare to stand up and invite trouble? That would be tantamount to challenging An Honghan's authority, a matter that could cost them their heads.
"Since you have nothing to say, then put away those hesitant faces!" An Honghan slapped the golden dragon armrest, his imposing presence radiating anger that made people afraid to look him in the eye.
Xi Xizhi was closest to him and was also intimidated by his imposing presence, causing her body to tremble slightly in fear.
The officials immediately knelt down, and all the officials in the entire hall prostrated themselves, no one daring to raise their heads.
"Your Majesty, I dare not. Please calm your anger."
“I don’t think you have the guts. Why don’t you stand up? Do you want to greet Prince Duan like this?” An Honghan’s words were sharp, making people afraid to resist.
The ministers patted their knees, stood up one by one, and returned to their original positions.
An Honghan glanced at Lin En, a look that conveyed an order.
Upon receiving the message, Lynn shouted, "The Third Prince of Xuanhui Ying Kingdom, Duan Yufei, enter the palace!"
A shrill voice echoed throughout the hall.
Everyone's hearts were drawn to Lynn's voice, and many turned their gaze toward the palace entrance.
Xi Xizhi straightened her back, her bright eyes fixed on the doorway, eager to catch a glimpse of Duan Yufei's charm.
Since they are both princes from other countries, Dongfang Youyu has also come to join in the fun today.
He held a folding fan in his hand, occasionally waving it to cool the air, and looked at the entrance of the palace with a smile on his face.
He had dealt with Duan Yufei several times before and understood the man's methods and personality.
The sound of footsteps gradually approached.
The only person present whose expression did not change was An Honghan.
His gaze remained fixed on the child beside him, and seeing her excited expression, he felt an inexplicable sense of irritation.
Is it really worth her being so excited about the arrival of a prince from another country?
Anyone with a discerning eye, seeing An Honghan's expression, could easily tell that he was jealous.
However, An Honghan's expression was too perfect to be disguised. His face was cold and expressionless, without any flaws, making it impossible for anyone to guess his thoughts.
As the footsteps drew closer, several men dressed in unusual attire entered the main hall.
The person walking at the very front wore a purple brocade robe with gold trim, the most magnificent of all.
Many people scrutinized the newcomer, and Xi Xizhi craned his neck to look up, slowly peering up from his gold-trimmed shoes.
The people of Huiying Kingdom loved gold and silver accessories. Their entire outfits were not only inlaid with gold thread along the hem of their clothes, but also with gold and jade inlaid on the accessories on their chests and headdresses.
Xi Xizhi calculated the value of the man's accessories and clicked her tongue in amazement. She sighed inwardly, "Are the people of Huiying Kingdom so afraid that others won't know how much money they have? They're glittering with gold from head to toe!"
This kind of luxurious attire is liked by many, but also looked down upon by many others.
Xi Xizhi dared to speak frankly, saying that within the Fengze Kingdom's court alone, no fewer than ten ministers had commissioned such gold-trimmed garments. However, the clothes they made were certainly vastly different from the one Duan Yufei wore.
Just by looking at the material of Duan Yufei's clothes, you can tell that they are not ordinary.
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