"good!"
The emperor clapped his hands repeatedly, a smile of appreciation and satisfaction on his face, showing no intention of holding anyone accountable.
"This is my favorite congratulatory gift today."
During the banquet, the envoys from other small countries were trembling with fear and remained silent, not daring to even look up at the young man at the table, for fear that they would be the next to be attacked.
Liu Yu, crying her heart out, knelt on the ground, struggling to hold Wan Jun's gradually cooling body. She was trembling uncontrollably, whether from fear or anger, she didn't know.
Wu Lanlian, who had been silent for a long time, stepped forward, took Liu Yu's hand, and coldly rebuked her.
"Liuyu!"
"Mother, Mother! Wan Jun is dead, he's dead!!"
Liu Yu cried hoarsely, like a drowning person clinging to a piece of driftwood. She looked up at the woman in front of her pleadingly, "Mother, why can't we use that? Can't we avenge Wan Jun?! He clearly said..."
She sobbed, utterly dejected.
"He clearly said he would marry me when he got back..."
Zhan Xinjia: "..."
Good grief, this guy dares to say something like that, he's definitely going to die.
But what is "that"?
Judging from Liuyu's tone, it sounded like she possessed some kind of powerful secret weapon. Could it be that the Emperor was kind to them earlier because he was wary of something they had in their possession?
Zhan Xinjia tilted her head and touched her chin. Before she could figure it out, Wu Lanlian had already forcibly pulled Liuyu up with a cold face.
"Alright, Liuyu, do you still look like a princess of a kingdom?! Don't embarrass Nanjun and make yourself a laughing stock. Wanjun is just not good enough, who can he blame but himself?"
"But Mother..."
"Shut up!"
It was clear that Liuyu was terrified of her mother. After being scolded by Wu Lanlian, she didn't even dare to cry anymore.
The woman in the white dress walked to the center and slowly knelt down.
Even though she had just been insulted by Zhan Xinjia, she could only grit her teeth, humble herself, and submit to him.
"We are truly terrified to have disturbed Your Majesty's peace. If this matter has spoiled Your Majesty's enjoyment, we would rather die ten thousand deaths than risk it. Let us bring up the white lion so that Your Majesty can enjoy it with everyone."
!
Finally, the part that Zhan Xinjia was interested in came up. She returned to her seat, crossed her legs, and looked quite relaxed.
Perhaps because the smell of blood on her body hadn't yet dissipated, no one dared to approach her except for her parents. Zhan Xinjia, completely unconcerned, put her legs down and sat down with an air of arrogance, leaning back in her chair.
Noticing that someone was looking at her, she winked slyly at Yan Xiyue, who was in a high position.
How was I? Was I handsome just now?
Her response was Yan Xiyue's flushed face.
Even though she knew this was her brainless, low-class younger sister, Yan Xiyue was still so cool just now that her face flushed and her heart pounded. She even started to doubt whether she really only liked men...
Who could resist the blatant flirting of a handsome young man who is both skilled in combat and fiercely protective of his own?
She couldn't refuse anyway, even if it was fake.
Yan Huishi, standing beside her, had several dark lines on her forehead. She warily shielded her younger sister behind her, firmly blocking Zhan Xinjia's lewd and flirtatious gaze, warning her with her eyes—
You can't say that if you harm both of us siblings once, we'll all become your lapdogs, right?
Zhan Xinjia, whose pretentious act had been interrupted, reluctantly looked away and joined the others in looking towards the door.
A deafening roar of a lion was heard, and several people dressed in Xijun attire laboriously carried an iron cage forward. Veins bulged on their foreheads, and they were covered in sweat, which showed how heavy the iron cage was.
Upon seeing the caged beast, the crowd erupted in gasps of alarm.
The lion was massive, with one paw as big as a human head. Its body was covered in snow-white fur, and the beautiful mane around its cheeks resembled a fluffy scarf. It lay prone in its cage in an attack stance, its golden vertical pupils glaring menacingly, exuding a majestic aura, and constantly emitting threatening growls from its throat.
"Surprisingly... there are such enormous lions in the world!"
"No wonder the white lion symbolizes holiness and majesty; those eyes, that fur, are so beautiful."
"It must be much taller than a person when it stands up..."
...
The crowd discussed it animatedly, full of praise.
Having finally regained some face, Wu Lanlian's expression softened considerably, and she walked to the lion cage and spoke again.
"Your Majesty, we have also prepared a small performance."
"Oh? What program?"
As soon as the emperor finished speaking, Wu Lanlian clapped her hands, and Liu Yu, who had already wiped away her tears, stepped forward holding a strange short flute.
She brought the flute to her lips, and the clear, melodious sound rang out.
Accompanied by a strange flute melody, the originally irritable white lion in the cage was gradually calmed down, obediently finding a corner to lie down, closing its eyes, as if it were focused on immersing itself in the music.
Everyone immediately became interested.
"This is amazing! This white-haired beast can actually understand music?"
"I never expected that Princess Liuyu would be able to tame beasts, especially such huge beasts."
How did she do that?
...
Enjoying the astonished gazes of the crowd, Liu Yu sneered inwardly, a hint of hatred flashing in her pale eyes.
The flute music gradually changed tone, from gentle to rapid and sharp. At the same time, the white lion in the cage became restless and agitated again, even frantically pawing at the ground with its claws, and its low growls were particularly eerie.
It was at this moment that Liuyu stopped playing the flute.
She raised her chin and looked at Yan Xiyue, who was in a high position, her eyes full of provocation.
"There's a legend in our Xijun that anyone with a pure and innocent heart who plays a flute melody can soothe the sacred white lion and resonate with its spirit. I wonder if Princess Caixia would be interested in giving it a try?"
Yan Xiyue pointed to herself in disbelief.
No, I also have a role?
What, you're picking on the weak, aren't you?
Not to mention Yan Huishi, who suddenly turned cold beside her, everyone present had complicated expressions. The previous incidents could be considered minor skirmishes to lighten the mood, but Princess Caixia was a precious jewel that the Emperor and Empress cherished dearly, and it was impossible to let her take any risks.
What exactly does "people from Nanjun" mean?
The Emperor isn't going to get angry?
Moreover, this is blatant moral blackmail. Princess Liuyu's words mean that if Princess Caixia's flute playing cannot subdue the white lion, then she is not a pure-hearted person.
If Princess Caixia chooses to refuse, the other party can more easily conclude that Princess Caixia is nervous because she is not confident.
Even the usually amiable emperor turned cold.
"What does this mean?"
Wu Lanlian quickly stepped forward and prostrated herself.
“My daughter is unruly and has made Your Majesty laugh. What she said was just a joke and should not be taken seriously. We would never dare to offend Princess Caixia.”
Though she spoke with utmost respect, a hint of smugness welled up inside Wu Lanlian. So what if she's the Princess of Dasheng? She's still no match for my daughter from Nanjun, no match for my daughter, Wu Lanlian's daughter!
Amidst the eerie atmosphere, Zhan Xinjia, with a gloomy face, stood up.
Alright, alright, these pretentious idiots are still going on and on today. Damn it, they're really pushing their luck.
Walking quickly to the flustered and helpless Yan Xiyue, Zhan Xinjia smiled and extended his hand to her, his gaze firm.
Do you believe me?
“Sister…Baby?…”
Before the puzzled Yan Xiyue could recover, Zhan Xinjia took the initiative to grab her hand that was hanging under her sleeve and held it tightly.
Amidst the clamor of the crowd, she silently led the bewildered Yan Xiyue towards the lion cage.
His steps were decisive and swift, without the slightest hesitation.
Standing still in the center, Zhan Xinjia smiled coldly as she stared with interest at the still arrogant Liuyu.
You'd better not run away for a while.
She could tolerate everything else; they were just a few clowns.
You're bullying my Yue, do you think I'm dead?
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