"A bet's a bet, surely the King of Northern Mongolia isn't going to renege on his debt?"
Jiang Jiaojiao shifted her gaze from the Northern King and turned to face the crowd, saying gracefully, "Please take a look, everyone."
All eyes were focused on the winning dragon boat. They had initially thought it was the Seventh Prince's subordinate who was the most powerful, but after hearing Jiang Jiaojiao's words, they all became curious.
"Is the deck of this dragon boat covered with a layer of gold leaf?"
The crowd gasped in astonishment, their eyes widening in disbelief. The Jin family was far too extravagant! Gold was heavy and soft; wouldn't wrapping it around the dragon boat just add unnecessary burden?
Just for the sake of being eye-catching and beautiful?
suddenly--
The Minister of War went over and circled the dragon boat, examining it closely. The more he looked, the more excited he became. This was definitely not an ordinary gold leaf!
The King of Northern Mongolia also saw through it, and his expression changed drastically. "Impossible! Even pure gold would not be this hard! You must have mixed something else into it!"
"Heh, there's no need to tell you what was added inside, is there? Is the King of Northern Mongolia just making excuses to renege on his promise?"
Jiang Jiaojiao's clear and melodious voice carried an undisguised sarcasm.
When the Seventh Prince and the King of Northern Mongolia made a bet, the news spread immediately. Everyone thought the King of Northern Mongolia would win, but unexpectedly the winner was the weak and helpless Seventh Prince.
The King of Northern Mongolia glared at him, his voice filled with anger and resentment: "State your terms!"
The seventh prince slowly spoke, "The Northern Mongols bow down and submit..."
"impossible!"
The King of Northern Mongolia jumped up, his eyes wide, and roared, "The affairs of Northern Mongolia are not up to me alone! The court officials of Northern Mongolia will never agree to this! This condition is invalid!"
The Seventh Prince calmly replied, "Oh, then... compensate with ten cities and one hundred million taels of silver."
The King of Northern Mongolia nearly fainted from anger, his eyes bloodshot as if spitting fire: "Dream on! Don't even think about it! Northern Mongolia can't come up with that much silver!"
If the Northern Mongols had a hundred million taels of silver, they would have already marched south. Why would they need a marriage alliance?
"Is the King of Northern Mongolia trying to renege on his debt?"
The King of Northern Mongolia was furious: "I will never renege on my promise! This agreement has nothing to do with Northern Mongolia; it's a bet I made with you, and it can only be related to me!"
After rejecting two conditions in a row, the King of Northern Mongolia's face turned extremely ugly.
"All right."
The Seventh Prince stepped forward. "Then please, King of Northern Mongolia... keep silent during your stay in our court. Surely you can manage that?"
"This king—"
"Shh-"
Li Yan held up one finger. "Whether you agree or not, the King of Northern Mongolia can simply nod or shake his head."
Since Jiaojiao doesn't want him to make any requests, then let him not make any.
The King of Northern Mongolia's face turned ashen, and under the watchful eyes of everyone, he could only nod stiffly in agreement.
The Seventh Prince's lips curled slightly upward, exuding an air of otherworldly elegance: "Very well. From this moment on, I do not wish to hear any more of the Northern King's voice."
A sword pierces the heart.
A suppressed laugh rang out from the imperial ship, like a suppressed volcano about to erupt at any moment. Finally, the laughter poured out like a dam breaking, creating a burst of uproarious laughter.
Everyone laughed so hard they were doubled over, and some even laughed until tears streamed down their faces.
Even the usually dignified emperor couldn't help but smile, while Consort Xi laughed so hard she clutched her belly and supported her waist.
Jiang Jiaojiao watched this scene, her eyebrows curving like a crescent moon. She turned her head and smiled triumphantly at her older brother, Jiang Jingtian, her eyes sparkling with the light of victory.
Jiang Jingtian silently gave a thumbs up.
"Hahaha... The King of Northern Mongolia truly keeps his word and honors his bet!"
The emperor really didn't want to hear the arrogant and domineering voice of the Northern Mongol King anymore. Now, the world is finally at peace.
The emperor was overjoyed: "Reward him!"
The old man next to him immediately came out carrying the spoils of the dragon boat race. On the tray was an enormous luminous pearl, which attracted everyone's attention.
"This is a prize from the dragon boat race the year I appointed you Crown Prince. I'm bestowing it upon you today!"
Upon hearing this, the surroundings fell into a deathly silence. The faces of the Second Prince and the Fifth Prince instantly turned extremely gloomy, and the dignified image that the Empress had maintained all along could no longer be maintained. She stared intently at the luminous pearl, as if it were not an ordinary luminous pearl, but a symbol of the supreme position of the Crown Prince!
The Seventh Prince seemed to have no idea of the significance of this luminous pearl. He took the pearl and turned around to present it to Jiang Jiaojiao.
Chen Jin'er had a sullen expression on her face.
Tsk tsk tsk!
No wonder Jiaojiao is completely under his thumb. He's beautiful and knows how to give gifts. How many women in the world can resist him?
Look at those women on the shore, their eyes are practically green with envy.
Back then, when the Seventh Prince was suffering from a serious illness and was nearing death, everyone avoided him. It was Jiao Jiao who had good judgment! A pearl covered in dust can be polished to reveal itself as the most dazzling pearl in the world!
"Let's go!"
With a gong and drumbeat, the dragon boat race came to an end, and the emperor led his officials and the dragon boats back to the palace from the Imperial Lake.
Next—
It's the highly anticipated Dragon Boat Festival midnight banquet!
During the Dragon Boat Festival celebrations, the sacrificial rites were arranged by the Seventh Prince, the dragon boat races by the Fifth Prince, and the Dragon Boat Festival banquet by the Second Prince.
To mitigate the damage to his reputation and favor caused by his house arrest, the second prince went to great lengths to prepare the banquet.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty—this concubine will go change her clothes."
Consort Xi, Chen Jin'er, smiled.
A banquet naturally requires proper attire; she is now the most favored concubine in the harem, and countless people are eyeing her.
If she doesn't leave...
How to give the concubines a chance? And how to show that she is different?
"If my beloved concubine is tired, go and rest first. I will send someone to fetch you when you are rested."
The Yellow Emperor's eyes were filled with affection.
Chen Jin'er smiled and replied, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
After saying that, he took Jiang Jiaojiao's hand and left. Luo Shier rolled his eyes and followed.
Consort Xi left.
The concubines immediately put all their skills to use, and before the banquet even started, they had already begun to perform music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and songs.
The Empress stared at the departing figures of Chen Jin'er, Jiang Jiaojiao, and Luo Shier, her eyes seemingly filled with venom. It took her a long time to regain her composure, and she swept her gaze across the beautiful women before her with utter disgust.
Since Chen Jin'er rose from an unknown noblewoman to become a royal concubine.
Nowadays, the concubines in the harem no longer care about their status and are desperately trying to climb the social ladder, hoping to rise to the top like Consort Xi and become the most favored concubine in the harem.
After all, Chen Jin'er's favor and rise to prominence came rather abruptly.
He has neither a good family background nor any talent.
Even her appearance wasn't considered outstanding among the concubines.
Why is she favored while they are not?
The emperor was surrounded by layers upon layers of concubines, each with their own unique beauty and talents.
"Your Majesty, what are you thinking about? Do you think my dance steps are beautiful?"
"Your Majesty, how was my playing?"
"His Majesty--"
The emperor had a headache. "I want to be alone..."
"Oh, Your Majesty, Jingjing is here, your concubine is here."
Consort Jing surged through the crowd, giving him a shy, flirtatious wink. "My nickname is Jingjing, Your Majesty, do you still remember..."
Yellow Emperor: "..."
When Consort Xi said it, it seemed that wasn't what she meant.
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