The father and daughter arrived relatively late.
Grand banquets don't have so many restrictions on men and women; usually, the entire household is seated together.
Across from them was still the Grand Tutor's Mansion, but there was no one in front of it anymore, because Consort Zhang had been demoted, and the Zhang Mansion had followed suit.
Oh, there are five seats on either side of the emperor and empress dowager's thrones, which are the seats for his concubines in the harem.
This was the first time Xiao Zhixing had recognized all of Zhao Yunqi's concubines, including his three cats and two maids.
Strangely, apart from Zhang Xiu, whose status was relatively high, the other concubines did not come from prominent families; two of them were even promoted by palace maids.
Over the years, officials have petitioned Zhao Yunqi countless times to select concubines, but he has rejected them all without much seriousness.
Surprisingly, it didn't cause a major uproar.
Zhao Yunqi was forced to choose a crown prince after being sterilized, and there was only one prince, Zhao Lin, left. Wasn't he ever worried about that before?
Xiao Zhixing looked at the concubines and felt something was off.
What exactly is wrong?
Doesn't the Zhao family have other children? Wouldn't they adopt them?
The Zhao Yunze that the Empress Dowager mentioned last time is Zhao Yunqi's cousin, and that man has quite a few sons.
It's really strange that Zhao Yunqi would agree to such an absurd plan from the system.
Choosing a few of his cousins to adopt and raise would be more reliable than that plan.
There's a lot of mystery surrounding this; there must be some crucial point she hasn't found yet.
Not long after, the Emperor and Empress Dowager appeared with Zhao Lin and Zhao Xi, but Zhang Xiu did not show up.
"May our great prosperity last for a thousand autumns and ten thousand years, and may the world be at peace!" The emperor raised his cup.
The officials raised their glasses, wishing for a thousand autumns and ten thousand years of peace and prosperity throughout the land.
Once the formalities are over, it's just about enjoying the song and dance performances and eating and drinking.
The emperor drank with his ministers in turn, happily offering words of advice and expressing his concern for their lives.
When it was Xiao Xin's turn, the emperor asked with a smile, "I heard that you and Minister Feng wish to become in-laws. Has the engagement been made?"
Sweat poured down Xiao Xin's forehead as he forced a smile and said, "Not...not yet...This humble subject feels that He Ning may not be worthy of the Fifth Prince Feng."
Oh, everyone turned their heads. How could he say such self-deprecating words? How could a scoundrel like the fifth son of the Feng family be unworthy of a girl?
Zhao Yunqi chuckled, "How can you look down on your own daughter like that? Does that mean your good fortune is over?"
Beside Feng Liyan were Madam Feng, who was expressionless and emaciated, and Feng Min, who coughed occasionally.
He stood up and cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "It is my son who is not worthy of the county princess. Fortunately, they are not yet engaged, and they can still marry other people."
Zhao Yunqi put down his wine cup and laughed, "In that case, I'll act as a matchmaker for both of your families."
Feng Liyan was overjoyed. "Thank you, Your Majesty. You have truly solved my most pressing problem."
Xiao Xin hurriedly expressed his gratitude and anxiously awaited the emperor's bestowal of a marriage decree.
Xiao Zhixing watched their conversation with great interest, intending to be a bystander.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Yunqi turned to her and said, "Yuansheng, I remember you have several young generals under your command, Xiong Chumo, Xiao Yun, and Luo Zhengnan, none of them are married yet, right? They are also a good match for the county princess in age."
Xiao Zhixing: They want to hit someone; they've got their eyes on one of my most capable lieutenants!
The hall fell silent instantly. Xiao Xin was stunned and trembling as he glanced at Xiao Zhixing, whose face had darkened.
No, it wasn't the emperor I begged for! — Xiao Xin wanted to cry.
Others: Well, I guess we're not going to have a peaceful New Year's Eve dinner tonight.
Some clever ones quickly ate a few more bites to avoid getting hungry later when the scene became too intense.
[Yellow comment: Ugh, that damn jerk Qi, will he die if he doesn't flirt with the goddess? Why is he making trouble during the New Year?!]
[Yellow comment: No way! Our Abao is still a child, and his future wife is ***! Ahhh, don't break up my couple!]
[Yellow comment: What is he trying to do? To separate the prince's trusted lieutenant? His intentions are despicable!]
[Red comment: This tactic is common. Even if Xiao Zhixing trusts them completely after the marriage is arranged, there's always the rival's daughter between them. If some misunderstandings are created, the scheme to sow discord will succeed.]
[Green comment: You can't even voice this kind of hidden distrust. When the ruler suspects his ministers, the ministers worry that the ruler will suspect them, thus creating unrest. That pure bond between ruler and minister will slowly disappear.]
The three people who were named happened to be present, but they were positioned on the outermost edge. They were summoned with blank expressions, and after hearing Fu Lu's story, they were so frightened that they knelt down and racked their brains to think of a way to refuse the marriage.
Sweating profusely, he kept sending distress signals to Xiao Zhixing.
Xiao Zhixing slowly put down his chopsticks, picked up a handkerchief to wipe his mouth, and his sharp eyes scanned Xiao Xin from head to toe as if he were being slowly sliced to death.
The imposing aura, built from mountains of corpses and seas of blood, rose fiercely, yet remained hidden.
This was also the first time the ministers had felt her fierce killing intent. They truly understood what it meant to be a killing god who had fought her way through mountains of knives and seas of blood.
Moreover, he was a Heavenly Rank Killing God!
Everyone held their breath.
Xiao Zhixing gave Zhao Yunqi a forced smile, his killing intent locked on Xiao Xin's neck, heart, and other vital points. "Princess He Ning is a beauty of unparalleled grace. Although my three subordinates are also excellent, we are not on the same page and cannot work together. I believe Lord Ping understands this, doesn't he?"
Xiao Xin nodded frantically, but unfortunately, his mouth was so tight from nervousness that he couldn't utter a single word.
Zhao Yunqi seemed oblivious to her anger, and said with a smile, "We are all my subjects, how can we have different opinions?"
Xiao Zhixing's face fell. "Your Majesty, then I will speak the truth. We have no complaints about Princess He Ning, but I despise her father, Marquis Ping. I wish I could make him disappear from my sight immediately!"
"Therefore, my beloved general will not and cannot marry his daughter. If Your Majesty insists on granting the marriage, ha—"
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