Chapter 67 Disdain
The first one on the lower right is today's protagonist - the Princess and Princess Liuyang. Princess Liuyang's big round eyes look around curiously, more like her father, the Khan.
As for the eldest princess, this royal noble lady who once married far away for a foreign mission, time has not been too harsh on her appearance, and her former charm can still be seen, but what is more striking is the calmness and indifference that has settled down around her, as if no waves can disturb the tranquility in her eyes.
Further back sat several princes: Prince Duan, Prince Rui Chao Yinlong, and Prince Jin Chu Yuxun. Imperial tutor Chu, with his superior status, was seated after Prince Jin. Seated beside him was none other than his most prized student, Pei Ji. He had regained his usual composure, his dark robes fading into the shadows, as if the gentle moment by the lake had never occurred.
Luo Zhaohan had just withdrawn her gaze when she felt a sinking sensation beside her. Luo Jince, with a look of undisguised disdain on his face, was straining towards her, almost pressing against the edge of her desk. The reason was simple: sitting at the table next to him was none other than General Xie of Wuwei and his illegitimate son, Xie Wuqi.
Madam Xie was under house arrest, and Concubine Zhang, of low status, was barred from the banquet. The vast Wuwei General's Mansion was home to only this strained father and son. An invisible wall of ice seemed to separate them, as they sat in silence, their faces gloomy enough to drip water. The atmosphere was so oppressive that even the air around them seemed to stagnate.
At that moment, with the eunuch's resounding call of "Open—the feast—!", the palace maids and eunuchs, who had been waiting for a long time, filed in, bearing exquisite food boxes and wine jugs. Delicacies and fine wines flowed freely onto the tables, and the atmosphere in the hall was instantly filled with the aroma of food and the renewed, deliberately subdued hum of conversation, creating a much more relaxed atmosphere.
The emperor raised his glass first and offered some polite words, praying for good weather, peace, and prosperity for the country and the people in the coming year. Then he changed the subject, speaking in a solemn yet gentle tone: "Today's New Year's Eve palace banquet is also a banquet I am hosting to welcome my sister. Your return from afar is truly a joy for our dynasty and a blessing for our country! I am deeply pleased. Please join me in drinking!"
"Welcome Her Royal Highness the Princess back home! Long live the Emperor!" All the ministers responded in unison and raised their glasses to drink together.
The atmosphere gradually became harmonious amidst the aroma of wine. Everyone drank and chatted, but everyone tacitly lowered their voices to maintain the proper decorum of a royal banquet.
Concubine Li gracefully grasped the warm jade ewer and personally refilled the Emperor's cup. As her eyes wandered, she unconsciously and subtly glanced to her left. The Crown Princess sat upright, her formal attire concealing a forced dignity. The lingering sorrow between her brows was evident to Concubine Li. Every holiday meant for family reunion was, for this young Crown Princess, a tortured death.
An indescribable complex emotion flashed through Concubine Li's heart, and her gaze slid downward, landing on her son, Prince Rui Chao Yinlong. He was slightly sideways, whispering with a member of the imperial family sitting next to him, a perfectly balanced smile on his lips, his demeanor calm and appropriate.
The subtle worry in Concubine Li's eyes faded away. Her son, in front of His Majesty, was always the most measured and prudent, never making a mistake.
She withdrew her gaze, put a gentle and decent smile on her face again, and focused on serving the emperor beside her.
The Golden Palace: The Falling Sword
The aroma of wine hung thickly, a warm air permeating the noisy hall. After several rounds of fine wine, many faces flushed, their eyes growing a touch tipsy. Even the emperor on the dragon throne had a rare look of ease, his gaze sweeping across the hall like the wind. A smile touched the emperor's lips as he passed by Princess Xinyi Zhaoyang of Liuyang. The young girl was unusually quiet today, her bright eyes like cunning stars, darting around.
"Zhaoyang," the emperor said in a gentle voice, a hint of a smile, "are you enjoying the palace today?"
The laughter in the hall faltered slightly. What was to come finally came. Invisible strings quietly tightened, countless glances seemingly unnoticed, yet in reality, their ears were pricked up. The air was so stagnant that one could almost hear a heartbeat.
Xinyi Zhaoyang nodded hurriedly, with a girl's pure and innocent joy on her face: "Uncle Emperor, this is really a great place! Can Zhaoyang come here often in the future?" Her voice was clear, with a hint of innocence.
"Of course," the emperor's smile deepened as he added lightly, shockingly, "I previously promised you that you could personally choose a suitable husband from among the talented men of this Golden City. Today... have you found anyone who suits your taste?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the hall fell into deathly silence.
Xie Wuqi in the corner suddenly sneered, the corner of his lips curled up in a cold and cruel arc. He turned his head and swept his eyes like poisonous venom to Luo Zhaohan beside him. The meaning of his eyes was clear: finally waited for this moment! Even if you and Pei Ji are deeply in love, so what? The emperor has made a solemn promise. Once this marriage is granted, let's see how you two can break free from the web woven by this overwhelming power! When Pei Ji once again disobeys the emperor's order like in his previous life... The coldness at the corner of his mouth turned into frost - this time, he will be doomed!
Luo Zhaohan's long, slender eyelashes drooped slightly, her gaze fixed on the glass cup before her, where the wine was gently rippling. The clear liquid couldn't reflect the thoughts swirling in her eyes. She was calculating, deducing, but there was no panic or sadness as Xie Wuqi had hoped.
Xinyi Zhaoyang's voice rang out again, her innocence intact. "Uncle Emperor is right! Jindu is truly a place where hidden dragons and crouching tigers are lurking," she said with a hint of joy, looking towards the Ju field outside the palace where the deafening shouts had once resounded. "Zhaoyang saw clearly the elegance of the talented men in the capital during that Ju match during the day."
"Oh?" The emperor raised his eyebrows slightly, very interested. "How could such a person catch Zhaoyang's eye? Tell me about it."
Xinyi Zhaoyang stood up and cast her eyes towards the seat opposite.
Everyone held their breath and followed the trajectory of that gaze - the end point seemed to point directly at the figure of the man sitting quietly like an abyss.
It’s him!
Pei Ji!
Surprise, suspicion, jealousy... all these complex expressions froze in an instant. Even the wine glass that Prince Rui Chao Yinlong was toying with stopped moving. The sleeping little daughter of Prince Jin Chao Yinxi was quietly lifted from his lap.
The emperor's smile deepened, and he was already confident: "Then -"
"Uncle Emperor," Xinyi Zhaoyang suddenly spoke, cutting off the emperor's final words. Her gaze wandered through the hall, ultimately resting on no one. In a clear, piercing voice, she pronounced two names: "Today on the court, Young Master Xie of the Wuwei General's Mansion." Her gaze swept past Xie Wuqi's suddenly tense form, then shifted to another direction. "And Lord Pei, Junior Secretary of the Dali Temple, truly astonished the audience with his skill, leaving a lasting impression."
What? !
A sudden uproar surged through the silent hall, as oppressive as the sea before a storm. All gazes, filled with shock, confusion, and inquiry, suddenly detached from Pei Ji like scorching beams of light and shot in unison towards General Xie Anfeng of Wuwei and his son.
Xie Wuqi's blood almost froze, and the surprise on his face was exposed to everyone without any defense, and he even forgot to hide it. He thought of thousands of possibilities, but this one was not one of them!
Luo Zhaohan suddenly raised his eyes and looked at Xinyi Zhaoyang, who was sitting above him. His eyes were still clear, but a thin layer of frost seemed to have formed on them. Why? Zhaoyang knew that she and Xie Wuqi had a past grudge and that they had no good feelings towards each other today, so why did he mention Xie Wuqi and Pei Ji together at this moment?
After the immense astonishment, there was overwhelming ecstasy! Xie Wuqi forcibly suppressed the heartbeat that threatened to burst through his chest, and tried to force a humble arc on his face, but his back uncontrollably straightened even more. His eyes swept over those around him who had once looked down on him but were now filled with envy and shock. An unprecedented burning power permeated his limbs and bones.
Reborn, he was so convinced Zhaoyang would fall for Pei Ji that he never imagined a change in his immense wealth! Could it be that his fierce fighting on the cricket field had truly caught the attention of the princess? If he could marry her... then Liu Yueli... A vague sense of guilt was instantly drowned out by a greater ecstasy - power was the best explanation for Yueli, and for himself!
The palace was filled with undercurrents, as eyes darted like a tangled web between the Xie, Pei, and even the lurking Luo family. It seemed as if the farce of breaking off the engagement had never been forgotten.
The emperor's gaze lingered for a moment on Xie Anfeng's troubled face. The wrath he'd hurled the previous month at General Xie for his alleged affair with a camp prostitute and the corrupt family traditions seemed to resonate vividly before his eyes. Prince Rui's playful gaze returned to his wine glass. Prince Jin's brow furrowed slightly.
"Young Master Xie?" The emperor's voice finally rang out, scrutinizing him. "Come forward and let me take a closer look."
Xie Wuqi suppressed his excitement and followed his instructions. Even though he had stood in this position in his past life, his state of mind and status were now completely different. He couldn't suppress his anxiety, and he couldn't hide his excitement.
The emperor's gaze lingered on him for a moment, and he nodded lightly: "Well, you are very imposing, and have the style of your father." These eight words were understated, but they were like a thousand-pound hammer, breaking some invisible shackles.
Xie Wuqi could almost hear the crisp sound of joy coming from the cracks in his bones.
Everyone's expressions changed instantly. Could it be that... great fortune had truly befallen this person?
"Pei Ji," the emperor raised his chin slightly, "you come forward too."
The dark green figure calmly left the table and stood beside Xie Wuqi.
Their forms were similar, but their auras were worlds apart. Xie Wu was a towering, imposing figure, a steel forged on the battlefield; Pei Ji was lean and tall, yet like a peerless sword hidden in a deep valley, its edge restrained and its brilliance naturally generated. Without even trying, all the attention and light in the hall were instantly drawn to him.
Luo Zhaohan's gaze finally settled on Pei Jiqingjue's calm profile. In that timeless stillness, she couldn't detect a single ripple of fear. Confusion settled, turning into deep thought. Who was making each move today?
"Zhaoyang," the emperor's voice came down like an imperial decree, cutting off all the subtle noises. "Master Xie and Pei Ji are both here. Take a closer look. Whichever one suits your taste, I will grant you a marriage immediately."
Here we come!
Xie Wuqi's heart was pounding like a drum, his throat nearly bursting with ecstasy. He knew! He knew all too well what was coming! Pei Ji would undoubtedly defy the emperor's orders, as he had done in his previous life! By then, he would be the only one left on the field, and the princess's golden words would elevate him above Pei Ji... the glory of the emperor's favor, overwhelming power, a meteoric rise to the top... within his grasp!
He held his breath, waiting for the earth-shattering words of defiance—
really!
Pei Ji bowed slightly and spoke with a cold voice that carried an unquestionable determination: "Your Majesty, this humble official——"
"Pei Ji," the emperor interrupted calmly, his deep eyes that overlooked everything not even wavering, "I, have never asked you."
No room for argument.
All eyes and pressure instantly focused on Xinyi Zhaoyang. Choosing a son-in-law in public, for a princess to choose a son-in-law, was a truly unprecedented anecdote! And the source of this unbridled favor—everyone's eyes secretly turned to the serene eldest princess, Xinyi Qi.
The princess calmly sipped her tea, her eyes on her nose and her nose on her heart. Her gesture was a gesture of tacit approval.
Xinyi Zhaoyang slowly stood up.
At that moment, the hall was so quiet that only the faint sound of the silver candle wicks popping and her heavy breathing could be heard. Countless gazes, like invisible threads, entangled in her every move.
Xie Wuqi stared at her intently, and saw her big, clear eyes turned towards him, her gaze lingering on his face for a moment, and the corners of her lips seemed to... raise a hint of a smile?
Hope burns like a raging fire!
Just when his heartbeat was about to burst his chest, Xinyi Zhaoyang suddenly raised her slender white fingers.
Without hesitation, point directly at him!
"It's Master Xie!" A low exclamation spread like ripples on the water.
Prince Rui's eyes showed a deeper sense of amusement. The crease between Prince Jin's brows also became clearer.
Xie Wuqi felt a surge of boiling blood rushing to his head, and an unprecedented bright future unfolded before his eyes. He took a step forward, almost overwhelmed by the overwhelming joy. His voice trembled slightly with excitement as he blurted out, wanting to carve this overwhelming good fortune into reality:
"Your humble servant is deeply——"
Xinyi Zhaoyang's innocent voice, tinged with doubt, rang out without warning. It was clear and resounding, carrying an innocence that was uninformed about the world, yet possessed a sharp edge that could cut through gold and jade:
"Huh? Master Xie is naturally skilled in martial arts." She tilted her head, her expression almost endearingly puzzled, as if discussing why a flower lacked fragrance. "But, Zhaoyang has heard from many people that Master Xie privately..." She wrinkled her delicate little nose, her voice filled with the pure disgust of a young girl hearing something filthy, "secretly giving things away with others and even breaking off an engagement. Such a person..." She shook her head gently, as if shaking off something dirty. "Zhaoyang absolutely despises him."
“Snap—”
Something invisible suddenly shattered in the dead silence.
Was it the heartbeat of the entire palace? Was it the boiling blood in Xie Wuqi's bones? Or was it the mask of ecstasy that still lingered on his face?
As soon as the words were spoken, inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
You can hear a pin drop.
"Zhaoyang."
It was still the eldest princess who spoke. She frowned and glanced at Xinyi Zhaoyang with a sharp gaze, instantly shattering the silence in the room.
However, Xinyi Zhaoyang showed no sign of backing down. She retorted with confidence, even a hint of provocation, "What's wrong with Zhaoyang? In Dongling, if a man breaks his promise and retreats from battle, he will be flogged!"
At this moment, everyone slowly recovered from their shock.
Thinking back to what had just happened, Xie Wuqi seemed eager to express his gratitude, and everyone couldn't help but smile knowingly, with a look of sarcasm on their faces.
Xie Wuqi was stunned, his eyes full of shock.
The faint whispers gradually reached his ears, and his face suddenly became as red as the sunset. However, in the blink of an eye, the red glow faded rapidly and turned into a pale white.
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