Suddenly, a commotion arose from the entrance, and the murmurs immediately drew the attention of the princes on the platform to the commotion in the distance.
The group glanced over nonchalantly, but the answer was soon revealed to them.
Yongqi froze. He had seen all sorts of beauties, including his newly acquainted Ziwei, a gentle and graceful top-tier beauty. He didn't consider himself a man who craved beauty; his beloved Xiaoyanzi wasn't stunningly beautiful, at most a pretty girl. So he had always been captivated by Xiaoyanzi's unique personality and soul. But the woman walking towards him now... his eyes were almost burned by her beauty.
He used to never believe that beauty could be harmful, but now he seems to understand that beauty is a scalpel that can cut to the bone...
She wore a red sari dress, with her hair styled into small braids that fell loosely over her shoulders. Her exposed skin, set against the red veil, was as white and delicate as snow. However, the pearl and jeweled ornaments adorning her head could not compare to her stunningly beautiful face.
It is so breathtakingly beautiful that one can't help but gasp in awe.
Not only were the unfamiliar courtiers and princes stunned, but even Alisa, who had always been by the princess's side, and Bailey, who had seen the younger sister before, couldn't take their eyes off Qingyin. The princess's face was truly breathtakingly beautiful, no matter when you looked at it!
Despite the objections at the banquet, Alisa proudly puffed out her chest and strode after Qingyin, for she was her princess!
Hanxiang, who hadn't seen her sister since, fell silent. She knew her sister could definitely achieve her goal with that face. Heaven knows how surprised she was when she saw her sister's face that morning! Watching the gaze leave her, Hanxiang felt inexplicably lost, even forgetting much of her longing for her lover.
Qingyin didn't care about her good younger sister's melancholy.
Qingyin ignored the burning, predatory gazes clinging to her. She had experienced countless worlds, but she didn't care about these kinds of looks at all.
In contrast to the composed Qingyin, the tall and imposing Bailey and Akshang wished they had eyes to glare at these insolent lechers. If eyes could kill, this place would probably be a river of blood by now.
When faced with the murderous glare from the burly man, some people cowered and looked away, while others ignored him and continued to be captivated by the beauty.
At the banquet, almost everyone who had regained their senses stared at the Hui people's seats with varying expressions. Who was this? How could there be such a woman in this world?
Qingyin was a little bored, and her eyes casually swept around. She also noticed a few men who were staring at her most obviously. Looking at the dragon patterns on their clothes, she realized that these were Qianlong's eldest sons! They were all quite good-looking, but which one was the brainless Fifth Prince Yongqi?
The moment Qingyin moved, those who had been secretly watching her throughout the banquet noticed that her gaze lingered on the princes for a moment longer. Those being looked at by Qingyin, in particular, almost instinctively straightened their posture, adopting the most formal and imposing stance.
Fu Erkang, who was sitting at the lower end, also noticed this. Although he was shocked by Princess Guli's true appearance, it was also within his expectations. He felt bitter. Did Princess Guli want to marry the prince?
Little Swallow, who was trying to embarrass the Empress, had no idea that her deliberate absence from the banquet would bring her unnecessary trouble.
Inside Yanxi Palace, Xiao Yanzi tossed and turned in bed, clutching the covers, unwilling to get up.
"The banquet for Little Swallow has already started. If you, as a princess, don't attend, Father Emperor might blame you!" Ziwei said helplessly, looking at Little Swallow who was suddenly throwing a tantrum.
"No! No! That old hag hurt you so much, I'll just skip her banquet to get revenge on you, Ziwei!"
Looking at Xiao Yanzi, who was acting willfully because of her status, Ziwei ignored the resentment in her heart, and in the end, her concern for her friend prevailed. Ziwei continued to patiently explain the seriousness of the matter to her: "Although this banquet is hosted by the Empress, it is the Emperor's way of entertaining guests. If you, as a princess, do not attend, it will be a disgrace to Father Emperor, Xiao Yanzi."
The half-understanding Xiao Yanzi was puzzled, "How could this old hag's banquet be related to Father Emperor?"
“Yes, Little Swallow.” Standing behind Ziwei, Jin Suo glared at the troublemaking Little Swallow. She had stolen her mistress’s identity and was causing trouble everywhere, leaving her mistress to clean up her messes. Jin Suo looked helplessly at Ziwei, who had successfully persuaded Little Swallow, and sighed, feeling a bit disappointed. Her mistress was still too kind!
At the banquet, Emperor Qianlong and the Empress finally arrived at the Hall of Brightness.
As the eunuch's shrill voice rang out, announcing the news.
"The Emperor and Empress have arrived."
The people at the banquet then composed themselves, lowering their heads respectfully in greeting.
"Greetings to Your Majesty the Emperor and Your Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty the Emperor and Your Majesty the Empress enjoy boundless blessings and good fortune."
Emperor Qianlong's gentle yet authoritative voice rang out: "My beloved ministers, rise."
Qingyin then looked up and observed the emperor, who was in his prime, out of the corner of her eye. Qianlong was forty-five years old and had maintained his physique quite well, looking every bit the handsome middle-aged man.
Qingyin was relieved. Although he was a bit old, he was still good-looking. Otherwise, if the target was too old and ugly, she would have really wanted to find another one. Fortunately, the situation was not bad.
Emperor Qianlong sat at the head of the table, amidst a large banquet. Yet the atmosphere was unlike his usual relaxed demeanor. The astute Qianlong immediately noticed this, his brow furrowing. What had his son done to frighten the ministers?
Emperor Qianlong casually glanced around, his gaze freezing on the woman who stood out from the crowd, dazzlingly beautiful. "Is this the Hui tribe in southern Xinjiang? The princess of the Hui tribe?"
He couldn't wait to speak: "You, come out!"
Qingyin stepped forward gracefully and raised her head, "This humble woman, Gulihezhuo, greets Your Majesty."
Gazing at the stunningly beautiful Princess Guli, Qianlong's heart trembled. He felt as if he had returned to his youth, his cheeks flushed with excitement. He could hardly control the predatory look in his eyes, for all the beauties in the world were now his.
Emperor Qianlong, barely managing to contain his excitement, said, "Princess Guli of the Hui people is gentle, kind, virtuous, elegant, dignified, wise, and kind. She is pure in nature and beautiful in spirit. I must immediately bestow upon her the title of Imperial Noble Consort Yu."
The expressions below varied. The ministers were surprised but not entirely astonished by the decision to skip the promotion of a concubine to a noble consort. Princess Guli's charm was unparalleled, and the emperor was truly blessed with good fortune.
The princes in the lower left corner also had extremely complicated expressions. Afraid that their father would see the jealousy and ambition in their eyes, they tacitly lowered their heads and drank wine or ate snacks.
The Empress, sitting beside the Emperor, also froze. The moment she saw the stunningly beautiful Princess Guli, she knew the Emperor would take her as a concubine. Surprisingly, she felt no jealousy or hatred towards the exquisitely beautiful Qingyin. Thinking of the pretentious Consort Ling, who couldn't come to the palace, she felt an even greater fondness for Qingyin.
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