The light red handkerchief vanished in an instant, and the smile on Mu Ruoling's face disappeared immediately.
Mu Ruoyin's lips moved. She wanted to accuse her elder sister of throwing her handkerchief away, but the words "Wei Zixiao" came to mind. She frowned and carefully changed her tone.
“Sister, a woman’s personal belongings should not be thrown away carelessly. If someone picks them up, it may damage our reputation.”
Mu Ruoling was already annoyed, and hearing her say this made her feel disgusted: "Aren't you tired of following the rules every day? Besides, I lost my reputation a long time ago, and I'm still doing just fine."
Mu Ruoyin thought to herself, "You've lost your reputation, so you're going to ruin mine too? You're doing just fine, but do you know what the other royal women, and even our father and mother, are being talked about?"
She couldn't help but want to refute her. Recalling that sentence again, she felt strange. She thought about how her elder sister had always been brainless and straightforward since childhood. This wasn't the first time she had been angered. Why was she so easily angered now? Furthermore, she suspected that Wei Zixiao had done something to her, making that sentence keep swirling in her mind. However, it didn't seem to be a bad thing at the moment.
Perhaps it's a side effect of that hypnosis thing; I can ask about it another day when I have time.
Mu Ruoyin thought to herself that she shouldn't get angry, and then secretly looked at her elder sister's beautiful face. Jealousy couldn't help but surface in her eyes, but this time she managed to control herself.
Seeing that she kept looking at the passing troops, she changed the subject and teased, "Sister, have you taken a fancy to General Yan?"
Mu Ruoling glanced at her and said something that was unusually pleasant to hear: "It's admiration, understand? My Tiansheng and Dongqing have been at war for a long time. He is so young, yet he managed to get Dongqing to sue for peace in just three years. This has greatly enhanced the prestige of my Tiansheng and strengthened the power of my nation. He is a pillar of the country, and I naturally admire and respect him."
She was very grateful to Yanling. In her previous life, he had eliminated the treacherous officials, saved her younger brother, supported the country, and extended the dynasty's lifespan. But sometimes she couldn't help but feel resentful. Why couldn't he have come sooner? If he had come sooner, her father wouldn't have had to die.
However, the past is past. She knows that he is a trustworthy and loyal minister, and with the help of the prophet she gained from her rebirth, this time, her father will surely live to be a hundred years old, and Tian Sheng will also prosper forever.
Most of the troops were stationed outside the city, and only the generals and their personal guards entered the city, mixed with the Dongqing Kingdom delegation.
To show his high regard for Yanling and the Dongqing Kingdom delegation, the emperor personally led the empress to greet them at the palace gate.
Then came settling the delegation and discussing peace talks. The emperor didn't make exorbitant demands, and Dongqing Kingdom was prepared to bleed money, but when it came to actually cutting flesh, they couldn't help but cry out in pain.
The following day was the triumphant banquet.
Father Wei was naturally going to attend, and Mother Wei also returned on time, along with her two sons, and they all entered the palace together.
With some time still remaining before the banquet, Wei's father chatted briefly with some familiar officials, accompanied by his two sons.
Su Xiuwan, as the legitimate daughter of the Vice Minister, was also present today. However, contrary to her usual behavior, she did not approach and followed her stepmother very obediently. However, her thoughts seemed to have wandered off somewhere, and she was always a beat behind when speaking to others.
She was thinking about the problem, trying to figure out what Wei Lang really wanted to do.
She had already finished reading the Analects and written her reflections, but she was asked to read it again, rewrite it, and think more deeply about it.
Women in the world are expected to obey the Three Obediences and Four Virtues from birth. They are born to be dependents and ornaments. In the past, Wei Lang clearly liked her gentle and dependent appearance the most. Why is he suddenly telling her that "it is better to rely on yourself than on others" and asking her to consider herself, choose what she likes, and read these unorthodox books that are against her will?
She went to Puji Temple with Aunt Wei to burn incense and subtly inquired about it. Aunt Wei also noticed the change in her son and discussed it with her husband. They felt that it was because of the emperor's suppression that he had been depressed and had become more cautious in his actions.
It was only then that she learned that her Wei Lang had almost been forced into marriage by the royal family, but this still could not explain his various words and actions that day.
She sighed and glanced wistfully at her fiancé. Di Xiu seemed to sense something and nodded slightly to her.
Wei Ziren smiled and said, "Brother, that must be my future sister-in-law?"
Di Xiu glanced at him: "Your mother asked you to keep an eye on things today."
Wei Ziren immediately stopped laughing.
Two quarters of an hour before the banquet was to begin, the officials had all taken their places.
In the Tiansheng era, the left side was considered the most honored. Below the dragon throne, the first seat on the left should have been occupied by the Crown Prince, but since the position of Crown Prince had not yet been established, the Prince Duan and his heir sat there, followed by the princes. Those who were too young sat on the right side with their mothers.
On the right are the princesses, Princess Duan, several high-ranking concubines, and other women of the royal family, including Princess Duan's daughter.
All officials sat in order of rank, from top to bottom, with officials on the left and their families on the right.
The banquet was about to begin when a high-pitched voice came from the palace entrance. Everyone straightened up and saw the Emperor and Empress enter their seats hand in hand. Everyone bowed and sang loudly: "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress! Long live the Empress!"
The most honored couple of the Heavenly Saints ascended to the highest position, and the Emperor raised his hand and said in a deep voice, "All of you, rise."
Even with hundreds of people inside, the hall still felt spacious, and the echoes continued as everyone said in unison, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
With the emperor and empress in power, it should be the envoys of the Eastern Qing Kingdom.
The eunuch beside him understood and began to shout in a high-pitched voice: "Summon—the envoy of Dongqing Kingdom to an audience—".
A series of voices rang out, and the delegation, dressed in strange clothes, entered, clenching their fists and patting their shoulders, bowing their heads: "Greetings, Your Majesty the Heavenly Emperor."
"Esteemed envoys, you have come from afar. Our Heavenly Saint is more than pleased to welcome you. Please, take a seat."
The delegation, having come with the mission of negotiating peace, dared not show any displeasure and immediately offered their respects before taking their seats.
Then came the praise of Yanling and the bestowal of rewards, which was the part 001 was most looking forward to.
It remains to be seen whether the Emperor will grant Mu Ruoling and Yan Ling another marriage this time, and whether Yan Ling will agree.
001 found it a bit annoying. In the ancient world, there was no internet, so he couldn't even keep up with the latest gossip. Hmph.
"Yan Qing is a pillar of our Tian Sheng Kingdom. He fights for the country and is young and promising. However, he may lack someone to care for him. How about I arrange a marriage for you today?"
Yanling rose, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's favor; I am humbled."
Do you have a woman you admire?
A cold glint flashed in Yanling's eyes, and he then looked at the princesses at the head of the table.
"I have always had a woman in my heart, but I don't know if she would be willing to marry a rough military man like me."
When the emperor saw that he was looking at his beloved daughter, he recalled his answer when he asked him before the banquet if he was willing to marry the eldest princess, and thought to himself that the matter was settled.
Looking at the Wei family members, he scoffed inwardly. The eldest son of the Wei family was indeed literate, but at the same age, the Yan family's son had already forced the Eastern Qing Kingdom to sue for peace, while he had achieved nothing. It was fortunate that he was blind to talent, otherwise his precious daughter would have had the opportunity to meet someone better.
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