"Your Majesty flatters me. I'm just here to watch the excitement. Miss Xie and the Crown Prince have already pledged their love to each other, and it's not appropriate for others to disturb them."
Xuanyuan Du's words clearly stated that he would not participate, and also indicated that Xie Lingqin's heart already belonged to the Crown Prince.
Under such circumstances, it seems that the emperor's arbitrary assignment of a mandarin duck would not be popular.
Everyone heard it clearly, but the Emperor seemed not to understand. He laughed loudly, and then looked at the Second Prince of Southern Qi as if casually, "Where is the Second Prince?"
"What merit do I have to marry Miss Xie? It seems I'm just here for the fun of it all."
Nangong Feng shook his head slightly, his face concealed as he had done the same as yesterday.
Today, however, he wasn't wearing a hood, but rather a silver mask, revealing only a clean, slender eye that flowed smoothly into his chin, subtly exuding a refined and elegant air.
"The Second Prince of Southern Qi is renowned, but I never imagined that he would be so modest and humble. I feel that my own son is far inferior to him."
"His Majesty is just joking because we've come from afar."
"Hehe, it seems that you will indeed be two fewer opponents, Young Master Xu."
As the emperor smiled, he suddenly changed the subject and addressed the person behind him.
Everyone looked over and saw Xu Yiran, dressed in a white robe and wearing a jade crown, walking slowly towards them. He was as handsome as a breeze, and his presence was captivating.
However, Xie Lingqin's heart sank at this moment.
Xu Yiran actually came too, no, the Emperor actually summoned Xu Yiran as well.
Does the Emperor know that Xu Yiran has feelings for her?
Or perhaps...
The Emperor's sharp eyes swept around before he slowly said, "Young Master Xu came to see me during the day, saying that he is deeply in love with Xie Lingqin and wants me to grant his wish. As for me, I have always admired his talent and have allowed him to teach qin music at Huangshan Academy, which I have always considered a waste of his talent. Since he has some requests, how can I refuse?"
Xie Lingqin looked at the empty seat beside her and suddenly understood. It turned out that this seat was reserved by the Emperor for Xu Yiran.
Xu Yiran had already walked over, greeted the Emperor, and then sat down next to Xie Lingqin.
“Young Master Xu, you are quite confident.” Before Xu Yiran could even sit down, Yuwen Yao, who had been silent all along, finally spoke up.
"Your Highness, Young Master Xu is also a guest." The Emperor looked at Yuwen Yao, their eyes met, and the Emperor's eyes were sharp and piercing, clearly pressing him step by step.
Yuwen Yao seemed oblivious, his tone indifferent, "Even if she is a guest, one should still protect the woman one loves, right, Father?"
The Emperor's gaze darkened slightly, as if he hadn't expected Yuwen Yao to not only disrespect him but also so openly defy him.
"Your Highness, be mindful of the occasion." The Emperor was already warning him.
"As the Crown Prince, if I cannot even protect the woman I love, wouldn't I also lose face for my father and become a laughingstock for all nations?" Yuwen Yao raised his phoenix eyes slightly, a faint smile on his face.
This is considered giving the emperor plenty of face.
The Emperor's breath hitched, and his expression suddenly darkened. He could only reply, "Indeed worthy of being the Crown Prince of Bei Rong. Not bad."
"So, Father, rest assured, on the day of the marriage, I will not disappoint you. No matter what happens, I will protect the woman I love most."
He said.
When talking about his favorite, his gaze lightly fell on Xie Lingqin's face.
At that moment, there was a kind of excitement and heartbeat that I couldn't describe in words; it just felt incredibly intense.
However, Yuwen Yao's words caused a dark glint to appear in the eyes of the emperor, who had originally intended to intimidate the crown prince, and dark clouds rolled in.
The emperor pressed him relentlessly, but he, without even using his sword, blocked the path to death the emperor wanted to throw at him.
"Then, Your Highness, in a few days, we'll see who comes out on top." Xu Yiran spoke softly, her tone still calm and composed. However, not to mention the others, even Xie Lingqin could clearly hear the hostility in her voice.
This feeling had only been felt by Yuwen Yao that night when he found her and Xu Yiran, but at this moment, it came from Xu Yiran.
Was his behavior in front of the Emperor a way of showing that he was determined to have her?
“Okay, Qin’er…” Yuwen Yao looked at Xie Lingqin, his delicate features radiating a gentle smile, his voice almost doting, “Remember to attend then.”
These words are clearly a public display of affection, a slap in the face to Xu Yiran.
"OK."
Xie Lingqin said, smiling, but not wanting to look at Xu Yiran's facial expression.
I don't know when I started remembering this, but I always felt that hurting him was a huge sin.
But why did he cooperate with the Emperor? Was it just because of her? Or was there some other reason?
The Emperor's gaze then left Yuwen Yao, and he instructed Eunuch Ni behind him, "Where is Miss Li? Didn't I also ask her to come? Why hasn't she arrived yet?"
"Your Majesty, Miss Li arrived earlier, but she was invited away by the Empress."
"That's what Eunuch Ni said."
"Empress?" The Emperor frowned, but said nothing more.
After a series of witty exchanges, the Emperor finally told everyone to pick up their chopsticks.
However, with the emperor above them, and the emperor's authority still in place, no one dared to be presumptuous. The banquet was held without making a sound.
"Young Yi, when you were injured last time, I said I would bestow a marriage upon you. Do you remember?"
Sure enough, halfway through the seemingly harmonious but actually reserved dinner, the Emperor spoke and looked at Yu Qingyi.
Yu Qingyi quickly replied, "I remember, I remember, of course I remember. My uncle was so worried about me back then."
"In all these days, have you found someone you like?"
The Emperor smiled gently, his face kind and benevolent.
Yu Qingyi smiled and narrowed her peach-colored eyes. "Uncle Emperor, how could an ordinary woman catch my eye when I am such a handsome, dashing, and unrestrained person?"
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
