Within a stick of incense, the news that the Regent had brought a beautiful woman to the birthday banquet spread to every corner of the imperial city. It was believed that before long, the entire capital would know about it.
He is the Regent. Over the years, many beauties have failed to catch his eye, let alone get close to him.
For a moment, everyone was talking about it, curious about what kind of person the little beauty was.
The court officials at the banquet were naturally interested in this.
Although the Prince Regent held a high position of power, he was ultimately a minister and sat only on the left side of the Emperor. The Prince Regent disliked being served at meals, so this seat was always occupied by him alone.
But now, there is a little beauty beside him.
Not only was she brought to the birthday banquet, but she also sat in the same royal seat with the Regent, which shows how much the Regent loved her.
Everyone was thinking this in their hearts and couldn't help but look at the little beauty a few more times.
But this highly-watched figure was clearly feeling uneasy.
From the moment he got off the carriage until now, Jing Li felt that all eyes were on him. This feeling of having his every move watched made him very uncomfortable.
Seeing that he had barely touched his chopsticks, Qin Zhao asked, "Why, is it not to your liking?"
"No..." Jing Li unconsciously hid behind Qin Zhao and said nothing.
Qin Zhao understood.
He put down his chopsticks and glanced casually into the hall. The countless scrutinizing gazes disappeared in an instant, and a series of masked coughs were heard in the hall.
"Alright." Qin Zhao picked up some food for Jing Li and said calmly, "Eat."
The current emperor is closest to the regent and can see all his actions clearly, which makes him feel a pang of anger.
Not only were the ministers curious, but even he wanted to know where this little beauty came from.
More than a month ago, the Regent returned the painting of a beautiful woman that he had commissioned, saying that he wanted to devote himself to state affairs and was unwilling to think about his children's personal affairs?
Even more than ten days ago, when he wanted to give a koi to the Regent, the man didn't want it!
Qi Xuan felt that the world had changed.
But he had always been afraid of the Regent and did not dare to ask too many questions. He could only endure the other party's eye-catching display of affection and pretend that he did not see it.
When the banquet was halfway through, someone outside reported something.
"Your Majesty, the Protector General is requesting an audience outside the palace."
Qi Xuan's hand shook and the chopsticks fell to the ground.
How come he didn't know Xiao Yue would be returning to Beijing today??!
The palace servants beside him were busy replacing the emperor's bowls and chopsticks, but Qi Xuan ignored them and hurried to see the regent's expression.
The Protector General Xiao Yue and the Regent had always been at odds. When the Regent first came to power, there was a lot of opposition in the court, and the Xiao family behind the Protector General was one of them.
For this reason, Xiao Yue and Qin Zhao fought each other for a while, but unfortunately they were defeated. They led their troops to surrender and left, staying in the borderland for several years.
Some people said that Xiao Yue was afraid of Qin Zhao and did not dare to return. Others said that Xiao Yue was using his military power to threaten the regent, and that it was precisely because of his presence that the regent did not dare to replace the emperor.
But no matter what, it is absolutely correct to say that these two people are mortal enemies who can't stand each other.
As for choosing this critical moment to come back, could it be that the general finally couldn't sit still anymore and wanted to show his power to the regent?
The hall, which was originally bustling with singing and dancing, became silent. The palace servant who came to deliver the message knelt in the center of the hall, but everyone's eyes were on Qin Zhao.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the handsome regent simply chuckled and said to Qi Xuan, "The general has come all the way back to the capital to congratulate me on my birthday. Your Majesty, why don't you invite him in?"
Qi Xuan woke up as if from a dream and quickly ordered someone to be brought in.
Soon, a tall man in light armor walked in. Xiao Yue had spent so much time on the frontier, his demeanor tempered by the wind and sand, that he possessed a forbidding presence. A faint scar etched his face, yet he remained handsome and dashing.
He walked to the front of the hall and knelt on one knee: "General Xiao Yue, I pay my respects to Your Majesty."
"No need to be polite, Mr. Xiao." Qi Xuan didn't dare to let him kneel, and quickly ordered, "Hurry and give him a seat."
Xiao Yue's seat was arranged opposite the Regent, slightly lower, to show the difference in status. He didn't care about it, sat down happily, poured himself a glass of wine, and toasted the emperor first, then Qin Zhao.
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