"No need for formalities, please take your seats, esteemed envoys." Emperor Jun Bufan raised his hand slightly and said with a smile.
The emperor specially arranged an empty seat next to the prince for envoys from other countries.
"Welcome to the envoys from the Western Jin and the Buddhist temples! The palace banquet is now officially beginning!"
At the emperor's command, music began to play, and a group of dancers entered the venue, instantly enlivening the atmosphere of the banquet.
Ji Jiuying ate her snacks while watching the dancers. They were no less impressive than those in modern times. It was the first time she had ever seen such a dance, and Ji Jiuying watched with great interest.
As the song went on and on, my eyes started to get tired, but I still found modern dance more interesting.
Halfway through the banquet, many daughters of officials were already eagerly looking for husbands for themselves.
Jun Linyu's gaze remained fixed on that red figure.
Ji Fengyan almost crushed the wine glass in her hand. "Ji Jiuying, wait until I become the Third Prince's consort, I'll make you pay!"
The emperor noticed that the envoys from the Western Jin and Garan kingdoms were looking around, seemingly searching for something, and then whispering amongst themselves. An unreadable emotion flickered in the emperor's eyes.
"We've seen too many songs and dances, so why don't we have our young ladies perform some of their talents? It would be a good opportunity for foreign envoys to witness the grandeur of Cangyue."
For some reason, the emperor seemed particularly happy today. He had already drunk quite a bit of wine, and his words even carried a slight hint of alcohol.
"Your Majesty, what a brilliant idea! I've long heard that the young lady of Cangyue Kingdom is proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Today, we can feast our eyes on her beauty!" Crown Prince Murong Yun of the Western Jin Kingdom chimed in.
As Prince Murong Yun of the Western Jin Dynasty spoke, his bright eyes held a smile as he gazed gently at the crowd, causing some of the young ladies from noble families to blush instantly.
But upon closer inspection, one can see a chilling and profound look in his eyes.
As if sensing Ji Jiuying's scrutinizing gaze, he turned his head and met her eyes.
A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, which then turned into a scrutinizing look.
Upon hearing that they could perform their talents, the young ladies perked up, all eager to shine at the banquet and perhaps catch the eye of the nobles.
The women were still debating who should go on stage first.
At this moment, Prince Murong Yun of the Western Jin Dynasty spoke up again, "Why don't we invite the most famous beauty of the Cangyue Kingdom to come up on stage first?"
Upon hearing this, Ji Fengyan smiled shyly. She was recognized as the most beautiful woman in the capital. She didn't expect that even other countries knew about her. Could it be that her fame had spread to neighboring countries?
"Yan'er, you are so lucky. Even the crown prince of another country knows about you," Mo Yunran said enviously.
Seeing that Jun Linyu's gaze was still fixed on Ji Jiuying, Ji Fengyan was filled with rage and secretly vowed to shock the entire audience and let the Third Prince know who was the most worthy person to stand beside her!
Ji Chenyuan and Zhou Haiping looked at their daughter with pride.
Ji Fengyan stepped forward and curtsied, saying softly, "Then Yan'er will respectfully accept your offer!"
Just as they were about to begin, they were interrupted by a voice!
Prince Murong Yun of the Western Jin Dynasty frowned slightly. "Wait a minute! Shouldn't the most beautiful woman in Cangyue Kingdom be that woman in red?"
Ji Fengyan's smile froze instantly. Ahhh! The Crown Prince of Western Jin wasn't talking about her? Not only was it not her, but he was referring to Ji Jiuying!
Everyone present was stunned into silence!
Ji Jiuying was speechless; was she just an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire?
The emperor broke the silence, "Hahaha, the Crown Prince of Western Jin really has a keen eye! But the one hailed as the most beautiful woman is indeed the one on the stage!"
Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince of Western Jin was stunned for a moment, then said, "Your Majesty, I believe that the woman in red is more beautiful! What do you think, Prince Jialan?"
The eldest prince of the Jialan Kingdom, Han Shaoting, raised an eyebrow, looked Ji Jiuying up and down, and said, "I also think the woman in red is superior."
"I second that!" the Second Prince Han Shao also chimed in.
Upon hearing this, Ji Fengyan gripped the hem of her clothes tightly. She was trembling slightly as she suppressed her anger, unsure whether to go up or down.
Seeing that the emperor didn't know how to answer, Ji Jiuying said, "I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint the Crown Prince of Western Jin. Apart from not being the most beautiful woman in the capital, I'm not proficient in any of the arts, such as music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. I beg the Crown Prince of Western Jin not to make things difficult for me! And please don't make things difficult for that most beautiful woman on the stage!"
Ji Jiuying cleared herself of all suspicion with a single sentence: even if she knew how, she would say she didn't. She didn't want to perform for them like a monkey.
The Crown Prince of Western Jin raised an eyebrow, looking at Ji Jiuying with a probing gaze. Was she the Princess?
The eldest and third princes of the Kingdom of Jialan couldn't help but look up in Ji Jiuying's direction, their eyes revealing unreadable emotions.
Seeing that the Crown Prince of Western Jin was not saying anything more, Ji Jiuying happily ate her food and watched the performance.
"Then please let General's daughter, Ji Fengyan, continue to perform her talents!" the emperor said with a smile.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Ji Fengyan received the emperor's decree, and her white figure seemed to walk in as if stepping on moonlight.
After a few rounds of drinks, everyone looked toward Ji Fengyan, who was dressed in a white dress, in the center of the banquet.
At only twelve years old, she had a well-developed figure. Her graceful figure danced to the music, her sleeves fluttering in the air, and her jade feet tiptoeing, like a beautiful fairy descended from heaven, untouched by worldly affairs!
Everyone was captivated by Ji Fengyan's dance.
Apart from the crown prince of the Western Jin Dynasty!
When the music and dance stopped, the emperor and empress both showed expressions of satisfaction. Even Jun Linyu, whose gaze had been fixed on Ji Jiuying, turned his attention to her at some point.
Seeing this result, Ji Fengyan smiled with satisfaction!
Following Ji Fengyan's lead, a group of young ladies took turns performing, some showing off their swordplay, others their singing, playing chess, painting, reciting poetry, and so on.
These young ladies' talents are indeed much more interesting than the singing and dancing we just saw!
······
Princess Murong Yue of the Western Jin Dynasty, who had been silent until now, spoke up, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, why don't we play a game?"
"Oh? I wonder what game the Third Princess of Western Jin would like to play?" Emperor Jun Bufan asked.
The Third Princess of the Western Jin Dynasty glanced at the Crown Prince of the Western Jin Dynasty beside her, then rose and went to the center of the banquet. With a skillful wave of her hand, a large expanse of fiery red flowers appeared on the ground, numbering at least several thousand.
Ji Jiuying also looked at it with great interest, but she had never seen this flower before.
"This whole area is filled with Snow Moon Flowers, unique to our Western Jin Dynasty. Whoever can pick out the most beautiful one from these thousands of blossoms will win," the Third Princess of Western Jin said confidently.
“Since it’s a game, it’s more fun if there’s a prize involved,” the Third Prince of Jialan said with a smile.
The Third Princess of Western Jin nodded. "Indeed! Then whoever wins, this Level Six Communication Butterfly in my hand belongs to them!"
The Sound-Transmitting Butterfly, as the name suggests, can transform into thousands of spirit butterflies, which can be used for transmitting sound, locating targets, and also to confuse enemies in battle.
"Hahaha~ Alright, granted. So who wants to try first?" The emperor also wanted to know which of these thousands of flowers was the most beautiful!
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