The Third Prince of Jialan knew that Jun Linyu was telling the truth; Cangyue was now far stronger than Jialan and Xijin.
Although Cangyue would not easily invade neighboring countries, if they angered the imperial authority, attacking Jialan would indeed be an easy task.
It's not worth the risk!
Although Ji Chenyuan has not led troops into battle in the past five years, he is still a well-known figure in Cangyue. He has been involved in almost every major and minor battle in Cangyue!
At this moment, the eldest prince of the Jialan clan immediately understood after seeing the look in his younger brother's eyes.
"This humble subject indulged in Cangyue's fine wine. I apologize to Your Majesty, the Princess, and all of you!" Crown Prince Jialan bowed and said.
The emperor gave Jun Linyu an approving look. Regardless of his motives for saying those words, the effect was quite good; at least he had expressed what was on his mind.
"Wine is good, but don't overindulge and spoil the fun," the emperor said with a meaningful smile.
"Eunuch Min, prepare some hangover soup for Crown Prince Jialan," the Empress said solemnly.
"Yes," Eunuch Min replied and stepped down.
After this incident, the atmosphere at the banquet became somewhat tense.
"Your Majesty, Princess Anping is so outstanding now, she's really a hot commodity in Cangyue. After Princess Anping broke off her engagement with the Third Prince, I suppose she hasn't been granted another marriage yet?" Consort Qing asked with a smile!
These words undoubtedly struck a nerve with Consort Liang! But they also stirred the thoughts of countless people.
Ji Jiuying frowned slightly. Could she swear?
The emperor said thoughtfully, "Indeed, no marriage has been bestowed. Princess Anping will be of marriageable age next year."
"Then Your Majesty must hurry up and bestow the marriage, otherwise someone else might beat you to it," Consort Liang said slowly.
"Princess Anping, is there anything you like at this banquet?"
Emperor Jun Bufan spoke with a slight smell of alcohol, but his eyes were clear and there was no trace of drunkenness.
Jun Linyu looked somewhat anxious. He knew that in this situation, as long as she nodded and agreed to marry him, his father would definitely agree.
Seeing that Ji Jiuying remained silent, Consort Liang smiled and said, "Your Majesty, your bluntness is putting Princess Anping in a difficult position. After all, girls are easily embarrassed!"
After saying this, Consort Liang deliberately glanced at Jun Linyu.
These words were loaded with meaning, as if reminding others that Princess Anping was someone who had been jilted by the Third Prince, and although she was now quite famous, no one dared to come and propose marriage again.
"Little Jiu, can I have a chance to make it up to you? If you tell Father Emperor right now that you're willing to marry me, I'll grant you anything!"
"Jiu'er, I was wrong before, but I have repented. I only ask that you give me a chance to make it up to you, okay?"
Ji Jiuying heard Jun Linyu's voice in her mind, and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly. Hehehe!
However, this smile made Jun Linyu think a little too much!
She still had feelings for him after all!
In terms of both strength and background, in Cangyue, there is no one else who can match her except him!
However--
"Your Majesty, no! But if you insist on bestowing a marriage upon my daughter—if there is someone as handsome as the Imperial Preceptor, I might consider it..."
These words stunned everyone. This princess actually dared to bring up the imperial advisor!
However, this statement also allowed some people to grasp the key point!
Everyone knows that the Imperial Advisor always wears a black mask when he appears. Only Emperor Jun Bufan has ever seen the Imperial Advisor's true face.
Does the princess's statement imply that she saw the Grand Preceptor's true face at the Grand Preceptor's residence?
Instantly, envious, jealous, and hateful glances were directed at Ji Jiuying at the banquet.
"Hahaha, fine, since Princess Anping doesn't want to marry, then she won't marry!" Clearly, the emperor's attitude showed that he respected her wishes.
Even a princess wouldn't receive this kind of treatment!
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Seeing this, Consort Liang knew she couldn't say anything more.
Right at that moment!
"Ji Jiuying, who do you think you are? Do you think someone like you would dare to defile the Imperial Preceptor?" Jun Luoli could no longer contain her jealousy and burst out, saying angrily.
The entire room was completely silent! So quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Ji Jiuying laughed as if she had heard a huge joke. "Hehehe~ No matter what, I can't compare to you, Fourth Princess. You're always jumping around in front of the Imperial Preceptor's mansion every few days."
Everyone knew that Jun Luoli frequented the gates of the Imperial Preceptor's residence every few days, but Ji Jiuying's blunt mention of it at the banquet made her extremely embarrassed!
"you!"
"Father, are you just going to let her use the Grand Preceptor as a pretext? Aren't you afraid of angering the Grand Preceptor?" Jun Luoli's words made Consort Qing's heart skip a beat!
This foolish daughter, how could she be so muddle-headed? She's going to get herself killed by threatening the Emperor!
As expected, the emperor's face was so gloomy it could drip water, but Jun Luoli was completely unaware of it.
"Oh~ then according to Li'er's suggestion, how should I punish Princess Anping?" the emperor said calmly.
Consort Qing was about to step forward when a single glance from the Emperor froze her in place.
Seeing this, Consort Liang slowly ate the pastries in her hand, her eyes revealing undisguised schadenfreude.
Jun Luoli was only focused on making things difficult for Ji Jiuying, so she didn't pay attention to any of this.
Upon seeing this, Jun Luoli was overjoyed.
"Father, she should be made to kneel at the entrance of the Imperial Preceptor's residence for three days and three nights, then stripped of her title as a princess and demoted to a commoner!"
She wanted the Imperial Advisor to know the pathetic sight of Ji Jiuying kneeling at the door, and also to let him know the depth of her feelings for him!
Undoubtedly, what difference is there between this and her courting death?
"Excellent, excellent! Absolutely wonderful!" the emperor exclaimed several times.
Where is Commander Chen?
"Your subordinate is here!"
Jun Luoli was blinded by jealousy and looked at Ji Jiuying triumphantly.
At the banquet, apart from her own opinion, no one thought the emperor would punish Ji Jiuying!
Emperor Jun Bufan waved his hand and said, "Consort Qing has failed in her duty to educate her daughter. From today onwards, she and the Fourth Princess shall be confined to Zhaoyi Palace for three months and shall not be allowed to leave without imperial decree. The Sixth Prince, Jun Lin, shall be temporarily raised by the Empress."
Upon hearing this, Jun Luoli was stunned, and Consort Qing collapsed to the ground, crying and begging the emperor to retract his decree.
"No... Father, Father, you can't do this to me... Father!"
"Li'er is your daughter..." As Jun Luoli was dragged away, the banquet hall returned to calm.
But this incident also made it clear to everyone how much the emperor valued Ji Jiuying.
Ji Jiuying wasn't in a good mood throughout the banquet, and it ended before she knew it.
Ji Chenyuan led Ji Fengyan, and the moment he saw Ji Jiuying, he immediately put on an excited expression and strode forward.
"Jiu'er, there are only two days left until New Year's Eve. Your grandmother said she misses you. I wonder if you could go home and stay for a while?"
"General Ji, if I remember correctly, I have already left the Ji family, so please do not call me by my name when you see me in the future!"
Ji Jiuying said calmly.
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