Ji Zhuo's seat at palace banquets is getting closer and closer; this time, he was even placed first among the ministers.
"You're sitting here now?" Lin Xihe asked in a low voice, unable to hide her surprise.
"It's just that His Majesty was afraid I would realize that he was the one who harmed me, so he deliberately bestowed this favor. Although my position hasn't changed, it's enough to make me make many more enemies in the court." Ji Zhuo had a clear understanding of the situation, and fortunately, he concealed it well afterward, which made His Majesty think that his actions had not yet been exposed.
"Your situation must be very difficult right now, right?" Lin Xihe's tone was full of unconcealed heartache.
"It's not difficult, don't worry."
Normally, Ji Zhuo would have wanted to pat Lin Xihe's head to comfort her, but at this moment, he suppressed the urge and only used his gentle eyes to convey a message of reassurance to her.
Lin Xihe knew this topic was best left unsaid, so she turned to the crowd at the palace banquet and asked, "Why are there so many people here?"
"His Majesty intends to facilitate a marriage alliance between the two countries and has his eye on the princess. However, it would seem too proactive of us to only allow the princess to participate. Therefore, he has ordered that officials of the fourth rank and above may bring their families to demonstrate the importance we attach to the northern border. However, this is only His Majesty's one-sided idea."
Ji Zhuo patiently explained, while carefully observing Lin Xihe's expression as he spoke.
Lin Xihe simply nodded slightly, her face showing no obvious emotional fluctuation.
But Ji Zhuo remembered that she had said that her relationship with Mu Ruoyan was not just one of coercion, so why was she not reacting to this?
Ji Zhuo could tell that Lin Xihe didn't dislike Mu Ruoyan. Although he felt a little uncomfortable about it, he was even less willing to see Lin Xihe associating with someone he disliked.
Before long, a minister took the initiative to approach Ji Zhuo and start a conversation. Lin Xihe responded politely and then sat quietly to the side.
At this moment, the eunuch in charge of the ceremony entered the venue, and instantly, the scene fell silent.
Xiao Yugan and Mu Ruoyan appeared together, and the eunuch's shrill voice shouted, "His Majesty has arrived! His Majesty of the Northern Border has arrived!"
The crowd below the stage knelt down and bowed, saying in unison, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
Lin Xihe naturally knelt down along with Ji Zhuo. She lowered her head and did not raise her eyes, but she could feel a sharp gaze directed at her.
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