Chapter 233: Chapter 176: The Banquet Begins

The Emperor was slightly taken aback, his gaze landing on Jun Moling, only to see those eyes full of tenderness, staring devotedly at Shen Ruoxi.

This scene of deep affection pierced the Emperor’s heart deeply.

The couple were united, deeply in love like mandarin ducks, and now they had joined forces to confront him, this solitary ruler.

The Emperor’s eyes grew darker, and his face turned gloomy, “Prince Zhan, what about the six beauties I bestowed upon you? Do not forget, this is a gift from me.”

Shen Ruoxi shook her head helplessly, thinking to herself how the Emperor really did not want them to have a peaceful life.

Jun Moling just smiled faintly, his expression calm, “Your Majesty, the six women you gifted, when they first arrived at the Prince Mansion, only knew the rules of the Imperial Palace but not those of my Prince Mansion. I had them go and learn the rules.”

The Emperor was speechless with anger for a moment, “This is my genuine goodwill, I hope Prince Zhan does not let down my affection for you.”

Jun Moling remained indifferent, bowing slightly, “Thank you for your compassion, Your Majesty, I understand.”

The Emperor harbored ill intentions, deliberately turning to look at Shen Ruoxi, hoping to see anger or jealousy on her face, but she remained indifferent, calm as water.

His chest filled with a senseless annoyance, he then said to Shen Ruoxi, “Princess Consort Zhan, as a woman of the inner courtyard, you must be magnanimous. Prince Zhan has been away for over five years, I understand the hardships, but do not be needlessly jealous.”

Shen Ruoxi was aware that the Emperor was intentionally provoking her, but she was not annoyed, merely smiling faintly and replied, “Your Majesty is very right, everything depends on the Prince’s wishes.”

Upon hearing this, Jun Moling raised an eyebrow slightly, his gaze as tender as water, and said, “It is indeed Princess Consort Zhan who makes the decisions in the Prince Mansion, we will go by her wishes.”

Shen Ruoxi’s lips curled slightly, and the two of them exchanged a glance, a tacit understanding already reached between each other in that instant.

The Emperor originally wanted to create a rift between the two, but unexpectedly, their love was as strong as gold and was not affected in the slightest.

Feeling extremely frustrated, he found it extremely dull and tedious. In front of him, the two were so loving, no matter how he looked at them, they irritated him.

After a while, he said with a grim face, “The banquet is about to start. Chunyu Che, although he has come to apologize with great humility,

I always feel he has other intentions. He might be planning something against us, we need to prepare in advance for any potential traps.

Chunyu Che, having gained the support and affection of Beichang’s people in such a short time, shows he indeed possesses extraordinary means.

For this visit to our country, I originally thought he would return in defeat, embarrassed, but unexpectedly has also endeared himself to our people, which was beyond my expectations.”

Both Jun Moling and Shen Ruoxi agreed with the Emperor’s words.

Shen Ruoxi said earnestly, “Your Majesty, as long as Chunyu Che does not harbor any military intentions, everything can be negotiated.

After all, it is the people of the two countries who have suffered the most over the years. The rest depends on how he chooses to position himself!”

The Emperor nodded slightly, “It is good that you understand the reasoning behind this, now withdraw! The banquet will begin soon, and I am curious to see what he intends to do.”

The two withdrew, with Jun Moling accompanying Shen Ruoxi to stroll leisurely within the Imperial Palace.

Along the way, they saw many ministers bringing their wives and children into the palace.

As the time became appropriate, everyone moved to the largest hall in the Imperial Palace – Chenghe Hall.

After paying respects to the Emperor, everyone quickly entered the hall, sitting according to their ranks.

Only to hear the eunuch announce in a loud voice: “The Monarch of Beichang Country and Envoys are here!”

Hearing this, everyone craned their necks to look.

The Beichang Country had previously initiated war, coming in fiercely like a broken bamboo, capturing half of Dayi Country’s territory.

No one had seen people from Beichang before, and rumors said they were all fierce, brutal barbarians.

At this moment, as the entourage from Beichang entered the hall, everyone hurriedly fixed their eyes to scrutinize them.

Chunyu Che, dressed in a yellow monarch’s robe, appeared to be about the same age as Dayi’s Emperor, leaving everyone momentarily stunned.

Not only did he lack any signs of fierceness, but he was exceedingly handsome, with an extraordinary demeanor, his appearance even rivaling that of their Emperor.

Among his entourage, there were scholarly gentlemen and brawny men with full beards, but overall they appeared normal, vastly different from previous assumptions.

Chunyu Che sat down calmly.

Standing behind him was an elderly man, whom Shen Ruoxi recognized as Sword Shadow Residual Wind.

He appeared to be in his fifties, his hair already half gray, and his distinctive aura made him particularly noticeable in the crowd.

He held a sword in his arms, standing behind Chunyu Che, slightly lowering his eyes.

Carrying a sword in the Imperial Palace was a provocation to the Emperor, a move that undeniably angered the Dayi Country ministers.

The Prime Minister of Dayi, who was also Lin Xuening’s grandfather, suddenly stood and said, “Monarch of Beichang, in this hall, swords are strictly forbidden. I ask that this guard disarm.”

The ministers of Dayi also echoed, “Indeed, this action is a slight to our country.”

“A defeated nation behaving so out of order.”

Worried that this would anger the elderly man, Shen Ruoxi quickly stood and said, “Prime Minister Lin, please stay calm.

This elder is renowned, and his sword is always by his side. As long as safety is assured, the sword will remain sheathed, and we can see the sincerity of the Beichang Monarch. There’s no need for anyone to take offense.”

Her words naturally drew the old man’s gaze.

He slightly lifted his eyes, glanced at Shen Ruoxi, a hint of surprise in his expression.

However, seeing that she was just a young girl, he quickly looked away again, lowering his eyes once more, resuming his previous stance.

“Emperor Dayi, this matter…” Chunyu Che also felt that this action was inappropriate, but the old man’s eccentric nature meant he was grateful just for his presence and dared not demand more.

Though Sword Shadow Residual Wind’s expression remained unchanged, the atmosphere in the hall was still somewhat tense.

The Emperor merely smiled slightly, unconcerned, “Since it is his custom, it is no matter. Let us first enjoy the music and dance.”

Though some had objections, hearing the Emperor’s words meant they could only drop it.

Chunyu Che was slightly relieved, nodding, and soon music played, dancers gracefully stepping forward, transforming the scene into one of festive splendor.

His eyes instinctively turned to Shen Ruoxi, next to whom sat Jun Moling.

In fact, he had long heard they had married, his eyes flickered slightly, their meaning unclear, unsure of what he was thinking.

Over there, the Yang Family and Zou Family sat together, their gazes exceptionally cold.

The Zou Family whispered bitterly, “Sister-in-law, that bastard looks so dignified now, I will not let him leave our country unscathed.”

The Yang Family was obviously more composed than the Zou Family, her expression calm as she said, “Stay patient, don’t show it now. There will be opportunities, he won’t escape, right?”

The Zou Family nodded, but the rage in her eyes seemed capable of burning Chunyu Che to ashes.

In her eyes, this bastard living was a great insult to the loyalty and courage of the Shen Family.

As the music and dance receded, Chunyu Che suddenly stood, “Prince Zhan, Miss Shen, it has been over three months since we last parted, I toast to you.”

A nearby minister quickly said, “Monarch of Beichang, you may not know, but Marquis Shen is now Princess Consort Zhan.”

“That is my mistake, I hope Prince Zhan and Princess Consort Zhan won’t mind,” Chunyu Che lowered his stance, saying, “Let’s drink first as a sign of respect.”

The two glanced indifferently at Chunyu Che, said the Monarch of Beichang was courteous, then drank their wine in one gulp.

Chunyu Che then turned to the Emperor, saying, “The last war was the folly of the former emperor, and the current peace is hard-won for our two people’s prosperity.

I come this time with intentions of marriage alliance, hoping His Majesty will give his blessing no matter what.”

As he finished speaking, a woman wearing a light veil came forward, she bowed slightly, her voice sweet and cloying, “I ask Emperor Dayi to fulfill Aya’s request.”

It turned out the woman was Chunyu Che’s imperial sister Chunyu Ya.

The Emperor smiled faintly, “My princes and princesses are yet young; does Princess Aya have someone she desires to marry?”

“Aya boldly asks, can it be anyone?” Chunyu Ya asked shyly.

The Emperor had a premonition that some drama was about to unfold, he nodded, “Yes, anyone.”

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