No sooner had Lady Ya gone than Lord Zheng arrived. He told Yun Shang, "Your Highness, the envoys of the State of Yelang and the State of Xia have already entered the Imperial City. His Majesty said there would be a banquet in Jinluan Hall from five to seven tomorrow afternoon. Your Highness, please be on time."
Yun Shang said yes with a smile and wondered, 'A banquet! The banquets in the Palace are extremely interesting, and something happens at almost every banquet. What interesting things will happen tomorrow?'
The next afternoon, after Yun Shang had woken from a nap, Qin Yi and Qian Yin dressed her. She did not leave Qingxin Palace until she was properly dressed in a purple court dress. The maids even adorned her with ample jewelry.
At Jinluan Hall, as Lady Jin was absent, Yun Shang took the second seat, beside Hua Jing. On the table opposite her sat Qingsu. He was frowning and seemed lost in thought.
Yun Shang's gaze flickered over Qingsu before falling on the middle-aged man next to him. He was relatively handsome, but what was most striking about him was his suave temperament, which was in stark contrast to Qingsu's rugged harshness. Yun Shang thought he was the seventh Prince of the State of Xia. As a child, the seventh Prince was hailed as a child prodigy of the State of Xia when he was very young, but due to a severe illness, his health deteriorated, so he was not appointed as the Crown Prince by the late Emperor of the State of Xia. It took more than ten days to travel from the State of Xia to the Imperial City of the State of Ning. Owing to his ill health, and because it was his first trip as an envoy abroad, it took them forty days.
"I haven't seen you in a long time, Yun Shang. You grow more and more beautiful." Yun Shang raised his eyebrows as Hua Jing spoke. Then Yun Shang turned to her with a smile and replied, "You have been having a great time these days, too, sister. You look a little plump."
Hua Jing's mouth twitched slightly, and her eyes dropped as she answered, "Really?"
"Here comes His Majesty..." A eunuch's voice came from outside. Yun Shang rose and fell to her knees. "Long live Your Majesty."
"Hahaha, all rise." At the hearty voice of Emperor Ning, the kneeling people thanked him and got up.
"I am honored to have the State of Xia and the State of Yelang visit our state today, so I am hosting this banquet with the
ou really are a straightforward woman. Okay, tell me if the man you like is among us?"
Lady Cangyang winked and smiled brightly, "Yes, he is."
Emperor Ning nodded and looked around the Hall. He laughed as he asked, "Who is he?"
Lady Cangyang replied with a smile, "Your Majesty, you have not promised to help me fulfill my wish yet."
Emperor Ning pondered for a moment before he said, "You are the daughter of the Chief Councilor of the State of Yelang. Naturally, you have to marry into a decent family and be the legal wife. If the man you like is not married, I will help you fulfill your wish. However, it would be better if he likes you as well."
The Empress smiled at Emperor Ning's words. She said, "Lady Cangyang is so stunning. How could anyone not like her?"
Emperor Ning nodded in agreement. "You're right."
Lady Cangyang's brows rose with joy, and she said, "It just so happens that the man I like is not married." She walked up to Li Qinglan of the Li Clan as she spoke. Everyone was startled, but she simply grabbed the wine pot in front of Qinglan. Then, she took a cup from a maid's hand, and slowly filled it with wine. With a seductive smile, she put the wine pot back in front of Li Qinglan. She turned and walked around among the male guests before finally stopping in front of Prince Jing.
"Your Highness, I saw your graceful bearing in battle. You are my hero. I have admired you for a long time. Your Highness, please drink this wine, and from now on, I'm yours." Lady Cangyang's clear voice rang out in Jinluan Hall. For a moment, silence reigned over the Hall.