C22

Cen Xue ran all the way back to Wen Yuan Pavilion. Just now when she was running, she almost tripped on the hem of her skirt. Ancient women's clothes were really troublesome, it was inconvenient to walk on them.

"Beauty, where did you run off to so late at night? "The king ordered Eunuch Zhao to come here just now, and this servant told him that you were asleep, so Eunuch Zhao was willing to leave!" Wen Xing was so anxious that she was looking for her everywhere. Just as she was about to go out to look for her, she saw that she had returned.

"Why did that old eunuch come here?" Could it be that they were ordered to investigate my whereabouts? " Cen Xue stared at Wen Xing in shock. It was fine that that bastard wouldn't be able to come, but he actually sent his henchmen to spy on her. This caused her to think that she would be able to relax for a while and take the opportunity to slip away.

"Beauty, don't even think about it. Go back to your room and wash up. It's already the middle of the night, who knows, maybe the king will come back later?" Pushing her into the room, Wen Xing busied herself with changing out of her wet clothes and returning to the bed brimming with his aura.

"Beauty, it's time to wake up. This servant has come in!" Wen Xing shouted for a while while as she was holding the washing water. Then, she pushed the door open and came in. Seeing that she was still lying on the bed, she lightly sighed and walked up to him.

"Beauty, don't sleep anymore. Quickly wake up, there's a banquet to be held in the palace today. The King ordered for you to attend, and even brought you your clothes!" Wen Xing thought that the king would never come here, but she saw him coming out of his inner chamber early in the morning. She even ordered him to prepare for the banquet of a beauty at the palace.

Cen Xue vaguely heard Wen Xing's words and it caused her to immediately sit up in shock. "You said that he wanted me to attend the palace banquet? "But why should I go? I am only his captive, I will not go!"

"Beauty, you must go, this is against the decree, you have to kill the head, the king dotes on you so you can attend. In the past, palace banquets like this can only be attended by the queen, this shows how much the king values you, and he was still worried about you last night!" Wen Xing earnestly tried to persuade her. She remembered the king's words in her heart. Even if he gave her ten guts, she wouldn't dare to disobey.

"Nonsense, where did he come from last night? Can I still sleep if he comes?" Cen Xue decisively interrupted her words. It was obviously just her alone, how could this girl Wen Xing say such nonsense?

"This servant isn't spouting nonsense. This servant personally saw the king come out of his room this morning, and the king ordered this servant to serve the beauty well and prepare for tonight's palace banquet!" He pulled her down from the bed to wash up. No matter what, she had to go tonight.

Cen Xue's mind was in a mess as she thought, 'This is really strange. I've never seen him here before, so why is She Cai so determined to see him.' Did he really come here?

Thinking about what happened last night, she felt cold for a while, but before long, a warm and familiar feeling enveloped her. Later on … She just fell asleep and couldn't remember anything!

Cen Xue still couldn't shake off Wen Xing's logic. She insisted on persuading her to go to the palace feast, and even tidied up her hair meticulously, and inserted three white jade bells into each of her hair. The excess hair flowed to her waist, and as she took a few small steps forward, her posture became graceful.

Today, her delicate little face was covered in a bit of makeup, making her look even more charming, exposing her skin. Her skin was soft, tender, fair, and captivating, and she was dressed in a long white dress with the same color as the hairpin. The Mu Dan embroidered on her outer garment was vivid, charming, and her wide belt tied up her waist perfectly, making her look like a fairy in a painting who had just walked out of a painting.

Unwilling to do so, Cen Xue followed Wen Xing to the front of the hall. She took a deep breath and slowly walked into the hall. Since she had come, she couldn't be a disgrace to her own face.

The crowd, who were enjoying their drinks, saw a beautiful woman walking into the hall. They all stared at her with their eyes wide open. The officials in the court had only heard about her and had never seen her face before.

The corner of his mouth curled up in a pleased smile. He called over Zhao Changde, who was sitting beside him, and invited her over to sit beside him. He wanted to inform everyone present tonight that this beautiful woman belonged to him.

"Beauty, please have a seat!" Eunuch Zhao, the eunuch who followed beside Helian Shan, walked down from the stage to welcome her. Seeing him sitting so proudly on the high seat, Cen Xue wanted to leave immediately.

"Sit by me!" Helian Shan, like a gentleman, extended his hand to pull her to his side and then wrapped his arm around her slender waist. A dubious appearance was displayed in front of everyone.

Just a moment ago, the palace hall was still trying to guess her identity. From the looks of it, she was the imperial concubine of the king's imperial harem, or perhaps a favoured beauty?

"Why did you call me over? If there's a lack of women, you can go and find your concubine, right? I'm very busy! " Cen Xue knew that it would definitely not be a good thing to call her over. Why didn't she think of this earlier? Now that she had shown her face in front of everyone, it would be even more difficult for her to leave without making a sound.

"My little darling, you are very beautiful tonight, but you better be sensible tonight, otherwise don't blame me for being rude to you, and to the people around you, you don't have to be polite either, do you?" The two of them whispered to each other. To those who didn't know what was going on, they thought that they were whispering in each other's ears to show their affection.

"Hmph …"

She casually picked up a cup of water wine from the table and drank, but how could she drink? Just as she took a sip, she choked and coughed continuously. Why was this wine so strong?

"Cough, cough, cough …"

Helian Lie looked at her in amusement. Even though he clearly didn't know how to drink, he was still angry at her and pulled her into his embrace, gently patting her back to ease her discomfort.

Cen Xue's head leaned against his shoulder, her gaze landed on the location where the East Wu Empire diplomatic mission was seated. One of the white robed men was looking in her direction, but when she saw him clearly, she realised that he was the man who claimed to be the fourth prince of Yan Guo, but why was he staring at her? She didn't think she had offended him last night!

"What's the matter with you?" Helian Lie asked instinctively when he saw that she didn't have the slightest reaction.

"Ah …" It's fine! I'm hungry, I want to eat. " Helian Lie pushed him away and continued to snatch the bowl and chopsticks in front of her. He completely ignored the strange gazes of the people around him as he picked up the food in front of him and threw it into his mouth.

Helian Shan looked at her, took back the cup she had just snatched, and raised his glass for everyone to share.

Chunyu's humble gaze kept on her, seeing his silly look, Chunyu Jun pushed him with his hand, "Although a beauty is beautiful, but she is already named, and this person is still someone you can't easily offend. Keep your thoughts, how many women do you want, Royal Brother will give it to you."

Chunyu Jun saw his look of disappointment and knew what he was thinking, "Now is not the time to talk about these problems. After the banquet ends, Royal Brother will have a good chat with you. But you have to restrain yourself. Don't keep looking at him."

Chunyu smiled awkwardly as he turned to look at Cen Xue, silently muttering a name in his heart … Lin Cen Xue...

Prime Minister Bai looked at the duo on the throne in displeasure. He thought that the king would bring his daughter here tonight, but he didn't expect that it would actually be a stinky girl, a new face he had never seen before in the palace. Could it be that the king was willing to risk his life to break into the imperial tomb just for her?

Cen Xue seemed to have simultaneously felt two scorching gazes as she probed the hall. She knew that the Second Prince was definitely looking at her, so she intentionally avoided looking in his direction. When she met Bai Yan's hateful gaze, she was startled. She didn't offend anyone here, did she?

Ye Zichen pulled the man beside him and looked at her in confusion. I don't know what kind of tricks she's playing this time? Cen Xue moved closer to his ear and stealthily told him the direction with her eyes. She asked him a simple question?

Helian Lie shot a glance at Bai Yan and replied with a chuckle, "He is Prime Minister Bai. He is the father of Imperial Consort Hui."

When Cen Xue heard that it was the Prime Minister, and the father of his imperial concubine in the imperial harem, it was no wonder why she looked like she wanted to eat him. So it was because of his daughter.

However, looking at the Prime Minister's appearance, one could guess what kind of person his daughter was. She intentionally held Helian Lie's arm, her body still cuddling against his chest, causing Bai Yan in the distance to be so angry that her eyes widened as she secretly cursed in her heart, "You impolite witch!"

"Who are you going to show that to? Or are you really trying to seduce me? " Helian Lie naturally embraced her in his arms and, ignoring the astonished gazes of everyone in the hall, openly lowered his head and kissed her lips.

Cen Xue didn't expect him to do this. Her small hands tried to push him away, but he quickly grabbed onto them. There were at least a few hundred people in the hall.

Helian Lie's strong masculine aura enveloped her until she felt like she was about to suffocate. Only then did he reluctantly release her and said, "I won't let you off so easily!"

"You … "I'm not feeling well, I need to go back first!" Cen Xue's face was flushed red. She no longer had the face to stay. She stood up and was about to leave, but he stopped her.

"Are you really not feeling well? I'll have the Vermillion Bird send you back. " Helian Lie pulled her arm and said with a smile that was not a smile.

"No, I know the way. My people are still waiting for me outside. I don't need your people to send me off!" After struggling free from his hand, she left alone. Helian Lie did not stop her. He only muttered in his heart, "Aren't you also a lonely person?"