No pop-up ads, so refreshing! Thanks for your support! Sounds good to me ^_^... Chapter 70

  The following chapter changes the chapter number name, and the content remains continuous.

  I looked at the person in front of me with those dark and profound eyes, slowly shaking my head. My voice was extremely soft, but I spoke word by word: "Today's behavior is not what a daughter of the Murong family should have, yet this is what a princess of the Southern Dynasty and a wife should do. Therefore, Qing'er does not regret it."

  Beautiful people offer tea: Junshan Yinzhen, Lion Peak Longjing — Dry fruit four varieties: milk fragrance almond, rock sugar walnut, white jade peach kernel, crispy fried cashew nut — Cured fruit four varieties: honey cherry, flower pot tangerine, golden silk honey date, honey brewed longan — Pastry four varieties: glutinous rice cold cake, emerald bean paste cake, mandarin duck roll, coconut shell bowl — Sauce dish four varieties: purple fragrance dry, snow inside rape, osmanthus spicy mustard, sweet and sour melon

  In the midst of the eunuch's voice reporting the dish names, I accompanied Nan Chongyao into the Qinghe Hall with a gentle pace, my demeanor elegant and refined, a warm smile on my lips, flawless and beyond reproach.

  It's just in my heart, but I couldn't help feeling a little melancholy that lingers on.

  I still can't forget the look in your eyes when you left the Xuanzheng Hall, it contained a lot of inexplicable and profound emotions that were difficult to put into words.

  Although I do not regret what I did today, yet deep down inside, there is also a sense of unease. I know that my words and actions must have left an impression on the Emperor's mind, making him suspicious of the Murong family. It's just that I don't know how big this suspicion is, or what kind of impact it will have.

  Thinking so, he subconsciously looked around for his father and mother, who had arrived early and were sitting in the first row under the jade steps, while Yan was not seated with them, but was arranged in the third row.

  As I saw Nan Chengyao and I enter, my parents hastily stood up and called Shang Yun to come over and pay their respects. Although I was not pleased in my heart, my face could only smile politely, watching with wide eyes as my parents bowed down in front of me.

  After the courtesy, Father and Nan Xiangyao talked about the situation of this expedition at will. My mother and I could only smile and listen on the side. I saw that although my mother was smiling, her eyes were inevitably filled with some hidden worries. I knew she must still be worried about Mei not wanting to marry the princess.

  He couldn't help but shift his gaze past his mother to look at Wei, who was following behind her. Today, as a meritorious general who had entered the palace with the emperor's permission, he wore the same armor he had worn during the campaign against the rebels, only without the sword at his side.

  His silver armor was spotless, and he no longer had the dust and fatigue of battle. He looked like he had an indescribable elegance and spirit, and his entire being seemed to radiate light, making it impossible for people to look away.

  At this moment, he stood there, listening to the insignificant conversation between his father and Nan Chengyao, and because of the strict family rules, he didn't dare to leave, so his face looked extremely bored.

  I saw him trying hard to suppress the urge to roll his eyes, but coincidentally caught my line of sight, and quickly flashed a smile at me, with bright and clean eyebrows.

  I had wanted to say a few words to him, but the occasion and time were not right. I thought that since Nan Chengyao had already promised not to let Yun violate his heart by marrying the princess, I could put my mind at ease. So I just smiled lightly at him.

  "Seven cold dishes: Pine Crane Longevity, Mustard Duck Palm, Phoenix Spreads Wings, Shrimp Roe Winter Bamboo Shoots, Heavenly Fragrance Abalone, Three-Threaded Cucumber Rolls, Pepper Oil Scallions...--- Soup one dish: Bamboo Pith Fish Lips..."

  As the eunuchs carried the food boxes in quietly, the Crown Prince and his wife also entered the Qinghe Hall together. This was my first time seeing them since I left the capital and bid farewell to the Crown Prince's residence.

  I looked at the crown prince's still thick eyebrows and eyes, as well as the perfect smile on his face that was flawless and unstoppable, and many things suddenly appeared in front of me, out of control.

  I remembered that flute, I remembered Dong Shi and his son, I remembered the various things in the distant north, I remembered the low-hanging gray sky of Ye City, I remembered the young warrior's slightly shy last smile, and I also remembered the inscription on the wall of Xuanzheng Hall a few hours ago.

  A surge of indescribable emotions welled up inside me, I took a deep breath in silence, then smiled warmly and followed Nan Chengyao down to pay our respects.

  I followed Nan Chongyao's example and performed the family rituals, merely bowing slightly, while Father and Mother paid their respects to the Crown Prince and Huan'er with the ceremonial rites due from subject to ruler.

  I watched as he smiled elegantly and slightly raised his hand to signal for our parents to get up, but beneath that smile, perhaps there was also a sense of helplessness and heartache like mine.

  After the courtesy, Nan Chengyuan warmly stepped forward and personally held Nan Chengyao's hand, opening his mouth with a sincere tone: "Third brother, your great victory over the Northern Hu has truly made our Southern Dynasty renowned throughout the four seas. As an elder brother, I am truly delighted!"

  Nan Chengyao smiled faintly: "It's all thanks to the wise leadership of His Majesty and the Crown Prince, otherwise we wouldn't have achieved this great victory. How could my brother dare to take credit for it?"

  Nan Chengmo smiled warmly and said, "Third brother is too modest. You don't know that because of this great victory, the emperor was overjoyed. When your triumphant return was still half a month's journey away from the capital, the emperor had already ordered me to start preparing tonight's celebration banquet."

  Nan Chengyao smiled and replied: "Thanks for your concern, Your Majesty. I'm grateful."

  "It's all family, no need to say thanks or anything. You're fighting on the front lines, shedding blood and sweat, as your brother, I can only do my part by preparing some food and wine, it's really embarrassing."

  "Your Highness, as the crown prince, bears the weight of the country and its people, and is a treasure worth a thousand gold coins. Naturally, you cannot take any risks."

  Nan Chengyu smiled and didn't let go, directly pulling Nan Chengyao along to the Jade Steps: "Why is everyone standing? Let's all take our seats."

  The banquet in Qinghe Hall has a three-level jade stage. The highest level is naturally reserved for the Emperor and Empress Dowager, while I and Nan Chongyao are seated on the left side of the second level. The Crown Prince and Huan'er sit on the right side, and the lowest level is reserved for the other princes, princesses, and consorts. Below the jade stage is where the officials' banquet is held.

  We had just sat down for a short while when the first round of dishes was served, and the little eunuch's voice was particularly shrill as he announced them.

  "Royal Menu 36 Dishes: Braised Deer Tendon in Sand Pot, Red Plum Pearl Fragrance, Phoenix Tail Fish Fin, White Cloud Pig Hand, Deep-Fried Fresh Clams, Butterfly Prawn Rolls, Chrysanthemum Pork Chop, Mountain Delicacy Five-Flavor Chicken, Jade Bamboo Shoot Ferns, Fresh Mushroom Vegetable Heart..."

  In the long list of dishes announced, people at the banquet stood up one after another and waited quietly. Since the royal dish had been served, it meant that the emperor's carriage would arrive soon.

  As expected, before long, the loud announcement of the eunuch in charge of proclaiming the emperor's arrival drowned out the voice of the eunuch from the imperial kitchen: "The Emperor has arrived, and Consort Qing is here——"

  Everyone bowed to greet the emperor, and the Emperor accompanied Queen Qing up the jade steps. As they passed by us, I lowered my head and restrained my expression, only smelling a faint fragrance that went straight to my heart.

  The Emperor and Consort Qing sat down, then signaled to the crowd to rise and enter the banquet. I looked up and saw that Consort Qing had changed out of the lake blue dress she was wearing earlier, and was now wearing a bright yellow silk brocade dress with embroidered phoenixes, her hands clasped in front of her with crimson soft smoke-colored sleeves, her beauty and elegance radiant, her hair styled in a cloud-shaped coiffure, her fingers playing with the fragrance sachet.

  After everyone had taken their seats, the ancient music sounded, and twelve palace maids in elegant attire entered with incense. Behind them was Princess Nan Chengye of the imperial court, dressed in formal red skirt, smiling brightly as she personally held a golden cup of royal wine, stepped up onto the jade steps, and bowed deeply to the emperor, saying: "Please, Your Majesty, raise your glass and reward the meritorious officials!"

  The Emperor, as rumored, was indeed doting on this daughter. He took the golden cup with one hand and personally pulled up Nan Chengxi with the other: "How is it that Xi'er has come in person? I just wondered why I couldn't see you at the banquet."

  The crown prince stood up and smiled in response: "It's Ninth Sister who insisted on it, she pestered me until I had no choice but to agree."

  Yi Yang Princess smiled sweetly at the Emperor: "The Crown Prince works day and night for state affairs, Third Brother sheds blood on the battlefield for the country. As a woman, I, Xi Er, cannot share Father's worries, so I can only serve you wine with my own heart, which is also not in vain to bear the name of Southern Dynasty Princess and Father's daughter."

  The most talkative, the unseemly behavior is said to be reasonable and can deeply please the superior. It seems that it is true as the rumors say that this princess is enthusiastic about state affairs. If she were a man, she would be a formidable figure not to be underestimated.

  I suddenly remembered what Xiang Fu said to me that day - Princess Tianjia, which one is the energy-saving lamp, and this Princess Yiyang will be even more energy-consuming.

  Thinking so, she couldn't help but bring a hint of a smile, and turned to look at Hui, who didn't even glance at Princess Yi Yang, her expression was still calm, except for the faint annoyance in her eyes that only someone close to her would notice.

  He seemed to have felt my gaze, turned around and looked at me. Perhaps he sensed the playful meaning in my smile, raised an eyebrow and glanced at me sideways. I couldn't help but laugh even harder, and he too couldn't hold it back, re-smiling brightly at me.

  "Murong Li didn't even look at his wife who hadn't crossed the threshold yet, but instead looked at you, what are you doing?"

  A soft chuckle escaped from Nan Chengyao, and I turned to look at him, a faint smile on my face as I said, "Your Highness, didn't you promise me?"

  His lips curled up, about to say something, when the Emperor raised his golden cup high: "I offer this wine to congratulate my brave warriors of Southern Dynasty on their triumphant return, renowned throughout the four seas!"

  "Thank you, Your Majesty!" The crowd raised their cups in response and drained them in one gulp.

  After finishing the cup, the emperor said a few more words to the people at the banquet and then returned the golden cup to the tray in Princess Yiyang's hands. With a loving smile, he said: "Xi'er has always been sensible, I haven't spoiled you for nothing, go ahead and take your seat now."

  Yiyang Princess smiled and held a golden cup, her lotus steps moved lightly as she walked out of the Qinghe Hall. I don't know if it's because of my own preconceptions, but I always feel that when she passed by the seat where Wei was sitting, she slightly slowed down her pace, and her gaze also drifted away softly and unintentionally, while Wei remained completely oblivious as usual.

  Before long, Princess Yiyang changed into a pale yellow butterfly double flying green mist gauze and returned to the palace for dinner. As soon as she sat down, the second round of 48 imperial dishes was brought up: Wuyi spitting pearls, dry lotus blessing sea cucumber, crab meat double bamboo shoots, sandy boat stepping on emerald, walnut celery heart, bright pearl tofu, grass mushroom Western lan flower... all were fresh and delicate, rich to the extreme. The accompanying songs and dances were also beautifully prepared, like heavenly music and immortal beauty, as if in a dream.

  It seems that Nan Chengmo has put a lot of thought into today's celebratory banquet, although it was not for Nan Chengyao, but for the Emperor.

  When the seventy-two dishes of imperial cuisine were withdrawn in the third round, the Emperor smiled slowly and looked at his father and mother's seats, as well as Mu Rong Yi's seat, and said calmly: "Mu Rong Cheng Xiang not only made great contributions to the court, but also had children who are pillars of the country. In this campaign to pacify the Northern Hu, the sons and daughters of the Chancellor all have merits that cannot be ignored, especially Mu Rong Yi, who personally took to the battlefield, bathed in blood, and killed enemies, with outstanding military achievements!"

  Murong hastily retreated and modestly said: "The Murong family has deeply received your kindness, what we do is our duty, Your Majesty says so, it really makes me tremble with fear."

  The Emperor smiled faintly and said, "Prime Minister Murong doesn't need to be overly modest. I have always been clear about rewards and punishments. This time, the meritorious officials who pacified the Northern Barbarians have all been rewarded according to their merits. Only Murong Liu has not been evaluated yet because he was not an official in the imperial court previously, so I have been slow to make a decision. Today's celebration banquet is really not suitable for further delay. I will personally confer the title of Supreme General of the Southern Dynasty on Murong Liu in front of all the civil and military officials as well as the imperial relatives. What does Prime Minister Murong think about this?"

  His father and mother knelt down on the ground and thanked: "Thank you for your imperial kindness!"

  The emperor smiled and nodded, looking at Wei Dao: "Get up, come forward a few steps and let me take a look."

  Act according to what you say.

  The emperor smiled slightly and looked him up and down before saying with a smile: "Indeed, you are a young hero."

  My heart sank slightly, listening to the emperor's tone, it seemed that he wanted to bring up the marriage between Wei and Princess Yi Yang at this banquet. Although Nan Chengyao had promised me, but at this time and scene, things came suddenly, I believed him, but Wei didn't know about this matter, I was really afraid that he would speak out of turn and disobey the emperor's orders, resulting in unpredictable consequences.

  My heart is slightly anxious, I don't know if it's reflected on my face, but I just feel that the hand I placed on the case is warm, and Nan Xiangyao covers my hand with his hand. He doesn't turn his head to look at me, he just tightens his grip on my hand slightly.

  I understand what he means, and my heart is slightly at ease. Before I can express anything, the emperor's faintly smiling voice has already sounded in the Qinghe Hall: "Mu Rong Chancellor, do you know if this child has a fiancée or someone they have feelings for?"

  His father hastily and respectfully replied: "Your son is still young, with his mind entirely focused on military strategy and swordsmanship; he has not yet considered marriage."

  The emperor seemed to be slightly satisfied, nodding his head slightly, just about to speak, when suddenly Huan spoke up with a bright smile: "Your Majesty, I was fortunate enough to see the inscription you wrote on 'Snowy Sky Breaking Array Diagram' earlier. There's one sentence that has stuck in my memory until now."

  The emperor did not expect him to suddenly change the subject to this matter, and was slightly taken aback. But perhaps he didn't want to disappoint the newly appointed General, who would also be his future son-in-law. Moreover, what he brought up was such a thing, so he asked with a smile: "Oh, which sentence is it?"

  "With a raised eyebrow and sparkling eyes, he read aloud in a clear voice: 'A hundred battles have pierced the golden armor, a man's promise is a vow to the country - Your Majesty has truly written out the heart of your humble servant!'"

  The emperor smiled slightly, although he didn't say a word, his eyes showed some approval and self-satisfaction.

  The Emperor's grace is vast, and Murong Yu today received the title of Supreme General in the Qinghe Hall. He will surely exert himself to the death, fighting bravely against the enemy, to repay the Emperor's deep kindness! Your humble subject makes a vow to the state here: if there are no meritorious achievements, he will never speak of family or wife and children!

  The emperor was slightly stunned, and then opened his mouth with a smile: "General Wang has such a heart, I am very pleased. However, if you are really called to garrison the border and kill enemies, which would delay your marriage and having children, I'm afraid your father will come to me to complain."

  "My humble servant does not dare."

  While Yan Yiyu was also a righteous and upright person, he said: "Protecting the family and defending the country is the duty of every man. When I was in Ye City, I made an agreement with Long Fei to divide the territory. He would guard the north, and I would defend the south. Today, I, your humble subject, request that you grant me permission to be dispatched to the southern border to quell the repeated invasions of Qi and Yue. If I fail to accomplish this within five years, I will not return to court to pay homage to Your Majesty's sacred countenance, nor will I take a wife or have children!"

  Still remember the shocking swan's reflection (harem)