"Since General Ji has come to the Great Zhou Dynasty, let me do my best to be a good host and entertain General Ji."
Feng Zixiao smiled and spoke, then turned his tall body slightly to the side and pointed to Xi Lingfeng behind him: "This is Xi Lingfeng, the Left Prime Minister of my Great Zhou."
"I have met the Left Prime Minister. I did not expect him to be so young and so charismatic."
Ji Shaocheng narrowed his eyes, his sharp gaze piercing as he looked at Xi Lingfeng. He secretly assessed him, thinking that this Left Prime Minister Xi Lingfeng was a resourceful man. He had heard a lot about his deeds in the Northern Dynasty, and now that he met him, he was indeed unfathomable, even more so than the rumors suggested. Although he looked casual and lazy, his extremely concealed aura was hard to detect. Such a restrained aura was not something ordinary people could match. Even the Crown Prince Feng Zixiao's martial arts were probably not as profound as his.
"General Ji, you are too kind. May I ask if you are here on a private visit to the Great Zhou, or if you have come on orders?"
When Prime Minister Xi Lingfeng spoke incisively, Ji Shaocheng smiled and met Xi Lingfeng's gaze calmly. He noticed a hint of displeasure in Xi Lingfeng's light blue eyes and wondered when he had offended the Prime Minister. It seemed that Xi Lingfeng had a prejudice against him. Ji Shaocheng was puzzled and slowly replied.
"I am here on the orders of the Emperor of Northern Lu to visit the ailing Emperor of Great Zhou."
Although Bei Lu is willing to form an alliance with the Great Zhou Dynasty, it cannot lower its stance and it is not appropriate to speak at this time.
"Thank you for your trouble, Your Majesty."
A meaningful smile appeared on Xi Lingfeng's lips. He glanced at Ji Shaocheng, and the two understood each other. This time, Great Zhou and Northern Lu were likely to form an alliance.
After the two finished speaking, Feng Zixiao introduced another handsome and dashing figure.
"This is Major General Bai Ye of my Great Zhou Dynasty."
"Hakuno?"
Ji Shaocheng stared intently at Bai Ye. His features were sharp and defined, and his bronze skin was made even more alluring by his black brocade robe. His ruthless demeanor was so convincing that no one dared to approach him within three feet. His eyes, which gleamed with a fierce light, were like those of a wolf, making him someone not to be underestimated.
Since ancient times, kings have faced kings, and generals have faced generals. As soon as Ji Shaocheng saw Bai Ye, he stretched out his hand, smiled, and looked at him without answering.
Bai Ye knew exactly what he meant. He reached out his hand, and the two of them clasped hands tightly, engaging in a contest of internal strength right in front of others.
The two people remained still, only their hands were tightly clasped together, moving left and right, up and down, and even wisps of steam rose up. While they were competing, they still made sure to exchange pleasantries.
"I've always wanted to meet General Bai."
“No problem,” Bai Yeyi uttered succinctly, a slight smile playing on his lips as he stared at Ji Shaocheng with cold, gloomy eyes.
The two men competed for a while, but neither could gain the upper hand.
Seeing that there was no immediate result, and that their presence had attracted a lot of attention, especially from some of the female customers in the shop, some of whom were drooling, some were rolling their eyes, and some had even fainted, Feng Zixiao decided to leave first. With that thought in mind, he calmly spoke up.
"General Ji must be tired. Why don't you come back to the Crown Prince's residence with me first? As for the contest with General Bai, there will definitely be an opportunity."
"good/"
When the Crown Prince spoke, Ji Shaocheng and Bai Ye naturally did not object. They responded at the same time, released their hands, and saw that their hands were covered in sweat and steam. They both knew that the other's skills were extremely good, and that they were about the same level. They knew that if they continued to fight, it would be no different. They smiled at each other and said nothing more.
Seeing that everything was alright, Feng Zixiao led a few people to turn around and prepare to leave Baohezhai.
Hai Ling, who had been standing behind them watching the spectacle, suddenly realized that she still had important matters to attend to. She had been so engrossed in admiring the charm of the four handsome men that she had forgotten about her own business. Thinking of this, she quickly called out, "Your Highness the Crown Prince."
The figures in front of the door stopped at the same time and turned around to look.
Feng Zixiao's eyes flashed with suppressed anger. What was this woman up to?
Left Prime Minister Xi Lingfeng and the others all looked at Hai Ling, their expressions subtly changing before they silently watched her, wondering what the Crown Princess meant.
Of these people, only Ji Shaocheng looked completely at ease, because he already knew that the Crown Princess had bought the famous painting to give to His Highness the Crown Prince. He wondered what the Crown Prince would think if he found out.
Ignoring everyone else, Hai Ling walked up to Feng Zixiao in a few steps, her chubby face filled with admiration and a smile as she offered the painted sleeve in a flattering manner.
"Your Highness, this is a famous painting that Ling'er bought for two thousand taels of silver. I'm giving it to you as a gift, and I hope you like it."
After Hailin finished speaking, she tilted her head back and smiled happily, revealing a mouthful of white teeth.
Many women in the shop gasped. Although the Crown Princess was talented, she was still ugly. How could she be worthy of the Crown Prince's magnificent figure? Everyone felt indignant.
Crown Prince Feng Zixiao had already lost his temper: "Take back your painting, don't insult my eyes."
He, a prince of such high status, would ask for something from a woman, especially this fat woman.
After Feng Zixiao finished his outburst, his face turned ugly. Without even glancing at Hai Ling, he turned and strode away.
Behind him, Xi Lingfeng slightly lowered his eyes, concealing the dazzling light in them. With his long sleeves flowing like clouds, he leisurely followed behind Crown Prince Feng Zixiao and left.
Ji Shaocheng glanced at Crown Prince Feng Zixiao with a smile, then at Hai Ling, secretly praising her. He turned and left with the Crown Prince and the others.
Walking at the very back was Young General Bai Ye. Bai Ye's usually icy face was now filled with doubt, astonishment, surprise, and disbelief. His usually ruthless cold eyes flashed with panic. Hai Ling met his gaze and couldn't help but wonder what was wrong with Bai Ye. He seemed to be in great pain. What was wrong with him?
As she was speculating, Bai Ye had already turned and strode away. The group moved like the wind, quickly leaving the Baohezhai gate, then mounted their horses, their hooves kicking up dust that rose high into the sky, and they sped away.
The women inside Baohezhai all exhaled in unison, and some, still unwilling to give up, ran to the door and peered out, their eyes filled with longing.
Agu, looking pale and walking heavily behind Hailing, was now 100% certain that the Crown Princess did not want to marry the Crown Prince. She was determined to destroy her image in the Crown Prince's heart in order to avoid marrying into the Crown Prince's household.
But she was afraid she would be disappointed, Agu thought, and respectfully said, "Princess Consort, let's go back to the manor."
"good,."
Hailing nodded, suppressing the infatuated smile on her face, and reverted to being that cute, smiling girl. However, upon glancing at the painting sleeve in her hand, she had another idea and ordered Agu in a deep voice.
"Agu, immediately send someone to deliver this calligraphy and painting to the Crown Prince's residence. This is my token of my affection for the Crown Prince."
"Princess?"
---Aside---
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