Just as the young ladies were about to question Shen Lixue, the sedan chair stopped outside the banquet hall. Zhuang Kexin, supported by her maid, got out of the sedan chair, one leg raised high, not daring to touch the ground. With the maid's help, she limped into the banquet hall and sat down.
Ah, Shen Lixue is telling the truth! The eyes of the young ladies from prestigious families instantly lit up with fervor:
Shen Yingxue and Zhuang Kexin got into a fight somewhere. One broke her arm and the other broke her leg. The fight was so intense. Is she a noble lady or a shrew?
Shen Yingxue gritted her teeth in anger, her gaze towards Shen Lixue almost spitting fire. She couldn't reveal the prison break incident, so she naturally couldn't clarify the real reason for her injury. Being schemed against by Shen Lixue like this, she could only swallow her anger and suffer in silence!
You slut, you're so clever!
Shen Lixue glanced coldly at Shen Yingxue, then turned to find a seat. The scandal had been exposed because of Shen Yingxue's own actions. If Shen Yingxue hadn't framed her, she wouldn't have had the chance to expose such a thing.
"Chen Lixue!" A figure in sandalwood robes darted over from the side. Shen Lixue looked up and saw it was Nangong Xiao.
"Why are you in such a hurry? What happened?" Nangong Xiao looked tired and weary, clearly indicating he hadn't been getting enough rest lately. Shen Lixue frowned slightly. Could it be news from the Southern Frontier...?
"You haven't been to the Holy King's Mansion these past two days. That Ye Qianlong has been sitting at the door waiting for you. I tried to persuade him for most of the night, but he completely ignored me..." Nangong Xiao lowered his voice, gritting his teeth as he complained, his folding fan swaying gently, his eyes filled with anger.
He, the dignified heir of the Yunnan King, wasn't one to casually initiate conversations. That night, Qianlong, on the contrary, ignored him and just sat at the door, gazing and gazing. What was there to gaze at in the pitch-black night…
Shen Lixue's heart tightened: "Is he in the Holy King's Mansion now?"
Nangong Xiao snorted and nodded: "He hasn't said a word since you left. He doesn't care what I and Dongfang Heng do, and he doesn't care whether we stay or leave..."
Shen Lixue secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Qianlong hadn't followed her to the palace: "Now that the banquet is over, I'll go to the Holy King's residence to see him!"
"The Empress Dowager has arrived! The Emperor has arrived! Prince Zhan has arrived!" The eunuch's distinctive high-pitched voice rang out, and everyone hurriedly knelt down to pay their respects: "Greetings, Empress Dowager! Greetings, Emperor! Prince Zhan!"
The sound of steady footsteps rang out, and a woman in a bright yellow robe, a dark blue hem, white, sea blue, and light blue robes, along with her gorgeous skirt, walked past in front of everyone. Everyone lowered their heads, not daring to peek.
The emperor helped the empress dowager to sit on the throne, and the princes and heirs also took their seats. The emperor turned to look at everyone and said, "All of you, rise!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The crowd rose to express their gratitude and took their seats, glancing discreetly at the legendary War King. He was majestic, noble, and extraordinary, his composure honed by the years revealing his calmness and restraint.
Suddenly looking up, the War King's unfathomable eyes flashed with a sharp light, as if he could see through everything. Everyone was instantly shocked, quickly averting their gaze, patting their chests, and letting out a long sigh of relief. As expected of the Azure Flame War King, just one look from him was enough to leave no one with a place to hide...
The male and female guests were separated by only an aisle. After Shen Lixue sat down, she looked up and saw that the empty male guests' side was now full. The Crown Prince, Prince Zhan, the Fifth Prince, and Dongfang Heng had all arrived. The Crown Prince and Prince Zhan were talking about something, while the Fifth Prince was toasting Dongfang Heng cup after cup. Nangong Xiao would occasionally come over and say a few words.
Today is the War King's welcoming banquet. Civil and military officials stepped forward in a very orderly manner to toast the War King, and the Crown Prince and princes also went over...
A floral fragrance seemed to waft by, and a glimpse of red clothing caught her eye. It was Dongfang Yu'er sitting down next to Shen Lixue, whispering, "Lixue, did you see that? Many young women are secretly looking at Brother Heng!"
Shen Lixue glanced at the female guests and indeed, many young women were looking shyly in Dongfang Heng's direction: "They might not be looking at Dongfang Heng, right?" Beside Dongfang Heng sat the Crown Prince, Nangong Xiao, and the Third Prince—all young and handsome men…
"Although there are many male guests, the most handsome one is Brother Heng. They are mostly looking at Brother Heng!" Dongfang Yu'er answered vaguely, taking a bite of fruit.
Shen Lixue smiled and was about to sip her tea when her gaze swept over the Duchess of Wen not far away. The usually dignified Duchess was looking in one direction, and a hint of resentment flashed in her eyes.
Shen Lixue was startled. Following the resentful light, her snow-white eyes narrowed instantly: Prince Zhan!
Then look at the Duchess of Wen, noble and dignified, chatting and drinking with the ladies with elegant manners, her expression natural and her eyes friendly, as if nothing had happened!
"Your Majesty, I have heard that my third brother's son, Dongfang Heng, is engaged to Shen Lixue, the granddaughter of the Duke of Wu?" The War King suddenly spoke, and the bustling hall fell silent instantly. Everyone looked at the War King with puzzled eyes, not understanding why he would ask this question.
“That’s right!” The Emperor nodded, his demeanor dignified. “Why does Sixth Brother ask this?”
Dongfang Heng's eyes darkened, but he remained silent and continued drinking from his glass.
Shen Lixue frowned as she looked at the War King, not understanding why he would bring up her marriage to Dongfang Heng. The Prince of Huai and the Emperor came into view at the same time. Shen Lixue raised the corners of her mouth. These brothers did look somewhat similar, and it was obvious that they had the same father.
"The Azure Flame Royal Family hasn't had a joyous occasion in a long time, and I feel a bit sentimental!" the War King said casually, then picked up his cup and drank.
"Which one is Shen Lixue?" the emperor asked kindly, his majestic gaze sweeping over the female guests.
"Your subject is Shen Lixue!" Shen Lixue stood up and looked at the emperor.
The emperor looked at Shen Lixue, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure and praised her repeatedly, "Lixue and Heng'er are indeed a perfect match, a match made in heaven..."
Shen Yingxue glared at Shen Lixue through gritted teeth. "You bitch! What tricks did she use to win the Emperor's praise this time?"
Shen Minghui's heart sank. Did the Emperor intend to bestow a marriage upon Li Xue and Prince An? Wouldn't all his painstaking plans have been in vain? No, he couldn't let the Emperor bestow a marriage upon them...
Clever Remarks 077: A Scumbag Woman Seduces Prince An
The emperor's majestic gaze swept over Dongfang Heng, then over Shen Lixue, and he smiled, "Heng'er will soon be eighteen, and Lixue will soon be of marriageable age..."
Su Yuting's smile froze. Without saying a word, she looked at Shen Yingxue with a deep and unfathomable gaze.
Shen Yingxue was extremely anxious, frequently glancing at Shen Minghui, hesitant to speak, thinking to herself, "Father, you must stop it! We absolutely cannot let the Emperor bestow a marriage upon Shen Lixue!"
Shen Minghui suddenly gripped the wine glass in his hand, spilling some wine all over his hand. Shen Minghui was oblivious to it, his face darkening. The Emperor really wanted to bestow a marriage upon them. No, he had to stop it!
Shen Minghui quickly stood up and bowed deeply to the Emperor and Prince Zhan: "Your Majesty, Prince Zhan, my wife has just passed away, and I'm afraid Li Xue will have to observe three years of mourning." He spoke very tactfully, like a minister offering advice, a well-intentioned suggestion and reminder, not a rebuttal, so as not to displease the Emperor.
Filial piety is the most important virtue. It is only natural for a daughter to observe three years of mourning after her mother's death. Shen Minghui's words were reasonable and justified, and many ministers nodded in agreement.
Shen Minghui lowered his head slightly, his smiling gaze gradually deepening, as if victory was assured!
The War King glanced at Shen Minghui: "Isn't Prime Minister Shen's wife sitting in the women's section? Why does Prime Minister Shen say she has passed away?"
Shen Minghui's expression instantly turned extremely ugly, and he coughed a few times unnaturally: "Your Highness, I am referring to my first wife, Lin Qingzhu!"
"So Prime Minister Shen had a first wife!" The War King emphasized the words "first wife," his tone carrying a hint of sarcasm. "If I hadn't seen Li Xue, I would have thought that Prime Minister Shen's current wife was his first wife!"
Shen Minghui's smile froze. The War King was blaming him for only caring about his second wife and neglecting his first wife and biological daughter in Qingzhou for fifteen years: "Your Majesty believed that Qingzhu and Lixue had perished in the fire. For many years, I have not dared to face the place of my sorrow, so I have not returned to Qingzhou."
With a heavy sigh, Shen Minghui said with deep regret, "If I had known that the mother and daughter were still alive, I would never have left Qingzhou..."
Shen Lixue sneered, her eyes full of disdain. Shen Minghui was really clever. He was clearly a heartless man, but he acted like a devoted lover. He hadn't set foot in Qingzhou for fifteen years. Being busy was just an excuse. Only he knew the real reason!