Nan Xuzong picked up his wine glass, smiled, and drank it all in one gulp. Then he poured himself another glass. Ji Wushang looked at him, her brows furrowing slightly, and said, "You shouldn't drink so much."
"It's alright." Nan Xuzong smiled and lowered his head. "I'll be careful." He then raised his glass to Feng Rulin before drinking it all in one gulp.
"That's quite generous!" Feng Rulin laughed. "I admire you, Fourth Prince. If possible, I would like to become your friend!"
"Hehe!" Nan Xuzong sneered twice, neither refusing directly nor agreeing, and lowered his head to pick up some food for Ji Wushang, "Come on, Wushang, eat more food."
"Let's not do this, we're in the main hall!" Ji Wushang whispered.
"What's there to be afraid of? Some people can put on a splendid show in front of the public, while I've only eaten a few dishes with you." Nan Xuzong smiled wickedly and arrogantly.
The crowd grew even more animated as they listened, wondering who they were talking about who was so audacious!
Feng Rulin's face paled. So they were there too! Humph! They could even see everything he did in the incense tent! However, this did remind him of the purpose of his visit! Feng Rulin's gaze then fell on Ma Ruyi, his eyes fixed on her as if he wanted to stare her soul away!
When Ma Ruyi received that gaze, she became frightened, and her small hand, which was gripping Huangfu Xuan's, clenched into a fist. Huangfu Xuan sensed her change and took her hand in his. "Ruyi, what's wrong?"
"I, I'm fine." Ma Ruyi finally came to her senses. She looked at Huangfu Xuan, whose icy eyes were fixed on her with a hint of nervousness, though it wasn't very obvious. She noticed it.
Her lips moved slightly. "I...I'm a little scared," she blurted out.
"You're afraid of me?" Huangfu Xuan said through gritted teeth.
"No. No." Ma Ruyi shook her head, feeling like she was about to lose control! What should she do? What should she do? She had to break free from their control. No matter what, she didn't want to hurt anyone here, especially the man in front of her. He... although he was sometimes very fierce to her, she could see his heart, she really could!
"Don't be afraid." Huangfuxuan pulled her into his arms. "If you're afraid of banquets like this, I won't bring you here again."
"No, no..." Ma Ruyi looked into his eyes. She wanted to walk with him, to walk side by side with him! She wanted to be like Ji Wushang, able to help her man solve his problems, instead of hiding under his protection!
"That's enough." His tone softened. "We'll go back later."
He didn't want to argue with her anymore.
Feng Rulin's lips curled into a smile. They seem quite affectionate! But when it comes to carrying out a mission, will they be able to bring themselves to do it? In this world, the least trustworthy thing is emotion, the most unreliable thing is emotion, and the most exploitable thing is also emotion!
At this moment, a guard, a shepherd, and three messengers who had just left rushed into the hall. The five of them knelt down before Emperor Zhou, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty, long live the Emperor!"
"Rise, has the ewe given birth?" Emperor Zhou leaned forward slightly and then immediately asked.
All eyes were on these five people.
"Your Majesty, yes, the ewe has given birth," the shepherd said, bowing his head to the ground.
"Tell me quickly, how many were born? How many are female and how many are male?" Emperor Zhou was very anxious.
"Your Majesty, there are six in total, two females and four males," the shepherd replied.
Upon hearing this, everyone was in an uproar, and Feng Rulin was even more surprised. "Ashida, is that true?" he asked the three messengers in astonishment.
The three messengers bowed to Feng Rulin at the same time and said, "Your Highness, it is true."
Feng Rulin stepped back in surprise, never expecting it to be true! How did Ji Wushang know?!
Looking at Ji Wushang, who was smiling calmly, Nan Xuzong placed a piece of braised pork into her bowl. "Wushang, try it."
"Thank you, Fourth Prince." Ji Wushang bowed and smiled.
"Prince Lin seems to have resolved his confusion." Nan Xuzong put down his chopsticks, looking at Feng Rulin with a rather cold gaze. "Wu Shang, you were right after all!"
“Then please, Prince Lin, fulfill the agreement between us, husband and wife!” Ji Wushang smiled.
Nan Xuzong nodded and stood up. "Prince Lin, how is it?"
"Thank you for answering my questions. Indeed, I will keep our promise!" Feng Rulin gritted her teeth slightly. "But I can only return to the country in three days! Is that alright?"
"I agree," Emperor Zhou said. Three days would pass quickly! Moreover, if they returned the very next day after entering the city, it might seem like he was kicking them out! Three days was just right—not too short, not too long.
Since Emperor Zhou has already spoken, there's no point in saying anything more.
Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong said nothing more and continued to eat as if no one else was around.
Emperor Zhou looked at them, seemed about to say something but then stopped, thinking, "Never mind, let them be!"
The melodious sounds of string and bamboo instruments still linger.
Huangfu Ting kept his eyes on Nan Xuzong and Ji Wushang, barely touching his food. Their beauty was unparalleled, unique in the world, but they were definitely not his! Huangfu Ting's eyes darkened; he still preferred the dragon throne! Those who stood in his way deserved to die!
He couldn't wait any longer! Huangfu Ting glanced at the Crown Prince Huangfu Yun sitting next to him. Huangfu Ting couldn't understand why they would rather have a fake Crown Prince Huangfu Yun than simply get rid of the real Crown Prince and install himself as the new Crown Prince! Wasn't his own son worthy of Empress Yao paving the way for him?
Or perhaps, she simply doesn't trust him, preferring to find a puppet rather than help him seize the throne! A hint of anger flashed in Huangfu Ting's eyes as he raised his wine cup to Crown Prince Huangfu Yun, saying, "Crown Prince, I toast you!"
Before Huangfu Yun could react, upon hearing Huangfu Ting's words, he immediately picked up his wine glass, but in his haste, he spilled some of the wine.
Emperor Zhou was displeased. He was the Crown Prince! How could he do something so rash in front of so many people! Meanwhile, Empress Yao's lips curled into a sarcastic smile. "Yun'er, have you not fully recovered from your illness yet?"
"Your Majesty, I am feeling much better, though my hands sometimes tremble. The imperial physician says I just need some rest." Huangfu Yun wasn't particularly foolish; he wouldn't be so easily defeated!
Huangfu Ting's eyes turned slightly cold. "Crown Prince, please!" Mother, oh Mother, is your son less important to you than a fake? You're actually speaking up for him and not even saying a word for me!
Huangfu Yun smiled, "Thank you for your care all this time, Second Brother. I'm very happy!" He sneered, knowing full well the coldness in Huangfu Ting's eyes! He would not easily relinquish the position of Crown Prince!
Nan Xuzong raised his head slightly, looking at the anger hidden in their smiles, and sneered inwardly. It seems that all it takes is a little provocation and they will both collapse!
Looking at Nan Xuzong's eyes, Ji Wushang poured him a glass of fruit wine, "Try this too, it can help with hangovers."
"I'll listen to you," Nan Xuzong smiled, picked up the fruit wine and drank it.
Ji Wushang looked at him and asked, "Is it good?"
"Hmm. Wu Shang pouring wine has a unique flavor. Good, good!" Nan Xuzong exclaimed in admiration.
Ji Wushang blushed slightly upon hearing this, lowered his head, turned his face away, and remained silent.
Emperor Zhou was slightly drunk. He stood up, and Empress Yao immediately went to help him. Emperor Zhou gently pushed her away, saying, "I am not drunk."
"Yes." Usually, when someone's drunk, they say they're not drunk! Really! Empress Yao looked at everyone with her phoenix eyes. Emperor Zhou then said, "Empress, you handle this. I'll head back now!"
"Yes." Empress Yao couldn't have been happier! At this moment, Consort Ning stepped forward, "Sister, let me help His Majesty back!"
"You scoundrel!" Empress Yao glared coldly at Consort Ning. "No need for you to trouble yourself, sister! I will personally help His Majesty back to his palace!" She snorted and immediately turned to Eunuch Qin, ordering, "Make proper arrangements for Prince Lin's residence. This banquet should be called off once it's had enough!"
"Yes." Eunuch Qin understood what Empress Yao meant and immediately bowed his head in response.
Empress Yao gave Consort Ning a cold glance and said, "Sister, you should go back to the palace and rest early!" With that, she turned and helped Emperor Zhou back.
Consort Ning snorted coldly, glanced at the crowd, and knowing she had made a fool of herself, immediately turned and left.
The hall became more relaxed now that Emperor Zhou and his two companions were no longer present.
The ministers were even more delighted. The Crown Prince sat at the table, and several ministers came to offer him a toast, but they always felt that Huangfu Ting's murderous eyes were staring at them, so they immediately declined and hurriedly left after saying goodbye.
Huangfu Ting snorted coldly and lowered his head to drink. He had to come up with a good plan. He held some military power, and he couldn't trust anyone now; he had to rely on himself for everything! But he also needed some allies! The help from Yiyun Upper City wasn't enough, especially since Yiyun Upper City was currently busy with its own national affairs! He needed to get as many people's help as possible.
Huangfu Yu looked at Huangfu Xuan and the others, smiled and left gracefully into the night.
At this moment, Huangfu Xuan looked at Ma Ruyi, lowered his eyes, and said, "Let's go back!"
"Mmm." It was rare for him to be so gentle, and I didn't want to face those things... I'll avoid them for as long as I can!
The two stood up and bid farewell to Nan Xuzong and Ji Wushang. Just as Nan Xuzong and Ji Wushang were about to leave as well, they saw Feng Rulin approach, holding a wine cup in his hand, "Fourth Prince, how about we have a few drinks together?"
"It's late, we should rest. I can't keep you company!" Nan Xuzong refused directly, without any hesitation. Then he helped Ji Wushang up, "Wushang, let's go."
"Hey!" Feng Rulin was about to step forward, but Nan Xuzong and Ji Wushang had already slowly left together.
Just as Feng Rulin was about to leave, a voice behind him said, "How about Prince Lin and I have a few drinks?"
Feng Rulin turned around, looked at Huangfu Ting standing there, and smiled, "Alright!"
Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong sat in the carriage, which slowly headed towards the Prince Zong's residence under the cover of night.
They both remained silent. She lay quietly in his arms, and he held her not-so-warm body as they looked outside.
“Prince Lin, he…” Ji Wushang couldn’t help but look at Nan Xuzong, her voice filled with anger, “I really want to kill him!”
Hearing Ji Wushang's words, Nan Xuzong burst out laughing. Seeing him laughing so unrestrainedly, she felt even angrier. "What are you laughing at!"
“I’m laughing, I’m laughing because you’re jealous, my darling,” he whispered in her ear.
Ji Wushang froze for a moment, then said stubbornly, "Really? I'm not jealous at all! I just don't like the look of him. If he doesn't get out of the capital in three days, I'm going to kill him!"
"How could he be killed so easily? Hmm?" Nan Xuzong hugged her tightly and rubbed her hand in his palm. "It's late and cold. Wear more clothes."
"Mm." Ji Wushang nodded.
"Wu Shang, to be honest, this time, I have another opponent." Nan Xu Cong smiled.
"What do you mean?" Ji Wushang didn't understand.
Just then, a small stone was thrown into the carriage from outside! It came with great force, but Nan Xuzong's right hand flashed, and he grabbed the small stone in his hand, his dark eyes narrowing.
☆、268 Go and feel her, her warmth! (Excellent!)
"No need to chase after them!" Nan Xuzong immediately stopped Hong Feicui and the other woman who were outside trying to give chase.
Hongfei and Cuiwu immediately bowed their heads outside, "Yes." With so many people protecting them, they still managed to get that person to throw small stones into the carriage. These guys might as well give up!
Nan Xuzong clenched the small stone in his palm and looked at Ji Wushang. Ji Wushang was looking at him, and he was slightly taken aback. "Did I hurt you? Let me see?"
Ji Wushang shook his head and said, "Why don't you open it and see what's going on?"
Nan Xuzong's heart skipped a beat. She knew so much. "How did you know?" Nan Xuzong asked in surprise.
“This small stone was thrown with your martial arts skills carefully considered, and it carried no murderous intent, which means it probably contained some information. This person knows you very well. I guess it was the Third Prince who did it, or it was a message sent by one of your subordinates,” Ji Wushang said.
“What you said makes a lot of sense.” Nan Xuzong nodded. He took the small stone out and placed it in his palm, then pinched it between two fingers. With a crisp “crack,” the small stone broke. Nan Xuzong took out a piece of paper from inside and opened it.
His eyes darted up and down, and his expression wasn't good.
Ji Wushang sat up straight. "What happened?"
Nan Xuzong handed her the note. Ji Wushang took it and looked at it. "How is this possible! The Prince of Zhenbei has been defeated! Then, where are the Prince of Zhenbei's men?"
“The Prince of Zhenbei is getting old after all… Alas!” Nan Xuzong sighed. “Your father and your elder brother went to provide support, but I don’t know if they can repel the Bohai troops.”
"The Bohai army is nothing but a bunch of Tatar men! How can they compare to my father's and the Prince of Zhenbei's troops? There must be something wrong here!" Ji Wushang's eyes turned cold. "My father, yes, is indeed old, but he is still vigorous! It's just that, who would have thought that this war would be so cruel!"
“The Huangfu royal family owes you old ministers who guard the border far too much.” Nan Xuzong gently stroked her black hair. “The Bohai army was defeated by the Western Regions and was routed. Even the Bohai prince was killed by the King of the Western Regions. Logically, it should have taken a long time for them to rise again. How could we have expected that Bohai would be able to launch another invasion of our border in such a short time? There are indeed some things that don’t make sense.”
“Bohai borders the Western Regions to the west. If the Western Regions launch an attack, we will definitely go to stop them. If, in addition, Father and the Prince of Zhenbei use a baiting tactic to counterattack the Bohai army, Bohai will be unable to defend both ends!” Ji Wushang said coldly. “At that time, they will be routed. Father and the Prince of Zhenbei can take the opportunity to recover the lost cities, or they can strike at the heart of the enemy and catch them off guard!”
“That’s certainly possible, but it won’t be that simple.” Nan Xuzong gently embraced her. “Fusang is currently thinking of invading this continent, and also wants this vast land and resources. Perhaps, it is precisely because of Fusang’s help that Bohai was able to invade the north of our Great Xia Zhou Dynasty.”
Ji Wushang nodded in agreement. "So what is Prince Lin planning to do now? He only has three days. Can he accomplish something?"