What?! The one who got divorced was the Grand Master of Ceremonies?!
How is that possible?!
"Terrible!" came the two-word judgment in a slow and deliberate manner.
Ling Xiyao's face suddenly darkened.
An Xin's lips twitched, and she couldn't help but look up. She saw Yan Zhen take out a hairpin from her sleeve. The hairpin was exquisitely crafted, with a round bead inlaid in the center of the flower. A faint light flowed out, and the surrounding dust instantly dissipated, leaving everything as clear as before.
An Xin was taken aback: "The Dust-Avoiding Pearl..."
Everyone present stared in disbelief—the Dust-Avoiding Pearl! A priceless Dust-Avoiding Pearl belonging to five cities!
An Xin felt a sudden tightness in her chest, followed by a series of gasps. Yan Zhen smiled and looked at everyone, saying, "Everyone, tell me, isn't Xin'er beautiful?"
All the women were green with envy!
All their clothes weren't even a fraction of the value of that bead! Isn't all that so-called "beauty" just about the money?
The officials twitched their faces, paused for a moment, and then immediately began to exclaim in unison, "A beauty that could topple kingdoms, shame the moon, make flowers blush, and make fish sink and geese fall from the sky..."
"A beauty beyond compare, with unparalleled grace and intelligence, dignified and charming..."
"Flawless, naturally beautiful, delicate and charming..."
...
An Xin's face stiffened and her lips twitched: "Hey, hey..."
Yan Zhen smiled and said, "Don't state the facts so bluntly, slap yourself!"
Everyone: "..."
An Xin: "..."
Mingjiao: "!"
Yan Zhen laughed and said, "How can those ordinary women feel comfortable dressed like this? You look too good."
An Xin said stiffly, "You can shut up now."
Yan Zhen smiled faintly: "The unpleasant words have offended your ears. I've said these nice things to cleanse your ears, haven't I?"
An Xin's lips trembled into a slight smile, but her face remained cold as she said, "Too much talk leads to mistakes!"
Everyone stared dumbfounded at the two flirting, and when they looked at Mingjiao, they couldn't help but sigh, saying that the new love was gone and the old love was gone!
××× ×××
The Weiyang Palace was not as lively as the outside. Everyone held their breath and looked at the person on the throne. He was dressed in green, as elegant as jade, as graceful as bamboo, and smiled gently. His beauty was unparalleled.
It was Jinglan.
At this moment, he smiled and looked at the Empress Dowager, who was sitting upright in her luxurious clothes, and said, "I heard that Your Majesty has been unwell recently. Are you feeling any better now?"
"Thank you for your concern, Prime Minister. I am much better now. If this young emperor doesn't cause me any more trouble, I will be much better." The Empress Dowager was only forty years old. With the passing of the late emperor and the ascension of the new emperor, she became the most honored woman in Dayi. Moreover, she was well-maintained and looked even younger. With a dignified smile, she still retained her charm.
Huang Yixuan laughed and said, "Mother is mocking me again. When have I ever caused you any worry?"
The Empress Dowager said, "Isn't the matter of Fengxian Village a concern? I'm just curious, what exactly is the description of the murderer that warrants such a large-scale mobilization and relocation of the entire city?"
"I'm afraid we'll have to ask Miss An about this." A soft laugh came from the side, and everyone looked in the direction of the voice. They saw a woman sitting to the side with beautiful features, red lips and white teeth. Her charm was truly incomparable to that of ordinary people.
"Oh? Xiruo also thinks that girl's words make sense?" The Empress Dowager seemed slightly surprised as she looked at Zhou Xiruo.
Zhou Xiruo smiled and said, "Your Majesty, since Miss An has proposed a method, she must be confident in her abilities. Although it may be difficult to implement, perhaps Miss An can come up with an even better method."
The Empress Dowager looked at Jinglan and smiled, "What does the Left Prime Minister think?"
Jing Lan smiled faintly: "Your subject is foolish."
The Empress Dowager laughed and said, "If even the most intelligent man in my Great City is dull-witted, where in the world are there any intelligent people left? Let me ask you, does the Left Chancellor think this method is feasible?"
Jing Lan lowered his eyelashes slightly, then smiled and said, "Your subject does not know."
"If the Left Prime Minister doesn't know, wouldn't he be unworthy of being called the smartest man in the city?" A lazy voice came, and everyone's eyes froze as they saw the Right Prime Minister walking slowly towards them.
Lotus in the clouds, flowers on the roadside... they have always been equally beautiful. If these two were to be together, it would truly test one's heart's endurance.
"I had no clue about the case in Fengxian Village, but Miss An solved it. Miss An is the smartest person in Dayi." Jing Lan lowered her eyelashes and pursed her lips, her smile as beautiful as the misty rain of Jiangnan.
Yan Zhen smiled and said, "The Left Prime Minister is truly magnanimous, but it's just an empty title. Xin'er has never cared about such unrealistic things."
Everyone's expression changed.
A cold sneer flashed across Jing Lan's lips, disappearing in an instant.
The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "Since the Right Chancellor praises you so highly, I am eager to meet you. Someone, summon him!"
"Summon An Youwei and An Xin to the palace—"
"Summon An Youwei and An Xin to the palace—"
Zhou Xiruo's gaze shifted and landed on Jing Lan, a strange meaning flashing in her eyes.
An Youwei gave An Xin a long lecture, and An Xin had no choice but to agree. Seeing An Youwei's apprehensive appearance, she sighed slightly and was about to walk into the hall when An Youwei whispered, "Walk behind Father, walk slowly, be reserved in your steps, and smile! Smile!"
An Xin twitched her lips and tried to curl them up, feeling her facial muscles stiffen.