"Heh, I'm more concerned about when your hand will break! Shaking it for so long, how come it hasn't broken yet!" Nan Xuzong was completely blunt. It seemed he had encountered someone with homosexual tendencies! He had to stay as far away from him as possible!
Those around them felt ashamed; only Nan Xuzong would dare to utter such impolite words! But looking at Prince Na Lin, he showed no sign of anger!
Emperor Zhou remained silent. To possess such skill in manipulating situations, only Nan Xu Cong could compare. Alas, he felt he had wronged Nan Xu Cong's birth mother, Zhen Rong! He had raised Nan Xu Cong to adulthood, and he, as his father, hadn't properly nurtured him… He would make amends in the future. But not with the throne. He wasn't that eager for imperial power! It was better for him to play the role of a regent, and to try his best to fulfill Nan Xu Cong's wishes in the future.
Hearing his words, Feng Rulin's face showed displeasure. "Fine, stop it then!" Feng Rulin snorted coldly, looked at Nan Xuzong, and then at Ji Wushang. At this moment, Ji Wushang gave him a cold look and did not say anything.
A glint of shrewdness flashed in Feng Rulin's alluring eyes as she placed the dice cup back on the desk and looked at Nan Xuzong in front of her, saying, "I'm done. What about yours?"
"Heh, anytime!" Nan Xuzong snorted coldly, casually putting the dice cup down, not caring at all whether the eggshell was completely peeled off!
Feng Rulin said, "If you lose, you have to promise me one thing."
"You will definitely lose!" Nan Xuzong's lips curled up. Who did he think he was, trying to negotiate with him!
Feng Rulin's face darkened. "Fourth Prince, you shouldn't be so absolute!" He snorted coldly and immediately opened the dice cup. Instantly, the eggshells fell around the eggs the moment they were opened! Everyone watched in amazement and admiration!
Emperor Zhou immediately said, "What if this game ends in a draw?" This side was able to peel the eggshell clean, and even Nan Xu Cong could do the same, so wouldn't that be a draw?
Nan Xuzong smiled and said, "Father, it won't be a draw."
"Hmm?" Emperor Zhou narrowed his eyes. If Nan Xuzong lost, it would be a disgrace to the Great Xia Zhou Dynasty. His statement that it wouldn't be a draw meant he had some clever plan.
If there really were a good solution, that would be wonderful... But, judging from the current situation, things don't look too good! Prince Lin has already peeled all the eggshells... and they look completely clean!
Those around were astonished. The peeled egg stood upright on the table like a roly-poly toy. Feng Rulin laughed and said, "How about it? Can you peel this egg like me?" He said with a wicked smile.
Nan Xuzong sneered, "You didn't peel your egg clean; there's still a piece at the bottom."
"What?" Feng Rulin exclaimed in surprise, immediately picking up the egg. Sure enough, he saw that a piece of shell remained unpeeled at the bottom! He knew this... so why was he peeling the egg...? He immediately looked over and saw Nan Xuzong opening the dice cup, while the egg stood perfectly intact on the desk. Everyone was astonished; Nan Xuzong hadn't even peeled the eggshell?!
But the next second, there was a small, crisp sound, and the eggshell burst open. All the eggshells fell onto the desk, and after the shells fell off, the egg looked like a roly-poly toy standing upright.
Feng Rulin watched, thinking of saying something, but before he could speak, he saw that the roly-poly toy had already fallen over!
The meaning is clear: he's been completely stripped bare, and Feng Rulin has lost!
Nan Xuzong's lips curved into a smile. "How about it?" He looked at Feng Rulin. "You're too kind of me!"
"As expected, Your Highness the Fourth Prince possesses superb martial arts skills. It has truly broadened my horizons!" Feng Rulin nodded, her eyes alluring and her long eyelashes gazing at Nan Xuzong. "Your Highness the Fourth Prince has excellent skills. I've come to know you!" Her voice was both sweet and charming.
Nan Xuzong and the others all shuddered. Ji Wushang was stunned. Was Feng Rulin challenging him? A monstrous man was actually blatantly trying to steal Nan Xuzong from him? Was his method insufficient?
Nan Xuzong felt a cold gaze on his back. He turned around and saw Ji Wushang's eyes, which were complex, containing jealousy, a vengeful spirit preparing for battle, a cold and detached mind, and above all... her trust in him. That was enough! Nan Xuzong coldly cupped his hands towards Feng Rulin and said, "Prince Lin had better keep his promise. You have one last question!" He then returned to his seat.
Ji Wushang watched him sit down, her eyes filled with complex emotions. She actually had a man as an opponent... If it were a woman who lost, it wouldn't matter; she could simply offer her blessings. But a man... how could she swallow this? No, she had to crush this Prince Lin! Nan Xuzong could only be hers!
Nan Xuzong gently placed his large hand on her waist, leaned in, and breathed warmly on her face. "What are you thinking about?"
"He's so insolent, I won't let him get away with this!" Ji Wushang said through gritted teeth.
Hearing this, Nan Xuzong felt much better. Had his little woman really gotten into a fight with some devil? It was good to ignite her fighting spirit; he loved seeing her live with endless determination, that's what made her passionate! As for that devil, if possible, he'd rather go up and strangle him! So he wouldn't have to quack like a duck in front of him!
Looking at Nan Xuzong and the others below the stage, Empress Yao sensed something amiss and felt a mixture of surprise and excitement. How ridiculous! The opponent who was giving Ji Wushang a hard time wasn't a woman, but a prince from another country? Ha! How laughable, truly laughable!
Empress Yao said, "Zong'er's martial arts skills are truly superb, which has broadened my horizons. He deserves a reward!"
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your reward!" Nan Xuzong sneered.
Ji Wushang pursed his lips. He understood what Empress Yao meant. She was telling him that she was happy to watch his performance!
I'll definitely teach her a lesson!
"I wonder if Prince Lin has any further questions? Feel free to speak them!" At this moment, Emperor Zhou smiled. Having won two games in a row, he was feeling triumphant and in high spirits! If word got out, it would be a source of pride for his Great Xia Zhou Dynasty!
Feng Rulin, with a stern face, looked at Emperor Zhou and said, "This time, I would like to ask the Fourth Imperial Consort to answer my question. I wonder if the Fourth Imperial Consort can lend me a hand?"
Nan Xuzong tightened his grip on Ji Wushang's slender waist. "No, she..."
"Your Highness, rest assured, I will not ask the Fourth Princess Consort to perform martial arts!" He knew that the vast majority of women in the Great Xia Zhou Dynasty did not know martial arts or internal strength, and Feng Rulin did not intend for Ji Wushang to perform these skills. "I just hope that the Fourth Princess Consort can help me answer some questions."
"I'm willing to help you answer your question." Ji Wushang broke free from Nan Xuzong's large hand and stood up. She refused to believe that she was inferior to some island nation's bird prince!
Nan Xuzong looked at her and said, "Fine, let her give it a try. Go ahead!"
Ji Wushang nodded, and Emperor Zhou smiled as well, "Then the Fourth Imperial Consort will lend a hand! If you can resolve Prince Lin's predicament, I have decided to have a large ship built as soon as possible, and have my Imperial Guards escort Prince Lin back to his country!"
Those around her nodded in agreement, but then looked at Ji Wushang. Could this sheltered young woman really handle Feng Rulin's tricky questions? Nan Xuzong had just narrowly won!
Feng Rulin turned around and watched as Ji Wushang rose from his seat and gracefully stepped forward.
She was dressed in a light pink, floral palace gown, over which draped a thin, gold-threaded gauze overlay. The hem of the gown was embroidered with delicate purple patterns, its folds trailing on the ground and trailing more than three feet. Her gait was light and graceful, revealing her delicate collarbones and elegant neck, and her figure was captivating. Her long, black hair was styled into a high bun, adorned with a hollowed-out phoenix gold hairpin and a phoenix jade hairpin, adding to her unparalleled beauty. A strand of hair hung down, her makeup was light, her skin was fair and her bones were like ice and jade, and her eyes were as cold as clouds, like a fairy maiden from the Jade Pool of the celestial realm, untouched by worldly affairs, otherworldly and ethereal.
Feng Rulin stepped back, and Weiwei regained her footing. He hadn't expected this woman to possess such a unique and noble air; none of the empresses, imperial concubines, or younger princesses and young ladies present could match her. This beauty emanated from the heart, untouched by any vulgarity.
Those around Ji Wushang gasped as he stepped forward, never expecting such a beautiful woman to exist in General Ji's mansion! Her beauty was breathtaking!
Ji Wushang stepped forward and bowed slightly, "Please, Prince Lin, tell me the question you wish me to answer."
"Alright." Feng Rulin's red lips moved slightly as she looked at Ji Wushang in front of her. Then she turned around and clapped her hands. After that, everyone saw an envoy leading a ewe in from outside! The ewe was carrying a big belly, obviously pregnant.
Those around were astonished. What was Feng Rulin thinking? Bringing up a ewe? This was the palace, not a marketplace! Such blatant disregard for imperial authority—did Feng Rulin have no regard for the prestige of the Great Xia Zhou Dynasty?
The ministers looked at Feng Rulin, wanting to stand up and scold him, but seeing that Emperor Zhou had not uttered a word of dissent, they dared not act rashly and suppressed their anger.
The messenger had already led the ewe into the palace. After paying his respects, the messenger stood aside.
Emperor Zhou's face showed some displeasure, but he still maintained a friendly demeanor. "Prince, what do you mean by this?"
"This is a question that has been puzzling me for a long time." Feng Rulin stepped forward, looked at the ewe for a few moments, and then looked at Ji Wushang, saying, "I've always wondered how many lambs are in her belly. Please, Fourth Imperial Consort, help me answer this question!" As she spoke, she smiled, as if to say, "Let's see how you answer this question!"
Nan Xuzong narrowed his dark eyes as he looked at the ewe's lower abdomen. But ultimately, he couldn't be absolutely certain how many lambs the ewe was carrying! After all, it was an animal, not a human! He had other methods for determining whether a woman was carrying a boy or a girl!
Ji Wushang glanced coldly at Feng Rulin, then looked at the ewe, turned back to Feng Rulin, and said, "Prince Lin, may I go up and touch her? I'd like to talk to her."
What? Communicate? Did I hear that right? A look of disbelief flashed across Feng Rulin's face. The people around her were whispering. How could this person communicate with an animal? But looking at Ji Wushang, she didn't seem to be lying!
"Please go ahead," Feng Rulin said. If he didn't allow her to go up and touch it, wouldn't that make him seem petty?
Ji Wushang nodded slightly, then stepped forward and half-squatted in front of the ewe. The ewe looked at Ji Wushang, her eyes blinked, and her ears twitched.
Those around them watched in astonishment. Feng Rulin's eyes deepened as he observed Ji Wushang's every move. Nan Xuzong, holding the golden dragon wine cup, looked at Feng Rulin with a sinister gaze, then at Ji Wushang. He wondered if she could answer his question.
No, it can definitely be done. Nan Xuzong gripped the golden dragon wine cup in his hand even tighter.
Huangfu Xuan's hand was on Ma Ruyi's waist, and both of them were looking at Ji Wushang. Ma Ruyi's eyes held a hint of expectation, but when she looked at Feng Rulin, there was an added pleading tone.
Huangfu Xuan lowered his eyes, "Ruyi, who do you think will win?"
“It’s…the Fourth Imperial Consort!” Ma Ruyi hesitated for a moment, but still said, “She is exceptionally intelligent; how could she be compared to ordinary people!”
Hearing this voice from a distance, Feng Rulin immediately turned to look at Ma Ruyi. Receiving that vicious and resentful gaze, Ma Ruyi immediately hid in Huangfu Xuan's arms. Huangfu Xuan paused, then, sensing the unfriendly gaze, looked up to meet Feng Rulin's eyes.
However, Feng Rulin had already looked at Ji Wushang.
Ji Wushang looked at the ewe, placed one hand on its head and stroked it, and gently stroked its back with the other hand. "If you're tired of standing, why don't you lie down and rest for a while?"
Nan Xuzong and the others were shocked. She was actually talking to the ewe?
The next second was even more astonishing. The ewe actually sat down and then lay down on the stall! The people around were so surprised that they forgot what they were doing. Even the palace maids and eunuchs couldn't help but crane their necks to see what Ji Wushang was doing!
Could she possibly ask the ewe how many lambs she was carrying? Even humans don't always know whether they're having a boy or a girl, a single child, or twins!
Nan Xuzong narrowed his eyes.
Ji Wushang placed his hand on the ewe's lower abdomen, gently stroking it for a few moments before standing up and saying, "I already know how many lambs the ewe is carrying."
"You, you really know?" Feng Rulin looked at her in surprise.
"I know," Ji Wushang smiled.
"Alright, then tell me, how many lambs is she carrying?" Feng Rulin quickly regained his composure. He casually toyed with the black hair hanging down his red robe, looked at Ji Wushang with a flirtatious look in his eyes, and gave Ji Wushang a flirtatious wink.
Ji Wushang suddenly felt an urge to step forward and smash his head, but he remained calm. After bowing to Emperor Zhou, he faced the disgusting Prince Lin and said, "There are six lambs. Two females and four males. If I am wrong, please forgive my ignorance, Your Highness! If I am right, then please take the news of the friendly exchanges between our two countries back to Fusang."
"Good!" Feng Rulin laughed. What a joke! How could this be so amazing! Six? Who are you kidding! The ewe's belly doesn't look that big; at most, there are five. Normally, it looks like there are four! And it even specifies two females and four males?! That's just wishful thinking!
“Then it’s a deal!” Ji Wushang said, raising his head slightly.
"Hmm." Feng Rulin turned around. "Someone, take the ewe out and have someone skin her to see how many lambs are inside!"
"Wait!" Ji Wushang immediately stepped forward and walked to the ewe's side, saying, "The ewe is about to give birth. We can find a shepherd to help."
"Is she about to give birth?" Feng Rulin looked at her, then at the ewe, whose eyes were filled with tears! Ji Wushang felt a pang of heartache and patted its head. "It's alright, don't worry."
Feng Rulin and the others were astonished. Could the ewe actually understand human speech? Or could she understand the messages Ji Wushang was conveying to her?
"Please, Father, lead this ewe away and let the shepherd help," Ji Wushang said, kneeling and bowing to Emperor Zhou.
Nan Xuzong put down the golden dragon wine cup. He looked at her, his thin lips slightly pursed, a gesture of utmost benevolence.
Nan Xuzong turned his gaze to Emperor Zhou, who, seeing the expectant looks on so many faces, asked, "What does Prince Lin think?"
"Please," Feng Rulin said, realizing he was about to lose.
Empress Yao gritted her teeth. Could it be that that little hussy was right after all?
The guard led the ewe away, and the three envoys standing to the side immediately followed the guard at Feng Rulin's signal.
After bowing to Emperor Zhou, Ji Wushang immediately returned to Nan Xuzong's side.
At this moment, Emperor Zhou waved his hand and said with a smile, "Please, Prince Lin, take a seat!"
After paying his respects to Emperor Zhou, Feng Rulin returned to his seat, but his gaze swept intently toward Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong.
The atmosphere had become somewhat eerie.
Consort Ning turned to Emperor Zhou and said, "Your Majesty, why don't we play some string and wind instruments now to calm your emotions?"
"The Imperial Concubine is right," Emperor Zhou nodded. "Eunuch Qin."
"Yes." Eunuch Qin immediately bowed and went down to quickly bring some singers and dancers to the hall to entertain everyone. Emperor Zhou also ordered the palace maids and eunuchs to set out some delicious food and drinks again, so that everyone could relax and temporarily set aside the formalities between ruler and subject to dine.
Nan Xuzong looked down at Ji Wushang and smiled, "What would you like to eat?"
"That one," Ji Wushang said, pointing to a light green pastry in the distance. Nan Xuzong nodded, immediately reaching out to pick up the pastry, and said with a gentle smile, "Here, open your mouth."
Ji Wushang smiled as she watched his gentle actions, opened her small mouth, and Nan Xuzong smiled as he put the pastry into Ji Wushang's mouth.
Those around them nudged each other, indicating that the Fourth Prince and the Fourth Princess were showing affection without any regard for the stares of others!
At this moment, Feng Rulin raised his wine cup and said to Nan Xuzong and Ji Wushang, "I would like to toast the Fourth Prince and the Fourth Princess!"
With Ji Wushang in his arms, Nan Xuzong raised the golden dragon wine cup in front of him with his other hand. "My beloved consort is not a good drinker, so she will not drink any more. Please forgive her, Your Highness! I will drink two cups as a return gift!"
"Alright!" Feng Rulin raised an eyebrow slightly, truly a man of character! He raised his wine glass, nudged it slightly, and then drank it all in one gulp.