Chapter 64: The Insult in the Great Hall

Fu Minglang clenched his fists, seemingly moved.
Rather than be the fish on someone else’s chopping block, it was better to be the one wielding the knife.

Fu Minglang cupped his hands and said, “The princess may be too worried and is thinking of the worst.”

“Our dynasty has an army of a hundred thousand; how could we easily agree to the Northern Yue people’s demands?”

“Since the state banquet is about to begin, it would be best for the princess to return first.”

Li Ningyi couldn’t tell if he had agreed or if he was still refusing.

Fu Minglang continued, “I previously thought that sacrificing one person to save the world was worth it.”

“But seeing the princess in tears, I can’t help but think of my younger sister. If she were to marry into Northern Yue, I would certainly be concerned.”

“Princess, rest assured. If there is a proposal for this marriage alliance, I will act to stop it in due time.”

Li Ningyi felt somewhat relieved.

In truth, she wasn’t confident she could persuade Fu Minglang.

After all, she and Fu Minglang weren’t very familiar with each other.

Fu Minglang said, “The princess should hurry back; there is still the state banquet today, and we cannot afford to delay.”

Li Ningyi nodded, “Thank you, Minister Fu. I will return now.”

Fu Minglang bowed, “Please take care, princess. I will go out shortly to avoid arousing suspicion.”

Li Ningyi marveled at his attentiveness.

Once outside, she climbed into a carriage hidden in the alley and headed toward the palace.

Minister Fu was courteous in his manner and knew the boundaries between men and women, unlike those who were overly familiar.

No wonder her third sister had once been smitten by him.

If… this man could be of use to her, he could also help the Tong family and her fourth brother.

In the Honglu Temple, Chi Jin had already changed into a new outfit. Led by the Minister of Rites, Chi Jin took General Mu Zhan into the palace.

Today’s state banquet was held in the Hanyuan Hall. The Mingde Emperor met Chi Jin in the back’s Xuanzheng Hall and warmly said:

“Tomorrow is the official day for your audience; today is just to welcome you and refresh you. Please proceed to Hanyuan Hall.”

Chi Jin observed that the Emperor of Da Qi was spirited and dignified, exuding an aura of authority without anger.

Though he had never been on the battlefield, his presence was nonetheless imposing.

Chi Jin performed the Northern Yue greeting, “I should have invited General Tong to join us, but he got carsick, so I kept him inside to rest.”

The Mingde Emperor did not respond and raised his hand for a eunuch to come out, leading Chi Jin and the others to Hanyuan Hall.

At this time, Hanyuan Hall was quite lively.

Li Ningyi had already returned; she had changed her clothes and was seated in her place, closest to her father, the Emperor.

To her right sat Concubine Tong and the mother of the Sixth Princess, all dressed elegantly and gracefully.

Next to Li Ningyi were several other princesses.

Across from her was Li Ningzhi, to the left Li Ningzhao, and then the seats for Chi Jin and Mu Zhan, who had yet to arrive.

It should be noted that the Mingde Emperor had four sons and five daughters.

The sixth to eighth were all princesses, the eldest was twelve, the youngest seven, with the one in between being ten.

If a marriage alliance were truly to happen with Northern Yue, only Li Ning’an and Li Ningyi were of suitable age; otherwise, a selection would be made from the imperial clan’s daughters.

However, Chi Jin had come prepared and naturally would not consider an imperial clan daughter.

Li Ning’an looked at Li Ningyi, who was seated two positions away on the right.

Today, the fourth princess had arrived a bit late.

Having been in the palace, why was she slower than Li Ning’an, who had returned from outside?

People from various households had come. Shui Yue Rong was with her mother-in-law; upon seeing her own mother, the Duchess of Dingguo, she went over to greet her before returning to her mother-in-law.

The Lady of Zhongyong Hou said, “The banquet hasn’t started yet, and neither the emperor nor the Northern Yue people have arrived. If you have something to say, you can go and speak to Princess Ning’an.”

Shui Liulang Jun was present as well, chatting with others without a care, clearly feeling better.

She knew Yue Rong was a close friend of Princess Ning’an, so it would be fine to chat for a bit now.

Shui Yue Rong nodded and approached Ning’an. Li Ning’an made some room for her, saying, “Sit and talk with me.”

Shui Yue Rong didn’t hesitate and sat down next to Li Ning’an.

“You don’t need to say thank you,” Li Ning’an said, knowing why she had come.

After marrying, life was less free than it had been at home.

Even wanting to meet someone had become rather troublesome.

Li Ning’an was busy with other matters and hadn’t had the chance to visit the Zhongyong Hou residence. Today, Shui Yue Rong wore a light blue skirt and looked gentle and well-nourished.

Li Ning’an felt relieved.

She contemplated that after the Northern Yue envoy left, she would need to find Long Yinghua in the snow-capped mountains and would be away from the capital for a while.

It was estimated that it would be a long time before she saw Shui Yue Rong again.

“I’ve been busy lately. When I have some free time, I’ll come find you to chat.”

Shui Yue Rong had a lot of gratitude to express but couldn’t find the words.
She could only softly say, “My husband mentioned that Chi Jin has taken a liking to you. Do you have any countermeasures?”

Li Ning’an shook her head, then nodded, “If he’s not obedient, just beat him up.”

Although General Tong had been captured, Da Qi couldn’t be considered completely defeated; it could only be said that General Tong was foolish.
If there were to be another battle, with Yan Ziqi at the border, Li Ning’an was not afraid at all.

Da Qi had its confidence; they wouldn’t necessarily lose in talks with the Northern Yue envoy.
It’s often said that sacrificing one person for the greater good is worth it.
If General Tong were to be sacrificed, it wouldn’t be a big deal.
After all, he was captured; he was just a useless person.

Li Ning’an couldn’t say this to Shui Yue Rong at that moment, but Shui Yue Rong understood the meaning in Ning’an’s eyes.
Compared to Ning’an’s calmness, the Fourth Princess was not doing so well.

Li Ningyi had already drunk several cups of tea and had heard that Chi Jin had met her third sister and was infatuated with her, which made her feel somewhat relieved.
But she couldn’t help but think, what if she was more beautiful than her third sister? What if Chi Jin changed his mind?

Li Ning’an glanced down at her outfit, worried that she might be overshadowed by her third sister, so she had dressed up carefully.
Otherwise, she might as well spill some wine and change into another outfit.

Just as Li Ningyi was pondering, a eunuch outside announced:
“The Second Prince of Northern Yue has arrived, along with the Northern Yue General.”

Li Ning’an hurriedly urged Shui Yue Rong to leave, “You should hurry back.”
You could never be too sure; this Chi Jin might have other intentions and try to forcefully snatch a wife.

Shui Yue Rong quickly returned to her seat, and Li Ning’an saw Chi Jin enter with someone.
He was quite bold.

However, the Northern Yue Emperor did not have only one son.
Even if he were killed, it wouldn’t lead to the end of the Northern Yue royal family.

As soon as Chi Jin entered, he saw the most radiant Ning’an Princess. He quickly walked up to her, disregarding everyone else’s gazes.
“Princess Ning’an, you are truly beautiful.”

Li Ning’an replied lightly, acknowledging his compliment with a simple “mm.”

Concubine Tong Xian glanced at Chi Jin, a flash of resentment in her eyes. It was because of him that her brother was captured and that the Tong family was embarrassed.
She noticed her brother hadn’t come along and had no idea what was going on.

After returning to the manor, Tong Linian had received a summons from his aunt. Concubine Tong Xian, upon seeing him, inquired in detail and found that he also knew nothing.

“What a waste; you couldn’t even deal with a small Yan Ziqi.”
“It would be easy to kill him any day and frame the Northern Yue people for it.”

What a foolish person, unable to think of even this method.
She really didn’t understand why her brother had chosen this child to go.

In contrast, Li Zeyu was much smarter.
Unfortunately, the Ministry of Works was a place with little development, and his abilities couldn’t be put to use.

At this moment, Concubine Tong Xian felt humiliated seeing Prince Chi Jin.
In our dynasty’s etiquette, one should not stare continuously at the emperor’s consort.
But Chi Jin didn’t care; he looked at Concubine Tong Xian several times.

“You are Concubine Tong Xian, right? If I hadn’t seen General Tong often, I wouldn’t have recognized you at first.”
“You siblings really do resemble each other.”

Concubine Tong Xian understood what he meant.
The implication was that her brother had been captured by him.
She couldn’t let him be so arrogant on Da Qi’s territory.

“I’ve never met the Northern Yue Emperor, but looking at you, I imagine he has no manners either.”
“To gaze directly at me like this is quite disrespectful.”

Chi Jin laughed heartily, then sat down in his seat. “With your ugly appearance, I really don’t care about you.”

Nothing is more intolerable for a woman than being called ugly.
Before Concubine Tong Xian could speak, Li Ningyi, concerned for her mother, had already said, “You dare to be rude to my mother!”

Chi Jin looked at her; she was merely younger and didn’t have anything remarkable.
Princess Ning’an was still more beautiful.

“Your uncle is my slave; she, huh, isn’t even worthy of carrying my shoes.”