Chapter 65: Igniting the Fury of the General

Li Ningyi stood up and pointed at Chi Jin.

Chi Jin leisurely replied, “Oh, so this is the courtesy of your Da Qi, treating your noble guests like this.”

“Mu Zhan, shall we go back? It seems Da Qi doesn’t welcome me much.”

“However, I must be a bit polite. How about leaving General Tong with both arms as a gift?”

Mu Zhan nodded, “Let’s chop off a couple of legs too; they’re useless anyway.”

Chi Jin looked at him disapprovingly, “At least keep them; let’s teach them to crawl and bark like dogs. We’ll just take it as a bit of fun.”

Mu Zhan lowered his head, “The Second Prince is right; I was thoughtless.”

Such a conversation clearly enraged everyone in the hall.

What was once unseen humiliation had now pierced everyone’s hearts.

Li Ning’an gazed outside the hall, wondering where her father and mother were. They were delayed for the sake of appearance. What was Yan Ziqi doing?

Why hadn’t he arrived yet?

Could it be he went to find that Leng Shuang?

Li Ning’an didn’t notice that her mindset had already changed.

She was becoming more concerned about Yan Ziqi.

Li Ningzhao, although young, could tell what Prince Chi Jin was saying.

But seeing his sister calm, the anger in his heart suddenly subsided.

What was there to care about with mere barking?

Li Ningzhi’s face flushed slightly, unsure whether it was from anger or embarrassment.

It was because of his uncle that they faced today’s humiliation.

Originally, his uncle could have returned triumphantly.

What awaited him would have been a drink to honor the hero.

Li Ningzhi wanted to say something but found himself at a loss for words.

He hadn’t even managed to bring his uncle out of the Honglu Hall.

Minister Wen wasn’t present; he was already at the age of retirement, and Emperor Mingde was afraid that he might get upset.

At this moment, Emperor Mingde was in a side hall. A eunuch came to report on the situation.

The Empress sat beside him, and Emperor Mingde sighed, “Concubine Xian’s words to Chi Jin now will only fuel his arrogance.”

“Fire burns when it touches a person; it only hurts more.”

The Empress remained silent, and Emperor Mingde continued, “Ningyi is a child who lacks some composure.”

The Empress still didn’t speak.

“Yet Ning’an is clever; today’s conversation with Chi Jin outside the city, along with her behavior on the street, indeed left Chi Jin at a disadvantage.”

Only then did the Empress seem to hear the Emperor’s voice, “Ning’an has always been clever.”

Emperor Mingde nodded, indicating his agreement.

He looked at Yan Su, “Is Ziqi not here yet?”

Ziqi worked well with Ning’an, and marrying her off to him wouldn’t be a bad idea.
This child, given his years of care, wouldn’t mistreat Ning’an.

“He has gone to the Zui Chun Pavilion; he’s probably… still in the arms of his lover.”

Yan Su frowned slightly; ever since this heir returned, he behaved this way, which was entirely different from the heroic feats he had accomplished in the past.

Who would believe he was the one who rescued the trapped Deputy General Ge and others?

Everyone thought it was just a fluke.

There were rumors in the streets that His Majesty had sent a rich young man, but he had misjudged the person.

Emperor Mingde thought that he could no longer delay and took the Empress out.

Meanwhile, in the hall, after Chi Jin finished his remarks, many generals wanted to spar with him.

But since he could capture General Tong alive and didn’t know their abilities, it wouldn’t be easy to fight.

Fortunately, Yan Su’s voice rang out, “His Majesty has arrived; Her Majesty the Empress has arrived.”

Everyone stood up to welcome the Emperor and Empress. Once they were seated, Emperor Mingde said, “Be at ease; take your seats.”

Chi Jin provocatively looked at the generals present.
“I’ve heard that Da Qi is full of talents; I have some people I want to spar with.”

Emperor Mingde replied indifferently, “Today’s banquet is only to welcome the Northern Yue envoy and the Second Prince. Sparring can wait until tomorrow.”

Chi Jin wasn’t in a hurry to test today; after observing General Tong’s strength, he felt that Da Qi was actually not formidable.

It was nowhere near as strong as when Duke Xiangguo was around.

However, his own son still had some capabilities.

He was able to work with Deputy General Ge to escape from Fushan.

The banquet began, filled with the sounds of silk and bamboo instruments, singing, dancing, eating, drinking, and chatting.

Yan Ziqi arrived just as the banquet was nearing its end.

Emperor Mingde looked at him kindly, showing no hint of reproach.

Tong Linian held his wine cup, revealing dissatisfaction and jealousy in his eyes.

Yan Ziqi saluted the Emperor, “Your Majesty, I was delayed by some matters.”

He deliberately adjusted his collar, revealing traces of rouge, which sparked imagination.

Tong Linian couldn’t help but say, “Today is to welcome the Northern Yue envoy and the Second Prince. It’s a matter of great importance, yet you were out fooling around.”

Before Yan Ziqi could respond, Li Ning’an stood up first and spoke:
“Everyone said to let Yan Lang change his outfit; why are you still reluctant?”

Li Ning’an walked up to Yan Ziqi and took out a handkerchief to gently wipe off the rouge.

“You’re doing this on purpose; you’re jealous.”

“Is it because of what Prince Chi Jin said today? How could there be others intervening between us?”

Yan Ziqi went to Zui Chun Pavilion and found Shuang’er applying rouge on his collar, intending to appear charming.

It wasn’t to get entangled with Li Ning’an’s feelings.

Chi Jin seemed to have inquired about Li Ning’an’s past at Honglu Hall. He glanced over to the ministers.

“Princess Ning’an used to like someone named Fu Minglang, didn’t she?”

“You use Yan Shizi as a shield. Is it that you don’t like me, or do you want him to be jealous?”

Li Ning’an was so determined to tangle herself with Yan Ziqi; how could anyone still say she liked Fu Minglang?

Fu Minglang had been very well-behaved recently, with Zhang Biao nurturing a few people, one of whom was watching over Fu’s residence.

Among those who came today were Madam Fu and Fu Mingying.

For such an important matter, Madam Fu didn’t dare let the other branches cause trouble.
Her reasoning was simple.

“Who would want to marry that Prince Chi Jin?”

“Even if he wanted to come to Da Qi to seek a princess, the Emperor might not refuse a concubine.”

“Northern Yue stretches over a thousand miles; can you really endure this?”

Without a maternal family to support them, even Da Qi people wouldn’t help.

Fu Mingzhi and Fu Mingdie weren’t fools; they naturally wouldn’t go.

Fu Mingying followed because she wanted to see Yan Shizi.

Princess Ning’an was really talking nonsense again.

Yan Shizi certainly wasn’t such a frivolous person.

He personally went to Fushan to rescue Deputy General Ge and others and broke eggs with a whip in the street without hurting anyone.

Such a capable and outstanding person, how could he be interested in Princess Ning’an?

Fu Mingying could only resent her lowly status, unable to defend Yan Shizi.

Upon hearing Prince Chi Jin’s words, Fu Minglang knew it was time to stand up.

He said, “These are just rumors; I have no relationship with Princess Ning’an.”

Chi Jin’s gaze shifted among the people, “I heard that Princess Ning’an got up early to make pastries for you and personally delivered them to the Ministry of Revenue.”

“This kind of deep affection truly touches me. If he doesn’t cherish it, how about you come with me?”

Chi Jin walked up to Princess Ning’an, appearing quite sincere.

Li Ningyi watched this scene unfold.

Why did both of them have to take a liking to her third sister?

What was so special about her?

Li Ning’an initially thought to find Prince Jing, but this damned Chi Jin kept staring at her.
Now he was saying such things.

“Is Prince Chi Jin done making a scene?”

Emperor Mingde looked at Chi Jin with a commanding presence, and Chi Jin felt like he was being stared down by a fierce beast, causing his hairs to stand on end.

Chi Jin stepped back, “I will let Princess Ning’an know my true feelings.”

Li Ning’an snorted and simply pulled Yan Ziqi away.

Emperor Mingde thought for a moment and decided to dismiss the banquet.

Yan Ziqi assumed she would take him to Changle Palace, but instead, they ended up in an unfamiliar place.

They stopped in a palace alley, and Li Ning’an looked around, seeing no one else.
“Cuckoo, cuckoo.”

Yuan Ze flew out from the wall nearby.

“Princess, it’s ready.”

Yan Ziqi, confused, asked, “What are you planning to do?”