Rebirth: The Blood Demon Empress Chapter 54 - The Emperor's Mind is Hard to Fathom

  Yongshou Palace

  "Princess, the phoenix carriage is ready. We can depart at any time." Qin Auntie replied softly with her head slightly bowed.

  The Empress Dowager wore a crimson satin robe with a high collar and gold-edged sleeves, the hem embroidered with white peonies. Her hair was styled in a high bun, adorned with golden pins and jade, and she wore a ring made of precious stone, exuding an aura of nobility and dignity that was unmatched.

  She stretched out her right hand, wearing a crimson long sleeve protector, and the palace maid, Chrysanthemum Fragrance, came forward with a knowing look, gently supporting her as she slowly walked towards the outside of the hall.

  Outside the palace, Empress Xiao, Concubine Jiang, Concubine Yu, Consort Li and other imperial consorts were all dressed in their finest attire, standing respectfully despite the biting wind. Their elegant demeanor remained unruffled, standing upright with poise, a delightful sight to behold from afar.

  "We, your subjects, pay our respects to the Empress Dowager. May the Empress Dowager enjoy a long and prosperous life." With a slight bow of her right knee, she placed her hands lightly on her waist, making a neat and uniform gesture of respect.

  "Take care of yourself!" The Empress Dowager showed a kind smile and slightly raised her hand.

  "Thank you, Empress Dowager." The soft, beautiful and lovely female voice sounded again, pleasant to the ear.

  The Empress Dowager glanced at the sky, the sun was setting in the west, and the evening banquet was about to begin. She walked closer to the Queen Mother and whispered softly into her ear: "Your Majesty, it's almost time, going to the Princess's mansion is just right."

  "Empress, let all the consorts get into their own sedan chairs and set off." The Empress Dowager looked at Xiao Huanghou who was wearing a large red silver-embroidered phoenix robe, turned around and had the palace maid help her onto the imperial carriage.

  Zi Jing is her only biological princess, compared to her son, her daughter is more considerate, but also doesn't let her off easy. Since childhood, she has been spoiled and when her temper flares up, she won't even listen to her words.

  Fortunately, that daughter knows what's good for her and stands on the same side as her in everything, which is quite satisfactory to her.

  The emperor has his own mind, and even if she doesn't think about it, she can still guess a few points. Now that the child is grown and no longer controlled by the mother, whatever she says, the emperor has learned to pick and choose what he listens to, he has his own thoughts, and will no longer follow her blindly.

  The matter of Empress Chu in those years had already completely destroyed their mother-son relationship, there's no use saying more.

  The emperor's mind is hard to fathom, and even she, his birth mother, can't guess what he's thinking.

  His Majesty had long been on his guard against her, but everything she did was to consolidate his reign and protect all that she had rushed to him for; she would never admit that she was wrong.

  That woman is his greatest obstacle to becoming stronger. She can't stay, and he will find a way to get rid of her, even if he hates her, resents her, and never forgives her for the rest of his life.

  "Miss, don't think too much." Qin Aunt still lowered her head and carefully attended to one side.

  No one knows more about the Empress's tactics than she does. If you're not careful, you'll lose your life. She has long since learned her lesson over the past thirty years.

  More doing, less talking, is the secret of keeping one's life.

  "Qin auntie, go and see if the empresses have set off yet." With her eyes closed, the long jade Buddha beads in her hand emitted a soft, gentle glow, smooth to the extreme.

  A discerning eye can see at a glance that it is worth a fortune.

  "Yes." He nodded and stepped down, casting a glance at Chrysanthemum who was quietly waiting on the side, signaling her to take good care of things.

  A pink winter palace dress, a delicate face, Shuiyun supported Empress Xiao to sit in the sedan chair and whispered: "Your Majesty, hold the hand warmer and be careful not to catch a chill."

  As they spoke, Imperial Concubine Tianyi had already handed the hand warmer to Empress Xiao.

  "You all need to be more careful and adapt to the situation when you arrive at the princess's mansion, do you understand?" Empress Xiao reminded softly as she sat upright in her sedan chair.

  After the emperor agreed, all the concubines went to the princess's mansion to attend Princess Zijin's birthday banquet, but she didn't go alone. Empress Xiao already had doubts in her heart and speculated whether the emperor had other plans.

  Logically, the Emperor and Empress Dowager both extremely doted on Princess Zijin. In the imperial city, whoever mentioned Princess Zijin would be terrified, because although she was only a princess, she had received all the favor of the Emperor and Empress Dowager. Even if she walked sideways in the palace, no one dared to say half a word about her.

  Leng Xueyu at the Blood King's welcoming banquet, abolished the Fourth Princess of Beihanchu, executed Zhuang Fei, and her domineering momentum was enough to make Zi Jing Gongnu meet with her.

  "The slaves remember the mistress's teachings." Shui Yun Tian exchanged a glance and nodded obediently.

  The sedan chair of Consort Jiang was second only to that of Empress Xiao, followed by the consorts who had been granted permission to leave the palace and attend the banquet with the princesses, each arranged according to their rank.

  "Tomorrow, after leaving the palace, I will pass this letter to King Ming. " Princess Jiang's jade hand supported her chin, and a cold smile played on her crimson lips as she looked forward to Princess Zi Jing's performance.

  "Yes." With a quick movement, he put away the letter and followed closely behind the sedan chair. Before long, they saw the palace gate in front of them.

  Guards with long spears stood on either side, and the streets had been cleared early in the morning. Unbeknownst to them, they were already surrounded by a crowd of onlookers, and if not for the guards' obstruction, they might have already rushed into the various palaces.

  It's hard to know when such a magnificent sight will appear again, even if you wait for a whole year.

  The exquisite, luxurious and magnificent phoenix carriage at the front is beyond words. Just look at the sedan chairs behind, each one is worth a thousand gold coins, and just one of them would be enough for an ordinary person to live a lifetime with plenty left over.

  The beaded curtain made of the sedan chair covered the faces of the concubines inside, they were all the emperor's women, how could their appearance be easily revealed in front of outsiders, no matter how hard the crowd stretched their necks, nothing could be seen.

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  "King Guan Jia, take all the family members away." Leng Zheng got off the sedan chair, tightened his cloak and gave a low command.

  "Yes, sir." With a wave of his hand, Wang the steward led the way, having all the sedan chair bearers carry empty sedan chairs back and forth.

  Leng Feng wore a light purple cloud-patterned velvet cloak, with a peony-shaped hairpin inserted into her hair, and a crystal hairpin on the outside. She had a pink cape draped over her shoulders, and stood weakly like a willow beside Leng Zheng, saying in a low voice: "Father, Fourth Sister is slow to get out of the carriage, could it be that she wants us all to stand stupidly in front of the Princess's mansion?"

  In secret, her fists clenched tightly, everything belonging to Leng Zhiyue, she wanted to snatch away.

  "Dad, Fourth Sister must be asleep, let Golden Bell go wake her up." Cold Golden Bell raised a sweet smile, one hand grasping onto Cold Zheng's arm, gently shaking as she spoke.

  A green lotus dress, a auspicious cloud hollow jade pendant hanging from the waist, lightly dotted with vermilion lips, lightly stained with rouge, coiled into a lily bun, smiling and charming, lively and lovely.

  She gazed at her third daughter, and without realizing it, she had already grown into a beautiful and charming young woman.

  "Miss, wake up and have a cup of hot tea." Xia Hua poured a cup of hot tea and handed it to Leng Ziyue.

  "Hmm." Feng Mou's eyes fluttered slightly, and Leng Ziyue lightly lifted her eyelids, yawning repeatedly, and asked faintly: "Why did you stop?"

  Dong Xue's face stiffened, and she replied: "Young...Miss, we have already arrived at the Princess's residence."

  She was used to calling him Young Master, and for a while, it would be somewhat inconvenient for her to change her mouth to call him Miss. Hopefully, after entering the Princess's mansion, she wouldn't make mistakes again, otherwise, she would bring unnecessary trouble, which would be her fault.

  She blinked and sat up from the soft couch, opening her arms to move her numb hands. That regent king was really interesting.

  The princess is also a lucky woman, living with her husband till death do them part, and the man will not abandon her, even in his sleep he will smile.

  For some reason, she thought of Baili Chunxuan and suddenly felt a strong urge to miss him.

  "Miss, um..." Xia Hua swallowed her saliva, she didn't know if she could be more casual in front of Leng Ziyue, or if she should maintain a respectful distance.

  The four sisters, no, the eight sisters together are like a family, speaking freely according to their own personalities, without worrying about saying something wrong or offending anyone.

  "Relax a bit, you're the ones who are going to follow me around. Don't be so tired from speaking half-truths? Don't treat yourselves as my slaves, try treating me as your friend, family, or sister." In her past life, she had no friends and was always alone.

  She does everything alone, no one has ever entered her life.

  Because she is cold-blooded, because she never shows a smile, because she has a difficult mission.

  In this life, she wants to live freely and naturally.

  Daring to believe in others, accepting others, even if being deceived, even if being betrayed, at least she lives like a human being, with seven emotions and six desires, as well as human weaknesses.

  "Yes, miss." Xia Hua pulled open the curtain and Dong Xue helped Leng Ciyue down from the carriage.

  Leng Yinling, who had been holding back her anger, couldn't help but say when she saw Leng Ziyue get out of the car: "I don't know what fourth sister did last night, but it seems like she can sleep anywhere. Is she stealing...?"

  With a cold glance at Shang Leng Yue, the word "person" was swallowed back in embarrassment, causing Leng Yinling's face to turn red and her ears to burn, tears streaming down.

  "Miss Leng San, next time remember to keep your mouth clean, or I won't mind making you unable to speak forever." A fiery red gauze skirt, with a white satin bodice, high-waisted and long-skirted, fluttering and flying. The white gauze scarf wrapped around her fragrant shoulders and fell down, as if flying. Her eyebrows and eyes were like a painting, transcending the mundane, truly resembling a red butterfly fairy, and once one's gaze fell on her, it wouldn't move away even for a moment.

  Leng Xue Yue jumped over a few people, looked up at the huge words "Princess Mansion" and slightly curved her pink lips into a faint smile, then walked in slowly.

  Summer flowers and winter snow, closely following by his side, he walked away without looking back.

  The guards at the gate who were welcoming guests saw Leng Ziyue's true appearance, and they all failed to react in time. By the time they came back to their senses, that elegant figure had already swaggered into the front courtyard. To chase after her would be too late.

  "Dad, look at her..." Leng Yinling finally caught her breath, pointing at the already invisible figure of Leng Ziyue, her face turned beet red.

  With a stern face, he handed the invitation to the steward of the princess's mansion and whispered: "Still not ashamed enough, all of you shut up."

  Feeling the gaze cast around her, Leng Yinlin wished she could find a hole in the ground to crawl into and bury herself. Her image was completely ruined, all thanks to Leng Ziyue's doing.

  "Hehe, so it's Lord Zhongjunhou. I didn't expect you to come from afar." Iron Pipe House smiled with a slight bow, his small green bean-like eyes narrowing into slits as he continued, "The one just now was..."

  "Let the pipe house see the joke, that is Xiaonv Ziyue." Leng Zhuang explained politely, the steward of the princess's mansion was highly valued by Princess Zijin, and it was better not to have a head-on conflict.

  "The old slave is right, the imperial city has never seen such a stunning beauty as this young lady. Who would have thought that she was the fourth miss of the mansion? Alright, please follow me inside." The servant who followed behind Tie Guan's family took over the gift brought by Leng Zhen and returned the invitation card before leading them in with respect.

  Led by Leng Fengling, the three of them slightly lowered their heads, revealing faint smiles, and followed Leng Zhong into the mansion with elegance.

  "Miss, where are we going now?" Xia Hua chattered all the way, she liked talking and felt that Leng Zhiyue was an easy-going master who also cared about them.

  "Let's take a walk around, the banquet won't start that soon, sitting there like an idiot." With a flick of her mouth, Leng Ziyue rolled her eyes coquettishly.

  Thinking of her past life, apart from practicing qigong it was still practicing qigong. The most banquets and whatnot were only held in school for welcoming new students. Which is like here, one moment this banquet, the next that banquet.

  Every feast is a trap waiting for her to step on, and in the end, it's still based on boredom, adding some laughter.

  "Heh heh, Miss is quite right!" Xiaohua smiled lightly. She didn't like those official misses, whether standing or sitting, they had to be prim and proper, how uncomfortable! "Dongxue, what are you spacing out about? Not a word from you."

  "The princess's mansion is very big." After a while, Dong Xue finally managed to squeeze out this sentence.

  Leng Xueyu rubbed her forehead, and she finally found a woman who was even less fond of speaking than herself, someone who was even more concise and to the point. Thinking back, her past self had indeed been quite dull, no wonder nobody had wanted to be friends with her.

  "Zi Jing Gong Zhu is the Empress Dowager's only biological daughter and also the Emperor's younger sister. The extent of her pampering is something that even the princes can't compare to, not to mention the size of the estate." She casually plucked a branch of red plum blossoms and held it in her hand, lightly placing it under her nose, the fragrance wafting up, refreshing her heart.

  The winding pebble path is lined with tree after tree, adorned with red and white plum blossoms in a scattered yet harmonious arrangement. Underfoot, a layer of red and white petals softens the ground, as the cold wind stirs up waves of fragrance from the plum blossoms.

  Plum branches scattered with sparse snow, under the plum tree was all white, petals floated in the wind, along the way, Leng Ziyue really liked this small path.

  It turns out that even the rumored arrogant and overbearing Princess Zijin has a refined side.

  "Miss, if you like plum blossoms, I'll send a message to Ice Aunt and ask her to fill our home with plum trees. In winter, Miss can enjoy the plum blossoms." The headquarters of You Yin Pavilion was their home, and they were just children who went out, only home was the warmest place, what they missed most.

  "Hehe, okay." Home, what a warm word. Jing Shan is her home, cold and empty, not like a home at all.

  It was the Youyin Pavilion at the top of Fenghuang Mountain that gave her a sense of home, warm and comforting, where everyone welcomed her with sincerity and waited for her.

  "Miss, do you like red plum blossoms or white ones?" Dong Xue squatted down, picked up a red plum blossom from the snowy ground, and placed it in her palm. The small five-petaled plum flower was cool to the touch and emitted a subtle fragrance.

  "Plum blossoms need to yield to snow in terms of whiteness, but snow loses to plum blossoms in fragrance." Whether it's white plum blossoms or red ones, Leng Ziye likes them all.

  The plum blossoms that bloom in the cold winter of December, with their icy elegance and noble demeanor, are just like a person's character, impossible not to be admired and praised from the bottom of one's heart.

  "What a great line 'Plum blossoms need to yield three points of whiteness to snow, but snow loses to plum in fragrance'! Miss Leng's piano skills are exceptional, her painting skills are impressive, and such an excellent poem has left me in awe." A black brocade robe with white satin trim, wide sleeves embroidered with green pines and bamboo, exuding a cold and arrogant aura.

  Xia Hua and Dong Xue were shocked, they didn't feel the man's aura at all. They couldn't help but stand in front of Leng Ziyue at the same time, taking a defensive stance.

  "Your Highness, King of Shadows, is so elegant and refined, but doesn't he know that eavesdropping on others' conversations is very impolite?" Her slender eyebrows furrowed slightly, she could be certain that Baili Yixiao had only appeared after she finished speaking.

  Within a hundred-meter radius, any living being with a breath of life cannot escape her perception.

  "This king only heard one good poem." Baili Ziyu's sleeves fluttered lightly, his sword eyebrows tightly locked, and he stared at Leng Zhiyue in a red dress, which made him think of Baili Chenyuan.

  This inexplicable feeling suddenly made his face look very unsightly, originally he just came to go through the motions, say hello and leave, but unexpectedly as soon as he walked into the garden, he heard her clear and sweet voice recite that poem.

  What a delicate and ingenious mind it must be to create such beautifully atmospheric lines of poetry.

  "Summer flowers, winter snow, we'll part ways." Leng Ziyue smiled politely at Baili Ziying, not having any particular impression of him. As long as he didn't block her path, it was a wide road ahead, and they could each go their separate ways.

  No one interferes with anyone else.

  "Yes." The two softly responded in unison and followed behind Rong Ziyue's gentle steps as they left.

  A cold wind blows, sweeping up a ground of flower petals. The fragrance of plum blossoms pierces through the icy chill, invigorating one's spirit.

  "Prince Wang, those two maids' martial arts are not weak, do you want to...?" Jin Qiang appeared in the same black clothes, behind Baili Ziying.

  "A hundred miles, self-reflection sank into the black eyes, with a hint of thin calluses on the fingertips rubbing against the chin, coldly said: 'Conceal yourself in the dark and pay attention to their every move, report any news to me at any time.'"

  Those two are absolutely not ordinary maids, from the moment he spoke up, they immediately became vigilant and protected Leng Ziyue behind them, their expressions turning cold and murderous in an instant.

  Before, he thought Ling Xue was interesting. Now, he thinks she's mysterious, with too many mysteries waiting for him to unravel one by one.

  "Understood." After bowing his hands in acceptance of the order, Jin Qian disappeared as silently and suddenly as he had appeared, as if he had never been there at all.

  Leng Xueyue, you're making me more and more eager to see through you.

  "Miss, we..." On the small path, treading on the thin layer of accumulated snow, Winter Snow hung her head with a self-reproaching face. They not only were careless and didn't discover someone lurking in the shadows, but also revealed their own secret, reminding others that she and Xia Hua were not ordinary.

  "I know what you want to say, since things have already happened, the best approach is to observe and adapt, self-blame is useless. Similarly, I'm also reminding you all that in the future when dealing with similar events, you must remain calm, cautious, understand?

  Leng Ziyue swept a glance over the fully seated civil and military officials, at the banquet whether it was the young masters or the noble ladies, not one of them wasn't dressed to impress, shining brightly."

  She was certain that Baili Yixiao hadn't overheard their conversation, but he must have noticed Xia Hua and Dong Xue's exceptional skills, otherwise, he wouldn't have arranged for a tail to follow her.

  "Yes, miss." Two nodded, they can only guarantee that next time will not make the same mistake again.

  "Be careful at the banquet, if not necessary, don't show off your martial arts skills, and pay attention to the tail behind you." Leng Ziyue blinked her eyes, adjusted her clothes, her image of being reckless and arrogant had long been spread throughout the imperial city, it was no surprise that she had a maid who knew martial arts by her side.

  Baili Ziying did not want to be her enemy, and they could still get along peacefully. If he insisted on being her enemy, then she would naturally not show any courtesy either.

  An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, and a hundred times repayment is her way of doing things.

  "What?" Xia Hua let out a sharp cry as soon as she heard the tail behind her, Dong Xue covered her mouth and said in a low voice: "Speak softly, are you afraid that people behind can't hear it?"

  Xia Hua pouted and stuck out her tongue, that person's martial arts skills must be above hers and Dong Xue's, she really had to be doubly careful, couldn't afford to not help the young master, and instead add to his troubles.

  "After you two go in, try not to speak and follow my instructions. He's just following us for now and doesn't have any malicious intentions, so don't be too nervous." Leng Ziyue raised an eyebrow, calmly handling the gazes cast her way from all directions, a faint smile on her delicate face that made one feel refreshed and at ease.

  "Everything will be arranged by Miss." With a faint smile, the two followed behind Leng Ziyue, one on each side, at a steady pace. Even when others were gossiping, mocking, or admiring her in hushed tones, they maintained their smiling faces, not revealing even a hint of their true feelings.

  What young masters can do, they can too.

  Endurance is one of the survival skills they must learn from a young age.

  "The banquet is about to begin, take a seat!" Leng Zhen was worried that he didn't know how to find Leng Ziyue, but unexpectedly she appeared beside him, and his heart finally fell back down.

  The birthday banquet of Princess Zi Jing, to put it bluntly, was a grand feast set up by the Empress Dowager, and it was all aimed at Leng Ziyue. He didn't know why he was worried about her safety.

  Perhaps he was concerned about her just because of the emperor's entrustment.

  "Don't you know not to run around recklessly? What if you cause some trouble in the Princess's mansion, and we have to take responsibility for your mistakes, losing face for our loyal and virtuous Cold Manor, letting others say that our father doesn't know how to teach his daughter properly." Leng Yinling couldn't swallow her anger, which had been suppressed in her heart since earlier, and she had to find a way to regain her dignity through Leng Ziyue.

  The long skirt hem lifted a corner, like a bright red flame, in the cold night, making people feel warm. The fire-red sleeves fluttered, and Leng Zhiyue sat down elegantly, with Xia Hua Dong Xue standing behind her, cleverly and respectfully. Completely ignoring the existence of Leng Yinling.

  What she said is even worse than the cold wind blowing past one's ear.

  "Be quiet, or you can leave by yourself." Leng Zhen's face sank, and he lightly patted the table in front of him, staring at Leng Yinling with a cold gaze.

  How could she be so blind and not see that Leng Xueyu had no intention of paying attention to her, as if she didn't exist?

  "Dad...", a weak and soft call, towards the pair of fierce eyes above, swallowed hard, Cold Silver Bell finally shut up her noisy mouth.

  Her long fingernails dug deep into her thigh, she had to endure, she wanted to see with her own eyes that Leng Ziyue would lose face and ruin her reputation at the princess's banquet.

  Leng Fengling stretched out her hand and gently pulled Leng Yin's sleeve, saying in a low voice: "Calm down, don't stoop to her level. She'll get what's coming to her later. Our play has been performed enough, no need to fear she won't take the bait."

  "Alright, you can play this role next time." Leng Yinling pulled back her own sleeve, saying with a resentful face.

  The three sisters had always been at odds with Leng Ziyue, constantly causing her trouble. If this time in the princess's mansion, they didn't have any friction with Leng Ziyue, it would certainly arouse her suspicion.

  So there was that scene in front of the princess's mansion.

  "Sister, second sister, look at those flower lanterns, so beautiful and delicate." A naive and lively voice rang out in time, cold golden bells blinked bright eyes, white jade-like fingers pointed to the distance.

  His piercing gaze fell on Leng Jinling once again. He had always neglected this quiet and taciturn third daughter, until today he realized that compared to his eldest and second daughters, she was the one with the most potential for cultivation.

  He could control the three daughters, but Leng Ziyue was one he couldn't control. She seemed weak and gentle, but in reality she was strong-willed and sharp-tongued, seeming easy to bully but actually having ruthless methods.

  If others cheat her out of one part, she will retaliate a hundredfold.

  Leng Xue did not have the interest to watch the intrigue between Leng Zhong and his daughter, nor was she interested in appreciating the hidden struggles among the three sisters of the Leng family. What could slightly pique her interest was the rumored Princess Zi Jing.

  What kind of woman can make people in the imperial city turn pale at the mere mention of her name.

  It's hard to say whether she is more arrogant or more overbearing.

  "Fourth sister, don't you think those flower lanterns are beautiful?" The large eyes reflected the stunning yet cold and proud face of Leng Ziyue. Leng Jinling knew she was in danger and might be seen through at a glance, but she had to take the risk anyway.

  Only she can attract Father's cold gaze, and only by getting close to her can one gain Cold Jing's attention.

  She wants to get attention, even if she knows it's dangerous, she still wants to try.

  "I don't think so." Three cold words, devoid of any emotion, Leng Ziyue didn't even bat an eyelid, and anyone who dared to have thoughts about her was asking for death.

  Leng Jinling was taken aback for a moment, then bit her lip and lowered her head in resignation, responding with a soft "oh."

  "Her Highness has arrived——" The eunuch's voice, like a duck's quack, rose to a high pitch. All the officials in the garden stood up with their families, looking dignified and solemn, just as they would when attending court.

  "Long live Princess Zijin for a thousand years, a thousand years, and ten thousand years!" The crowd chorused in congratulations, their faces all wearing flattering smiles.

  Among the crowd, Leng Xueyu sat idly in her chair, with Xia Hua and Dong Xue standing motionless behind her. The scene unfolding before them seemed to have nothing to do with them at all.

  "Ladies and gentlemen, please, no need to be polite. At my birthday banquet, everyone can eat and drink to their heart's content, don't worry about saving me any silver coins, got it?" Princess Zijin said as she sat down on a chair with the help of her maid.

  A body of Su brocade with embroidered flowers and silver threads, flowing clouds and white palace attire. A hook-and-eye closure at the waist with a pale yellow satin sash tied in a bow, adorned with silk tassels. The slender waist is delicate to the touch. The skirt flies up, with hundreds of folds of pear blossom cloud-edged mud gold phoenix subtle pattern flower clusters smiling entwined silk trailing on the ground, covering a layer of pale yellow smoke-like soft gauze water-rippled silk threads. A long white fur cloak scattered on the chair, sitting askew, blurry and unclear, making it hard to discern reality from illusion.

  Leng Xueyu's tongue clicked, this woman was indeed a beauty, no wonder her temperament was so arrogant, yet there were still people who fell under her skirt.

  "Thank you, Princess Zijin." Only after Princess Zijin waved her hand did the crowd dare to turn around and take their seats. The cautious and careful manner in which they did so was truly breathtaking.

  The one sitting there is not the emperor, so why put on a "accompanying the lord as if accompanying a tiger" attitude?

  "The Empress Dowager has arrived, Her Majesty the Empress has arrived, Concubine Jiang...". A long string of voices from the eunuchs came, and the officials who had just sat down got up again to start a new round of obeisance.

  Leng Xueyu was bored and yawning, her white jade-like fingers rotating the teacup, her pink lips lightly pursed, a shallow smile on her face.

  About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, all the big shots at the banquet had arrived, and they were just waiting for Princess Zijin to announce the start of the banquet.

  "Hehe, today our family is delighted. Taking advantage of Princess Zijin's birthday, everyone will be lively and joyful." The empress dowager took a glance at the calm and collected Leng Ziyue, her smiling old face almost couldn't hold on, and she was choked with emotion.

  "After mother, it's really great that you can come on the birthday of your son." Princess Zijin stood up and smiled, without mentioning how sincere and touching she was.

  "Alright, you can announce the start of the banquet now!" Qin Auntie helped the Empress Dowager sit down, and only then did the officials dare to take their seats. The Empress Dowager smiled slightly and gave a nod to Princess Zijin.

  With a golden lotus step, Princess Zijin stepped forward a few steps, laughing loudly and saying: "The banquet begins, sing and dance."

  Applause broke out, unknowingly dispersing the chill in the garden.

  The heavens create beauty, the bright moon hangs high, sprinkling down a ground of silver radiance, faintly visible are the tree tops occasionally shedding their accumulated snow, creating a unique aesthetic.

  "Third brother, do you know why the Blood King hasn't arrived?" Ba Li Chang Qing took a sip of warm wine and scanned the entire banquet hall, but didn't see Ba Li Chen Yuan, which made him slightly disappointed.

  "Big brother isn't unaware, the Blood King is an inauspicious person, the Empress Dowager wouldn't possibly agree to him attending such a banquet, let alone with the Princess's temperament being what it is." Ba Li Hong Feng said nonchalantly.

  To him, Baili Chang'an's return is a threat, but apparently it doesn't threaten him for now.

  "Hmm." He nodded slightly, and a hint of worry appeared in Bai Lixiang's eyes.

  He had no ambition for the throne and did not want his brothers to fight each other.

  Leng Xue's hearing was extremely sharp, and even without internal energy, she could still hear all the sounds around her. Her father taught her sound attacks, and the most basic thing was to listen.

  She said, why didn't I see Baili Chunxuan? It turned out that he was excluded like that.

  As a noble prince, he actually received such treatment, and what would be his feelings in his heart.

  In her eyes, there was no such thing as auspicious or inauspicious, all of which were just fabricated by people with ulterior motives.

  For some unknown reason, that heartache struck again. Leng Xueying's smiling face suddenly turned cold and gloomy, with a hint of murderous intent emerging.

  She pitied the man who had been wearing a mask for years, fearing that he was...

  Digression

  Mua mua da, everyone is late today, An says sorry.

  Something came up and I had to go out, it was really frustrating. My feet are killing me, with three blisters and broken skin. It's so depressing, tomorrow walking is going to be a problem, waaahhhhhh...

  The update time tomorrow is still 5 o'clock, thank you everyone.