The Northern Emperor's sister, Yan Ling, was still practicing Buddhism in an Eastern Qin temple, so his visit this time was undoubtedly to take his sister Yan Ling away.
Everyone was already seated according to their positions. Yun Xiao sat a little behind her father, trying her best not to attract attention because she didn't want Shangguan Yin to see her.
She hadn't come up with a solution yet and couldn't accept this situation for a moment, causing her brain to freeze. She couldn't think or do anything.
Yun Mo saw the paleness on his daughter's face and asked her with concern, tilting his head, "Xiao'er, are you alright?"
He felt heartbroken, but it wasn't as if the Emperor had intentionally forgotten his daughter. If that were the case, he would resign and return to his hometown, refusing to serve such an emperor. But the current situation was different.
"I'm fine."
Emperor Yu and Shangguan Lin glanced over from time to time. The gazes of several men flickered over them indistinctly.
As for the women in the grand hall, they all stared at these men with flushed faces. Each of them was so outstanding. Even if they couldn't catch these men's eyes, it was good to admire them.
When would they ever see so many handsome men gathered together? It was said that the Emperor was even more beautiful than anyone could imagine.
As everyone was thinking enthusiastically, a sound came from outside the hall door.
"His Majesty has arrived."
Yun Xiao involuntarily followed everyone's gaze to the hall door. How long had it been since she last saw him? She missed him so much. But upon returning, she heard others tell her—he had forgotten her.
At this moment, her tears couldn't help but stream down, but she stopped them in an instant.
That figure in bright yellow, strong and steady, unrestrained yet contained. The bright yellow dragon robe with its soaring golden dragons exuded dominance. He walked past everyone, step by step. That peerlessly beautiful face, even without her looking up, was clearly imprinted in her mind.
Because she had thought of him countless times, yearned for him countless times, how could she forget that his brows were like the cold moon in the sky, with a cold, indifferent aura lingering on them.
His eyes were like the most dazzling cold star in the firmament, deep, unfathomable, and his sensual lips, which she loved to hear speaking the sweetest words.
But this man had now forgotten her. If you asked her what she wanted to do most right now, it would be to rush forward and give him a good punch to wake him up.
However, she feared she would regret it. If she really caused his blood to surge backward, she would never forgive herself.
Everyone on both sides of the hall stood up, including Emperor Yu. After all, this was someone else's country, and he still had matters to discuss with the Emperor. Humility was essential.
"Your subjects greet His Majesty."
Shangguan Yin's deep, profound eyes flickered with cold light. He waved his hand and spoke calmly.
"Emperor Yu and Prince Li, Prince Jing, you are too kind."
Shangguan Yin walked to the high seat and sat down. With a wave of his hand, he spoke with domineering coldness.
"Everyone be seated. Today, envoys from the three kingdoms are guests in our Eastern Qin. All ministers must ensure our guests are well-fed and well-entertained."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Everyone on both sides of the hall sat down.
The sounds of silk and bamboo music filled the air. Palace dancers filed in. Their beautiful dance movements, on the crimson carpet, flitted like butterflies, resembling colorful butterflies that could only fly.
From time to time, they would push, jump, or swing, incredibly agile and graceful.
Ministers toasted the envoys from time to time, filling the hall with laughter and joy. Yun Xiao looked at everything before her, her brows furrowing slightly. Of everyone in this hall, she was probably the most troubled and heartbroken. She raised her head and quietly glanced at the platform, where the person at the top was lounging casually, his every move exuding an unintentional elegance.
He lightly swirled the hawthorn-red wine goblet in one hand and took a sip, his allure utterly captivating. Many young ladies in the hall were distracted from the song and dance, all looking at the man on the high platform, and then looking down in sequence. Faced with so many men today, these women were likely overwhelmed.
Murong Yingxue, being a member of the royal family, sat with the envoys from the three kingdoms. She looked up at this moment and saw Yun Xiao quietly remaining silent, not trying to attract the attention of the person on the throne. She couldn't help but heave a sigh of relief. She had been holding her breath all night, and now, finally, she could relax.
After a round of singing and dancing, everyone applauded. Next was the performance by the young ladies.
However, after experiencing so many handsome men and being dazed by them, many of these young ladies were afraid to come forward and show off. Those who did perform were scattered and few, leaving the audience feeling disappointed.
The envoys from the three kingdoms looked on with amusement, never expecting the women of Eastern Qin to be such incurable coquettes.
Finally, Sima Bingxin stood up and performed a dance. Sima Bingxin's dance was indeed much better than that of the other young ladies, but it couldn't be called particularly outstanding.
A few sparse claps concluded the performance.
Sima Bingxin, always proud and believing her dance to be superb, was astonished that she couldn't stir any enthusiasm in these people, and she became resentful.
Especially when she noticed that several handsome men in the hall were frequently looking at the woman behind Yun Mo. She knew that woman, the fool from the Yun King's manor. She was no longer a fool, but she was ordinary in appearance. What talent could she possibly possess?
Why were these men looking at her instead of herself? Sima Bingxin became angry. She really wanted to find a scapegoat, so she smiled charmingly and said,
"Today, with the arrival of the envoys from the three kingdoms, although Sima Bingxin did not entertain everyone to their fullest, our Eastern Qin is not without its talented individuals."
As soon as Sima Bingxin spoke, Murong Yingxue, who was sitting not far from her, wished she could go up and slap this woman twice. Did she need to belittle others to elevate her own nobility?
With a glance, she knew what her intentions were. If only she knew that she couldn't even compare to a single fingernail of Yun Xiao, the foolish woman.
However, Sima Bingxin didn't see her winking and smiling. Instead, she said with a giggle,
"Please, the young lady from the Yun King's manor, perform a talent for us."
As soon as this was said, the grand banquet erupted like a pot of boiling water. The Prime Minister Sima wished he could slap his own daughter. The Emperor was very fond of that Yun Xiao. Everyone was avoiding Yun Xiao, yet she actively provoked Yun Xiao. Was she someone to be trifled with?
Prime Minister Sima was almost angered to death by his own daughter. However, at this moment, everyone's attention was not on Sima Bingxin. Instead, they enthusiastically turned their heads to look around.
The envoys from the three kingdoms looked on with even greater interest. This young lady from the Yun King's manor wasn't the former foolish empress. They had heard she was no longer foolish, did she perhaps have some extraordinary talent?
All eyes suddenly focused on Yun Mo.
No one noticed the peerlessly beautiful man on the high platform. A hint of tenderness flashed in his pupils. He tightly gripped the glazed goblet in his hand and murmured softly, "The young lady from the Yun King's manor, Yun Xiao." The name sounded so familiar, as if it were imprinted in his heart.
But as he thought this, his chest felt hot and heavy, making him extremely uncomfortable.
Shangguan Yin took a deep breath and called out to the front of the hall, "Yun Xiao."