The carriage exuded a faint, pleasant fragrance.
On the other end of the table, a potted green jade bamboo plant added to the air of elegance.
"How is it? Not bad, right?"
Ji Qingge, a smile playing on his lips, slowly twirled the ivory thumb ring on his finger.
He was bathed in a soft, radiant glow, exuding an indescribable allure. This man was comparable to Murong.
Yun Xiao inwardly assessed him, but her face showed only a faint smile. "You truly know how to enjoy yourself. Such a spendthrift."
As soon as she finished speaking, Ji Qingge laughed, his eyes bright and shimmering like water. "Cousin, you are a truly interesting person. If you don't wish to return to Qin, stay here. Whatever you desire, your cousin will surely grant it."
The moment he spoke, Yun Xiao's expression changed. She sat up straighter and said sternly, "If you break your word, don't blame me for setting fire to the Li Prince's manor."
"Alright, cousin was just playing. If my cousin is ever bullied in the future, don't forget to come find me. I will certainly stand up for you."
Yun Xiao glanced at him sideways, gauging the sincerity of his words. She saw that he was quite earnest and didn't stand on ceremony, smiling happily. "Okay, I'll remember that. Don't you dare back out then."
Ji Qingge was in exceptionally good spirits tonight. He truly realized too late that this cousin was unlike ordinary people.
She was such a delightful person who brought him joy.
The two conversed cordially as the carriage made its way to the imperial palace of Xiliang Kingdom.
Their passage was unimpeded. Who would dare to block the carriage of the Li Prince? That would be courting death.
His carriage enjoyed free passage throughout the imperial palace. The Second Prince, the Li Prince, was the biological son of Consort Shu, a prince deeply favored by the Emperor.
The banquet tonight was held in the Qingming Hall.
The hall was brightly lit. Outside its doors, on dozens of tiers of white jade steps, palace maids stood holding delicate, small palace lanterns, creating a winding path.
A eunuch at the hall's entrance announced, "His Highness the Li Prince has arrived."
Those already in the hall, all appearing to be of extremely noble status, whether princes or princesses, turned their gazes in unison. Some rose to greet him, while others merely inclined their heads, their gestures varied.
Yun Xiao surveyed the assembly at a glance. Indeed, there were no officials present, only members of the imperial family.
In the center of the grand hall, two round tables had already been set. Palace maids in resplendent attire were busy, serving fine wines and liquors like a flowing stream. Delicious dishes, fragrant and mouth-watering, were also arranged.
The air was a mixture of the rich aroma of wine and the scent of dishes, as well as the floral fragrance perfuming the hall.
At this moment, princes and princesses approached, surrounding them. Everyone looked at Yun Xiao with amazement. One princess, with a gentle smile, reached out and took Yun Xiao's hand, her melodious voice ringing out.
"Second Brother, is this our cousin? She's truly beautiful."
"Mm, this is Cousin Yun Xiao."
Ji Qingge introduced Yun Xiao to the various princes and princesses.
They gathered around her animatedly, their words mostly expressing surprise. Yun Xiao glanced at them, feeling a little annoyed, but her expression didn't betray it. She subtly withdrew her hand and looked past the crowd towards a man seated steadily on one side of the hall. This man had firm features, his eyes held a certain darkness, and he seemed uninterested in her presence in the hall. After an initial nod towards Ji Qingge, he lowered his head and fiddled with a bull horn thumb ring in his hand.
Yun Xiao tugged at Ji Qingge's sleeve. Ji Qingge followed her gaze, understanding she wished to know this person's identity. He smiled and led Yun Xiao to stand before the man to introduce her.
"Cousin, come and meet Eldest Brother, His Highness the Crown Prince."
So this was the Eldest Prince of Xiliang Kingdom, Crown Prince Ji Xuege. She had heard his name mentioned by the maids in the Li Prince's manor. They said the Crown Prince was profound and cautioned her to be careful at the evening banquet.
Yun Xiao immediately perceived that this Crown Prince was indeed somewhat somber. However, it was none of her concern. She gave Ji Xuege a slight nod and looked away elsewhere.
Crown Prince Ji Xuege narrowed his eyes. This woman was truly arrogant, completely unlike ordinary women. She was indeed the jewel of the Yun Prince's manor. But why did some say she was foolish?
Within the hall, the atmosphere was inscrutable.
The eunuch's voice rang out from the entrance of the hall: "Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has arrived, His Majesty the Emperor has arrived, Her Majesty the Empress has arrived, Consort Shu has arrived, Consort De has arrived."
Following the eunuch's pronouncements, an aged woman of immense nobility and splendor first appeared at the hall's entrance.
Although she was the Empress Dowager, she possessed a benevolent face, her eyes filled with brilliance. However, her health seemed to be somewhat frail, and she was supported by a nearby eunuch. As she stepped in, she called out.
"My poor granddaughter! Where is she? Where is she?"
Yun Xiao looked at this old Empress Dowager and felt a strange sense of familiarity, perhaps it was an innate instinct of this body. She slowly walked forward.
The old Empress Dowager took one look and tears streamed down her face. She shook off the eunuch's hand and rushed over, embracing Yun Xiao tightly.
"My grandchild! My poor daughter! How can you be so unfortunate?"
Yun Xiao felt a pang of sadness as the Empress Dowager cried. She remained still in her embrace, never expecting to actually meet her mother's mother, whom she had never known. The feeling was quite peculiar.
As the Empress Dowager held Yun Xiao, calling her "my darling" and "my treasure," weeping with grief, a figure in imperial yellow from not far away also gazed at Yun Xiao with surprise.
On either side of the imperial yellow figure stood the noble and graceful Empress and the delicate and beautiful Consort Shu. Consort Shu looked at the Emperor with a face full of astonishment, her voice like flowing water.
"Your Majesty, it truly is the Grand Princess's daughter. She looks exactly like the Grand Princess."
As soon as Consort Shu finished speaking, the Empress snorted and then said, "Anyone with eyes can see that. Why does Consort Shu need to state the obvious?"
The Emperor of Xiliang Kingdom regained his senses. Ignoring the two women beside him, he strode over and gently patted the Empress Dowager.
"Mother, the banquet is about to begin. Mother and granddaughter can have a leisurely chat now."
As Emperor Jun's words fell, a chorus of agreement rose from behind him, the voices of the princes and princesses.
The princes and princesses all bowed to Emperor Jun Ji Qianyi: "Greetings, Father Emperor, Empress Dowager (Her Majesty the Empress) (Consort Shu)."
The hall was filled with their voices. Emperor Jun Ji Qianyi said sternly, "All rise."
At this point, the Empress Dowager finally ceased her sorrow. She took Yun Xiao's hand and walked towards the center of the hall, paying no heed to the Emperor, Empress, and others behind her.
Emperor Jun did not blame her. Everyone in the kingdom knew that Emperor Jun Ji Qianyi was very filial. Yun Xiao observed this and confirmed it to be true.
This maternal uncle's character seemed acceptable. However, Yun Xiao shifted her gaze to Crown Prince, who was standing to the side. The Crown Prince did not seem to have inherited his uncle's simple kindness; he appeared rather somber.
In contrast, the Li Prince beside him seemed more akin to their uncle. But Yun Xiao was too lazy to concern herself with the affairs of the imperial family.
"Everyone, be seated."
The Empress Dowager spoke, and the Emperor, Empress, and others took their seats. At the head table, besides the Crown Prince and the Li Prince, the other princes and princesses were seated at a separate table.