"Duke Ting."
"Allow the Empress to enter."
"Yes, Your Grace," amidst the rising voices, surprise was evident. The Emperor had actually allowed the Empress to enter. One could only hope the Empress wouldn't throw a fit, lest it become a laughingstock for the Northern Dynasty.
Little Ting did not forget propriety. Even though Yun Xiao was foolish, he still offered a proper bow. It was no wonder such people could navigate the palace with ease; no matter what thoughts were in their hearts, not a single trace would appear on their faces.
"Your Highness, please follow this servant inside."
Wanwan reached out to support Yun Xiao, speaking politely, "Thank you, Your Grace."
The lively and joyous birthday banquet, due to the arrival of the foolish Empress, fell into an unprecedented silence. Not a single sound could be heard.
At the banquet, all eyes were fixed on the grand hall entrance. Within those gazes were hatred, anger, and a desire to watch the show, a myriad of emotions. And Yun Xiao, under everyone's scrutiny, boldly walked into the banquet.
Tonight, she wore a pure white silk thin jacket, with a few nascent winter plum blossoms embroidered on the cuffs and collar. The plum blossoms, though cold, brought a unique charm to the white attire. Her ink-black hair was lightly coiled, without any hairpins, giving her a simple and elegant appearance.
She walked in quietly, her clear black and white large eyes filled with a hint of novelty, scanning everyone with a beaming smile.
Wanwan and Xiuxiu led their mistress past the crowd, all the way to the seats of the Emperor and the Empress Dowager.
"Empress, greetings to the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty."
Without a word, the two maids, one on each side, flanked their mistress, forcing her to kneel to pay respects to those seated at the head.
The Empress Dowager, seated at the head of the table, had a charmingly beautiful face adorned with a benevolent smile. Before Yun Xiao could kneel, she waved her hand, "Rise."
Wanwan and Xiuxiu quickly offered thanks, "Thank you for the Empress Dowager's grace."
Still, no sound came from the banquet. At such a moment, who would dare to speak?
Anyone with eyes could see that the Emperor and the Empress Dowager were in a most unpleasant mood. They were not fools; to speak rashly would be to court death.
Everyone could only cautiously look towards the Emperor. His handsome features were covered in a gloomy expression, his eyes cold, and he glared fiercely at the woman below.
The existence of this woman served as a stark reminder to everyone present that he, the sovereign of a nation, had married a foolish woman as his Empress.
This deep humiliation was forever etched upon him, and today, this embarrassment was once again presented to everyone.
It made him wish to flay the woman before him alive. Gritting his teeth, he spoke in a sinister tone.
"Little Ting, arrange a seat for the Empress."
At the Empress Dowager's birthday celebration today, there was no designated place for the Empress. Her sudden appearance meant a seat had to be arranged temporarily.
As Shangguan Yao's words fell, the Northern Crown Prince Yan Yu's narrow phoenix eyes flickered, a trace of disapproval crossing his face. He cupped his hands and said in a deep voice.
"Your Majesty, the Empress is still the mistress of the Six Palaces. How can the Empress be seated separately at the Empress Dowager's birthday celebration today?"
Yan Yu lazily and casually rose, a smirk playing on his lips, casting a sidelong glance at Shangguan Yao.
Since he married a fool, he should treat her well. He had utilized the Yun Wangfu, and at the very least, he should pay a price, otherwise, he was not fit to be a sovereign.
Yan Yu's words stunned many at the banquet. What did this Northern Crown Prince mean? Was he sympathizing with the foolish Empress, or was he using this opportunity to suppress the Eastern Qin?
Shangguan Yao's expression suddenly turned grim, his eyes growing deeper and more shadowed. He met Yan Yu's gaze gloomily. What did this man mean?
Princess Yan Ling, seeing Shangguan Yao's displeasure, quickly rose and reached out to pull her brother.
They were guests in Eastern Qin today. Why were they confronting the Emperor?
Moreover, their father's intention was to form an alliance with Eastern Qin. If her brother acted like this, wouldn't it strain the relationship between the two families?
"Brother, what are you doing?"
However, Yan Yu ignored his own sister, his challenging cold eyes fixed on Shangguan Yao. Shangguan Yao first glared, then slowly smiled, "The Northern Crown Prince is truly merciful, to actually sympathize with a fool?"
As the Emperor smiled, many ministers below also chuckled, and the atmosphere relaxed considerably. Prince Shangguan Lin directly stood up, raised his wine cup, and swirled it towards Yan Yu.
"This King toasts the Northern Crown Prince, and thanks the Northern Crown Prince for his kindness on behalf of the Eastern Qin Empress."
After speaking, Shangguan Lin tilted his head back and drained the fine wine in his crystal cup, a deep, mocking smile on his lips. The ministers beside him laughed again, their voices full of agreement, their words all directed at Yan Yu.
However, Yan Yu was not angered. He scanned the banquet with a cold gaze, finally raising his eyebrows unhurriedly and speaking indifferently.
"One who does not spare even a fool, is he even fit to be called human?"
As soon as these words were uttered, it was as if a stone had sunk into a tranquil lake, causing a huge stir. Shangguan Lin's face turned extremely ugly, his eyes filled with a sinister, bloodthirsty glint. He pointed fiercely at Yan Yu and demanded, "What did you just say?"
"I don't know if Prince Lin is deaf."
Yan Yu raised his wine cup and took a leisurely sip.
Shangguan Lin, once again provoked by his words, glared with a cold, stern expression, about to charge forward for a duel. His two subordinates quickly held him back, preventing his actions.
"Your Highness, remain calm."
The banquet was in disarray, but the protagonist of this commotion, with a bewildered expression, smiled as he watched the two opposing factions face off. Within his eyes, a hidden cold glint lurked.
Yun Xiao remained motionless, gazing steadily at the people around her. Her gaze shifted from the Empress Dowager's face to Emperor Shangguan Yao's face, and finally settled on the Crown Prince of the Northern Dynasty.
Was this Crown Prince of the Northern Dynasty truly someone who sympathized with others? It was doubtful.
How could someone above imperial power be so indiscriminate with their kindness? He merely wanted to use this opportunity to suppress the people of Eastern Qin.
Yun Xiao's lips curved into a shallow, charming smile.
She had merely, unfortunately, served as the fuse between them.
What was meant to be a pleasant birthday banquet had, because of the arrival of a fool, become bizarre and unpredictable. The Empress Dowager, seated high above, finally lost some of her composure. Her charming face was overlaid with a layer of green, and she suddenly said sternly, "Enough."
As the Empress Dowager spoke, Shangguan Lin quieted down, and the Northern Crown Prince Yan Yu also reined himself in slightly.
All eyes turned to the Empress standing in the center of the banquet. This fool was uncharacteristically quiet today. Throughout, she wore a constant smile. If one did not speak, it would be difficult to discern that this woman was foolish.
Consort Xian, Ye Yuyun, was the highest-ranking consort after the Empress, and furthermore, she was deeply favored by the Empress Dowager. Therefore, her seat was next to the Empress Dowager.