Feng Lie, seated below, exchanged a glance with Jin Shaoyuan across from him. Surprise and a hint of dread flickered in the depths of their black pupils.
It turned out the zither playing that day was not done by Dai Mei, but by the Empress herself. This then led to the question of how the Empress became involved with a woman like Dai Mei, who frequented establishments of ill repute.
Immediately after, he thought that for someone as carefree and impulsive as the Empress, nothing was impossible. Yet, Feng Lie felt a profound disappointment and heartache.
Only he knew how much of a luminous pearl he had lost by not agreeing to the marriage proposal back then. If he had accepted, Liu'er would be his legitimate consort now. Did he still have a chance?
Previously, the Emperor had not agreed to the match even when he disliked the Empress, let alone now when he admired her greatly.
The banquet had those who were happy and those who were sorrowful. Nangong Yue and Feng Lie, two handsome men, were in utter misery, while the concubines Jin Jiali and Lou Sijing were filled with indignation. The other concubines remained indifferent.
Lou Sijing had initially thought Prime Minister Liu had exaggerated, but she had not expected the Empress's zither skills to be truly exceptional. Her heart was unbalanced, seeing the Emperor's rare tenderness directed towards this unattractive woman.
Although he had summoned them, they were treated as if they were tainted, forbidden from casually touching his body, let alone his lips. Were they dead?
How could they experience the joys of intimacy this way? But he was the Emperor, and they dared not voice any objections. They could only hope to conceive a royal son, thereby securing their positions.
"The Empress's zither playing is indeed superb. What reward do you desire? I shall grant it to you?"
Feng Xie's words did not bring much joy to Liu Liu. Instead, she eyed him with suspicion. This man was cunning and full of stratagems. Others might not know, but she did; the entire world was within his calculations, so what was there that he wouldn't plot for?
"Liu'er desires nothing," she said, shaking her head faintly and looking elsewhere. Her gaze met Feng Lie's, and a fervent spark ignited in his eyes as he stared intently at her.
Liu Liu felt increasingly uneasy. Why was Feng Lie acting so strange now? When she had wanted to marry him before, he had ignored her. Now, he wanted to provoke her. Regardless, she was the Empress.
A dark glint flickered in Feng Xie's deep eyes, and a smile surfaced. The smile felt chilling, but he did not dwell on Liu Liu's impudence. He merely turned his attention to Princess Jie Lan seated below. Bestowing a marriage upon the princess was the primary objective of the banquet today.
"Princess Jie Lan, do you have anyone in mind? As soon as Princess Jie Lan names them, I will immediately issue a decree to bestow the marriage."
As soon as the Emperor's words fell, all eyes turned to Princess Jie Lan. However, her expression was obscured by the veils adorning her.
Her clear, lake-like eyes swept across the unmarried dukes and ministers opposite her, from front to back. There was no hint of affectation or coyness. Liu Liu admired this Princess Jie Lan – forthright and unpretentious, she seemed like a friend she could make.
Jie Lan glanced around, her gaze lingering on Nangong Yue for a moment. A deep admiration was evident in her eyes, but it did not linger for too long.
Although that man looked like an immortal banished from the mortal world, she still felt that Prince Yan possessed more masculine appeal.
The moment he had saved her, this man had occupied a place in her heart.
Therefore, Jie Lan finally settled her gaze upon Feng Lie. The envoys from the Yue Hua Kingdom, seeing the princess's gaze, understood her intentions and immediately rose with beaming smiles.
"Our princess fancies Your Highness Prince Yan of your esteemed country. We request His Majesty to bestow this marriage."
As soon as the envoy spoke, the dukes and ministers who were not chosen, despite their disappointment, felt quite placated. Prince Yan was not only handsome but also the Emperor's own brother. In terms of power and character, he was the most desirable choice. However, Feng Lie's expression darkened. He met Princess Jie Lan's gaze, a hint of arrogance and wildness etched on his face, his pupils cold, as if two sharp blades were piercing Princess Jie Lan.
If he could, he would rather not have saved this princess this morning, rather than have her wanting to marry him now.
Jie Lan did not know what had gone wrong. This prince, who had been smiling moments ago, now seemed to hate her. Her heart trembled slightly, but she steadfastly met Feng Lie's gaze.
Upon hearing the envoy's words, Feng Xie burst into laughter and, with a wave of his imperial yellow brocade robe, readily issued the decree.
"Prince Yan, receive the imperial edict. Since the princess has taken a liking to you, I will have the Imperial Observatory select an auspicious day for your wedding with Princess Jie Lan." Feng Xie had indeed noticed his brother's expression, but since the princess favored him, he had to marry her for the sake of bilateral interests.
Moreover, he was not getting any younger and had always refused to take a principal consort, so he decided to choose one for him. He also sensed that his imperial brother was looking at the Empress beside him with special regard, which made him extremely uncomfortable. She was the Empress, his woman.
Feng Lie lifted the hem of his robe and knelt in the open space in the center. The crowd initially thought Prince Yan was coming forward to express his gratitude. Even Liu Liu breathed a sigh of relief. But who knew Feng Lie would kneel upright in the center and speak clearly?
"This subject implores His Majesty to withdraw the imperial decree. This subject has no intention of marrying a foreign woman as a consort." Feng Lie's outright refusal struck Princess Jie Lan like a blow, causing her to sway slightly.
When the envoys heard Feng Lie's words, their faces instantly turned grim. Even though a prince of a great nation was noble, their princess was also a precious little princess of their emperor. How dare this man refuse the marriage?
The civil and military officials were also stunned. They had never expected Prince Yan to refuse the marriage publicly. For any ordinary woman, this would have been a cause for extreme embarrassment. Yet, Princess Jie Lan stood motionless, her head slightly bowed. Although somewhat humiliated, she remained composed.
Feng Xie's handsome face suddenly turned dark and solemn. His narrow brows rose, and his eyes flashed with instantaneous thunderous rage. His long, slender, beautiful hands clenched into fists, veins bulging on them.
The crowd couldn't help but worry for Prince Yan. Liu Liu's heart leaped into her throat. Although she was somewhat annoyed with Feng Lie, they still had some acquaintance. Naturally, she did not want him to anger the Emperor and fall into a predicament of imprisonment.
"How dare you! The princess is of noble birth. Is she not worthy of you?" Feng Xie's unfathomable black eyes gazed deeply and coldly at his imperial brother, his gaze containing profound indulgence, yet with a hidden meaning.
Feng Lie, this is an imperial decree. You had better accept it, or don't blame me. You should be content that Princess Jie Lan chose you.
Feng Lie, however, conveyed to his imperial brother through his eyes that this was impossible. He would never marry Jie Lan.
Seeing his imperial brother's obstinacy, Feng Xie's face was covered in frost, yet a smile played on his lips. The smile was like an ice blade in February, carrying a sharp edge.
"Guards, Prince Yan dares to defy the imperial edict! Seize him!" Feng Xie suddenly commanded, his voice chilling. It seemed his imperial brother would not comply without some forceful measures. This time, he would have to tie him up and drag him to the bridal chamber.
As Feng Xie's words fell, several voices sounded simultaneously: "Your Majesty, this is not permissible."
Feng Xie looked up and scanned the crowd. Among them were his Empress, his imperial sister, Prime Minister Liu, as well as Nangong Yue and Jin Shaoyuan. They all hastily stood up. Seeing Feng Xie's furious expression, they quickly spoke respectfully.
"Prince Yan is momentarily confused. Your Majesty, please allow him to return and reflect. Princess Jie Lan is a beauty of unparalleled grace, skilled in all arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She is a perfect match for the princess." After Liu Liu spoke, she clearly felt Feng Xie's anger intensify. She did not understand why her words had provoked this man again.