The envoys from the other four countries were all top officials from their respective courts. Compared to the Qingluo and Danfeng nations, their demeanor was much more subdued. Each sat quietly in their designated seats, silently observing everything around them.
As more people gradually arrived in the grand hall, even Liu Qianmu and Chu Qianyi made their appearance. They were among the Emperor's invited guests. Finally, the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Consort arrived, followed by the two princesses. Only the main characters of the evening were still missing.
The newlywed Emperor and Empress.
When Mu Qingyao arrived, the eunuch at the entrance respectfully announced, "His Imperial Majesty has arrived, Her Imperial Majesty the Empress has arrived."
The once boisterous and noisy hall fell silent. Everyone’s gaze collectively turned towards the entrance of the hall.
There stood the Emperor and Empress, like a perfect pair, bathed in the light. They seemed to be enveloped in countless halos, making it impossible to look away.
Emperor Xian, adorned in his dragon robe, exuded an aura of unrestrained wildness. The dazzling golden crown on his head accentuated his face, which was as exquisite as precious jade, yet his eyes held an extremely fierce and domineering gaze. The cold sharpness surrounding him was contained, its keen edge hidden.
Beside him stood the woman, the new Empress of Xian Yue. As everyone looked, they were met with a refreshing sight, bathed in a radiant glow. Her presence was as fresh and elegant as a bamboo shoot.
The woman, with her striking, cold beauty, curled her lips into a smile that seemed as watery and tender as jade, yet devoid of any warmth. Her demeanor was calm and graceful as she swept her gaze across the hall. Her eyes, like water and ice, flashed like lightning as they passed over the envoys from the six nations.
Mu Hen, the first to recover from the spectacle, immediately and respectfully spoke, "Your humble subjects greet His Imperial Majesty and Her Imperial Majesty the Empress."
The entire hall knelt on the ground, even Changsun Zhu and the Crown Princess of Danfeng. Despite their high status, they were here as representatives of their nations, thus showing proper deference to the Emperor by kneeling.
Murong Liuzun did not look at the others. Instead, he turned his head to glance at Mu Qingyao beside him, a faint smile playing on his lips. Although there was no warmth in his eyes, his affectionate gesture made many harbor their own assumptions. It seemed Emperor Xian greatly favored this new Empress.
Mu Qingyao’s gaze was cold and aloof. She placed her hand into the Emperor’s, thinking how good this man was at putting on a show. Together, they walked towards the high seat.
They crossed the hall, carpeted with red, and proceeded towards the elevated dais. The Empress Dowager watched everything with shadowed eyes and spoke indifferently, "My son."
"Mother," Murong Liuzun responded politely. He then took his seat on the dragon throne, with Mu Qingyao sitting beside him in the Empress’s position, receiving the homage of the officials and the envoys from the six nations.
"Your humble subjects greet His Imperial Majesty (Emperor Xian), Her Imperial Majesty the Empress."
The hall erupted with a thunderous response. Mu Qingyao’s cold eyes swept over each of them.
There was the King of Nan’an, like a block of ice; the King of Beijin, as refined as a true gentleman; the impossibly captivating Chu Qianyi; the nonchalant Liu Qianmu; and the arrogant and uninhibited Changsun Zhu…
Everyone who was expected had arrived.
After surveying the familiar faces, Mu Qingyao’s gaze finally settled on an arrogant and alluring woman.
The woman’s gaze was bold and fiery, staring directly at Murong Liuzun beside her. If she wasn’t mistaken, this woman, under the watchful eyes of everyone present, was actually attempting to provoke the man beside her. Could this woman be…
A thought flashed through her mind. She recalled Princess Xingzhu mentioning that among the Seven Nations, there was a female-dominated country where women could take multiple husbands. The luxurious and noble aura surrounding this woman seemed to fit.
It appeared she was indeed the Crown Princess of Danfeng. And her journey from afar to the Xian Yue Kingdom was undoubtedly due to her interest in the man beside Mu Qingyao. This was truly interesting. A playful smile touched Mu Qingyao’s lips. The plot was getting more complicated.
As Mu Qingyao was lost in thought, Murong Liuzun’s deep voice cut through the air, "Rise, all of you. Be seated."
"Thank you, Your Imperial Majesty (Emperor Xian)."
Everyone returned to their seats, and the hall became quiet. Though serene, a storm brewed beneath the surface as each faction secretly assessed the power dynamics in the room. Qingluo Nation took the lead, with Changsun Zhu standing up without hesitation, cupping his fists, and speaking in a clear voice.
"On the occasion of Emperor Xian's wedding, my father has sent this Crown Prince to present a congratulatory gift. Please accept it, Emperor Xian."
After speaking, Changsun Zhu waved his hand casually.
His accompanying subordinates carried a heavy sandalwood chest forward. In front of the entire hall, they opened the chest.
A dazzling light flashed, revealing a golden Buddha, a foot high, placed within the chest. The Buddha itself was not remarkable, but the prayer beads in its hand were. They rolled continuously, and with each rotation, the Buddha’s mouth would open in a smile, like Maitreya.
The hall erupted in exclamations of admiration. This was truly a magnificent item, likely unattainable even with wealth. The Qingluo Nation was indeed extraordinary, making such an impressive display with their first offering. Everyone’s gaze turned towards Changsun Zhu, who, with self-satisfaction, cupped his fists and nodded slightly, his demeanor lofty and composed.
Mu Qingyao glanced at it coldly, saying nothing, only looking at the Emperor beside her.
She let this man handle matters. As long as others did not bother her, she generally preferred not to get involved.
This was a contest between nations, using a small congratulatory gift to elevate their own country’s status.
A fleeting glint of sharpness flashed in Murong Liuzun’s inscrutable eyes, immediately followed by a smile on his handsome face, as captivating and warm as a spring breeze.
"Qingluo Nation is most thoughtful."
As his magnetic voice resounded, Ji Feng, the Crown Princess of Danfeng who had been gazing at him with admiration, immediately stood up with eagerness.
A fiery gaze flashed in her beautiful, alluring eyes. In front of all the envoys and the ministers of the Xian Yue Kingdom, she looked at Emperor Xian on the high seat with affectionate eyes and spoke in a sweet voice.
"The Danfeng Nation has always been on friendly terms with Xian Yue. On the occasion of Emperor Xian’s wedding, my mother specially dispatched this Crown Princess to present a congratulatory gift."
Ji Feng's words were spoken with soft indulgence, but she emphasized the word "wedding" with particular weight. Her black pupils shot out like sharp swords towards Mu Qingyao.
The woman on the high seat appeared leisurely and content, her face radiating a relaxed amusement. She smiled as she looked at everyone in the hall, as if she were an outsider, and as if everything happening before her had nothing to do with her.
It was precisely this detached demeanor that provoked Ji Feng. She had always been proud and arrogant. Her mother had chosen many men for her, but none had pleased her. Later, she heard that Emperor Xian of the Seven Nations, known for his brilliance and martial prowess, was a rare beauty in the world. Upon seeing him, she found it to be true. However, it was at his wedding, which made her extremely resentful.
Under the clash of fire and ice, Ji Feng was burning with jealousy, smoke seemingly rising from her head, yet she could not shake Mu Qingyao in the slightest. She merely watched the assembled individuals on the stage and below with a faint smile, as if observing a play.
As for Ji Feng’s hatred towards her, Mu Qingyao found it somewhat inexplicable. This Crown Princess seemed to be meeting the Emperor for the first time. Did she fall for Murong Liuzun the moment they met?
Mu Qingyao couldn't quite agree with this. Her own nature was not one to fall in love or develop feelings for someone upon the first meeting, so she couldn't understand others' thoughts. But now, she truly felt Ji Feng's hostility. If gazes were swords, Ji Feng would have already killed her.