The banquet commenced, and the entire palace was abuzz with excitement, all because the Seventh Prince had returned.
By the time Xue Zining and Prince Xi Xia arrived, the banquet hall was already filled with people.
The Seventh Prince sat beside Emperor Han, seemingly to demonstrate to everyone that the Seventh Prince was his favored son.
"Your father, the Emperor, favors the Seventh Prince greatly?" Xue Zining whispered after they were seated.
Prince Xi Xia smiled. "Since childhood, only my Seventh Brother has been kept close by Father."
"A bit preferential," Xue Zining commented.
"Isn't that quite normal?" Prince Xi Xia replied nonchalantly.
"Shouldn't he favor the legitimate son born to the Empress?"
Upon hearing this, Prince Xi Xia let out a cold laugh. "He detests Mother."
Xue Zining was taken aback. She glanced at Empress Han, who sat beside Emperor Han. The Empress appeared to be accustomed to the Emperor's strong favor towards the Seventh Prince.
Suddenly, Empress Han's gaze fell upon her. Xue Zining paused, then saw the Empress nod gently.
Xue Zining felt no dislike towards Empress Han, but rather a sense of familiarity.
Xue Zining withdrew her gaze and noticed that besides the Seventh Prince and Prince Xi Xia, there seemed to be no other princes or princesses at the banquet. She couldn't help but ask, "You have no other siblings?"
Prince Xi Xia explained, "After coming of age, Father always has us establish our own residences outside the palace. We are not permitted to enter without a summons."
"Then you..."
"Mother wishes for me to enter the palace often, so only I have this special privilege. Oh, and Seventh Brother can also enter the palace at any time."
"Father, Eighth Brother has finally brought back his consort, thus resolving a worry for both you and Mother," the Seventh Prince interjected, his words directed towards Prince Xi Xia.
Emperor Han snorted upon hearing this. "This brat! Earlier this year, I bestowed upon him the daughter of the Minister of War for marriage, but he adamantly refused. Now that he's found someone he likes, he doesn't need my coercion."
Prince Xi Xia replied, "Father, I did not take a liking to the daughter you selected from the Minister of War's family."
"Nonsense, she is known as the most beautiful woman in Han Kingdom, the dual number one beauty!"
"Whether she is beautiful, I do not know. I only fell in love with Ning'er the moment I first saw her." Prince Xi Xia gazed at Xue Zining with deep affection.
Xue Zining felt as though she might vomit her previous night's meal. Was there a need to put on such a show of affection?
"It seems Eighth Brother is very fond of her," the Seventh Prince remarked calmly.
"As long as he likes her, it's fine. Seventh Brother, do you have anyone you favor?"
The Seventh Prince smiled and replied nonchalantly, "Not yet."
"Seventh Brother, you must endeavor to find someone," Emperor Han said with a smile, patting the Seventh Prince on the shoulder.
"Your son will endeavor. I've heard that Eighth Sister-in-law is from Snow Kingdom?" the Seventh Prince inquired, his tone carrying a hint of a smile.
Emperor Han's expression shifted slightly as he looked at Prince Xi Xia. "Eighth, is this true?"
Han Xi Xia glanced at the Seventh Prince, his smile fading. "Seventh Brother's information is indeed well-informed. Eighth Brother admires you. Ning'er is indeed from Snow Kingdom."
Emperor Han's gaze deepened considerably. He looked at Han Xi Xia and said slowly, "Currently, there are some misunderstandings between our country and Snow Kingdom. Have you explained them?"
"Father worries too much. Since Ning'er is married to your son, she is now a citizen of Han Kingdom," Han Xi Xia said, turning his head to look at Xue Zining.
Xue Zining understood. She stood up and said, "As the saying goes, marry a chicken, follow the chicken; marry a dog, follow the dog. Since I have married His Highness the Eighth Prince, I am the Eighth Prince's person."
"Good," Emperor Han said with a smile, seemingly pleased with this answer.
"Since Eighth Sister-in-law has affirmed her identity as a citizen of Han Kingdom, then Seventh Brother's capture of several spies from Snow Kingdom naturally means he will show them no mercy."
Xue Zining was startled. She looked up at the Seventh Prince. He continued to look at her with a faint smile, his expression carrying a chilling undertone.
"Seventh Brother, what do you mean?" Han Xi Xia stood up, his gaze cold as he looked at the Seventh Prince.
The Seventh Prince clapped his hands, and soon, two people were pushed in. They were disheveled and covered in wounds, appearing to have been subjected to torture.
"Make them raise their heads," the Seventh Prince commanded coldly.
The guards grabbed the two individuals by their hair and pulled them back, revealing two faces.
Xue Zining felt a surge of blood, and suddenly, a hand grasped hers.
She calmed herself completely. This was the Han Kingdom's imperial palace. Even if she could escape unscathed, could she guarantee the safety of others?
"Eighth Sister-in-law, since you are from Snow Kingdom, do you recognize these two people?" The Seventh Prince suddenly turned his gaze towards Xue Zining, his expression seemingly amused, but only Xue Zining knew that the smile did not reach his eyes.
Just as Xue Zining was about to speak, Han Xi Xia threw the wine cup in his hand to the ground, his eyes cold as he looked at the Seventh Prince. "Seventh Brother, what is the meaning of this?"
The Seventh Prince smiled. "Eighth Brother, do not be angry. I thought that since Eighth Sister-in-law is from Snow Kingdom, perhaps she might recognize these two people."
"What if she recognizes them, and what if she doesn't? You casually bring in two people, call them spies, and then ask Ning'er if she recognizes them. Seventh Brother, what is your true intention?"
"Enough..." Emperor Han suddenly spoke, his tone icy. "You are ruining a perfectly good banquet."
"Father, Seventh Brother is already dissatisfied with my consort upon his return," Han Xi Xia said, looking up at Emperor Han.
"Nonsense, your Seventh Brother..."
"Xi Xia, your Seventh Brother was merely joking. Do you take it seriously?" Empress Han, who had been silent, finally spoke.
"Mother, of course, I don't wish to take it seriously."
Empress Han suddenly beckoned Xue Zining. "Ning'er, come here."
"Go ahead. Mother will not harm you," Prince Xi Xia whispered.
Xue Zining walked forward. Empress Han took her hand and said, "Your Seventh Brother is always joking, much like his birth mother. When Cui'er was still here, she would joke with me like this. It has been many years."
Xue Zining was slightly stunned. Empress Han looked up at Emperor Han and said, "Your Majesty, do you not agree?"
Emperor Han glanced at the Seventh Prince's increasingly grim expression and coughed lightly. "Empress, these are matters from many years ago. Do not bring them up again."
"What? Is it not permissible for your concubine to reminisce about past acquaintances? Ning'er, Cui'er was once my most capable palace maid. She..."
"Empress..." Emperor Han's face completely darkened, his eyes emanating a chilling glint.
Seeing this, Empress Han chuckled softly. "Ning'er, do not mind me. As one grows older, one tends to recall past events more often."
How could Xue Zining not understand that Empress Han was retaliating in kind?
"Mother, don't mention it. I, too, recall Aunt Cui..."
"Eighth, you have just returned and are likely tired. You should go back and rest early!" Emperor Han suddenly spoke.
Han Xi Xia nodded upon hearing this. "Father is absolutely right. Your son is indeed tired."
With that, Han Xi Xia stepped forward, took Xue Zining's hand, and said to Empress Han, "Mother, your son will return to his residence now. Tomorrow, Ning'er and I will come to see you."
"Go on!" Empress Han said with a smile.
As they walked towards the Seventh Prince, Han Xi Xia suddenly stopped and asked, "Seventh Brother, if these two individuals have no other purpose, why not give them to Eighth Brother?"