As the exquisite dishes and imperial brew were laid out, the sound of string and bamboo instruments gradually arose, with dancing girls gracefully performing in the hall.

Fu Zichuan took a sip of wine and noticed that the seat opposite, belonging to Princess Yong’an, was empty. He raised his eyebrows and, with a hint of a smile, looked towards Zhao Xi at the head, "I heard that your country has a remarkably talented woman, with Emperor Chu making an exception to let her enter the court. I wonder if I might have the chance to witness her beauty today?"

He had clearly seen her before, yet here he was putting on an act in Bailu Palace, asked Eunuch Sanbao silently.

Zhao Xi gently swirled his wine cup with his slender fingers, speaking in an indifferent tone, "Then you are very unfortunate; she did not come today."

"Pfft—" Someone couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

The news of the Beiyang Delegation being attacked on the day they entered the Capital had long been widely spread, from the court and the harem to teahouses and taverns, and it was the current talk of all conversations.

When the Princely Heir of Prince Liang beat the Petition Drum to enter the palace to demand justice, the young emperor’s domineering reply made everyone feel avenged — in a word: satisfying!

The Emperor’s stance had been made clear, so naturally, the officials followed suit. Aside from the post house, where the attitude towards the delegation was slightly better, no one else took the delegation seriously at all.

Therefore, previously when Fu Zichuan brought the envoys into the hall, not a single minister had come over to greet them for half a day.

It was a blatant insult to Bei Yan!

Listening to Zhao Xi’s casual words, Fu Zichuan’s handsome face grew even darker and darker.

Beside him, an envoy softly reminded him, "Young Master, consider the bigger picture."

Only then did Fu Zichuan’s grip on the wine glass loosen, and he quickly put on a smile, "Emperor Chu’s Thousand Autumn Banquet can even afford an absence at will. There were rumors that Emperor Chu adored her dearly. I didn’t believe them before, but today is truly an eye-opener for me. I congratulate Emperor Chu on winning the beauty’s favor."

Upon hearing this, the faces of more than half of the court officials in the hall turned dark.

Although this new emperor was talented and capable, with a commanding presence when handling court affairs that was astonishing, his personal conduct wasn’t really something commendable.

The affair between Princess Yong’an and Emperor Xuanjing had been a hot topic of discussion in the streets recently but was also a topic that the court officials disdained.

To have it so boldly brought up at a state banquet by a Beiyang envoy was truly a disgrace on an international level!

Standing not far from Empress Dong, Nian Chun and Xiu Dong exchanged glances, with Nian Chun gazing worriedly at Dong Han, only to see her composure unwavering, her delicate makeup standing firm, her smile unfazed by Fu Zichuan’s words.

Nian Chun was stunned.

Had the Empress heard the rumors earlier, or did she simply not care about them at all?

Thinking this, Nian Chun felt even more aggrieved and stifled inside.

The Empress is so good; how can His Majesty fail to see that?

Princess Yong’an is already a mother of two children, what exactly does she have...

Could it be that His Majesty, due to the late Empress’s death, has a mother complex, and thus developed feelings for Princess Yong’an, who is older by eight years?

In that case, the Empress really has no chance at all.

While Nian Chun imagined a great drama on her side, Zhao Xi, the person concerned, was completely unaware. He glanced at Fu Zichuan at the envoy’s table, "The daughter of the Princess Guardian is indeed a beauty."

These words instantly brought silence to the whole Bailu Palace, and the musicians, sensing the change in atmosphere, didn’t dare to play any more music.

It’s often said that domestic scandals should not be broadcasted abroad, yet His Majesty seemed intent on admitting this grotesque relationship with Princess Yong’an in front of the Beiyang Delegation?

The ministers all wore grim expressions, wishing they could find a hole to crawl into.

Zhao Xunyin was also scared, her heart in her throat. Initially thinking that these were just unfounded rumors fabricated by idle commoners, could it be that young Zhao was really...

Before she could finish her thoughts, Zhao Xi changed his tone, "However, what Princess Yong’an can do by entering the court is limited — she ultimately cannot compare to your nation’s Imperial Concubine, who wields command over 300,000 soldiers — it’s entirely due to the Imperial Concubine’s merits that the Princely Heir can sit in Bailu Palace and converse with me about Princess Yong’an. The words ’remarkably talented’ are more fitting for her."

These words, on the surface, seemed to satirize that had it not been for the Imperial Concubine leading 300,000 troops, Bei Yan wouldn’t exist today, and Bei Yan’s present is entirely due to one woman’s actions.

However, Fu Zichuan discerned another meaning.

Emperor Xuanjing implied that the Princely Heir could sit in Bailu Palace with him discussing Princess Yong’an entirely because of the Imperial Concubine’s merits. Back in Bei Yan, it was the Imperial Concubine who proposed sending an envoy to Chu Country, and it was also the Imperial Concubine who suggested having Fu Zichuan act as the delegation’s representative.

Could it be that Emperor Xuanjing has already discovered that the Imperial Concubine disguised herself and infiltrated the delegation to Chu Country?

No, it’s impossible. This matter is top secret, and all the accompanying envoys have signed confidentiality agreements. Even if the Emperor of Chu has eyes and ears everywhere, it’s impossible for him to discover that the Imperial Concubine has come to Chu Country in such a short time.

Perhaps I misunderstood the meaning. At this moment, I must remain calm and not lose my composure.

Thinking this way, the doubts in Fu Zichuan’s heart gradually dissipated. When he regained his senses, he realized that, without knowing when, the sound of strings and flutes had resumed in the hall. The dancing girls continued to twirl gracefully, while the ministers attending the banquet began to talk loudly and exchange toasts. The candlelight on the crane-shaped candlesticks and the luminous pearls on the walls illuminated the grand hall in dazzling brilliance, displaying a flourishing scene of peace and prosperity.

Seeing such a scene, Fu Zichuan slightly frowned, unsure whether he should be relieved that they were not continuing to mock Bei Yan for being represented by a woman today, or angry that they disregarded Bei Yan to the point of not even deigning to discuss it.

At the main seat, Dong Han sat quietly next to Zhao Xi, eating her meal.

Today was the first time she learned of the rumors outside, feeling indescribable annoyance in her heart. The epidemic at the Northern Border put the nation in peril, yet the people still had the leisure to concoct rumors about His Majesty. It was fortunate that His Majesty had a good temperament and did not stoop to their level. Otherwise, if it were the late Emperor, he would have already ordered them suppressed.

Perhaps sensing her distraction, Zhao Xi’s voice gently drifted over, "Rumors are not to be believed. The Empress need not think too much and should focus on nurturing the fetus with peace of mind."

Dong Han was taken aback. Was His Majesty explaining himself to her?

Since entering the palace, she had actually gotten used to his aloofness and indifference. Now, suddenly hearing such an explanation, Dong Han’s heart felt as if it was filled with something, and she smiled, "I will do my utmost to safely give birth to His Majesty’s first child."

Zhao Xi looked at her, a sweet smile spreading across her youthful face, exuding the happiness of soon becoming a mother.

A moment’s distraction made Zhao Xi lower his long lashes, and he responded with a faint "Hmm," saying nothing more.

...

On this day, while Bailu Palace was filled with music and dance, chaos erupted at the Su Family’s residence.

According to the Imperial Concubine’s original plan, the hidden agents were to wait along the route of the Su Family’s journey to the palace banquet, creating an incident to discreetly swap and take away Su Pingting. Unexpectedly, the Su Family didn’t go to the banquet at all.

Since relations with Chu Country had already soured, the Imperial Concubine did not wish to hide any longer and directly ordered assaulting the Su Family, planning a blatant robbery.

Su Qing had already quietly sent his wife and child to Changning Marquis Mansion in advance, intending to stay behind alone to wait for these people.

As expected, he managed to catch them arriving.

At this moment, he was fighting with his dark guards against the few hidden agents of the Imperial Concubine, even tearing off quite a few roof tiles in the process.

However, the Su Family residence was large, and the high walls muffled the sounds of fighting, so the passersby outside could hardly hear a thing.

The hidden guards responsible for intelligence in the Capital under Zhao Xi’s command had a base in an abandoned tower. From the top floor, they could oversee most of the Capital. They had Western mirrors that they used to watch the happenings in the Capital, rotating shifts around the clock.

By chance, they noticed something unusual at the Su Mansion. After sending people to verify the situation and confirming the anomaly, the hidden guards immediately relayed the intelligence to the Imperial City. After decoding, the Imperial City guards passed the message to the palace maid’s hidden line.

Thus, shortly after the palace banquet began, a very inconspicuous palace maid took the opportunity to bring Emperor Xuanjing a plate of birthday peaches and delivered the message hidden underneath to him.

After Zhao Xi read it, he made a very ordinary gesture.

But the palace maid understood it. His Majesty was ordering reinforcements to round up the few Beiyang hidden agents appearing at the Su Mansion in one fell swoop.

After the palace maid withdrew, Zhao Xi continued to enjoy the music and dance with a wine cup in hand. However, in less than a quarter of an hour, a little eunuch rushed in, knelt on the ground, and reported anxiously, "Your Majesty, it’s bad, the post house is on fire."

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall was greatly alarmed, and the dancing girls had to stop once more, with all eyes fixing on the little eunuch.

Fu Zichuan suddenly stood up, his handsome face brimming with murderous intent, glaring at the little eunuch, "What did you say!"

The Imperial Concubine is still in the post house!

Dong Han was also shocked, "What happened?"

Zhao Xi couldn’t help but hold his forehead. He had been pondering endlessly about Wen Wan’s excuse for taking leave today, and now it was clear.

Setting fire to the post house was indeed her style.

Seeing Fu Zichuan enraged beyond measure, Zhao Xi spoke up, "I suppose the Fire Prevention Team has already rushed over. Since the Beiyang envoys are currently in the hall, even if there are losses, they will only be financial. Chu Country will surely compensate double, so the Princely Heir might as well sit down and enjoy the performance."

Fu Zichuan couldn’t sit still. The Imperial Concubine was still recovering from serious injuries; if encountered with a fire, she might not be able to escape in time. If she were to perish inside, she would officially only be one of his attendants, and Beiyang wouldn’t find a basis for seeking justice.

Afraid to think further, Fu Zichuan left the envoys behind, dashed out of Bailu Palace, mounted a horse, and headed straight for the post house, only to be attacked halfway. An arrow hit his horse’s leg, causing it to stumble forward.

Fu Zichuan immediately jumped off the horse, rolled on the ground, and was just about to stand up when he was knocked unconscious by a hand strike.