Book 4: Chapter 46 (1) |
As Yi Yan departed, Princess Qianyou’s expression became serious.
“Two gentlemen, after seeing this person up close, what do you think of Yi Yan?” Princess Qianyou looked into the distance and asked Zhong Shan and Shui Jing, who were behind her.
“As tight as a drum,” Shui Jing said as he looked into the distance.
“Not a leak to be found,” Zhong Shan nodded in agreement.
“A prodigious talent, but unfortunately, prodigies often incur the jealousy of the heavens. To be afflicted by such a serious illness, it seems the heavens are not favoring the Great Yu Empire,” Princess Qianyou sighed.
“Qianyou, didn’t you previously say that he fell victim to someone’s plot and that’s why he became seriously ill? How did it suddenly become the jealousy of the heavens?” Gu Lin furrowed his brow.
“Is there a difference between man-made and heaven’s jealousy?” Princess Qianyou shook her head.
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Five days later, in the West Garden Palace of the Sky City.
The official respectfully withdrew.
On a table next to Princess Qianyou, there were currently two gleaming golden invitations. Both invitations bore the words “invitation.”
“Invitations? One from King Julu and one from Yi Yan. Did they agree on this together? Sending invitations simultaneously?” Gu Lin frowned.
“Whether they agreed on it or not is not important. What matters is who they have invited alongside us and what their intentions are,” Princess Qianyou narrowed her eyes.
“They’ve invited others as well? Besides us, have they invited anyone else?” Gu Lin looked surprised.
Looking at Gu Lin, Princess Qianyou sighed lightly, “Yes, unwelcome guests. There’s more to it than meets the eye.”
“Your Highness, over the past few days, I’ve already sent people to investigate, and I’ve gained some insights,” Shui Jing immediately added.
“Oh? Who are the other invitees?” Gu Lin asked.
“Besides inviting us, King Julu has also invited the Crown Prince of the Great Light Dynasty, while Mr. Yi Yan, in addition to inviting us, has also invited envoys from three other major dynasties,” Shui Jing said.
“Three other major dynasties? Which three dynasties?” Gu Lin inquired.
“Of the four dynasties surrounding the Great Luo Dynasty, apart from the Great Yu Dynasty, these are the remaining three major dynasties,” Shui Jing replied.
“Them?” Gu Lin furrowed his brow.
“Yes, apart from the ceasefire agreement signed between us and the Great Yu Dynasty, we are still in a state of conflict with the other three dynasties. So, Yi Yan’s banquet this time is very delicate,” Shui Jing said with a furrowed brow.
“That King Julu’s side, isn’t it simpler? The Crown Prince of the Great Light Dynasty shouldn’t be that complicated,” Gu Lin asked.
“The Great Light Dynasty is situated between our dynasty and the Great Yu Dynasty. It can be said that, apart from our dynasty, the Great Light Dynasty poses the greatest threat to the Great Yu Dynasty. There have been frequent border conflicts over the years. However, the Great Light Dynasty and our dynasty are separated by the Great Yu Dynasty, so there is no direct conflict between us. But if King Julu can create a conflict between our dynasty and the Great Light Dynasty, it would be advantageous for them,” Shui Jing explained, fanning himself with a feathered fan.
“Our dynasty and the Great Light Dynasty in conflict? Even if there is a conflict, they can’t fight with the Great Yu Dynasty in between, what’s the use?” Gu Lin asked naively.
On the side, Zhong Shan continued to drink tea, letting out a soft sigh, silently mourning for Shui Jing.
Indeed, upon hearing Gu Lin’s question, Shui Jing was momentarily stunned.
“Of course, it’s useful. The enemy of an enemy is a friend. Even if they aren’t friends, they won’t be mortal enemies. If our dynasty and the Great Light Dynasty become enemies, it won’t be easy for the Great Yu Dynasty to control both of us, and the Great Light Dynasty might even assist the Great Yu Dynasty,” Princess Qianyou said directly.
“Ah,” Gu Lin nodded.
Watching Gu Lin, Zhong Shan had long been puzzled, but Shui Jing continued to accommodate him. Perhaps it was because Shui Jing worked under King Daxuan, but why did Princess Qianyou keep accommodating him? Zhong Shan could see that Princess Qianyou was a very proud person, and if it were someone else acting this foolishly, she would have already slapped them away, even if their status were higher. Why did she explain everything to Gu Lin every time?
Slightly furrowing his brows, Zhong Shan said nothing and asked nothing. There was no need to ask, and he had no right to ask.
“So, what should we do? Both invitations arrived simultaneously, and on the same day. Which place should we go to?” Gu Lin furrowed his brow.
“On Yi Yan’s invitation, he specifically mentioned Mr. Shui Jing. Moreover, with the interaction between the Five Great Dynasties, it indeed requires Mr. Shui Jing. You and Mr. Shui Jing can go to Yi Yan’s place, while I and Mr. Shui Jing will go to King Julu’s place,” Princess Qianyou thought for a moment and said with certainty.
“Alright,” Gu Lin nodded.
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Ten days later, Princess Qianyou, accompanied by Zhong Shan, An Da, and An Er, flew with a group of Great Yu Dynasty personnel to a private forbidden area beyond a crimson light curtain.
Outside the forbidden area, a man dressed in a dark blue robe, wearing a purple-gold crown on his head, stood with a group of people, waiting.
As soon as Princess Qianyou arrived, the man rushed over.
This man had a sturdy physique, a short beard on his chin, and a dignified air about him.
“Princess Qianyou graces us with her presence. The Julu Mansion has been shining brightly. I regret not being able to welcome you half a month ago and seek your forgiveness,” the man said with a smile as he approached.
“King Julu, you’re too polite. I don’t dare to hold it against you,” Princess Qianyou replied politely.
“Please, Princess,” King Julu said.
“Very well,” Princess Qianyou nodded and smiled.
Inside the forbidden area, similar to the West Garden Palace, there was a floating island. King Julu led the group directly to the central hall of the forbidden area, the Julu Hall.
The Julu Hall had been arranged as a banquet hall.
At the northernmost end was a table with some delicious spirit fruits.
Below that, there were rows of tables with various officials already seated.
“Princess Qianyou, please take your seats. We are still waiting for one distinguished guest. I will go and receive them,” King Julu said with a smile.
“Very well,” Princess Qianyou nodded.
A servant then led everyone to the northernmost part of the hall, where the main table was located, to the right of the first wine table.
Behind the wine table, there were kneeling cushions, as each dynasty had different customs for their dining tables.
Princess Qianyou didn’t nitpick and directly knelt down. Zhong Shan knelt at the second table to her right, while An Da and An Er were at the third and fourth tables respectively.
Some officials below bowed to Princess Qianyou, but she only nodded slightly, not paying them much attention. These people were destined to be mere accompaniments.
As they sat down, Zhong Shan noticed something unusual. He looked at Princess Qianyou’s table, then back at his own, and a look of surprise flashed in his eyes. The dishes on his table were different from those on Princess Qianyou’s.
It wasn’t just different; it was very different. Princess Qianyou’s table had only three tables with the same dishes—one for her, one for the main seat, which would be King Julu’s table, and the other was directly across from Princess Qianyou, likely for the Crown Prince of the Great Light Dynasty.
Initially, Zhong Shan didn’t care much about what he ate, but apart from the spirit fruits in front of Princess Qianyou, the two main dishes were too special.
One dish was golden, and the other was bright red. Both dishes emitted a rich spiritual energy, and even the spiritual energy on the plates had turned into a liquid form.
What kind of dishes were these?
Seeing Zhong Shan’s confusion, Princess Qianyou said to a nearby attendant, “Please switch our dishes.”
The attendant looked troubled by this request.
At that moment, a manager-like figure approached and heard Princess Qianyou’s words. He said, “Princess, allow me to order another serving for him.”
“Very well,” Princess Qianyou nodded.
The manager noticed Princess Qianyou’s attitude and remembered it. Zhong Shan must be a person of great importance to her.
Soon, Zhong Shan’s table was also replaced with the two dishes.
“Sir, don’t blame the Julu Mansion for being strict. Even in our Great Luo Dynasty, these two dishes are only served during grand feasts,” Princess Qianyou explained.
“Oh?” Zhong Shan exclaimed in surprise.
“The golden dish is dragon liver, and the red dish is phoenix heart,” Princess Qianyou said.
“Dragon liver and phoenix heart?” Zhong Shan was astonished.
He nodded, and Princess Qianyou smiled.
Meanwhile, outside, King Julu was also waiting for the final guest, the Crown Prince of the Great Light Dynasty.
“Crown Prince, please,” King Julu greeted the Crown Prince with a big smile as he ushered him in.
The Crown Prince was accompanied by two attendants. He wore a black robe, had a jade-like face, held a jade folding fan in his hand, exuded self-confidence, and had a wisdom that shone through his eyes. Upon entering the hall, he glanced at the officials and finally settled his gaze on Princess Qianyou.
Princess Qianyou smiled slightly, and the Crown Prince nodded in return. At the same time, he observed the people Princess Qianyou had brought with her. They were dressed differently from the officials and were easy to identify. When he saw the second person staring blankly at the two dishes, the Crown Prince was momentarily taken aback. It was because he saw the man, holding a pair of chopsticks, frowning and analyzing where to start eating in such a solemn occasion.
It was no wonder Zhong Shan reacted this way. Dragon liver and phoenix heart, he had heard of them before, but this was his first time seeing them, especially placed right in front of him. Zhong Shan didn’t know how to start eating such exquisite delicacies.
“Crown Prince, please take your seat,” King Julu immediately led the Crown Prince to the opposite side.
As for King Julu, he also sat at the main seat.
“Today, being able to invite Princess Qianyou and the Crown Prince is an immense honor for the Julu Mansion. I propose a toast to the two of you, wishing for a lasting alliance between the Great Light, Great Yu, and Great Luo Dynasties,” King Julu raised a glass of fine wine from the side and proposed a toast.
Zhong Shan had no choice but to put down his chopsticks and join the other officials in a toast.