Chapter 56 (1/2)

Chapter 56: Palace Banquet

Nan Jihan appeared not long after. He dressed himself like a scholarly young man. The plain foldable fan in his hands complimented his whole look well. He looked at Jun Huang cooly. There was an air of superiority around him. This was a show of power and a warning to her.

Jun Huang looked back at him with calm eyes. She struggled to stand up and cupped her hands in greeting. There was a faint smile on her lips. ”This gentleman has been waiting for Your Highness.”

Nan Jihan gave her an appraising look and whipped his fan closed. ”The gentleman sent a message for me. Does it mean you are ready to serve me?”

”It doesn't.”

Nan Jihan's gaze became frosty. He glared at her and said through clenched teeth, ”You really don't know what's good for you, do you?”

”Why doesn't Your Highness let me finish first?” Jun Huang said with a smile and sat down at the table. Nan Jihan took the seat across from her, looking at her relaxed expression.

”Your Highness wants me on your side. Then I'll be upfront with you. My loyalty lies not with Qi Chen, but with Qi Yun. I owe him a debt and I will never betray him. I'm sure Your Highness wouldn't value me so much if I bite the hand that feeds and were filled with avarice.”

”Qi Chen is now the crown prince. Your Highness must know why he married the princess – for power. If Your Highness trusts me, I promise to keep the princess safe. Under the table, we can make plans for our side to gain power.” Jun Huang's tone was so casual, she might as well have been talking about the weather instead of obtaining the throne.

Nan Jihan examined her face and slowly said, ”Aren't you worried that I will tell Qi Chen about this?”

Jun Huang chuckled. ”I've only told you because I'm sure you'll keep this a secret,” she said casually.

”Don't be so sure. Qi Chen has married the princess of Southern Mu. He's part of the family. You're not.”

”Then Your Highness is welcome to tell Qi Chen.” There was no fear in Jun Huang's eyes. Nan Jihan was filled with frustration. How could this man be so bold?

He took a deep breath and listened to Jun Huang a.n.a.lyzing the situation in both countries. After days of interaction, he knew Qi Chen wouldn't make a good emperor. He also knew that Nan Guyue was but a stepping stone for Qi Chen. If Qi Chen truly gained the throne one day, Nan Guyue would be cast aside.

It was better to make Nan Guyue the only thing Qi Chen could depend on. Then he would be respectful to her for his whole life.

Nan Jihan had to admit the Jun Huang had a point. He cupped his hands and lowered his eyes. ”This prince knew too little and didn't fully grasp the situation in the court. The gentleman's words are more beneficial to me than ten years worth of studying. I will not forget what you have said.”

”Your Highness is too humble.” Jun Huang returned the gesture and relaxed a little.

”I'll have someone take you back.” Nan Jihan stood up and called out for the men outside, telling them to prepare a coach for Jun Huang.

After the coach was prepared, Jun Huang walked towards the door. She stopped in her tracks when Nan Jihan called out to her, but she didn't turn around.

”Will the gentleman remember our deal today?”

Jun Huang quirked up her lips. ”Your Highness doesn't need to test me like this. I never break my promises. I hope Your Highness won't forget about what you've promised me either. When the time comes, I hope you won't just sacrifice me for the princess.”

”Of course.”

Good. Jun Huang left the room and got into the coach with a servant's help. Once inside, she broke into cold sweats. Her hands kept shaking, and her breathing was unsteady.

Nan Jihan watched as the coach left. The general he had scolded before came up to him and asked, ”Why did you just let him go like that, Your Highness?”

Nan Jihan narrowed his eyes, his expression indiscernible. ”If we can help Qi Yun become the emperor, he promised to strengthen the trade between Northern Qi and Southern Mu. Southern Mu is the underdog among the three countries. Eastern Wu is ambitious. We have to be wary of them. With Northern Qi's support, Eastern Wu is no threat to us. This is a mutually beneficial deal.”

”But our emperor's son-in-law is now the crown prince of Northern Qi. Why did Your Highness choose someone you had no prior relations.h.i.+p with over him?”

Nan Jihan scoffed. ”Ha! Qi Chen is the crown prince. So what? He is a man who was willing to kill his own brother. Do you really think he'll help when Eastern Wu invades Southern Mu? We'll be lucky if he doesn't try to make things worse for us.”

The man fell silent. It was said that cruelty was essential to great success. Was it really true? No one could answer the question.

To express grat.i.tude to guests who attended the emperor's birthday celebration, a palace banquet was held. It was also a chance for Northern Qi to show its prosperity. Therefore, the banquet was made to be one of the most extravagant events in the country.

To show that he valued Jun Huang, Qi Chen brought her with him to the banquet. They entered the palace together.

In Jun Huang's eyes, banquets like these were a form of exploitation of the people. But what could anyone do? No one could deny the emperor what he wanted.