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After Ji Yu acknowledged her orders, Meng Fuyao added, ”From now until the coronation ceremony, this part of Xuanji belongs to me, even if it isn't mine before it's mine now, you guys had better guard it well. Even if the Emperor of Xuanji wants to enter, if I didn't give permission, you still kill!”
”Yes, ma'am!”
Meng Fuyao smiled humorlessly and entered the hall to continue drinking tea with the Second Prince and the officials from the Ministry of Rites. However, the tea that they drank was a strong tea, and the Xuanji representatives who had not had anything the whole day could feel the fiery tea burn their eyes and emit blue light. Only when night fell did a messenger finally arrive to say, ”We've set up four tables at the West Wind Parlour, may the honored guests head over.”
All of the Xuanji officials rejoiced, their faces filled with relief as they invited King Meng. However, Meng Fuyao said, ”Let me change first.”
After spending almost half a period to change, Meng Fuyao finally emerged and sauntered towards the West Wind Parlour.
Behind the West Wind Parlour was a little building meant for the eunuchs serving the royal family to use. From t
Except… Every table was not laden with beautiful delicacies, but instead a huge black pot.
Within the pot were pancakes, the top steamed and the bottom fried. Hot steam emerged from the mouth of the pot, and the aroma was enticing, but to see such a dish at such a noble event was rather unfitting. The servants wanted to laugh but couldn't laugh, the officials looking extremely awkward, unsure what to do or say.
However, someone stood up, giggling, as she raised a hand in invitation. ”Please excuse our simple dishes and inferior wines, Crown Prince please, King Meng please.”
The girl was elegant and slender, dressed in a pale green palace robe decorated with jade green embroidery and emerald pearls. Her eyes shone with courtesy, and under the chandelier, they sparkled like a fountain.
Her features were not impressive, far inferior to Meng Fuyao, but her expression was kind and honest, her eyes straightforward. Meng Fuyao looked at her, feeling that her demeanor was rather likable.
Based on her words, she was probably one of the princesses of Xuanji as well? That was rare, although she didn't inherit any of the good looks characteristic of the princesses of Xuanji, she did have the good character that those shallow princes and princesses lacked, and she felt her hatred for the Xuanji royal family diminish slightly.
”Ninth Sister, why have you come?” the Second Prince suddenly asked.
”I heard that Tenth Sister was not feeling well and left earlier,” The girl smiled, ”I just thought that as a fellow woman, King Meng should have some female accompaniment, or else it would be seen as a lack of respect on Xuanji's part. Hence, I decided to come here, uninvited.” Flashing another smile, she raised a cup at Zhangsun Wuji and Meng Fuyao, then downed it. ”Given everything that's happened, may Your Highness and King Meng forgive us, let me down these three cups as punishment.”
Indeed, she downed three cups in succession, her expression unchanged as she put down the wine cup. Clearly, she was a drinker and adding on to her frank behavior, the earlier awkwardness was washed away as she reacted so naturally, casually, carefully, not embarrassing Xuanji nor losing an ounce of respect towards Zhangsun Wuji and Meng Fuyao.
Upon looking at this turn of events, Meng Fuyao began to respect this princess, digging into her memory for any information on the other party. Xuanji's Ninth Princess, Feng Danning, the youngest daughter of Consort Rong. She was a learned and courteous individual, known as the Number One Female Prodigy in Dan City.
The title of Female Prodigy had always been a prestigious title referring to those who spent their whole lives either studying or with their noses pointed up reciting poems… Meng Fuyao did not feel averse to Female Prodigies… Using her way of speaking, they were: Nerds!
Hence, she had not taken the Ninth Princess' information seriously, but since she was a perceptive individual, her interest in the princess began to grow. 'Does she have a claim to the throne as well? Based on talent, she is definitely suited.'
With the Ninth Princess joining the banquet, the entire atmosphere warmed considerably. This royal princess was courteous and smart, learned in all cultures and histories, and the entire banquet soon fell into her rhythm. The Xuanji officials, who had been terrified by Meng Fuyao, were also rescued from their nightmare.
After three rounds of wine, Feng Danning smiled and pulled out a pale golden scroll. ”The Crown Prince and King Meng have come from afar, Xuanji does not dare to neglect you and has specially prepared an itinerary for the two of you during your stay here. Rest assured that we will spare no expense on service during your journey.”
Meng Fuyao glanced at the scroll; the next day, they would visit Dan City's Fenglai Mountain, the day after they would visit Yuchi Lake, then Taiyou View the day after, and the thousand-year-old Wanxian Temple… The entire half month was filled with traveling, all the way until the fifth day of the fourth month.
Upon looking at the itinerary's locations, tsk tsk, they seemed to be all remote areas?
Upon looking at the accompanying staff, tsk tsk, how did it look like sightseeing excursion? It sounded more like an assassination in the works.
A clearly absurd arrangement, since when were there high-ranking representatives who visited a country without paying a visit to the Emperor?Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click visiting.
Upon looking at the stamp at the bottom of the list, Meng Fuyao's eyes flashed; Xuanji's symbol was the Phoenix. Hence, there should be a phoenix on the stamp, yet this was a picture of a mountain scenery with the words ”Master of Ming Pavilion.” It was obvious that it was a personal stamp.
”Your Highness' personal stamp is rather unique,” Meng Fuyao pointed at the stamp and smiled, ”Master of Ming Pavilion, is that your title?”
Feng Danning's eyes flashed, and there was a fleeting moment of unease in her eyes before she replied, ”No, it's not.”
Meng Fuyao raised an eyebrow as Feng Danning continued, ”It was sent out by the inner court, we've never seen this stamp before, but it contains His Majesty's personal handwriting.”