Qin Zhiyan was startled and frowned: “Do you really know?”

“Of course.” Qing Xia raised her head and said: “She was saved by you in her most dangerous moment. Back then she was young, and you were handsome and distinguished. After spending three years together day and night, she probably developed feelings for you, which is why she was unwilling to marry.”

Qin Zhiyan smiled: “Nonsense. Huayang is resilient and stubborn by nature. She’s not the fragile woman you imagine. Don’t speak carelessly.”

“No matter how strong, she’s still a woman,” Qing Xia shook her head: “As a person, she would have emotions and desires. It’s just a pity that the falling flowers had feelings but the flowing water was heartless. You ruined that young lady’s entire life and aren’t even aware of it. I truly feel it’s not worth it for her.”

Qin Zhiyan raised his eyebrows slightly, embraced Qing Xia with gentle eyes, and said: “Having you alone is enough for me. As for the rest, I can’t attend to them.”

Qing Xia felt her eyes slightly moisten, hugged Qin Zhiyan’s arm, and said in a deep voice: “Zhiyan, I really hadn’t thought about it before and had no psychological preparation. Don’t worry, I’ll never make you sad again.”

Qin Zhiyan smiled slightly: “With you by my side, I’ve never been sad.”

The carriage moved slowly when suddenly the coachman outside called loudly: “Prince Xuan arrives! Open the inner palace gates!”

“The Great Emperor of Southern Chu arrives! Open the inner palace gates!”

Almost simultaneously, another voice suddenly rang out powerfully.

Qing Xia was startled. Wasn’t he inside the imperial city? How could he appear here? Her heart jumped slightly with alarm, and her complexion paled somewhat.

Qin Zhiyan gripped her hand, slowly nodded, then reached out to lift the curtain and look outside. He saw a jet-black carriage stopped squarely opposite Prince Xuan’s carriage. The black curtain was lifted, and Chu Li looked over expressionlessly.

Qin Zhiyan smiled slightly, extended his hand, and said with a smile: “Emperor Chu, please go first.”

Chu Li’s eyes were calm and tranquil as he slowly looked over, his gaze moving past Qin Zhiyan’s shoulder to look behind him. After a long moment, he turned back to Qin Zhiyan, slowly nodded as a greeting, then lowered the curtain.

The carriages moved slowly, with Chu Li’s carriage in front, escorted by elite thousand-man units at the front and rear. Qin Zhiyan’s carriage followed behind, slowly entering Northern Qin’s Taihe Palace.

The inner city’s Purple Gold Square was brightly lit, magnificent and imposing, with carriages and horses lined up everywhere. Qing Xia jumped down first, supporting Qin Zhiyan’s hand as they stood in the square, taking out a cloak from inside to gently drape over Qin Zhiyan’s shoulders. The guards protected them both, forming a protective circle. The danger from earlier in the evening still echoed in everyone’s minds, making them all cautious and careful.

Qin Zhiyan’s hands were slightly cold. Qing Xia grasped his hand, brought it to her mouth and breathed on it, then looked up and asked softly: “Are you cold? Should you wear that large fur coat?”

“It’s fine,” Qin Zhiyan smiled: “The weather has warmed up. If I keep wearing the large fur coat all day, I’m afraid it will give people something to talk about.”

“Who dares say anything?” Qing Xia said angrily: “Do you have to look at others’ faces just to wear clothes? How are we supposed to live like this? I’ll go get it for you, and I’ll beat up anyone who dares speak nonsense.”

“Yima’er.” Qin Zhiyan pulled Qing Xia’s waist and smiled: “I was just teasing you. I’m not cold at all. Let’s go in quickly.”

Qing Xia raised her hand to cover his face and asked: “Really?”

“Mm.” Qin Zhiyan smiled broadly, his eyes narrowing into a beautiful arc.

“Prince Xuan!” A powerful voice suddenly sounded ahead. Qin Zhiyan and Qing Xia both looked up to see a Southern Chu soldier standing before them, saying in a deep voice: “Our Great Emperor is ahead and says he wants to wait for Your Highness to enter the hall together.”

Qing Xia couldn’t help but look in the direction he indicated. She saw Chu Li in a jet-black long robe, with sword-like eyebrows and starlike eyes, his black hair flying, standing in the spacious square, his silhouette appearing so lonely. He was slightly tilting his head, facing the other direction, but somehow Qing Xia was certain he had definitely seen their earlier actions. She sighed slightly, then smiled and said to Qin Zhiyan: “Let’s go over. The banquet is about to start.”

Seeing she showed no unusual signs, Qin Zhiyan smiled happily, took her hand, and walked toward Chu Li.

Today’s Taihe Hall appeared somewhat crowded. As soon as Qing Xia stepped through the hall doors, countless strange gazes shot over like knives piercing the three of them. The Seventh Prince and Ninth Prince stood among the crowd, slightly curling their lips in disdain and snorting, though the sound wasn’t loud, it was particularly clear in the now quiet hall.

Chu Li raised his eyebrows, slightly narrowed his eyes, and looked coldly at the two with the frigid coldness of northern ice.

The two who had just days ago loudly criticized Southern Chu in this very hall were immediately terrified, as if just being looked at by him made them feel somewhat chilled. Chu Li had spent these years securing borders and maintaining internal stability with iron-blooded methods and ruthless actions. Even enemies like Eastern Qi dared not say much in opposition. At this moment, in his jet-black long robe with black jade crown, sword eyebrows and starlike eyes, he appeared even more handsome and distinguished with extraordinary bearing.

Qin Zhiyan, in white robes with black hair, sword eyebrows reaching his temples, gently swept his warm eyes over everyone present. Wherever his gaze fell, everyone smiled and nodded respectfully. Today’s banquet was not attended by the Crown Prince or Prince Yan. With Prince Xuan’s current power in court, naturally no one dared to be as arrogant and presumptuous as the Seventh and Ninth Princes. The various Qin princes came forward one after another, first bowing to Chu Li, then warmly greeting Qin Zhiyan.

The King of Qin sat high on his dragon throne. Seeing Chu Li, he smiled and stood up, saying in a deep voice: “What virtue or ability do I have to trouble the Great Emperor of Southern Chu to personally attend my birthday celebration? If there are any inadequate arrangements, I hope Emperor Chu will be understanding.”

“Your Majesty is too kind,” Chu Li smiled lightly: “When the late emperor was alive, he often spoke of Your Majesty’s demeanor. Having the fortune to meet you today is my blessing.”

The King of Qin’s eyes immediately warmed. Even though Southern Chu was no longer comparable to Northern Qin’s military strength, Chu Li was still a sovereign ruler. In such a public setting, he didn’t use the royal “we” but instead treated him with junior courtesy, which was naturally very face-saving. He smiled and took Chu Li’s hand, sitting with him at the head table, saying with a smile: “Since ancient times, heroes emerge young. Seeing Emperor Chu and Crown Prince of Eastern Qi, I deeply feel that our Central Plains ancestral heritage has successors.”

“Your Majesty, you’re breaking my heart like this.”

Yan Hui suddenly called out loudly. He was sitting below Chu Li, wearing a peach-pink brocade robe with bright, lustrous colors. He wore an embroidered silk pouch at his waist and colorful silk tassels hanging from his chest, his entire person emanating an aura of luxury and unrestrained debauchery. He called out loudly: “Your Majesty praises only Emperor Chu and Crown Prince An while excluding Yan Hui. Isn’t this breaking my heart?”

Hearing this, the King of Qin laughed heartily and said cheerfully: “You’re a maniac among flowers and an expert in romance. If the Central Plains’ great enterprise were entrusted to you, I estimate all the women in the world would be moved to your backyard.”

Everyone burst into laughter. Fortunately, Yan Hui wasn’t angry and still said with a smile: “To receive such praise from Your Majesty is also Yan Hui’s blessing. There has always been only one ruler of ten thousand victories throughout history. With no virtue or ability, being able to become a flower champion is also a good thing.”

Everyone was slightly taken aback by these words. Fortunately, all were seasoned court veterans, and no one showed the slightest displeasure, instead all laughing to maintain harmony.

With everyone present, the banquet soon began. The various Qin princes took their seats, led by Qin Zhiyan, sitting in a row on the left side of the hall. The right side was entirely foreign envoys, led by Chu Li, followed by Yan Hui, Qi’an, Nanjiang, Western Sea, Northern Sea, Northern Di tribal chiefs, vassal state envoys, and messengers from some of the continent’s more powerful families. Qing Xia sat beside Qin Zhiyan. Looking up, she saw that many of the tribal chiefs and vassal envoys present had brought female companions, and some families were even ruled by women, so her appearance in the hall didn’t seem particularly out of place.

The King of Qin raised his wine cup, nodded and smiled at everyone: “I’m grateful for everyone’s long journey to be here. Today’s grand banquet is meant to welcome and cleanse the dust from your travels. We won’t discuss politics, only pleasant topics.”

Everyone raised their cups in response, toasting and drinking happily, creating a harmonious atmosphere completely different from the earlier tense confrontation.

Palace dancers filed onto the stage – a troupe of Northern Di foreign women, all with blue eyes and snow-white skin, full figures revealing snake-like slender waists. As they moved, their flesh gleamed dazzlingly. A large orchestra played melodiously, the music pleasant and tinkling, harmonizing with the bells on the dancers’ ankles, creating a crisp and moving sound. Everyone’s eyes were intoxicated. Xichuan’s Yan Hui repeatedly reached out to pull dancers into his embrace, boldly taking liberties in a dissolute and romantic manner.

Qing Xia sat beside Qin Zhiyan, raising her wine cup to barely touch her lips, just tasting it lightly. Qin Zhiyan’s expression was calm, his eyes gentle and composed as he sat, like still well water, containing all his thoughts deep and hidden. When the dance ended, the dancers withdrew. The King of Qin laughed loudly and was about to speak when suddenly a charming voice called out: “Father Emperor, today is the great joyous day of welcoming envoys and nobles from all quarters. How can we be so shabby, just letting these women come out to be seen? Doesn’t this show that Great Qin has no one?”

Everyone looked toward the voice to see a young lady in blue palace attire sitting among the female family members in the back. She had willow eyebrows and large eyes, a face like a fresh peach, with a pair of lively black eyes flashing with alluring brilliance. Standing proudly among the seats, her gaze swept over the faces of the nobles from various countries as she said: “Your daughter has recently learned a new barbarian dance and would like to embarrass herself by presenting it to the Great Emperor of Southern Chu as a welcome for our distant guest.”

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone immediately stirred, looking toward Chu Li. They saw him in his black brocade robe, his expression calm and showing no ripples, as if she weren’t speaking about him at all.

The King of Qin, however, laughed heartily: “Fu’er is being ridiculous. With nobles from all countries here, how can we let you be so nonsensical?”