Seeing Bai Qingyan descend from the carriage, Sa’er Khan stepped forward, lowering his stance and bowing respectfully to Bai Qingyan: “To have the fortune of witnessing the Great Zhou Empress’s grace is truly a blessing of three lifetimes.”

Her serene eyes contained a smile as she looked at Sa’er Khan, nodding lightly: “I’ve long heard from Tianfeng’s envoys that their sovereign speaks the refined language extremely well. Indeed…”

Sa’er Khan’s smile was warm and gentle as jade, stepping aside to clear the entrance to the great tent: “Your Majesty, please…”

Bai Qingyan nodded to Sa’er Khan but did not move, her gaze instead falling upon Xiao Rongyan, who was descending from the carriage.

Today Xiao Rongyan wore a mask, dressed in a python robe with a white jade belt. Perhaps due to the saying that fine clothes make the man, his entire person appeared more imposing and overbearing presence than usual, his whole being radiating imperial authority.

Great Yan’s young emperor Murong Li followed behind Murong Yan as he descended from the carriage. Spotting Bai Qingyan from afar, the corners of his lips curved into a smile. Upon alighting, he immediately bowed first to Bai Qingyan, then respectfully saluted the regent Murong Yan beside him: “Ninth Uncle, when A’Li was in the capital, the Great Zhou Empress showed A’Li much kindness. I wish to greet the Great Zhou Empress first.”

Great Yan court ministers descended from carriages, and seeing the young emperor’s respectful demeanor toward the regent, they shook their heads in anguish, believing Murong Li should display an emperor’s dignity toward Xiao Rongyan instead.

Ministers loyal to the regent found this entirely normal and proper.

“Go ahead…” Murong Yan spoke.

With permission granted, Murong Li bowed once more to Murong Yan before striding quickly toward Bai Qingyan.

Witnessing this scene, Sa’er Khan’s gaze inevitably fell upon Great Yan’s regent, his heart already understanding that the true uncrowned king of Great Yan was this Ninth Prince.

“Elder sister, it’s Murong Li!” Bai Jinzhi said happily.

Following behind Bai Qingyan, Bai Qingyu stood with hands clasped behind his back, his expression calm. He watched the Great Yan emperor approach his elder sister with light, quick steps, his gaze finally settling on Xiao Rongyan dressed in the python robe, his fists clenched behind his back, tightening.

Their four eyes met, and Xiao Rongyan nodded slightly to Bai Qingyu.

Seeing Murong Li’s clear, smiling, gentle appearance, the corners of Bai Qingyan’s lips also curved into a smile as she stepped forward two paces to meet Murong Li.

Murong Li first called out “Sister Bai,” and the two exchanged mutual salutes.

“During my time in the capital, I received much guidance from Sister Bai. Ninth Uncle told me that our two nations have already established an alliance, needing only the imperial seal! A’Li is very happy…”

Murong Li feigned innocence and naivety, but in reality, spoke these words for Sa’er Khan to hear.

“The signing of an alliance between two nations is indeed beneficial for the people of both countries.” After speaking with Murong Li with a smile, Bai Qingyan looked toward Sa’er Khan: “This is Tianfeng’s sovereign.”

Murong Li and Sa’er Khan exchanged mutual salutes. Sa’er Khan invited the two to enter the tent first, while he slowed his pace, smiling and nodding to Murong Yan: “I have long heard of Great Yan’s regent’s great reputation…”

“Tianfeng’s sovereign is too kind.” Murong Yan made a gesture of invitation to Sa’er Khan: “Please…”

“Please…” Sa’er Khan also smiled.

Li Tianfu, who had been reclining against a low table, fixed her poisonous gaze deadly upon Bai Qingyan the moment she entered the tent.

She was already dressed in full imperial regalia, kneeling on the left side of the two tables placed at the head position, putting on full airs.

Bai Qingyan was somewhat surprised that Xiliang had sent Li Tianfu this time, and her heart began to form speculations about the changes in Xiliang’s situation…

If Li Tianfu disregarded sisterly affection, the Xiliang Empress was likely in grave danger. If Yun Poxing and Li Zhijie, who were led by the Xiliang Empress, had not appeared this time, it would be sufficient proof that Xiliang had experienced major political upheaval due to Tianfeng’s emergence.

But when had this happened? Their Great Zhou had received no word of it, and Great Yan should not have received word either, otherwise Xiao Rongyan would have told her when they met that day.

Perhaps it was before coming to the four-nation alliance.

As Bai Qingyan surmised, the Xiliang Empress Li Tianjiao was not very cooperative regarding the four-nation alliance, and Tianfeng’s sovereign Sa’er Khan, knowing of Li Tianfu’s existence, had arranged for her replacement.

Li Tianfu met Bai Qingyan’s eyes, adopting a lazy posture while forcibly suppressing the towering hatred in her heart, looking at Bai Qingyan with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile: “We meet again. I never expected… it would be in this manner.”

Bai Qingyu, standing with hands clasped beside Bai Qingyan, looked toward Li Tianfu. When Li Tianfu’s gaze touched Bai Qingyu’s cold, frosty stare, her palms tightened slightly. When had such a figure appeared beside Bai Qingyan?

She first glanced at the Great Zhou officials who had entered the tent together, feeling disgust upon seeing Liu Rushi, then swept her gaze over Bai Jinzhi, Shen Qingzhu, and Wei Zhong, feeling that with only two personal palace maids beside her, her retinue seemed much weaker than Bai Qingyan’s, causing displeasure in her heart.

It was all that Tianfeng Sa’er Khan’s fault, saying that as Xiliang was playing host, they should be more low-key.

Murong Li glanced at Li Tianfu and took his seat at the table opposite Bai Qingyan.

Bai Qingyan, supported by Shen Qingzhu’s hand, took her seat. She arranged her sleeves before smiling and asking Li Tianfu, “Why is the princess attending the four-nation alliance? Is the Xiliang Empress feeling unwell?”

Li Tianfu gritted her teeth and sat up slightly straighter: “Now that you’ve become Great Zhou’s emperor, are your eyes failing too? Can’t you see I’m wearing imperial regalia…”

“So you’re saying the Xiliang Empress has abdicated?” Bai Qingyan picked up the teacup before her, using the lid to press down the tea leaves, and slowly blowing on the tea.

“My elder sister’s health is poor and unsuitable for bearing Xiliang’s great responsibilities, so… from now on, I am Xiliang’s empress, your equal.” Li Tianfu leaned against the low table: “Bai Qingyan, I have never forgotten Tianzhuo’s vengeance, never forgotten… how he died!”

“Why remember how that dead eunuch died? Do you want to die the same way?” Bai Jinzhi rolled her eyes at Li Tianfu: “If you want to die, wait until after the alliance is concluded, and I’ll fulfill your wish!”

“What manner of thing are you to dare speak to this sovereign!” Li Tianfu was enraged by Bai Jinzhi’s words and nearly rose from her position.

“Xiliang’s new emperor’s ascension has not been proclaimed to the world, nor has Great Zhou sent envoys to offer congratulations, which means we have not recognized Princess Xiliang’s imperial position. Save your imperial airs for when you return to your Xiliang!” Bai Qingyan placed the teacup lid back on and casually set the teacup aside, completely unconcerned. Her gaze fell upon Xiao Rongyan and Sa’er Khan, who had entered the great tent, speaking deliberately: “Today, with the Xiliang Empress absent… the alliance will not include Xiliang!”

Xiao Rongyan, who had entered the tent together with Sa’er Khan, also smiled and spoke: “Xiliang’s new emperor’s ascension was also not reported by envoys, nor did Great Yan send envoys to offer congratulations. Therefore, today we also cannot recognize Princess Xiliang’s imperial position. We hope Princess Xiliang will understand our position!”