As the ministers of Great Zhou and Yan engaged in a visual confrontation, they heard the eunuch’s announcement from outside: “The ruler of Tianfeng Nation arrives…”

Xiao Rongyan, seated in the position below Bai Qingyan, leaned against his armrest and turned his head toward the entrance of the great hall.

He saw Sa’er Khan, now dressed in the ceremonial robes of Tianfeng Nation’s ruler, leading a group of Tianfeng ministers as they walked in, stepping across the azure stone floor paved with golden sunlight, his features bearing a gentle smile.

As the ruler of a nation, he had not been able to appear in the great hall alongside Bai Qingyan as equals, but rather had been summoned inside—yet he seemed to ignore this humiliation entirely.

Sa’er Khan gazed at Bai Qingyan seated on the high platform. She had already changed out of her court robes and now wore a water-green dress with silver-threaded subtle patterns. Her raven-black hair was arranged in an updo, adorned only with a white jade wild goose hairpin, with water-drop-shaped earrings that further accentuated her exceptionally beautiful and refined features.

Even dressed so simply and plainly, Bai Qingyan could not conceal the composed restraint in her eyes that one dared not stare at directly. Her profound and powerful presence, combined with her beautiful and elegant features, created an extraordinary aura that was extremely difficult to describe in words.

Bai Qingyan rose to her feet, smiling as she stepped forward to greet him, and all the Great Zhou ministers also stood up.

Seeing Sa’er Khan bow to her, she returned the courtesy.

“It has been so long since we last met. I never expected the ruler of Tianfeng Nation to quietly arrive in the capital!” Bai Qingyan gestured for Sa’er Khan to be seated. “However, since the Great Zhou and Yan needed to sign an alliance treaty, and we also needed to send people to verify the ruler of Tianfeng Nation’s identity, we were delayed for some time. I hope the Khan will be understanding.”

Sa’er Khan stood before Bai Qingyan, smiling with gentle refinement as he nodded to her: “We came uninvited and caused trouble for Great Zhou. We should thank the Empress for not being upset with us.”

Speaking thus, Sa’er Khan noticed Xiao Rongyan and also nodded slightly to him: “Regent Prince, it has been a long time…”

Xiao Rongyan’s posture of leaning against his armrest remained unchanged as he merely nodded slightly, as if he did not regard Sa’er Khan highly, which greatly displeased the Tianfeng ministers standing below the platform.

After taking their seats, Sa’er Khan smiled and spoke: “I heard that the Empress of Western Liang… no, Princess Yunjing is also in the capital. At today’s grand banquet, why do we not see Princess Yunjing?”

“The ruler of Tianfeng Nation, upon arriving, is immediately anxious to find Princess Yunjing. I wonder why?” Xiao Rongyan spoke unhurriedly.

Sa’er Khan looked toward Xiao Rongyan, his brownish eyes darkening for a moment before he smiled: “Today at Great Zhou’s state banquet, seeing the Empress and the Regent Prince, I was reminded of the four-nation alliance when Princess Yunjing was also present, so I asked casually. The Regent Prince need not be concerned!”

Having finished speaking, Sa’er Khan turned to Bai Qingyan and asked: “I heard that Your Majesty gave birth to a pair of auspicious dragon and phoenix twins. Tianfeng Nation has specially prepared congratulatory gifts for the little prince and little princess. I wonder if we might have the honor of seeing the little prince and little princess today?”

“I thought Sa’er Khan would ask about that sorcerer from your nation who was captured at Hanwenshan,” Bai Qingyan smiled as she looked at Sa’er Khan, her voice calm and peaceful. “It seems… Sa’er Khan does not care about him.”

The Great Sorcerer who had been seated with the Tianfeng diplomatic mission raised his eyes toward Bai Qingyan’s direction, and just happened to meet Bai Qingyan’s profound gaze looking his way, causing this Tianfeng Great Sorcerer’s heart to inexplicably tighten as he quickly lowered his head, assuming a respectful posture.

“Since our Great Sorcerer’s disciple has already surrendered, and Tianfeng Nation was also defeated and withdrew from Western Liang, given Your Majesty’s character, you certainly would not make things difficult for a child…” Sa’er Khan smiled as he lifted the wine cup before him. “I have complete faith in Your Majesty regarding this.”

“Then… I dare not drink this wine, as I fear I will disappoint the ruler of Tianfeng Nation.” Bai Qingyan leaned against the dragon-embroidered round cushion. Among all those clusters of fire-like colors, she alone was that touch of pale color, yet pale in such a dazzling way that one could not ignore her. She smiled faintly, like those lofty rulers of the past, her lips curved upward: “To extract some information from this Great Sorcerer’s disciple, we indeed used some methods. I’m afraid this Great Sorcerer’s disciple cannot be restored to his original condition.”

Sa’er Khan’s hand gripping the wine cup tightened, though his expression remained unchanged as he smiled: “As long as his life remains, that is enough. So many soldiers lost their lives in that great battle—for the Great Sorcerer’s disciple to survive is already a blessing from the heavenly gods.”

Having finished speaking, Sa’er Khan and the Tianfeng envoys who had come with him all assumed respectful postures toward the heavenly gods.

Liu Rushi looked toward Sa’er Khan, seated below Bai Qingyan, and spoke: “I heard that this time the ruler of Tianfeng Nation came personally to seek peace. Forgive my confusion, but after Tianfeng Nation was driven out of Western Liang territory, our Great Zhou has no plans to advance into Tianfeng Nation. I wonder what kind of peace the ruler of Tianfeng Nation seeks?”

Liu Rushi had just finished peace negotiations with Yan and made Yan suffer such a great loss, so he was in particularly good spirits with abundant energy, and was quite interested in hearing what Tianfeng Nation had come for.

“This visit to Great Zhou is intended to establish matrimonial relations with Great Zhou…” the Tianfeng Great Sorcerer spoke with a smile.

“I wonder if Tianfeng Nation knows…” Liu Rushi’s lips curved into a smile as he continued, “our Majesty once declared that Her Majesty’s sisters would absolutely never marry far away to other nations. Previously, when Yan offered the position of Empress to marry one of our Great Zhou Majesty’s sisters, it was refused. The Yan Regent Prince and Yan envoys are all present here—if you don’t believe it, the ruler of Tianfeng Nation could ask them.”

“Naturally, if our Majesty’s brothers were to marry, they would certainly marry women they fancy. Our Majesty once declared… she would never let her brothers’ and sisters’ marriages become political tools.” Having finished speaking, Liu Rushi respectfully bowed to Bai Qingyan.

“Just as Minister Liu said, if the ruler of Tianfeng Nation came here hoping for a marriage alliance, I fear you will be disappointed.” Bai Qingyan nodded with a gentle smile.

Sa’er Khan slowly lowered his hand that had been holding up the wine cup, yet he gripped the cup without releasing it, his brown eyes gazing at Bai Qingyan as he said: “This matter can be discussed with the Empress later. Today is to celebrate the Great Zhou and Yan’s national alliance. This cup… is to congratulate Great Zhou and Yan!”

Sa’er Khan raised his cup toward Bai Qingyan and Xiao Rongyan, and regardless of whether these two were willing to drink with him, he drained his cup first.

The more Sa’er Khan lowered his posture, the more vigilant Bai Qingyan became in her heart. She inconspicuously glanced at Xiao Rongyan, and when their eyes met, both had some understanding in their hearts. Seeing that the song and dance had begun, Bai Qingyan lifted her teacup and smiled as she acknowledged Sa’er Khan to show her thanks, then said to Wei Zhong: “Return the ruler of Tianfeng Nation’s jade cicada to him…”

“Yes!” Wei Zhong turned and received the tray held by the little eunuch behind him, walking toward Sa’er Khan with a smile: “Your Majesty, this is your jade cicada… please keep it safe.”

Sa’er Khan’s gaze fell upon the jade cicada. He had originally suspected that Bai Qingyan might have replaced it with a fake jade cicada, but this jade cicada had been with him day and night—he naturally would not mistake it. It was indeed his jade cicada.