As everyone took their seats, the hierarchy of the Susha Kingdom became evident. Close to King Feng Suige sat the nobility and high-ranking military officers. Further out were the various officials of the royal city, followed by the families and children of the first two tiers of officials. There were also some representatives of the common people, symbolizing the royal family’s connection with the masses.

Although Qin Yu held no official position, the Qin family enjoyed high status among the people of Susha. Thus, he was seated in the middle section. Qin Yi was Qin Yu’s pride and joy, and he always brought her along for major festivals and celebrations. After Feng Qishan took his seat, he noticed the empty place beside Qin Yu. Looking around, he asked, “Where has little Qin Yi gone off to?”

“Your Majesty, I’m here!” Qin Yi called out loudly, drawing everyone’s attention. It turned out she was sitting next to Feng Suige in the main seat.

“Oh?” Feng Suige narrowed his eyes playfully. “How did you end up over there?”

Qin Yi leaned against Feng Suige happily and said, “I want to sit with Brother Feng.”

Qin Yu frowned, but before he could speak, Feng Qishan laughed and said, “Well then, you can sit there. Qin Yi has always been fond of Suige since she was little. Today is Suige’s birthday, so let the young ones enjoy themselves together. I envy you! With Xi Yang gone, I’m quite lonely.”

A consort wearing a phoenix hairpin chuckled softly, “Since Xi Yang married and left, Your Majesty has been thinking of her constantly. You can’t help but look twice at other people’s daughters.”

Hearing this, the consort with the golden flower hairpin covered her mouth and laughed, “Why doesn’t Consort Jing bear a princess for Your Majesty…”

Feng Qishan glanced at her coldly, “Consort Zhuang seems to be in high spirits today?”

Consort Zhuang’s face immediately turned pale, and she fell silent.

Consort Jing’s face alternated between red and white. She was greatly favored by Feng Qishan but had never conceived. Although Feng Qishan didn’t mind, her inability to bear children was her greatest sorrow. She and Consort Zhuang had never gotten along, and if Feng Qishan hadn’t intervened, Consort Zhuang would certainly have seized this opportunity to humiliate her publicly.

Consort Jing’s eyes flickered, and she said coyly, “Consort Zhuang jests. The Regent Prince has just been newlywed. Who knows, there might be good news in a few days.”

Feng Suige, who had been chatting with Qin Yi, frowned upon hearing this and glanced at Consort Jing. Yi Xiao quietly sipped his wine, pretending not to have heard anything.

Consort Zhuang’s attention was indeed drawn to this. Seeing Yi Xiao’s indifferent attitude, she smiled insincerely and teased, “On the day the Prince announced his wedding date, who knows how many noble ladies in Susha’s royal city had their hearts broken? Many were secretly inquiring about what kind of breathtaking beauty had captured the Prince’s heart.” She paused, looking around to see that most people were listening intently, then turned her gaze back to Yi Xiao.

Yi Xiao had already peeled an orange during her speech. He looked up at her just as she finished speaking. Their eyes met, and Consort Zhuang’s were full of challenge. Yi Xiao stared at her for a moment, then suddenly opened his mouth wide. To her astonishment, he stuffed half the orange into his mouth and began chewing slowly with bulging cheeks.

There was a spluttering sound as if someone across the table had spat out their drink. Feng Suige choked and bent over the table, coughing violently. Qin Yi, confused, patted his back and looked towards Yi Xiao.

Yi Xiao had already swallowed the orange. Amidst the surprised exclamations of the noble ladies, he nonchalantly wiped the juice from the corner of his mouth with his sleeve. Throughout this process, his gaze never left Consort Zhuang.

Consort Jing had already collapsed laughing in Feng Qishan’s arms. Feng Qishan patted her shoulder lightly, watching Yi Xiao’s every move with an amused expression. Seeing everyone trying hard to suppress their laughter, Consort Zhuang’s face darkened. She sneered, “How unique indeed. I’ve heard that those with outstanding talents often have eccentric behaviors. It seems the Junior Consort is quite extraordinary. Since today is both the Prince’s and the Junior Consort’s birthday, why doesn’t the Junior Consort showcase a skill or two?”

Yi Xiao brushed off the remaining bits from his hands and stood up without a word, seemingly waiting for her to set a challenge. Consort Zhuang ordered a nearby palace attendant, “Go fetch my zither.”

“Yi Xiao is clumsy and slow-witted. I cannot play the zither,” Yi Xiao said firmly, his tone carrying a hint of coldness.

“Oh, is that so?” Consort Zhuang looked triumphant. “What a pity. But seeing the Junior Consort’s graceful figure, if you can’t play the zither, why not let everyone witness your elegant dance?”

“I’ve never learned to dance,” came the concise reply.

“Well then, we have zither players and dancers here. Perhaps the Junior Consort could grace us with a heavenly voice…” Before she could finish, Yi Xiao interrupted, “I’m tone-deaf.”

Consort Zhuang, excited by the interruptions, continued, “I’ll have someone bring the four treasures of the study for the Junior Consort to…”

“I’m illiterate,” Yi Xiao said, showing increasing impatience.

The murmurs from the seats below grew louder. Consort Zhuang, now standing and laughing, said, “What exactly can the Junior Consort do? Just tell us!”

“What I can do, you wouldn’t want to see, and His Majesty wouldn’t allow it,” Yi Xiao said coldly. Immediately, all eyes turned to Feng Qishan. He revealed an intrigued smile and said, “I’m quite curious too. If it’s not too much, I’ll allow it.”

Yi Xiao calmly said, “It won’t be excessive. I need a strong bow and five arrows.” The crowd erupted in shock. Feng Suige whispered, “Weapons are not allowed in the presence of His Majesty…”

“Granted,” Feng Qishan’s voice boomed like a bell, immediately silencing the hall. A guard from outside approached with a bow and arrows, hesitating whether to hand them over. Yi Xiao had already strode forward and grabbed the bow.

“Please stand up straight, Consort Zhuang, and stand firmly!” Yi Xiao weighed the bow and took an arrow from the guard’s hand.

The color drained from Consort Zhuang’s face. She moved closer to Feng Qishan, her beauty marred by fear. “What are you going to do…”

Amidst the crowd’s exclamations, Feng Suige sprang up and lunged forward, but Yi Xiao had already nocked the arrow and drawn the bow to full. The quick-thinking guard, unable to draw his sword in time, pressed the arrowhead against Yi Xiao’s back. Several palace attendants had already shielded Feng Qishan and the two consorts. One of them shouted boldly, “Put down the bow and arrow immediately!”

“His Majesty just said it was allowed,” Yi Xiao’s hand was steady, completely ignoring the sharp point at his back. “I ask Consort Zhuang to step away from His Majesty. If there’s any mishap, I fear I couldn’t bear the responsibility.”

Feng Suige, who had rushed over, glared at him for a moment. Knowing Yi Xiao’s stubbornness, he could only look towards the upper seats. Feng Qishan’s expression remained unchanged as he signaled everyone not to move. “What do you intend to do to Consort Zhuang?”

“Five arrows, five golden flowers,” Yi Xiao said simply. “If I hurt Consort Zhuang, I’ll forfeit my life without complaint!”

“Good!” “No!” Feng Qishan and Feng Suige’s voices rang out simultaneously.

Silence fell.

The palace attendants slowly retreated to their original positions. The guard holding the arrows hesitantly withdrew his hand.

The veins on Feng Suige’s neck bulged as he clenched his jaw tightly. After a long while, he finally let out a long breath and stepped aside.

Under Feng Qishan’s intense gaze, Consort Zhuang tremblingly stood up and moved to the side. All her previous coquettishness had vanished, replaced by a pitiful expression of one awaiting execution.

“One,” Yi Xiao counted cheerfully, but the hand holding the bowstring didn’t move at all. Suddenly, Consort Zhuang’s body went limp, and she collapsed to the ground, bursting into tears.

Just as Feng Qishan was about to reprimand her, there was a twang of the bowstring. The arrow flew with lightning speed through Consort Zhuang’s hairdo, knocking off a golden flower.

Dead silence.

The guard behind Yi Xiao was stunned. After a long moment, he realized and placed the second arrow in Yi Xiao’s outstretched palm.

“Stand up quickly,” Feng Qishan said angrily. “To be frightened to such a state, how useless.” Consort Zhuang was so scared she couldn’t even cry. After several attempts, she finally stood up with the help of the palace attendants.

Before the attendants supporting her could let go, Yi Xiao’s arrow had already left the string. With a snap, it knocked off the second golden flower. Yi Xiao smiled slightly. “Two,” he said while accepting the third arrow.

“Your… Your Majesty,” the attendant stammered, “Consort Zhuang has… fainted.”