newbobooks Chapter 173 The Great General Wang, who sealed the wolf's lair
Chapter 173 The Great General Wang, who sealed the wolf's lair
The glass palace lanterns illuminated the snowy night like day, and everyone bowed and shouted, "Long live the Empress Dowager..."
"Everyone get up!"
Chu Ruohan and Gu Junze took their seats, with Princess Huijia in the upper seat and Shen Qingwan behind her.
"Aunt," Gu Junze greeted her with a cupped-hand salute.
With a perfectly timed smile on her face, Chu Ruohan gracefully curtsied towards Princess Huijia and Shen Qingwan.
"Greetings, Princess Huijia. Greetings, Miss Shen."
Princess Huijia smiled and nodded, her eyes filled with warmth. "We're all family, no need for formalities. You can just call me Auntie, Junze."
Chu Ruohan bowed slightly and obediently replied, "Yes, Aunt."
In the midst of their conversation, a cold snort suddenly came from behind. Princess Huijia's smiling face instantly turned cold. She turned her head, her gaze sharp as torches, and shot straight at Shen Qingwan.
"You better behave yourself! I've told you not to enter the palace, but you won't listen! The King of Zheng has come here, probably for a marriage alliance. What, you want him to take a liking to you?"
Shen Qingwan immediately backed down and lowered her head; she had no desire to marry into a barbarian land.
Every day, you have to compete with a group of women for your affections, and go to great lengths to please a man. Just thinking about such a life is terrifying.
A eunuch's shrill voice announced from outside the hall: "The King of Zheng has arrived—"
For a moment, the entire hall fell silent, and everyone's eyes were turned to the hall entrance.
A tall and upright man stepped into the main hall, wearing a translucent and warm jade crown with intricate dragon patterns outlined in gold thread.
The ruler of Zheng, Zheng Lin, was followed by the great general of Zheng, Wang, who was in charge of the Fenglangjuxu ceremony.
He joined the army at thirteen and achieved great success at nineteen...
He was brave and skilled in battle, and a master strategist on the battlefield. He expanded the territory of the State of Zheng more than three times its original size.
The two emperors exchanged pleasantries and then took their seats.
The banquet officially began amidst lively singing and dancing, with fine wines and delicacies being served continuously.
Chu Ruohan was focused on the performance on stage when Zheng Lin's gaze swept over them, and their eyes briefly met.
Chu Ruohan was startled and subconsciously lowered her eyes, feeling that the emperor of Zheng seemed to have a deeper meaning in his eyes.
Gu Junze noticed her unusual behavior and followed her gaze, which met Zheng Lin's eyes.
Zheng Lin nodded slightly as a greeting, and Gu Junze responded politely.
Shen Qingwan, who had been looking down and idly playing with the hem of her clothes, looked up at that moment and met Zheng Lin's cold yet handsome face.
Her breath hitched, and she couldn't help but mutter to herself, "She's quite pretty."
"I thought the ruler of Zheng was an old man over fifty, but I didn't expect him to be so handsome."
Princess Huijia heard this, and realized that her daughter was still so easily flustered when she encountered a handsome man.
She coughed softly, the sound of which was not loud, but it made Shen Qingwan shudder. She lowered her head. No matter how beautiful she was, it was useless. Her heart only belonged to her cousin.
She secretly glanced at Gu Junze and saw him talking softly with Chu Ruohan, his expression gentle.
It was something she had never seen before.
A pang of sadness welled up in Shen Qingwan's heart, and she quickly lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously gripping the hem of her skirt.
Inside the magnificent banquet hall, the melodious sounds of traditional Chinese string and wind instruments echoed, and the aroma of wine and delicacies filled every inch of the air.
The crowd was filled with laughter and chatter, clinking glasses and creating a lively atmosphere.
However, amidst this hustle and bustle, there was a place that seemed to be separated by an invisible barrier.
General Wang Duan Qingye sat alone at the table, his face as cold and stern as frost, his features hard and sharp, as if meticulously sculpted by the chisel of time.
He sat there quietly, yet he exuded a chilling aura that made people hesitate to approach him.
Although people occasionally glanced at him furtively, no one dared to step forward and offer him a toast.
This guy is a killing machine.
Back then, if it weren't for the eldest princess leading a large army to defend the border, it would probably have been annexed long ago and become the possession of the Zheng state.
A gaze was fixed on him, and Duan Qingye put down his wine cup, meeting An Yanghou's eyes precisely.
The Marquis of Anyang's eyes held complex emotions: fear, resentment, and a barely perceptible hint of hatred.
Duan Qingye remained calm, his thin lips curving upwards into a faint, mocking smile.
That cold gaze seemed to declare that he didn't take Anyang Hou's hostility seriously at all.
"Prince Consort Gu, it's been many years since we last met, and you've already been granted a marquisate. But you look much older and even less handsome now."
The disdain in his voice was so obvious that the previously noisy guests all turned to look at him with curiosity.
When did Marquis Anyang meet Duan Qingye?
Judging from their appearances alone, the two were about the same age, but Marquis Anyang looked ten years older and no longer had the charm and elegance he had in his youth.
In contrast, the years have only added a touch of maturity to Duan Qingye's features.
"Duan Qingye!" Marquis Anyang gritted his teeth and spat out these three words, his eyes blazing with fury. "Don't go too far! This is Jin State, not a place for you to run wild!"
The surrounding ministers all thought he had gone mad. Who was Duan Qingye? How could they be offended so easily?
Their Jin state no longer has a Princess Anyang.
Duan Qingye slowly stood up, his posture as upright as a pine tree. His black brocade robe swayed slightly with his movements, further highlighting his extraordinary aura.
He walked steadily toward the Marquis of Anyang, each step seeming to tread on the hearts of the crowd, making them hold their breath.
"act wildly?"
Duan Qingye walked up to Marquis Anyang, bowed slightly, stared directly into his eyes, and still had that mocking smile on his lips.
"If I really want to act wildly, what can you do about it?"
His voice wasn't loud, but it struck Anyang Hou's heart like a heavy hammer.
That's incredibly arrogant.
The banquet was so quiet you could hear a pin drop; everyone held their breath, afraid to make the slightest sound.
The emperor's face was gloomy, and his eyes were filled with indescribable anger and helplessness.
Why would the Marquis of Anyang provoke him for no reason?
Duan Qingye picked up his wine glass and took a light sip. His leisurely demeanor was completely out of place with the tense atmosphere around him.
He put down his wine glass, raised his eyes and scanned the entire room, his voice unhurried yet penetrating: "It was all a misunderstanding, please don't take it to heart. I also hope that the friendship between our two countries can be like this fine wine, getting better with age."
Although the words were beautifully spoken, the sharpness in his eyes still sent chills down one's spine.
"I haven't seen Lord Gu for a long time, and I went too far with my joke."
As Duan Qingye spoke, he looked at Marquis Anyang again, the provocation in his eyes undiminished. As if nothing had happened, he sat down again, picked up his wine cup, and sipped his wine slowly.
Zheng Lin stepped down from his high position, holding a wine glass, and strolled over to Gu Junze.
"Young Master Gu, I am deeply grateful for your care of my younger brother."
Gu Junze raised his head and met Zheng Lin's gaze, feeling a strong sense of unease.
While seemingly expressing gratitude, he was actually openly discussing his relationship with Yun-ge'er.
If war breaks out between the two countries, he and Han'er will become the target of everyone's anger.
What an ingratitude!