Attending the banquet
Inside the Imperial Palace, Zhuge Xiang did his best to explore the entire Imperial Palace. Of course, he couldn't find the clues he wanted just like that, but at least he understood the layout of the Imperial Palace, which was much better than knowing nothing at all.
On this day, Ying Wushuang sought out Zhuge Xiang to discuss the birthday gift for the emperor. Although Ying Wushuang, as Great Qin Princess, was very wealthy, by the same token, if a princess like Ying Wushuang had it, would the emperor not have it?
In addition, Zhuge Xiang had many strange and unusual methods, so Ying Wushuang Zhuge Xiang humbly asked him for advice regarding the congratulatory gift.
"A gift from the emperor? It can't be judged solely by its value. Otherwise, even if it were a Spirit Vein, it probably wouldn't mean much to the emperor." Zhuge Xiang pondered when Ying Wushuang asked for his opinion. The most important thing about a gift from the emperor is its significance, or rather, its novelty.
Zhuge Xiang does possess novel items, such as Skill Jade Talisman, which can randomly upgrade the level of a Cultivation Technique or Skill. What if the emperor happens to upgrade his Imperial World Shocking Merit?
However, Zhuge Xiang could not possibly give such a thing away. After thinking it over, Zhuge Xiang took out a Chains and handed it to Ying Wushuang.
"This War Shackles itself doesn't possess great power, but once both sides declare Duel, it can bind them. Unless a victor is determined to the death, neither side can escape. Moreover, the War Shackles can be used to suppress the opponent's strength to a certain extent, making it a decent treasure." For Zhuge Xiang, this War Shackles wasn't of much use. So, he simply gave it to Ying Wushuang as a congratulatory gift.
Those with cultivation levels above the Dao Seeking Realm can ignore the War Shackles, Forbidden Artifact based on the laws of the Heavenly Laws. However, for those below the Dao Seeking Realm, Zhuge Xiang wouldn't need the War Shackles to kill them. Instead, he might as well use the War Shackles to repay Ying Wushuang for bringing him into the Imperial Palace.
"Oh? There's such a wonderful treasure?" Upon hearing about the effects of the War Shackles, even Ying Wushuang's eyes lit up slightly, and she took the War Shackles.
This War Shackles, while useless against a powerful figure like an emperor, is still a treasure that an emperor would likely greatly appreciate, perhaps even using it as a reward. It's a valuable item, isn't it?
"Your Highness, an invitation from the Seventh Prince has arrived." Just as Ying Wushuang unceremoniously put away the War Shackles, a palace maid knocked on the door, entered, and presented Ying Wushuang with an invitation in both hands.
"Oh? His invitation? What's he up to?" Upon hearing that the invitation was from Ying Yan, Ying Wushuang brows furrowed slightly, but he still reached out and took the invitation, opening it to take a look.
"So, what does the invitation say?" Zhuge Xiang asked after Ying Wushuang finished reading it.
"It's nothing, just a Banquet. He invited several Princes and Princesses, and even guests from other countries. It's a small banquet for the Princes and Princesses of three major countries," Ying Wushuang replied after closing the invitation. Then she said to Zhuge Xiang, "The invitation also mentions you, inviting you to attend the Banquet as well."
"Alright, I was just thinking of going to see what your Banquet Princes and Princesses are like," Zhuge Xiang said with a smile, without any intention of refusing Ying Wushuang's words.
The Great Qin Empire, the Great Tang Dynasty, the Great Ming Dynasty, and the Great Song Dynasty —these four great powers—should all send envoys to offer their congratulations on the birthday of the Great Qin Dynasty. However, due to recent turmoil in the Great Tang Dynasty, no official envoy was dispatched to offer congratulations.
Zhuge Xiang was somewhat intrigued by the fact that no one from the Great Tang Dynasty had come. Although the Great Tang Dynasty was experiencing turmoil, the Great Tang Dynasty Imperial Clan considered it a minor matter. How could they be so short-handed as to not even have the manpower to send a few envoys to offer birthday greetings?
The reason for this is probably that the Emperor of the Great Tang Dynasty were also subject to the control of the Great Qin Empire. Therefore, whether or not the Great Tang was merely an internal matter of the Great Qin Empire.
Ying Yan hosted a banquet for several Princes and Princesses, and the feast was naturally not meager. When Zhuge Xiang and Ying Wushuang arrived at the banquet, seven or eight Princes and Princesses were already seated.
The Banquet was hosted by Ying Dongsheng, the Sixth Prince of the Great Qin; Ying Yan, the Seventh Prince Eighth Princess; Ying Xiaocui, the Ninth Princess; Ying Wushuang, the ninth princess; Zhu Luowen, the Fourth Prince of the Great Ming Dynasty; Zhu Xiaoxi, the Fifth Princess of the Great Ming Dynasty; Zhao Kai, the Sixth Prince of the Great Song Dynasty.
"Who is this?" Among those present were Princes and Princesses from a large country. There were seven members of the royal family, but eight people in total. So, after Zhuge Xiang took his seat, the Sixth Prince, Ying Dongsheng, couldn't help but speak first. Naturally, he had to consider whether the other party was qualified to sit with these members of the royal family.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, this is Brother Zhuge Xiang, and he and Ninth Princess are Lovers," Ying Yan replied upon hearing the Sixth Prince Ying Dongsheng's inquiry.
"Zhuge Xiang? That name sounds familiar," Ying Dongsheng murmured, raising an eyebrow slightly.
"Hmph, a country bumpkin like him, to be able to become lovers with a princess, is truly laughable," but at this moment, Zhu Luowen, the Fourth Prince of the Great Ming Dynasty, suddenly snorted coldly, making no attempt to hide his contempt.
Zhu Luowen, a womanizer, had only dealt with Zhuge Xiang today because he had promised Ying Yan. However, after seeing Ying Wushuang's beautiful face today, with her youthful beauty and lively, willful personality, Zhu Luowen was filled with desire. Now, even without Ying Yan's influence, Zhu Luowen was unwilling to let a beautiful flower be wasted on a dung heap.
After Zhu Luowen spoke, the other Princes and Princesses remained silent, simply watching and waiting for Zhuge Xiang's reply.
Simply because he was Ying Wushuang's lover, these Princes and Princesses felt that Zhuge Xiang was not qualified to be on equal footing with them. Although Zhu Luowen's attack was somewhat unexpected, it was undeniable that Zhu Luowen's words expressed their true feelings.
"Prince Zhu, this is the Great Qin, not the Great Ming," Ying Wushuang said in a sharp voice, her eyebrows raised Ying Wushuang sharp like an angry female leopard as she stared at Zhu Luowen.
Regardless of why he attacked Zhuge Xiang is now with her. Zhu Luowen's outrageous slander is nothing short of an insult to Ying Wushuang's reputation.
"Hmph, to win the affections of a princess, are you just a gigolo, cowering behind a woman?" Zhu Luowen didn't answer Ying Wushuang's sharp rebuke, but instead fixed his gaze on Zhuge Xiang, sneering mockingly. (To be continued, please search for the novel for better and faster updates!)