Chatting along the way, everyone entered the Flower Hall and took their seats. The maids of the Chancellor's Residence filed in, serving tea and refreshments.
Yun Qing casually chose a seat by the window, took little Ye Hui off his wrist, and placed him on the table.
Yun Qing unhurriedly broke off a small piece of Osmanthus Cake and brought it to Ye Hui's mouth with his fingertips.
Ye Hui glanced at him, hesitated for a moment, then opened his mouth and bit down.
The little snake's cheeks bulged as he slowly swallowed.
A hint of amusement rose in Yun Qing's eyes, and he broke off another small piece.
Meanwhile, the others' attention was not on the man and snake.
The instant his backside touched the chair, Ye Tianchen could no longer contain his urgency. He looked at Xie Junheng and went straight to the point:
"Junheng, I rushed all the way to Purple Dusk for one reason alone."
Xie Junheng set down his teacup, his gaze gentle and his tone unhurried. "Brother Ye, are you asking about the Eldest Princess of Purple Dusk?"
"Exactly." Ye Tianchen's expression was grave. Bracing both hands on the edge of the table, he enunciated every word:
"I heard the Eldest Princess of Purple Dusk is trapped in the palace, and the Crown Prince of Great Xia intends to force her to become his concubine! Junheng, I must enter the palace, rescue her, and stop this absurd marriage!"
His voice rang with conviction, his eyes brimming with "righteous integrity."
Xie Junheng's hand paused slightly around his teacup.
"Your anxiety is understandable, Brother Ye, but seven days from now, the Great Xia Eastern Palace will send ceremonial envoys to Chen Capital to escort the eldest princess to Great Xia's Imperial Capital."
"Once the rites are