Xuanzang's voice was very soft.
The strings and flutes in the hall were still playing, but as those words fell, the once-lively music seemed to recede far into the distance.
The Queen sat before the table, looking at Xuanzang.
The smile remained on her face, but the brightness that had lit her eyes slowly sank away.
"Imperial Brother, I don't understand what you're saying."
Xuanzang neither answered nor pressed her further.
He still held the cup of tea, his fingertips resting against its warm sides.
A wisp of white steam rose between them and slowly dispersed, just obscuring the Queen's eyes.
The Grand Tutor stood a short distance away.
The frozen smile surfaced on her face again.
Yet, at some point, every female official in the hall had gone still, their faces darkening, their eyes passing over the banquet tables to settle on the teacup in Xuanzang's hand.
The Queen first glanced at that cup of tea.
Then she raised her eyes again.
"What? Surely you aren't deliberately saying all this to fob me off because you're afraid to drink, Imperial Brother?"
Xuanzang lowered his eyes to the tea leaves in the cup.
"Benefactor, the story I just told and the words I spoke..."
"Did you understand them?"
The corners of the Queen's lips stiffened slightly, and her gaze suddenly sharpened.
The next moment.
A voice so cold it stabbed burst from her mouth.
"Still spouting bullshit!"
The music in the hall stopped abruptly.
Every female official in the hall rose with a thunderous commotion.
The Grand Tutor raised her head.
True Immortal Ruyi also looked over sharply.
The Queen still wore the same face.
Her features, phoenix crown, and red robes were all unchanged.
But not a trace remained of her earlier tenderness and dignity.
She stared at