The peace negotiations went smoothly, and hosts and guests alike enjoyed the banquet.
Many fine wines and dishes from the Imperial Kitchen were served to entertain the Northern Border envoys. Xie Huizhou thoroughly enjoyed his meal.
Zhang Lanhe liked seeing Xie Huizhou radiate delight. He could not help serving him food and occasionally wiping the corners of his mouth.
This was how they usually behaved at the National Preceptor's Residence. It had become second nature, and they enjoyed it without finding anything amiss.
The ministers dining nearby were stunned by their displays of affection.
Wasn't the Imperial Preceptor a notorious clean freak who disliked anyone approaching him and never thought anything of anyone else? Why was he so eager to wait on the Ninth Prince? He was practically his personal servant.
The way Zhang Lanhe's gaze constantly clung to Xie Huizhou was frightening, as though he wanted to bite him to pieces and devour him, warning people away from his prey from time to time.
He seemed to be declaring his ownership.
One cutting glare from Zhang Lanhe quickly silenced them.
Poor Ninth Prince. Clearly, he was not doing this willingly; the snake-like Imperial Preceptor had him wrapped around his finger.
The lilting music stopped on the strings, and the dancers withdrew one after another. With the mood just right, the guests enthusiastically praised how wonderful the banquet had been.
Taking advantage of the lively crowd, the emperor decided to arrange a fine marriage.
"I... wish to marry off my thirteenth sister... Anyang Princess, to forge... an alliance with the Northern Border."
The emperor's voice was somewhat strained and halting, but it did not stand out amid the noisy banquet. Many people grew suspicious but did not dwell on it.
Sooner or later, the grasslands would fall into the hands