Mo Qinghan dragged Feng Chenling with her into the palace . By then, the Empress still hadn’t arrived yet .

Feng Chenling raised his head, looking around, hoping to catch a glimpse of the woman whose image remained in his heart .

Finally he saw her . She was sitting near the front, holding a cup of wine in her hand . She didn’t look in his direction .

Maybe… maybe… she didn’t know that he was here .

Suddenly, the previously quiet hall erupted into mutterings .

“Who’s that young man by the Fourth Princess’s side? Is that her new toy?”

“You don’t know about that? It’s the Sixth Princess’s Fourth Consort . ”

“How could the Sixth Princess’s Fourth Consort, be with… the Fourth Princess?”

…

Hearing these rumors, Feng Chenling’s hands shook . What was he going to do now, just what was he going to do… it looked like everyone had misunderstood the situation .

Mo Qinghan gave Feng Chenling’s palm a rea.s.suring squeeze, as if to give him some strength . Afterwards, she directed a cold glare to the others in the room .

Quickly, the hall returned back to silence .

Although, a strange atmosphere remained .

Mo Qinghan, pulling Feng Chenling behind her, approached Mo Qingli’s table . Loudly, she said, “Mo Qingli . ”

The others in the hall p.r.i.c.ked their ears, wondering what these two princesses were planning to discuss .

“What is it?” Mo Qingli said, lowering the cup of wine in her hand . She looked at Mo Qinghan, and then at Feng Chenling . Then, she lowered her gaze, a flash of surprise entering her eyes as she caught wind of their linked hands .

Quickly, the surprise turned into hate . “If you’ve brought this man to me in an attempt to flaunt him, I’d advise you to give up . ”

She no longer spoke . However, the nearby Mu Tianlang noticed her shaking fists, and saw through the true feelings in her heart .

Mu Tianlang looked at Feng Chenling, studying him . A small smile formed on his face . This man certainly didn’t look half bad . It was just a pity… that he was a little too weak .

“Mo Qingli, speaking so harshly… are you even a person? Chenling, Chenling, he…” Mo Qinghan feigned anger as she spoke . She purposefully did not end the sentence, wanting to give Mo Qingli the wrong impression of their relations.h.i.+p .

Chenling?! Hehe…

Mo Qingli’s eyes became frigid . Lowering her eyes, she looked at the small fox in her lap . Her lips parted . “What does his affairs have to do with me?”

The small fox curled into a tighter ball . So painful… rather than petting it, it would be more accurate to say that Mo Qingli was digging her nails into its fur . It looked up, wanting to protest, only to catch a glimpse of Mo Qingli’s chilly expression .

After second thought, it decided to adjust its position in her lap instead .

Feng Chenling couldn’t believe that these words came out of Mo Qingli’s mouth . Without thinking, he called out, “Wife…”

“Mo Qingli,” Mo Qinghan said, interrupting Feng Chenling’s words . “Do you know that Chenling thought of you everyday? Even when he ate and slept, he thought of you . How could you treat him like this!

He thought of me even when eating and sleeping? Mo Qingli thought disdainfully .  Wouldn’t it be more accurate to say that the two of you ate and slept together, then?! 

To even go as so far as to act innocent in front of her .

“If you understand him to this extent, wouldn’t it be better for me to just give him to you outright?!” Mo Qingli said indifferently . However, inside, it felt like her heart was churning in the midst of enormous tidal waves . Her chest felt painfully constricted .

It was like she had finally swallowed down a fishbone… only for the bone to have dug into the flesh of her esophagus on the way down .

He had been the first person she had ever felt love towards . Only… not only had he refused to believe her, but after leaving her, he had also quickly ran into Mo Qinghan’s embrace .

Hehe… if you love each other so much, then let me help you two lovers out! 

She had never been the kind of person to needlessly hara.s.s others . If Feng Chenling really wished to be with Mo Qinghan… then so be it .

Hearing these words, Feng Chenling felt his heart skip a beat . He grabbed the pit of his stomach, wanting to step back . He didn’t dare to believe, he wasn’t willing to believe, that the person he loved the most was willing to give him away like used goods to someone else .

Mo Qinghan wanted to laugh . Everything had gone according to her expectations . However, seeing Feng Chenling’s appearance, her heart felt somewhat pained . Hurriedly, she supported Feng Chenling . “Chenling, are you alright?”

Feng Chenling’s chest felt inexplicably empty, as if someone had cut out his heart with a knife .

His eyes ached . His throat was so painful .

Everything hurt .

Mo Qinghan glared at Mo Qingli, then gently supported Feng Chenling back to her table .

Seeing this scene, the onlookers looked at each other meaningfully, but didn’t dare to speak .

Mo Qingqin secretly shot Mo Qinghan a thumbs up . This scene was too amazing, really too amazing!

Seeing this, Mo Qinghan smiled back .

Finally, the Empress and Ouyang Haoxuan arrived into the hall . Afterwards, a servant loudly struck a gong . Behind the Empress and Ouyang Haoxuan shuffled in a mult.i.tude of lower-ranked consorts .

The crowd in the hall kneeled, loudly praising, “May the Empress live for a thousand years! May the Empress live for a thousand years…!”

“My beloved Subjects, you may all rise,” the Empress said, sitting onto the throne .

After the Empress’s words, the program for the festivities began . A series of dance and music performances began, accompanied with several rounds of wine .

Xiaoyao Yunyan, seeing that the time was about right, gave a meaningful glance across the room to Xiaoyao Yunbo . Seeing this, Xiaoyao Yunbo returned a knowing smile . He gave Mo Qingyu a random excuse as he prepared to temporarily step away .

However, a brief snag appeared when Mo Qingyu suddenly insisted in accompanying Xiaoyao Yunbo .

Xiaoyao Yunbo used up a great deal of energy in convincing her not to go with him . Afterwards, he surrept.i.tiously wiped off the sweat that had collected on his forehead, quickly departing the hall .

Mo Qingli had long noticed Xiaoyao Yunyan’s “subtle” movements . However, she found that she didn’t care enough to get involved . She only sat there, one cup at a time downing wine into her mouth .

This new development made Mu Tianlang extremely happy . In Mo Qingli’s current intoxicated state, it was easy for him to take advantage of her .  Hahaha… Mu Tianlang’s current mood was extremely happy .

Therefore, not only did he not stop Mo Qingli from drinking, but rather even encouraged it, taking initiative to pour the wine for her himself .

After the current dance finished, a servant announced to the hall, “A prince of the Xiaoyao Kingdom offers a dance — The Broken Shards of War . ”

Mo Qingyu had been anxiously waiting for Xiaoyao Yunbo to return . Just as she prepared to leave and search for him herself, she heard the servant’s announcement .

Suddenly, a bad premonition formed in her heart . This Xiaoyao Kingdom Prince couldn’t be… Xiaoyao Yunbo?!

When the dancer appeared on the stage, Mo Qingyu’s worst fears were confirmed . The person on the stage was indeed Xiaoyao Yunbo . Although he had changed his outfit and hidden his face with a gauze, that silhouette, that way of moving… it was clearly Xiaoyao Yunbo!

Mo Qingyu suddenly felt extremely unsettled .

Xiaoyao Yunbo’s way of dressing was extremely audacious . He was clothed only in several layers of gauze, revealing the white and supple skin underneath .

As the music began, Xiaoyao Yunbo began moving his body along with it . As he was originally a prince from a male-dominated country, his movements were unlike the men from the Motian Dynasty . He didn’t shake his waist, or dance in a seductive manner .

The music, too, reflected this . It wasn’t the gentle melodies of the Motian Dynasty, but rather the grand and majestic sounds of war and battle . The earth-shaking sounds of gongs and drums played in beat with the melody, creating an imposing and awe-inspiring image in the minds of its listeners .

Xiaoyao Yunbo’s movements did not match his outfit . Every step brought with it a sense of perseverance, of resoluteness . Every single movement was carefully observed by the entranced audience .

This was not just a dance . This was a story, and Xiaoyao Yunbo was its storyteller .

The Empress released her grasp on Ouyang Haoxuan’s waist, narrowing her eyes as she concentrated on the dance . All of the chancellors and ministers seemed equally fascinated . They had never seen such a dance before, and the poundings of the drums echoed into the depths of their hearts .

So this Xiaoyao Yunbo wasn’t just a pretty face . Who would have thought he possessed such moving talent?

After the dance finished, there was an audible hush as the audience remained still .

The Empress took initiative to stand up first, clapping her hands . She called out, “Good, good!”

The rest of the audience finally reacted, following the Empress in suit . The sound of their applause echoed endlessly in the great hall .

“Your dance isn’t that of the palace . This man, take off your veil and show Us what you look like!” The Empress said, looking at the now-kneeling Xiaoyao Yunbo .

“Yes, Empress,” Xiaoyao Yunbo said . He raised his eyes slowly to match the smoldering gaze of the Empress in front of him . Slowly, he pushed away the veil .

His features were like that of a painting, his eyes shone like stars, and his skin was supple and smooth . These words seemed incapable of describing just how beautiful he was .

“Good, good, a beauty!” The Empress declared, clapping together her hands . Her eyes remained focused on the kneeling man in front of her . In her intoxicated state, she had long forgotten that this young man was the consort of her own daughter .

“Wis.h.i.+ng the Empress eternal youth,” Xiaoyao Yunyan praised . His voice was suave and melodious, with almost a demonic charm to it .

After hearing this, Mo Qingyu was unable to remain sitting . Immediately, she stood up, stating, “Mother Empress, Yunbo and I have been preparing this for a while! We hope that you have enjoyed this performance . ”

Yunbo? The Empress thought for a moment . “Oh, so you are that Xiaoyao Yunbo?”

Xiaoyao Yunbo felt some disdain towards Mo Qingyu, the one-eyed freak, for interrupting his good fortune . However, the emotions didn’t show on his face . He lowered his face bashfully, murmuring, “Yes, Empress, this servant is indeed Xiaoyao Yunbo . ”

He purposefully didn’t call the Empress “Mother Empress” or address himself as “This Son” . This was in order to give the Empress the illusion that he admired this Empress .

The Empress carefully observed Xiaoyao Yunbo, before finally nodding her head . To Mo Qingyu, she said, “Your thoughtfulness has been noted . Here, send someone to reward her!”

“Many thanks, Mother Empress . ”

Mo Qingyu grabbed Xiaoyao Yunbo’s wrist, leading him out of the palace hall to change clothing . However, if one were to carefully observe her expression, it was full of stark unsettledness .

After Xiaoyao Yunbo’s outstanding dance, none of the following performances seemed to be as exciting to watch anymore .

As the people in the hall toasted the Empress, praising her, the Empress unexpectedly drank to every one of the toasts . As she drank more and more, a dark red flush covered her face .

Someone from the crowd suddenly shouted out, “Empress, make a birthday wis.h.!.+”