Looking toward the front of the grand hall, Lou Xiyan sat with poise behind the table, occasionally leaning back to murmur something to the guard behind her. Her face retained that calm, gentle smile, yet Yan Ruxuan's heart thudded wildly beyond her control. Glancing down at the lustrous jade bracelet encircling her wrist, she bit her lip lightly and stepped forward in Lou Xiyan's direction.
Thankfully, Xiaolian reacted swiftly and seized her hand, pleading, "My dear mistress, please just watch from here. If you move closer, you'll be discovered!"
After several failed attempts to break free, Yan Ruxuan's expression darkened. She said coldly, "I have something to say to him. Wait here."
"Yes..." Knowing the princess was already angered and unable to sway her, Xiaolian reluctantly loosened her grip. Watching her mistress approach Lou Xiyan from the side of the palace, that graceful silhouette fluttering like a drifting pink butterfly, she sighed softly. "The Prime Minister is a blazing fire, yet Her Highness still insists on throwing herself into the flames..."
Inside the hall, Zhuo Qing's eyes widened in astonishment. The spacious hall, nearly the size of a football field, was entirely constructed of wood. Each beam and pillar boasted a diameter of over a meter. The interior was divided into three levels. A ten-meter-wide golden silk carpet stretched from the main entrance to the highest tier, its radiant luster far surpassing the usual red carpet in majesty and grandeur.
At the topmost level sat a golden throne adorned with dragon motifs—clearly, the emperor's seat. On the second tier stood ten exquisitely carved rosewood tables. Lou Xiyan and Su Ling ascended to this level and seated themselves closest to the throne on either side. One glance at the seating arrangement sufficed to discern the hierarchy of power.
The third level held more than a hundred seats, yet those furthest back likely couldn't even make out the emperor's features.
Lou Xiyan took her seat, while Zhuo Qing stood behind him. A twenty-meter distance separated her from the sharp and perilous General Su. Finally daring to look his way again, she whispered in awe, "That General Su truly lives up to his reputation."
Lou Xiyan, without turning, raised a brow and smiled faintly. "Oh? What makes you say that?"
"He has eyes filled with unwavering resolve, a stance both offensive and defensive, and a presence that seems to command all before him."
Perhaps this, too, was the unique allure bestowed upon men of this era. Of course, Zhuo Qing didn't voice that last thought aloud.
Lou Xiyan leisurely lifted his wine cup, sipping with a smile as he said, "So you find this brother-in-law of yours quite satisfactory?"
Brother-in-law? Zhuo Qing blinked, quickly recovering with an awkward laugh. "No, I was merely assessing him as a general. As for whether he qualifies as a husband—that's not my place to judge."
She wasn't nearly capable enough to discern a man's quality as a husband with a single glance. All she could say was that his powerful physique was rather intimidating—he looked like he could crush her with a single squeeze...
Husband—was that the dialectal term for spouse in Haoyue?
Vaguely catching the implication, Lou Xiyan turned slightly, wine cup in hand, and looked at her with playful interest. "And what about me?"
"What... about you?"
The light in his eyes turned elusive, unsettling Zhuo Qing with a strange premonition.
Sure enough, as he toyed with the cup, Lou Xiyan asked with a half-smile, "As a Prime Minister, do I measure up? And... as a husband?"
Though he spoke casually, his gaze remained fixed on her, narrow eyes glinting with emotions Zhuo Qing dared neither interpret nor confront. Her face grew inexplicably warm. Usually eloquent, she found herself at a loss for words.
Patience had always been one of Lou Xiyan's virtues. When she remained silent, he never pressed. But now, under his deep, unwavering gaze, Zhuo Qing felt a quiet torment.
Fortunately, heaven answered her silent plea. A palace maid approached, kneeling before Lou Xiyan's table with a tray in hand.
Lou Xiyan lifted his hand slightly. "No need to serve. You may leave."
Each table at the banquet had an assigned maid to pour wine and serve dishes, but today, he preferred not to be disturbed.
To his surprise, the maid not only remained but calmly poured him another cup of wine. After placing it before him, she slowly lifted her head and asked gently, "Are you feeling any better?"
The soft, feminine voice caused Lou Xiyan's brows to furrow. He turned to the maid and said solemnly, "Princess, you should not be here."
Zhuo Qing, momentarily relieved to escape Lou Xiyan's probing questions, stiffened. She stepped forward instinctively, scrutinizing the woman's face—willow brows and starry eyes, soft cheeks tinged with spring, lips like plum blossoms... Her serene grace was genuinely soothing.
Raising an eyebrow, Zhuo Qing thought to herself: So she wasn't the only one who came in disguise tonight. Lou Xiyan really is quite the attraction.
Feeling it improper to linger and eavesdrop, Zhuo Qing quietly withdrew to stand beside Mo Bai. Leaning lazily against a nearby pillar, she let his tall figure shield her from view, feigning a yawn and deliberately averting her gaze from Lou Xiyan to survey the hall.
The grand hall was already brimming with guests, yet only a select few had access to the second-tier platform. Three seats beside Su Ling remained empty, and the man occupying the last one sat silently, not engaging with any officials.
Curious, Zhuo Qing studied him—he looked familiar. Wasn't he Shan Yulan from the Ministry of Justice? To be seated there, his rank must be considerable.
Lou Xiyan's cold tone caused a pang in Yan Ruxuan's heart. Suppressing her grievance, she softly replied, "I heard your illness relapsed. I was worried and wanted to visit, but the Empress Mother forbade me from leaving the palace often."
"I am quite recovered. There's no need for Your Highness to trouble yourself."
Seeing Zhuo Qing move to stand beside Mo Bai, Lou Xiyan couldn't describe the feeling in his chest. Why did her "understanding" leave him so unsettled? Had he hoped for something else?
His thoughts tangled, though his expression remained unreadable. Lifting his wrist, the glimmer of the jade bracelet caught the light. Heart pounding, Yan Ruxuan asked tentatively, "Did you choose this bracelet yourself?"
Last year, he had someone send her a gold hairpin, which she had worn joyfully every day—until she learned it had been chosen by the steward. Since then, she had never worn it again.
So Jing Sa was the one who gave her the bracelet. How foolish of him, to gift such an intimate item!
Meeting her hopeful gaze, Lou Xiyan merely smiled faintly. "Does the princess like it?"
"If it comes from you, I like anything."
She didn't care what he gave her—what she cared about was whether he had put thought into it.
"I'm glad you like it. The banquet is about to begin. You should return to your seat."
His perfunctory response cast a shadow over her face. Smart as she was, how could she not see that he hadn't chosen the bracelet himself?
What was she still clinging to?
Suddenly, she found herself utterly ridiculous. Rising with a heart full of dismay, she turned—just as a chorus of ceremonial voices echoed through the hall:
"His Majesty arrives! Her Majesty the Empress arrives!"