The Western Xia Kingdom actually sent such an arrogant and presumptuous princess!
She actually dared to call Yun Shu a mere commoner?
And she wanted to punish Yun Shu?
Seeing that Zhan Tianhong remained silent, Princess Shengyue grew anxious. "Emperor Yongning, I demand an explanation! I absolutely cannot be bullied by a commoner for no reason! In Western Xia, I have never been bullied like this before! Moreover, Yun Shu actually dared to compete with me for a man. Who gave her the courage? Her status is simply not worthy of the Night King!"
Perhaps sensing that the young emperor before her, despite his youth, appeared unusually composed and silent, she turned her gaze back to Zhan Tianyu.
For some reason, Zhan Tianyu had remained in the palace and had not yet left.
He could just happen to help her.
"Prince Ning, don't you think she is audacious and overstepped her bounds? Should she not interfere with the diplomatic relations between two countries? As a princess of my status, I am here for a marriage alliance, and naturally, I should choose the one I like. Regardless of what the Night King said today, I believe he was merely deceived by Yun Shu. He will surely like me."
Zhan Tianyu, who had been listening all along, felt his temples throbbing. Simultaneously, his hands, hidden within his long sleeves, clenched tightly.
He had a premonition that the Princess Shengyue before him would ruin everything they had worked towards for years.
However, given the current situation, there was no other choice.
He could only suppress the urge to berate Princess Shengyue to death and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, the marriage alliance indeed requires careful deliberation. However, Princess Shengyue is a distinguished guest of Yongning Kingdom and, more importantly, the princess of Western Xia. To be treated in such a manner on her first day in the capital will inevitably lead to gossip from those with ill intentions. It will indeed affect the peace between the two nations."
Princess Shengyue found Zhan Tianyu's words very pleasing to her ears. "Prince Ning speaks the truth. Yun Shu is not just slapping my face, but the face of Yongning Kingdom and Western Xia. She must be severely punished to make her realize her mistake!"
"However..."
"There's no need to deliberate much on the marriage alliance. When I came from Western Xia, my father, the Emperor, already told me to choose the Night King for the marriage alliance. Apart from the Night King, I wish to marry no one else." Princess Shengyue's demeanor was flamboyant.
Suddenly.
Applause echoed from outside the hall.
"Clap, clap, clap!"
The sound instantly drew the attention of several people.
They saw Xie Jin standing at the entrance, clad in red. His attire was equally flamboyant, though if there were no patches on his red robe, it would have been even more dashing.
But Xie Jin didn't care.
As he walked in, he cast an admiring glance at Princess Shengyue. "Princess Shengyue is truly the most uninhibited princess I have ever met! I am truly impressed!"
"Who are you?" Princess Shengyue asked, looking at the approaching Xie Jin with confusion. His face was unfamiliar, yet it was also a face of exceptional beauty and charm.
Zhan Tianyu knew Xie Jin and even more so the stories behind him. He had not had a chance to see Xie Jin since returning to the capital. He had previously sent an invitation to the Hot Spring Villa, but for some reason, Xie Jin had not attended.
He never expected to meet him here.
"I am Xie Jin." Xie Jin walked up to Princess Shengyue and then bowed to Zhan Tianhong. "Your subject pays his respects to Your Majesty."
"No need for formalities. It has been a long time, Lord Xie." Zhan Tianhong's gaze fell upon the patches on Xie Jin's clothing, and he felt a surge of surprise. How much debt did the Marquis of Wu'an owe outsiders?
Ever since he could remember, the Marquis of Wu'an had been perpetually impoverished. Had so many years passed, and they still hadn't recovered?
A dignified heir, wearing patched clothes. Another person would have been too ashamed to appear in public, but Xie Jin, as long as he was in the capital, would appear wherever he pleased, never showing any sign of distress due to poverty.
Furthermore, Xie Jin was on good terms with his fifth brother.
"Precisely because it has been a long time, I have been greatly missing Your Majesty, which is why I didn't even take my midday nap and came straight to the palace to see you. Seeing that Your Majesty is well, I will surely sleep soundly tonight!" Xie Jin spoke flattering words with a straight face.
Some words were difficult for others to utter.
But for Xie Jin, they came effortlessly, and he could say whatever he pleased.
Zhan Tianhong chuckled upon hearing this. "It's almost time for dinner. Lord Xie, would you like to stay and join us?"
"No, no. Your Majesty has distinguished guests. I should return home for my simple fare. However... Hmm? What's that smell?" Xie Jin suddenly covered his nose.
It seemed as though he had been assailed by an unpleasant odor.
With a look of disdain and disgust, he continued, "Is that a stench? Who is it? Haven't they bathed in months? Or do they have some illness to emit such a strong odor?" Xie Jin's eyes, sharp as a blade, scanned the people in the hall, looking at everyone, of course, not at Zhan Tianhong.
Princess Shengyue detested bad smells the most and frowned, covering her nose. However, despite covering her nose, she felt a strange sensation. She clearly smelled nothing.
Could it be that she had injured her nose in that fall?
She secretly sniffed.
Zhan Tianyu frowned and took a sniff, detecting no smell.
Zhan Tianhong raised an eyebrow, looking at Xie Jin with a lack of understanding.
Xie Jin tilted his head, about to vomit, and held it back. "If the Night King were here, he would surely want to kill someone. He detests unhygienic people the most. Hmm... Is that you, Princess Shengyue, emitting the odor..."
"You! Said! What!" Princess Shengyue's voice rose sharply.
He dared to say she smelled bad?
How could she possibly smell bad?
The incense and spices used for her clothes were all meticulously chosen!
"It's not Princess Shengyue's?" Xie Jin looked bewildered.
Princess Shengyue was furious. "No!"
Her face turned crimson with anger. This was the first time anyone had ever told her she smelled bad!
"Princess Shengyue must have eaten something, right? I once heard that people from Western Xia enjoy eating peculiar-tasting foods, which often leave a lingering odor in their mouths. Alas, Princess Shengyue, why don't you write a letter to be sent back to Western Xia, clearly informing the Emperor of Western Xia that the Night King cannot possibly favor you. Perhaps the Night King would turn pale upon hearing your words." Xie Jin's words grew increasingly impolite.
This person's mouth opened with talk of Yun Shu being a commoner and all that, and she couldn't be smelly?
"You!" Princess Shengyue gritted her teeth in anger.
Zhan Tianhong's lips twitched. He knew Xie Jin had a sharp tongue, but he hadn't expected him to be this venomous.
"You are slandering me! Emperor Yongning, and Prince Ning, can you smell anything on me? He actually dares to slander me!" Princess Shengyue immediately questioned Zhan Tianhong and Zhan Tianyu.
Zhan Tianyu shook his head. "I smell nothing."
Zhan Tianhong did not directly answer, letting Zhan Tianyu respond.
He thought that perhaps this Princess of Western Xia indeed had a rather unpleasant breath.
"It truly stinks."
Another voice suddenly echoed from the hall entrance.
Princess Shengyue turned her head, intending to curse, but upon seeing Zhan Tianye and Yun Shu at the entrance, her wide-open mouth snapped shut.