The Emperor of Western Xia arrived first, appearing to be in his early thirties despite being in his forties, a testament to his excellent self-care.
It was no wonder that many women in Western Xia wished to be chosen for the imperial harem and marry him.
However.
When everyone saw Prince Jin behind the Emperor of Western Xia, the women's eyes widened.
Their faces all turned red.
It was a countenance unparalleled in the world!
An aura and features honed to ultimate perfection.
His features seemed meticulously carved by the heavens, flawless in every aspect.
In his presence, all colors seemed to fade.
Even women who considered themselves attractive felt a sense of inferiority at this moment.
It was no surprise that Prince Jin was so heavily favored by the Emperor as soon as he was recognized and brought back; it was because Prince Jin was undeniably and incomparably outstanding!
Many women who had already harbored romantic notions before seeing Prince Jin now found their hearts ablaze.
They wished to marry Prince Jin! They knew they wouldn't be the primary consort, as that position was reserved for Princess Ningde. They hoped to be chosen as a secondary consort, or even a noble concubine; they would accept any of these willingly!
Across the land, they believed there was no man more worthy of marriage than Prince Jin!
Yet, at this moment, they overlooked the cold indifference in Prince Jin's dark eyes, a detachment as if all living beings were mere dust in his sight, devoid of any emotional trace.
"Prin... Prince Jin! Mother, he..."
Qin Lingyue could barely contain her excited heart. It was Prince Jin! She had met many men before and felt nothing significant, nor had she particularly wished to marry any of them. But now, after seeing Prince Jin, she realized what true infatuation was! This was infatuation!
She was smitten!
She believed she had fallen in love with Prince Jin!
She wanted to marry Prince Jin!
She must marry Prince Jin!
The Minister's wife, seeing her daughter's excitement, could only softly remind her, "Lingyue, you must not let your feelings show too openly, or you will be easily looked down upon."
Let alone her own daughter, if she were ten years younger, she too would want to marry Prince Jin! Her heart had been trembling uncontrollably just now.
Meanwhile, as everyone's gaze was fixed on Prince Jin, no one noticed the 'Qin Linglong' beside Qin Lingyue. The moment she saw Prince Jin, the emotions in her eyes seemed to pour out.
It was shock.
Although she had some certainty when she arrived, that there was no one else like him, that Prince Jin was King Ye, and now seeing him confirmed it. Her eyes did not deceive her.
After searching for so long, she had finally found him.
Yun Shu lowered her eyelids, concealing the emotions in her eyes, knowing that if she continued to look, her feelings would be discovered.
The moment she confirmed it was Zhan Tianye, a host of new mysteries surfaced in her mind.
Mysteries that only Zhan Tianye himself could unravel.
Under the gaze of many, Prince Jin, who seemed comparable to a celestial being, took his seat.
He sat beside the Emperor.
The importance the Emperor of Western Xia placed on Prince Jin was evident.
Many princes and princesses watched Prince Jin with envious and jealous eyes.
Even Princess Shengyue, who had just taken her seat, watched Zhan Tianye with immense jealousy. She knew Zhan Tianye's true identity but could not tell anyone.
To speak of it would be a capital offense; her father would show no mercy.
She did not know what her father had done in Dongning Kingdom a few months ago, but somehow, he had successfully brought Zhan Tianye back to Western Xia.
Unfortunately, although she wanted to speak to Zhan Tianye, to get closer, and to talk about sibling affection, Zhan Tianye didn't even look at her, never giving her the opportunity. Even General Li De had privately told her not to get too close to Zhan Tianye.
She knew there must be some secret hidden within, one that neither her father nor Li De would tell her.
Therefore, she could only think of other ways to improve her own standing.
Looking at the way the assembled women were gazing at Zhan Tianye, she inwardly sneered. These women were so foolish. Look at how Prince Jin looked at them, completely devoid of emotion.
It was as if he were looking at a bunch of stupid pigs, and yet they still fantasized about marrying him!
She suddenly thought of something and immediately looked towards Princess Ningde.
Princess Ningde was also seeing Zhan Tianye for the first time today. She wanted to see if Princess Ningde could maintain her composure. Surely she would be like those infatuated girls!
However, when she saw Princess Ningde's calm and self-possessed demeanor, she was somewhat surprised.
She seemed unfazed?
This shouldn't be the case!
Suddenly recalling something, Princess Shengyue sneered inwardly. Who could pretend better than Princess Ningde? Princess Ningde had always been hypocritical; who knew what she was thinking in her heart!
Did she think she couldn't see through it?
Meanwhile, Princess Ningde was truly struck by his appearance. She had seen portraits of Prince Jin and knew of his peerless beauty, but seeing him in person, she realized that portraits could not capture his true appearance and aura.
It was an aura that made people willingly bow their heads in submission!
It was simply astonishing!
She knew in her heart that this one glance had destined her to lose her heart and destined her to willingly marry him.
When she had seen his portrait before, she had merely thought marrying Prince Jin would be acceptable, as there was no one else in the capital whom she had felt an immediate desire to marry.
But now, she knew she wanted to be the one by Prince Jin's side, his equal in facing the future.
"Your Highness, Prince Jin, that is Prince Jin!" Lv Qiao became excited, suddenly feeling a sense of shared pride.
The ladies and princesses from other families could not compare to their Highness. Their Highness was the Imperial Consort Jin, personally appointed by the Emperor!
Prince Jin's appearance was truly exciting!
However, Princess Ningde's eyes darkened, and she became very calm. It was wishful thinking for others to try and discern anything from her expression.
Seeing her Highness's indifferent demeanor, Lv Qiao was somewhat dumbfounded and whispered, "Your Highness, are you not excited?"
Look at how excited those who had originally wanted to marry Prince Jin were!
They were practically dying to rush forward.
And then compete to say, "I want to marry Prince Jin! Prince Jin, look at me, quickly marry me!"
Princess Ningde said in a clear, cold voice, "Lv Qiao, this is the palace."
Even if she had many thoughts in her heart, she had to calm them.
If she let all her thoughts surface, what difference would she have from those people?
The moment Zhan Tianye sat down, the surroundings fell silent.
The Emperor of Western Xia looked at Zhan Tianye with a sense of pride. This was his most satisfactory son! This empire, and the ever-expanding empire of the future, could only be held by this son!
When everyone recovered, they shouted in unison, "Long live the Emperor, long live, long live!"