His Rui

(This chapter is dedicated to Moonh for being so generous and gifting the book frequently. Thank you so much for your love and support. This author really appreciates it.) 

Many whispers ran through the hall but it didn't change the faces of the four people standing at the entrance.

However, Xi Ying heard everything. He coldly glanced at all those faces making them shut their mouth in shock.

Indifferently, he stepped forward while holding Li Rui's hand.

It was only then the people realized that not only did Prime Minister Xi brought his wangfei with him to the Imperial banquet, but he was also even holding her hand.

However, things didn't end here.

"Be careful."

Xi Ying said with a frown as he looked at the floor of the entrance that was lowered. One would need to raise their feet high and then put their feet inside one by one in the banquet hall.

He clicked his tongue with a displeased expression on his face. 

Li Rui's dress was a bit long and it covered her feet completely.

Fortunately, he noticed. What if Rui had fallen and got hurt!

General Li who had just entered with his wangfei rolled his eyes when he heard Xi Ying.

His daughter does not have buttons in place of her eyes. She has a pair of eyes that are able to see much more things than him and Xi Ying. 

He snorted and wanted to comment but stopped when he felt a pinch on his waist.

"My dear, aren't your hands too restless today?"

General Li smiled wickedly as he caught Yi Jei's hand that she was about to put down after pinching his waist.

Although Yi Jie had now long been used to her husband's shameless behavior, she was still embarrassed when he said such words in the presence of so many people.

She looked around and was relieved to see that no one has heard them.

Looking back at her husband, she glared and whispered

"Li Heng, I am telling you one thing very clearly. If you tried to annoy Lord Xi or did anything childish then I will not let you near me for a whole month."

"Alright, alright…calm down. Your anger just makes you look more stunning, my dear."

General Li whispered as he tried to coax his wife.

On the other hand, everyone in the banquet hall was now witnessing a different scene.

Li Rui was about to raise her dress and step inside when she felt a hand hugging her waist firmly and the next moment she found herself inside.

She couldn't even blink her eyes as she tried to register whatever happened in her mind.

"Relax…"

The deep voice fell in her ears and her face gained her usual calm and composed expression.

'Yes, she should relax. They were husband and wife so she can't act like this every time he touches her.'

She raised her head very calmly but her red ears were still showing just how much embarrassed she was feeling after the whole ordeal.

Standing a step back from Xi Ying and Li Rui, Zhao Zhang Wei saw this scene and couldn't help but feel a little envious. 

He also wants to help Qingqing like this.

With a hopeful expression, he raised his hand to hug Yi Huiqing's waist.

He then glanced sideways at his wangfei who had already raised her dress and stepped inside the hall without caring for him.

His raised arm was left empty.

With a bitter smile, Zhao Zhang Wei put his hand down and stepped forward.

.

.

.

Everyone soon sat down on their seats. The large hall was filled with many tables and comfortable seats. The noble families were provided their seats according to their ranks.

The higher ranking noble families sat in the front, that is, most close to the Emperor after the Imperial family's members.

In the front, the three main noble families were Xi, Li, and Yi Clan.

Although the current generation of the Yi Clan didn't have many members in the Imperial Court, it was still a high-ranked clan in Xin.

The previous generations of Yi Clan had shown their great performance in Imperial exams and had highly contributed to the Empire's growth with their better understanding of the economy of an empire.

The previous to previous Emperor was very pleased with the results of their policies and hence declared Yi Clan among the high-ranked clan in Xin.

So Yi Clan was still a very respected and popular clan in Xin.

Currently, Xi Ying and Li Rui were seated in between both the clans.

Xi Ying intentionally sat down on Li Rui's right side as on that side Yi family was seated. Since the moment they had stepped inside, he could notice Yi Junjie's momentary glances at Li Rui.

Although the young man respectfully stopped once he coldly glanced at him, he still doesn't want to give him any chance.

So he intentionally covered Li Rui completely from Yi Junjie's sight.     

People were still talking with each other. The maidens were sitting in groups laughing and chatting about something.

They only paused for a moment when the guard announced the arrival of the first Prince and his princess consort.

The wise people could see the displeased face of the first prince.

Why wouldn't he be unhappy?

In the past, in every Imperial banquet, he would enter just before the Emperor and his entry would be very grand.

Everyone would have to stand and greet him and his wangfei.

But now, he was no longer a crown prince and hence his welcome was no different than any other prince. 

As he walked towards his seat, his face became uglier when he saw that his seat was not much far away from Zhao Zhang Wei's seat.

But he could do nothing.

With a cold and black face, Zhao Zhuang Cheng flicked his sleeve and sat down on his seat without even caring whether his wangfei was following him or not.

Everyone ignored it as if nothing happened and continued to busy themselves in chatting with each other.

The bustling atmosphere inside the banquet hall only calmed down when they heard the Imperial guard's loud voice again.

"Welcoming His Majesty, the Emperor of Xin and his wangfei, Her Majesty, the Empress of Xin…"

  And everyone stood up from their seats to pay the respects to the Emperor and the Empress.