Chapter 211 -

Chapter 211: Chapter

[Oh boy!] Yueqing panicked in her mind, her eyes going wide as she stared at her husband. [Wenzhe didn’t prepare anything for the Emperor! What is he going to do now?! Is he going to get beheaded for showing up empty-handed?!]

Hearing her loud, dramatic panic, Wenzhe had to fight the urge to roll his eyes. He calmly placed his teacup down on the table. Without a single trace of fear on his face, he stood up tall. Duke Xi also rose from his seat a few tables away.

Together, father and son stepped out into the center of the grand hall. The entire room held its breath. Everyone remembered how ruthlessly the Emperor had just embarrassed Lord Jin and Lord Cao. They waited to see how the Emperor would punish the cold General for bringing no gift.

Wenzhe and the Duke dropped to one knee, bowing their heads respectfully.

"We greet Your Majesty," Duke Xi announced, his voice deep and strong.

The Emperor looked down at them from his golden throne. The heavy, sarcastic look on his face completely vanished. Instead, he gave a slow, approving nod.

"Rise," the Emperor commanded smoothly.

Wenzhe and the Duke stood up.

"I see you brought no wooden boxes or jade statues," the Emperor said. His voice echoed loudly in the silent hall. "Good. Because I did not expect any gifts from the Xi family tonight."

A shocked murmur swept through the nobles. Yueqing blinked in surprise, leaning forward in her seat.

"The past two months have not been the best for your family," the Emperor continued, his sharp eyes scanning the Duke. "Duke Xi, you have just returned from a brutal and highly successful war against the rebel army in the north. You crushed our enemies and protected our borders. For that, the empire owes you a great debt."

Duke Xi bowed his head humbly. "It is my duty to the crown, Your Majesty."

The Emperor smiled faintly, then shifted his heavy gaze directly to Wenzhe.

"And you, General Xi," the Emperor said, his tone turning a bit more serious. "I am glad to welcome you back home. I heard reports that you fell violently ill and have been fighting a terrible fever since your return."

Wenzhe kept his face perfectly blank. "I am recovering well, Your Majesty. Thank you for your concern."

"See that you do," the Emperor ordered firmly. "Take this time to rest. Eat well, heal your body, and get your full strength back. The empire needs its greatest general healthy and ready. When you are fully recovered, you will carry on with your job and lead our armies once again."

"I will not let you down, Your Majesty," Wenzhe replied, bowing deeply.

The entire hall was completely stunned. The Emperor had just insulted two powerful ministers, but he was showering the Xi family with massive praise and public favor. The message was loud and clear: the Xi family was untouchable.

Back at the table, Yueqing let out a massive sigh of relief. She slumped back in her chair and patted her chest.

[Phew! Thank goodness! I thought we were definitely going to the royal dungeon. Turns out the old man actually has a heart!]

Wenzhe, who was just turning around to walk back to his seat, almost tripped over his heavy silk boots.

The old man?! Wenzhe thought, his eyes widening slightly. He quickly caught his balance and kept his face totally straight, but inside, his heart was racing. Did she really just call the most ruthless Emperor in history an ’old man’?! If anyone could hear her thoughts besides me, she would have a hundred swords at her neck!

Wenzhe walked back to the table and sat down heavily beside her. He shot her a sharp, warning glare from the corner of his eye, silently begging her to keep her chaotic thoughts quiet.

But Yueqing was already happily reaching for another sweet pastry. [Man, this royal food is amazing. I wonder if I can pack some up for later...]

Across the open floor, Xiao Chen watched the Emperor praise Wenzhe. The prince sat rigidly in his chair. His knuckles turned completely white as he gripped his golden wine cup.

Just as Wenzhe settled into his seat, the Empress slowly turned her head. Her heavy gold crown sparkled under the warm lights. She looked directly at their table, a perfectly sweet and gentle smile painted on her face.

"Su Yueqing," the Empress called out. Her voice was soft and smooth as silk, but it easily carried across the quiet hall.

Yueqing froze with a sweet pastry halfway to her mouth. She quickly put it down on her plate and stood up, bowing her head respectfully.

"You are the Grand Chancellor’s daughter, correct?" the Empress asked warmly, her dark eyes scanning Yueqing from head to toe. "I have heard a lot about you recently. Especially now that you are married to our great General."

"Yes, Your Imperial Highness," Yueqing answered politely, keeping her eyes focused on the floor.

The Empress smiled even wider. "You are such a bright and beautiful girl. The palace can be so dull for me sometimes. Yueqing, do make sure to visit me in my chambers regularly. We should spend some time together."

Outwardly, Yueqing looked like a perfect, obedient noble lady. But inside her head, absolute chaos erupted.

[Visit you? Regularly?!] Yueqing screamed in her mind. [Like a little lamb casually walking right into a poisonous snake’s nest? Yeah, right! I know exactly how these palace traps work. The moment I drink your tea, I am going to end up as dead cannon fodder!]

Sitting right next to her, Wenzhe violently choked on his wine. He quickly covered his mouth with his fist, coughing to hide his shock.

But he was not the only one who heard her.

A few tables away, the entire Xi family suddenly stiffened.

Xi Qianqian’s jaw completely dropped. She gripped her silk handkerchief, her eyes wide with absolute, pure shock.

She could not believe her sister-in-law had the actual guts to call the powerful Empress a poisonous snake. It was crazy, terrifying, and oddly brave all at the same time.

Right next to Qianqian, Lanyin almost dropped her silver chopsticks onto the floor. She quickly covered her mouth, her eyes darting around the room in a panic.

Gu Yue, sitting close by, leaned over and gently tugged on Lanyin’s sleeve.

"Why is Sister-in-law thinking such terrifying things about the Empress and the Emperor?" Gu Yue whispered quietly, looking very confused. "She called the Emperor an old man earlier, and now she is calling the Empress a poisonous snake. And what exactly does ’cannon fodder’ mean?"

Lanyin quickly shushed her, nervously checking to make sure no one else in the hall had heard Gu Yue speak. "Quiet!" she whispered frantically.

Unaware of the massive panic she was causing at the family tables, Yueqing looked up and gave the Empress a blinding, innocent smile.

"It would be my absolute greatest honor, Your Imperial Highness," Yueqing lied smoothly. "I would love to visit you."

[I would rather eat a big bowl of dirt,] she quickly added in her mind. [I am staying ten thousand miles away from you, you toxic old witch.]

Wenzhe had to pinch the bridge of his nose to stop himself from groaning out loud. He could literally feel his parents’ shock radiating from the next table.

The Empress looked deeply pleased with Yueqing’s answer. She nodded gracefully and turned her attention back to the dancers.

As Yueqing finally sat back down in her chair, Wenzhe leaned close to her ear. His face looked perfectly calm to the rest of the room, but his rough voice held a strict warning.

"You will not go near her palace," Wenzhe whispered sharply. "Do you understand me? If she calls for you, tell her you are sick. You stay away from that woman."

Yueqing blinked in surprise, turning to look at his serious face.

[Wow, he really hates her too. I guess the great General is not totally blind after all.]

"I know," Yueqing whispered back, rolling her eyes. "I am not stupid, Wenzhe."

Wenzhe let out a heavy breath. He looked across the room at the smiling Empress, and then at Xiao Chen, who was still glaring at him.

The banquet was now in full swing. Loud music filled the massive hall. The nobles walked around, laughing and drinking sweet wine with the Emperor.

But Su Yueqing did not care about the boring palace nobles. Her eyes were glued to the food. She happily ate as much roasted duck, sweet buns, and glazed pork as she wanted.

Wenzhe did not leave to talk to the other men. He just sat there, leaning his chin on his hand, watching his wife eat. When her plate was almost empty, he quietly used his silver chopsticks to give her more meat.

[Oh, more duck! Don’t mind if I do,] she thought happily, grabbing the meat. [This annoying block of wood makes a very good food server!]

Wenzhe almost smiled. He said nothing and just poured her a cup of tea so she would not choke.

Suddenly, a tall shadow covered their table.

A man sat heavily in the empty chair right next to Yueqing. He smelled of strong wine.

Yueqing froze with a sweet bun halfway to her mouth. She quickly turned her head.

It was Xiao Chen.

The Third Prince leaned back in his chair. He totally ignored the deadly look Wenzhe gave him. Instead, Xiao Chen looked right at Yueqing and gave her a wide, wicked smile.

"Hello, Lady Su," Xiao Chen said smoothly.

Then, he looked slowly at Wenzhe. His wicked smile turned into a cold, proud smirk.

"And... you."

Wenzhe’s soft mood vanished instantly.

"What are you doing here?"