Your Majesty?
Hearing the commotion, everyone's heart skipped a beat.
Although there had been rumors that His Majesty would attend today's banquet,
it was already late, and with no one appearing, they had assumed it was just a rumor.
But he came at this time?
A trace of astonishment also flashed in Li Jingran's eyes.
He had sent an invitation to the palace merely out of courtesy, never expecting the other party to actually come.
But unexpectedly, he really came?
This... "Welcome, Your Majesty—!!!"
The Old Eunuch's voice rang out again.
Only then did everyone awaken as if from a dream, hastily leaving their seats and prostrating themselves on the ground.
"Long live our Emperor! Long live! Long, long live—!!!"
Amidst the thunderous shouts of homage,
only a few people remained standing.
In this sea of kneeling people,
only a few figures seemed out of place.
Jiang Yuechu still stood in her original spot.
According to the Great Tang laws, the Demon Suppression Division does not kneel before the monarch, only performing a military salute.
Gu Changge, also a member of the Demon Suppression Division, cupped his fists in salute.
Footsteps, treading on everyone's heartbeats, slowly approached.
In a few breaths,
a figure in a bright yellow everyday robe crossed the threshold and entered the lavish hall.
The Emperor's Face was pale, his brows furrowed with a hint of anxiety, and his gaze quickly swept over everyone.
Then, it landed on the young girl clad in a silver-scaled cloak.
Their eyes met.
This was the second time.
The previous time was by the Taiye Pond; back then, he merely found this girl pleasing to the eye, but nothing more.
But seeing her again now,
and looking closely with a preconceived notion,
she resembled the outline of his Consort Mother from the depths of his memory more and more.
Wei Wenda's words resurfaced in his mind.
"Your Majesty, the Azure Bird Dragon Pattern Pendant was Consort Ming's personal item before entering the palace, the only one of its kind in the world..."
"Although Jiang Xun is pedantic, he is not a great villain. He would never collude with demons, nor would he secretly steal such a precious treasure."
"And that girl's talent..."
"Seventeen years old, Ink Dot Realm; slaying Seed Lotus at Taihu Lake."
"If not for bearing the Dragon Seed of the Great Tang's national fortune, if not for the imperial Bloodline..."
"How could a common mortal receive such a great blessing?!"
His hands trembled uncontrollably.
Li Guyue... is that you?
The sister who was lost on that night of blood and fire sixteen years ago?
He wanted to rush up, grab her hand recklessly, and take a good look at her.
He wanted to ask her if she had suffered these past years.
But... the Emperor took a deep breath, forcefully halting his steps.
After all, the matter was of great importance.
If he was mistaken... it would not only cause the Li family to lose Face, but also make this girl a target of public criticism.
Even with ninety-nine percent certainty,
as long as that one percent of irrefutable proof was missing, he dared not gamble.
The Emperor closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
He forcefully suppressed the surging emotions back into his heart.
When he opened his eyes again,
they were clear.
"You may all rise."
"We thank Your Majesty for your grace—"
Only then did everyone dare to scramble up from the ground, though each still kept their heads bowed.
Li Jingran also recovered his senses at this moment and quickly stepped forward: "Imperial Brother, why have you come?"
"Didn't the imperial physician say that your Dragon body was unwell and required rest? If I had known Imperial Brother was coming, your subject would surely have opened the main gate and laid out a red carpet to welcome you..."
"That's enough."
The Emperor waved his hand, interrupting his polite greetings.
He slowly walked forward and stood beside the main seat, which originally belonged to Li Jingran.
His gaze swept over the messy floor: "I was bored in the palace. Hearing it was lively here, I came to take a look."
"What?"
"You don't welcome me?"
Li Jingran's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly bowed: "Your subject would not dare! For Imperial Brother to come is an honor for Prince Jings Estate. It's just that... there was a small disturbance just now, and I fear it might offend Imperial Brother's eyes."
"Disturbance?"
The Emperor turned, his gaze passing over Li Jingran, and landed back on Jiang Yuechu.
His eyes softened instantly.
"Isn't this Inspector Jiang?"
Jiang Yuechu nodded slightly, her expression calm.
"Your subject, Jiang Yuechu, greets Your Majesty."
"No need for formalities."
The Emperor shook his head: "I read the memorial about the battle at Taihu Lake. You did well. I... think highly of you."
As soon as these words were uttered,
everyone was secretly astonished.
It seemed... this Inspector Jiang held considerable weight in His Majesty's eyes... But then, considering Jiang Yuechu's reputation, it seemed normal.
Li Jingran's Face stiffened slightly.
He was just about to try and win over Jiang Yuechu, and Imperial Brother already... "Since I'm here,"
The Emperor didn't even look at Li Jingran, seating himself in the main seat. He pointed to the spot beside him, "Inspector Jiang, sit here and talk with me."
...
Logically speaking,
with His Majesty present and seated in the main position,
the seat beside him would naturally belong to Prince Jing.
But now, the Emperor directly asked a subject, and a woman at that, to sit beside him?
This was against etiquette!
But who dared to utter a word?
Li Jingran's hand in his sleeve clenched tightly.
This was a slap in his Face.
In his own estate, taking his seat, and even trying to take the person he favored?
"Imperial Brother..."
Li Jingran forced a smile, "This might be against etiquette, no? Although Inspector Jiang has rendered meritorious service, she is still an external subject, and a woman..."
"What?"
The Emperor turned his head, his gaze suddenly cold.
"Are my words no longer effective?"
"Or are the rules of Prince Jings Estate greater than my imperial decree?"
This accusation was too severe.
Li Jingran's Face instantly turned pale, and he dropped to his knees with a thud.
"Your subject would not dare! Your subject... absolutely has no such intention!"
"If you don't dare, then shut up."
The Emperor snorted coldly, flicking his sleeve.
Then, he patted the soft cushion beside him.
He looked at Jiang Yuechu with a gentle gaze.
"Come here."
Jiang Yuechu frowned slightly.
Although she didn't know what trick the Emperor was playing,
at this moment,
feeling the inexplicable expectation in his eyes,
she hesitated for a moment.
In the end, she didn't publicly contradict the Emperor's Face.
She adjusted her cloak, slowly walked forward, and sat down on the soft cushion.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
As the two sat down,
the atmosphere in the banquet hall became extremely strange.
The Emperor sat in the main seat, Jiang Yuechu sat beside him.
And Prince Jing, as the host, could only sit aggrieved in a guest seat below.
As for everyone else... each kept their eyes down, wishing they could shrink into quails.
"Continue then."
The Emperor said with a smile, clearly in a good mood.
"Isn't this a Liushang Banquet? Continue the music, continue the dance. I just came to observe, you don't need to be restrained."
Don't need to be restrained?
With you, old man, sitting here, who dares not be restrained?
The musicians tremblingly played their instruments, and the dancers stiffly swayed their waists.
On the originally clear stream, the floating wine cups once again drifted.
Only this time,
no one dared to compose poetry or shout loudly.
The entire banquet hall was so quiet that only the awkward music echoed.