Before the banquet began, perhaps because Bai Shengyi had encountered too few cultivators, and the capital bore too great a resemblance to ancient China, Bai Shengyi had always felt that although she was in a world of cultivation, it was essentially no different from the mortal world.
But not until this moment—
A golden spirit energy cultivator stood at the entrance of the grand hall, releasing ten thousand beams of golden light. A wood spirit energy cultivator, hovering in mid-air, summoned a sea of pink lotuses. Horse-drawn phoenix and crane carriages roared from afar to the entrance. The Empress, hand in hand with the Emperor, descended from the carriage, stepping on the lotuses in mid-air to reach the two highest seats.
The dreamlike, heaven-piercing methods of cultivators combined with the worldly power and wealth of royalty. While it seemed natural, upon closer inspection, it was quite incongruous.
Bai Shengyi felt as though she had touched upon something, but the sounds of everyone rising to pay respects interrupted her thoughts.
"We wish His Majesty and Her Majesty eternal life!"
Because the Great Ning Dynasty revered cultivation and esteemed martial prowess, the practice of kowtowing had long been abolished. However, even so, the attitude of the assembled guests towards the two figures on the high seats revealed the formidable foundation of the royal family and the continued stability of their position.
"Please be seated," the current Emperor, Emperor Ningfeng, waved his hand and smiled, "Today is the Empress's birthday banquet. We hope that the Empress and everyone will be happy. There is no need for formality."
The Empress said, "Your servant thanks His Majesty."
After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two transitioned into the segment where the princes presented their gifts.
Bai Shengyi watched silently. Emperor Ningfeng and the Empress, both in their mid-thirties, exuded an extraordinary presence. However, Bai Shengyi knew that both of them were well over a hundred years old; their youthful appearance was due to their status as Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Of the ten princes and five princesses, the eldest prince was handsome, the third prince was eloquent, the fourth and fifth princesses were underage, and the rest left a mediocre impression.
"Fifth Brother, your birthday gift this year is not as thoughtful as in previous years," the Third Prince remarked, seemingly in jest.
He and the Fourth Princess were born to the Empress. Apart from the eldest brother, there was no one else who could contend with him.
Yet, the fifth prince's cultivation talent surpassed his, and he had been enfeoffed as a prince long ago. Not only that, but he had also quietly secured the hand of that young lady from the Bai family, and at every such occasion, he used the Bai family's daughter's gifts to overshadow him.
His cultivation aptitude was the worst among his brothers. In the future, if he wanted to live well, ascending the throne was his only option. Naturally, he found Qin Zhao extremely displeasing.
Qin Zhao was in a very bad mood. In previous years, he had been the most distinguished among his brothers. But this year, Bai Shengyi had caused trouble and refused to cooperate, causing him to be ridiculed.
"Third Brother, you wrong your brother. I would never dare to be negligent with our mother Empress's birthday gift," Qin Zhao mustered his spirits to explain. "These hundred-plus 'shou' characters were personally written by me, each imbued with my wishes for our mother."
Qin Zhao, perhaps to save money or to take a shortcut, wrote as many characters as the Empress was years old.
But he had no understanding of women's minds, especially older women.
The Empress said coolly, "There was no need for such thoughtfulness." Qin Zhao's gift seemed to remind her of the fact that she was once young and beautiful.
Anyone with discerning eyes could see that the Empress disliked the gift.
Hearing the Empress's words, the Third Prince chuckled, "Isn't it thoughtful? With so many gifts, you've managed to displease Mother Empress. Fifth Brother, you deserve to be punished!"
Bai Shengyi almost laughed out loud. The Third Prince's tongue was no less sharp than hers; with a few words, he had cornered Qin Zhao.
In the past, Qin Zhao had always acted superior to her. Seeing Qin Zhao embarrassed now, Bai Shengyi's lips curled with joy. It felt so good.
However, it was clear that some people could not stand to see her happy.
"Bai Shengyi, what is that expression on your face? Brother Zhao is being bullied, and you, as his fiancée, not only fail to help but even gloat?"
The hall was already quiet. Sun Mingyu, relying on the Empress's favor, spoke without restraint, so everyone heard her.
During this period, Bai Shengyi's name had appeared too frequently. Moreover, before the Emperor and Empress arrived, Bai Shengyi had already had a conflict with Sun Mingyu and others. The crowd understood perfectly that Princess Mingyu intended to deal with Bai Shengyi.
Bai Shengyi was truly pitiable: her fiancé and sister sided with others, her parents were missing, and her grandfather simply ignored her...
Amidst the pity of the crowd, Bai Shengyi showed no panic. She unhurriedly rose, paid her respects to the Emperor and Empress, and then said, "Princess Mingyu, your words, if one didn't know better, would make them think you had a grudge against the Third Prince."
"Firstly, the Third Prince is concerned and caring for Prince Gong, not bullying him. Secondly, I was merely smiling; what 'gloating' is there? If you have an eye ailment, you should seek treatment immediately, don't be blind."
Her tone was not heavy, but it was extremely insulting.
Thus, visibly, Sun Mingyu's mouth twisted with anger, "You are simply quibbling!"
"Mingyu!" The Empress's gentle voice warned. It was fine to like the Fifth Prince, but don't forget, the Third Prince was her son!
With the Empress's intervention, Sun Mingyu had to suppress her anger, but Bai Shengyi's spirits were ignited.
"Speaking of which, Your Majesty, Your Highness, your humble subject wishes to seek a favor at this opportunity." Bai Shengyi, like a truly blind person, groped her way towards the front of the hall.
The little palace maid behind her hurried to support her as she walked to the center of the hall, where Bai Shengyi performed a grand bow to the Emperor and Empress.
Qin Zhao's heart suddenly skipped a beat, and he had a bad premonition.
"Previously, Prince Gong always said he treated this humble subject the best, but as this humble subject cannot cultivate and is blind, and bears a verbal engagement with Prince Ming, I have acted foolishly... Ah, these should not be mentioned again, but..."
Bai Shengyi said with a bitter smile, "This humble subject harbors deep affection for Prince Gong and believed the Prince felt the same for me. But this humble subject only learned today that the Prince's affection was never for this humble subject, but always for my sister! Prince Gong and my sister have always shared a love as deep as the sea. I implore Your Majesty and Your Highness to decide, and to transfer the engagement to my sister!"
"This humble subject knows that the engagement bestowed by Your Majesty upon this humble subject is already a great kindness, and this request is somewhat presumptuous. However, it is better to tear down ten temples than to destroy a marriage. This humble subject does not wish for discord between sisters, nor does she wish to ruin another's marriage, and she truly... cannot accept it."
Bai Shengyi trailed off.
Cannot accept what?
Her own fiancé was secretly involved with her sister!
Good heavens, Prince Gong was playing such games in private? She never expected that the seemingly respectable and elegant Prince Gong would be such a scumbag!
The onlookers were stunned!
The banquet had just begun, and it was already this thrilling?
The key was that Bai Shengyi's demeanor did not seem like she was lying at all, and Prince Gong's seating today confirmed her words, as his seat was not only next to Princess Mingyu but also next to Bai Murong.
If Bai Shengyi had not exposed it, people would not have paid attention, as they could be considered friends. But now, Bai Shengyi had torn away this fig leaf, and this was simply a royal scandal!
"Shengyi! You've relapsed again." Bai Murong quickly reacted and was the first to stand, saying, "Your Majesty, Your Highness, Shengyi has suffered mental stimulation and is often not clear-headed. She was just talking nonsense. This humble subject will drag her away now. We implore Your Majesty and Your Highness to forgive us."
She felt a crisis greater than any she had ever experienced. She absolutely could not let Bai Shengyi succeed. She liked Qin Zhao, it was true, but Qin Zhao had nothing now, and she did not want to be drained by him.
Furthermore, if something were to happen with Qin Zhao now, wouldn't Sun Mingyu kill her!
Bai Murong hurried to the grand hall and reached out to grab Bai Shengyi.