"Princess Ling Yao arrives—"
The eunuch's announcement drew everyone's attention.
At the entrance of the Golden Summit Grand Hall, between two thick and majestic dragon pillars, a woman, supported by a tall man, elegantly made her entrance.
Everyone held their breath.
She wore a three-tiered pearl coronet, her black hair cascaded over her shoulders, and a snow-white gown with dark patterns and gold trim reached her ankles. She was draped in an exquisite white fox fur, adorned with no other jewelry, yet she shone like a celestial being descending from the heavens.
Her snow-white skin seemed to meld with her attire. Her eyes, like obsidian, flickered with a mysterious and sacred radiance.
All worldly things paled in comparison before her.
A fragrant breeze swept past. The tall man, clad in a tight, dark robe, half-embraced her waist as they proceeded into the hall, his piercing gaze surveying everything.
The young emperor on his throne had already hurried down the steps.
"Imperial Sister, come," he extended his hand.
He wore dragon robes and a golden crown. His eyes were gentle, filled with joy, and his handsome features bore a resemblance to hers, exuding extraordinary beauty.
He already possessed the nascent aura of an emperor.
This transformation pleased Ling Yao.
In the presence of so many, she could not disregard his feelings. She had to release Xiao Shan. Ling Yao placed her right hand into her imperial brother's.
Xiao Shan snorted softly and followed closely.
Qing He, Yu Liu, Yu Shan, and others followed in succession.
Ashina Tulu’s stern face was etched with mockery. To think that the formidable God of Slaughter, in Jing country, followed a woman like a servant. Did he not feel ashamed?
With two seats level, Ling Yao took the right side. The civil and military officials already knew that Princess Ling Yao was the divine maiden of Jing country, not an ordinary princess. As she had not yet ascended the throne, they all shouted in unison, "Long live the Emperor, long live the Princess."
Young noble ladies secretly glanced at the handsome Emperor, while also observing the noble and untouchable Princess Ling Yao.
They had only seen the unremarkable Princess Ling Xi before, never Princess Ling Yao. They hadn't expected her to be so otherworldly in appearance.
She was the Emperor's full sister, the legitimate princess, incomparable to Princess Ling Xi!
With Ling Yao's arrival, the Emperor's mood had clearly lightened considerably.
"There is no need for formality, all my esteemed officials may relax."
Xiao Shan sat beside Ling Yao, but his seat was slightly lower. His height made it convenient for him to attend to her, fetching drinks and serving food without needing anyone else.
Qing He was dressed in a light green brocade pleated skirt today. Her demeanor was ethereal, as radiant as a peach blossom and as cold as frost, completely unlike ordinary palace maids. She had her own seat, arranged with the First Prince's table. Many eyes were drawn to her, speculating about her identity.
Qu Linglong had also accompanied the First Prince today. She had met Qing He once at the Imperial Hospital and had often heard her father praise her highly. Seeing her approach, her eyes lit up.
"Miss Qing He."
"Greetings, Consort Qu." Qing He returned the greeting calmly.
The First Prince raised an eyebrow, likely guessing the reason for her presence at this table.
"Hey! You! What should this princess call you? Royal Sister-in-law?"
Qing He looked up. Ashina Meiduo, with her chin held high and an expression of disdain, her eyes, so similar to someone else's, were particularly irritating.
Qing He's expression remained unchanged. Her gaze drifted towards the Turkic envoy delegation. Ashina Tulu watched them with a half-smile, his hawk-like eyes sharp and profound.
She gave him a mocking smile before turning her gaze back to Ashina Meiduo's fiery red dress and her skin, tanned by the prairie sun, which clashed with the noble ladies of the capital.
"Truly ugly."
"What did you say?" Ashina Meiduo finally lowered her proud head and looked directly at the woman sitting on a cushion, elegantly sipping tea.
"Heh, are all women of Jing country so heartless? Isn't it said that a good woman does not remarry? You've been my royal brother's woman for a year, and now you wish to return and marry? Which man would marry you? Tell me, so this princess can witness the magnanimity of Jing men."
Her voice was arrogant and overbearing. Many people turned their heads, whispering amongst themselves.
The First Prince smiled with an unreadable expression, playing with his wine cup, appearing detached from the situation.
Qu Linglong sneered, "As expected of a wild land, uncultured, and unworthy of the stage, spewing vulgarities."
Ashina Meiduo's face changed. Arrogantly, she drew the whip from behind her and pointed it at Qu Linglong, "What are you? Say that again?"
"Ashina Meiduo, do you wish to die?" Qing He's voice was calm, her eyes filled with frost.
Ashina Meiduo's pupils contracted.
She remembered Qing He's poison skills.
The ability to kill without a trace.
This woman was not a white lotus to be bullied, but a venomous snake!
"You, you dare! This is the Grand Jing Imperial Palace! If anything happens to me... Ah—" She suddenly flipped over and fell heavily onto the ground three steps away.
All the Turkic envoys stood up. The Great Prince Ashina Tulu narrowed his eyes.
What just happened?
"Who? Who hit me?" Ashina Meiduo clutched her face, looking around. No one was there. No one was beside her. Who had hit her?
A chill suddenly enveloped her. Her gaze was filled with fear.
Could it be a ghost?
The Grand Shaman took a sip of wine with a self-satisfied air. Ministers who realized what was happening looked towards the high platform with shining eyes.
"It was I who struck you!"
Ling Yao stood up. The fox fur was shed, her snow-white gown shimmering with faint light. Her graceful figure clearly revealed the swell of her abdomen.
Standing on the high platform, she looked down, her eyes sharp and cold. "Entering my Grand Jing, you must honor Grand Jing's rules. Who permitted you to wear red and disrespect the late Emperor?"
Ling Yao waved her hand, and another slap landed. From a distance of nearly ten meters, Ashina Meiduo's entire body twisted again, falling heavily to the ground. This time, blood even seeped from the corner of her mouth.
The Turkic envoys were all stunned into silence.
The Divine Maiden of Grand Jing?
Ashina Meiduo looked as if she had seen a ghost, in pain and terrified, "You, you are not human?"
Xiao Shan also stood up, looking at her belly with concern. "Are you alright? Don't do it yourself, let me kill her."
"I'm fine. Such a trifle will not harm me in the slightest," Ling Yao smiled at him, appearing very relaxed.
At this moment, a minister stood up and declared loudly, "This is the Divine Maiden of our Grand Jing! If the Divine Maiden is angered, the subjects of our Grand Jing will not forgive lightly!"
"Yes! A mere barbarian princess who disrespected our late Emperor deserves severe punishment!"
Ashina Tulu's sharp eyes, like a falcon's, fixed on Ling Yao. He gave a signal to his envoys, and two of them quickly went to help Ashina Meiduo.
"What divine maiden! Playing tricks!" Ashina Meiduo, having lost all dignity, was filled with shame and anger.
This must be some illusion technique, perhaps someone acting from the shadows!
Eager to confirm, she pushed away the envoys, got up, and swung the whip in her hand towards Ling Yao.
"Presumptuous!" Emperor Mingde shouted loudly. Guards drew their swords to protect.
"Seeking death!"
Xiao Shan's chopsticks had already flown out like arrows. The whip was struck, changing direction, and like a dancing snake, it landed on the envoy's table.
Wine cups and vessels crashed to the floor.
"Ah—" Ashina Meiduo shrieked.
Her body was seen slowly rising into the air, as if an invisible hand was holding her. No matter how she struggled, she could not break free.
Looking at Ling Yao, her right hand faintly glowed with a green light, her hair floating, cold and breathtakingly beautiful, as she controlled the upward movement.
For a moment, all the officials and their families knelt on the ground.
"Let me down, help, help, Royal Brother—"
Ashina Meiduo ascended higher and higher, stopping only at the ceiling dozens of meters above. No one doubted that if they were outdoors, she could fly into the sky!
Ashina Tulu was shocked. This was the Divine Maiden of Jing country, rumored for 500 years.
Was it true?
Everyone in Jing country watched the Divine Maiden displaying her power with excitement. Only Xiao Shan, anxiously called out by her ear.
"Alright, alright, just throw her away! Don't waste your strength..."