Chapter 138 - Provocation
138 Provocation
The representatives of each country walked into the hall….
Walking in the far left was Hua Xiu Yi, a dark red lavish brocade robe embroidered with large swaying orchids, a lean body, a wide jade flower hairpin has the hair raised, his eyebrows were exquisite, an endless charm. He bowed to the Emperor before sitting on his seat.
Hua Xiu Yi after sitting down, glanced at Feng Yi Xuan. For Hua Xiu Yi, the biggest threat to him in Feng country was Feng Yi Xuan. But he noticed Feng Yi Xuan’s gaze wasn’t as cruel as it was in the past. Instead, it emitted warmth, Hua Xiu Yi followed Feng Yi Xuan’s gaze, then froze…
In the hustle and bustle of the banquet, a woman in white sat there becoming a piece of heaven and earth. Beautiful, an otherworldly beauty, a beauty that didn’t belong to a mortal. A pair of starry eyes, beautiful as a celestial maiden who has fallen to earth. The snow-white skin above the veil, raven black hair like a cascading waterfall, what is more rare is the aura surrounding her body with hints of indifference, a bit of innocence, a bit of cruelty, a bit of cleverness, and a bit of softness. It was such a contradictory fusion of temperaments, but it seemed so natural on her. No wonder Feng Yi Xuan who didn’t like women would pay so much attention.
Lan You Nian noticed someone was directly looking at her and looked up at the person and saw Hua Xiu Yi’s frivolous and measuring gaze.
Hua Xiu Yi saw Lan You Nian looked up at him and saw the eyes of the woman called Lan you Nian. That pair of eyes were beautiful and clear as if it can wash away all the impurities of the world. Bright big eyes looked directly at him as if looking at him, but also not, a million things seem to pass through those eyes, but remained untouched.
Lan You Nian only took a glance before lowering her eyes. For Lan You Nian, this Hua Xiu Yi was a dangerous person. She would never go provoke such dangerous characters. Feng Yi Xuan was an accident, a beautiful accident.
Hua Xiu Yi was still immersed in that woman’s brilliant eyes when he noticed the woman looked down, no longer looking at him. Hua Xiu Yi couldn’t help wonder, he was born with such beautiful looks, although his appearance was delicate as a woman, it made him more alluring, which woman didn’t blush, and their hearts didn’t skip a beat when they saw him. But this woman was so calm, indeed, so this is Miss Miao Yin praised by the world, Hua Xiu Yi became more interested in this Lan You Nian.
“Greetings to Feng’s Emperor!” Pei Fu bowed, then listened to Emperor Feng Xuan’s polite words before sitting in his own seat.
Pei Fu wore a white Xue country’s court uniform, a jade belt wrapped around his body, skin white, a pair of starry eyes were like ancient wells, red lips, an eagle nose, temperament elegant as chrysanthemums, but at the same time exuding a nobleness that couldn’t be ignored. Clearly, it was a weak body frame, but his eyes, eyebrows revealed an authority that couldn’t be underestimated.
Pei Fu didn’t look at anything after he sat down. He didn’t observe Feng country’s people, only sat there quietly tasting the wine in his hands, making no one believe this was Xue country’s Prime Minister.
The last to show their respects was Yue country’s two princesses, eldest princess Yue Bai Lian and third princess Yue Qian Ling.
Lan You Nian raised her eyes and looked at Yue Bai Lian who she hasn’t seen for many days. Yue Bai Lian wore a yellow peony embroidered brocade, a floor-length pink skirt, an emerald wrap around her hands, a beautiful hairstyle inserted with a peony flower.
Yue Bai Lian’s etiquette was very dignified, with bearing a princess should have, who would ever think she was Xiao Jin Pavilion’s star?
Standing beside Yue Bai Lian was Yue Qian Ling who also dressed carefully afraid Yue Bai Lian was better than her. Yue Qian Ling wore a white peony brocade, floor-length white plum blossom skirt.
Yue Bai Lian and Yue Qian Ling took their own seats. YueQian Ling observed everyone in the hall and saw the person she wanted to see. That was Lan You Nian.
Yue Qian Ling’s gaze was filled with disgust and disdain for Lan You Nian. Because of Lan You Nian, she suffered a big loss. Now no matter what she must retaliate back, just a general’s legitimate daughter, was she nobler than she a princess?
Lan You Nian also noticed Yue Qian Ling’s gaze. Lan You Nian’s eyes flashed with a glimmer of light, that radiance makes people unable to dare look directly at it, the hot depths rose a bone-chilling cold. What she hated was people who made trouble for her, this Yue Qian Ling better mind her own business.
Yue Qian Ling’s apparent dislike was noticed by Yue Bai Lian. She wasn’t only a princess like Yue Qian Ling, but they were also enemies. She just didn’t have a chance to kill off this Yue Qian Ling, but she won’t let go of her.
Yue Bai Lian glanced at the one who Yue Qian Ling disliked and saw the veiled woman on the opposite side. Yue Bai Lian knew this was Miss Miao Yin. Miss Miao Yin was Wu Qing Pavilion’s person, so Yue Bai Lian was a little worried for Lan manor’s legitimate daughter. Yue Qian Ling was an unreasonable person.
For some reason, Yue Bai Lian felt this Lan manor’s legitimate daughter was very familiar, but she knew for sure she has never interacted with this woman before.
In fact, it was quite normal that Yue Bai Lian didn’t recognize Lan You Nian. Although Lan You Nian revealed her real face to Yue Bai Lian as well as revealing her identity as a girl, Lan You Nian was wearing a woman’s outfit as well as wearing a veil, so Yue Bai Lian only felt familiar but didn’t overthink it.
Lan You Nian saw Bai Lian didn’t recognize her, her eyes flashed with a smile…
The palace banquet seemed to be like this every time. Besides the wine and food, the musicians will be playing music, there was no lack of graceful dancers dancing. La You Nian was already accustomed to these ancient people’s entertainment.
Although this exchange meeting will last many days, it has already started from this night’s banquet. It was just looking at each country’s situation as well as can’t lose your country’s face.
“Your Majesty of Feng!” Yue Qian Ling stood up, “I heard Miss Miao Yin was Feng country’s general’s legitimate daughter. Don’t know if this princess has the good fortune to see for myself?”
Lan You Nian put down the teapot in her hands, lamenting in her heart, why will someone always find some trouble with her at each banquet? Does she look like she was easy to bully?
How can Emperor Feng Xuan not be able to see Yue Qian Ling’s ill intent? The Emperor glanced down at Lan You Nian who was sitting there calmly as if she heard nothing and felt troubled. Concerning this girl, because his son liked, the Emperor paid a bit more attention. Before he paid attention, he didn’t know, but once he paid attention, he was shocked. This girl’s talents were really amazing, and the rare thing is that his sixth son liked her very much. The Emperor was ecstatic to give his blessings. What concerned the Emperor the most was Lan You Nian’s face. But the Emperor knew his son wasn’t a superficial person. His son was especially stubborn. Once he has chosen a person, then he won’t let go in this life.
“Lan family’s girl?” The Emperor looked at Lan You Nian gently, not that he didn’t want to use an Emperor’s authority to call Lan You Nian, rather his sixth son was already using his indifferent eyes on him. The Emperor was certain, if he dared to make things difficult, this sixth son would make him unable to back down with good grace.
You have to say the Emperor knew Feng Yi Xuan very well. For Feng Yi Xuan, the country’s face was worthless. He only cared about whether Nian Nian was happy.
Lan You Nian stood up and gave a curtsy, her etiquette was fluid like a flowing stream. No fault can be picked out. Even the Emperor couldn’t help praising inside. Only Lan You Nian can make the etiquette seem so natural.
“Princess Qian Ling, this girl is Miss Miao Yin!” Lan You Nian said. Clearly, Yue Qian Ling had the identity of a princess but with both of them standing up, but Lan You Nian’s temperament was much nobler than Yue Qian Ling. Although Yue Qian Ling had her head held high but for some reason still felt she was inferior.
Yue Qian Ling looked at Lan You Nian, “I heard Miss Miao Yin’s song is better than the sounds of heaven, don’t know if Lan young miss is willing to compare dances with this princess?”
Feng country’s people found Yue Qian Ling’s words to be funny. Clearly knew what the abilities of the other was but competed with something she knew, isn’t this blatantly bullying people? Even Emperor Feng Xuan was displeased.
“Not willing!” Lan You Nian said bluntly making Yue Qian Ling’s smile unable to continue while Feng Yi Xuan and the others chuckled.
Hua Xiu Yi saw such a different Lan You Nian, muttering, “Interesting…”
Yue Qian Ling although hated she couldn’t give Lan You Nian a beating, but she knew where she was standing and why she has come to Feng. Yue Qian Ling put on her princess air, “At the countries’ exchange banquet challenges are acceptable, or do all women of Feng country are afraid?”
Yue Qian Ling’s words were indeed ruthless. The problem between them has now risen to the problems of the countries. After all, at the exchange banquet, each person was representing their own country. If Lan You Nian didn’t agree to this competition, then it meant Feng country was afraid of Yue.
Everyone looked at Lan You Nian. Many people were worried. They heard Lan You Nian’s songs were unparalleled in the world, but they have never heard Miss Miao Yin can dance. Many people thought Lan You Nian can’t dance. Even Yue Qian Ling thought so so she would be so provocative.
“Do you know where you are standing?” Lan You Nian tilted her small head asking. What she hated the most was other people threatening her because that would make her seem vulnerable. She would never allow herself to be vulnerable.
Yue Qian Ling although didn’t understand why Lan You Nian would ask such an idiotic question, she still answered, “Feng country’s palace!”
“Oh?” Lan You Nian raised her eyebrows, “In my Feng country, a princess dares to be so arrogant, who gave you such guts? Is it your Yue country’s Emperor or Princess Yue Qian Ling yourself? Is Princess Yue Qian Ling bullying the daughter of Feng country’s general?”
Lan You Nian’s words went along with what Yue Qian Ling said. Since you want to raise things to the level of country vs. country, then she will fulfill her wish. A princess who participated in the exchange banquet trying to provoke an incident between the two countries, bullying a general’s daughter, isn’t this blatant arrogance? If the country’s general is enraged, then in the future…
Lan You Nian just finished speaking when Lan Jian Jun sitting on the other side stood up, “Your Majesty, this official has never had other thoughts while at war but if this official can’t even protect his daughter, then how can I become Feng’s general?”
Lan You Nian’s mouth tugged upwards. This father was getting better and better, he can even utter such words.
Many people in the court knew Lan Jian Jun was a loyal person, but such a loyal person uttered such blunt words for his daughter, it made people have a new understanding of Lan You Nian.
Yue Qian Ling panicked. Provoking Feng country’s young miss was no problem, but if it involved that country’s general, then it was a problem. Yue Qian Ling wanted to expect but didn’t know how. She didn’t understand why things will become like this.
“Does this Yue country’s third princess think our Feng country has no one? Hmph!” The one who uttered these words was Marquis manor’s marquis Jing Leng, Jing Wu An’s father.
Lan You Nian didn’t expect this marquis will help her. Although this marquis sent many invitations to Lan manor for her to go to marquis manor to play, she never went. Now seeing Jing Leng benevolently looking at her, Lan You Nian felt strange.
Jing Wu An’s face reddened, to Feng Xia Qi, he said, “My father is probably crazy thinking about that wine, so shameful!”
Even the marquis had offered his opinions, Feng country’s many officials looked unkindly upon Yue Qian Ling. No one likes other people t look down on their own country.
Yue Bai Lian looked at Yue Qian Ling with ridicule but didn’t utter a word to help her as if she wasn’t Yue country’s people. Yue country’s safety wasn’t related to her at all.
Just when Yue Qian Ling was anxious to explain, Lan You Nan suddenly said, “But Princess Qian Ling might be right, how could my Feng country not have anyone? As for Princess Qian Ling’s contest, this girl accepts!”
Lan You Nian returned to her seat and sat back down as if there was absolutely nothing wrong with it. But she has played Yue Qian Ling like a puppet on strings. Many people can tell Lan You Nian intentionally played the other person, otherwise, she would have agreed earlier.