Their arrival was so astounding that it overshadowed the radiance of Prince Rui’s concubine, Shangguan Lei—commonly known as the most beautiful woman in the capital city—when she appeared.
Shangguan Lei was a woman of great beauty as well, and after having spent a lot of time on her makeover that day, she looked even more dazzling.
However, when she stepped through the doors, she neither received any wonderstruck stares nor a single word of praise, unlike what she had expected.
No enthusiastic compliments, only silence.
Just then, she spotted Lu Liangwei, the stunning woman who had everyone spellbound.
In an instant, she realized the problem.
Shangguan Lei’s face twisted into a scowl as she glared at the girl who outshone her. At this moment, her makeover seemed like nothing but a joke.
Her face stung as if she had been slapped.
Her expression stiffened, and she eyed Lu Liangwei with animosity.
Sensing her hostile gaze, Lu Liangwei turned her head in that direction.
However, when she caught sight of Yuan Xin, who was next to Shangguan Lei, she immediately ignored the latter and waved to her.
Yuan Xin was greatly satisfied to see Shangguan Lei’s sullen expression. When she spotted Lu Liangwei, she waved to her happily before sitting down beside Beitang Rui.
Shangguan Lei shot Lu Liangwei a bitter glare before taking her seat.
“Is she a family member of Minister Lin, that Great Shang envoy?”
“I think so.”
“She’s so beautiful. Even Shangguan Lei, the most beautiful woman in our kingdom, can’t compare with her.”
“I heard that Minister Lin’s very fond of her.”
“I’d be fond of a gorgeous woman like her too.”
A flippant voice suddenly interrupted the hushed whispers.
Everyone turned their heads, only to realize that it was the eighth prince, Prince He. At once, the voices in the hall died down to a fearful silence.
Prince He’s mother, Honored Consort Sun, was one of the Emperor’s favorites, hence he was always overbearing and reckless in his actions.
Apparently, he had taken a fancy to that envoy’s family member.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he abruptly stood up from his seat and walked toward Lu Liangwei.
“You’ve traveled a long way to our kingdom, so I’d like to propose a toast to you, Madam.” His eyes were fixed on Lu Liangwei as he spoke, his gaze brazen and direct.
Long Yang narrowed his eyes. His fingers twitched, but the girl quickly pressed her soft hand over them.
“You flatter me, Your Highness! As guests in your kingdom, it’s only right that we toast you.” As if she had not noticed Beitang He’s indecency, Lu Liangwei calmly poured a cup of wine and offered it to him.
Beitang He was taken aback by her social grace and fearlessness.
He only collected himself when he saw the wine cup she was holding out to him, and his lips twisted into a knowing smile.
Wisely acting in accordance with the current situation—this beautiful woman was quite the realist!
The man beside her may be handsome, but in the end, he was just an official and not royalty like him.
Any sighted person would know who to choose.
She was no different; he had just expressed his interest in her, and she was already falling over herself to toast him.
Beitang He was very pleased with the beautiful woman’s behavior.
The sight of the fair and slender hand holding the cup roused desire in him.
He reached out to take the cup, wanting to use the opportunity to stroke her dainty hand. However, the moment he touched the cup, the beautiful woman released her grip.
If he had not reacted in time, the cup would have fallen to the floor.
Startled, Beitang He was about to frown when the woman smiled at him.
He was instantly dazed, and he absent-mindedly raised the cup to his lips.
Lu Liangwei’s smile broadened when she saw him finish all the wine. “Enjoy the celebration, Your Highness!”
Still enchanted by her smile, Beitang He returned to his seat.
Their arrival was so astounding that it overshadowed the radiance of Prince Rui’s concubine, Shangguan Lei—commonly known as the most beautiful woman in the capital city—when she appeared.
Shangguan Lei was a woman of great beauty as well, and after having spent a lot of time on her makeover that day, she looked even more dazzling.
However, when she stepped through the doors, she neither received any wonderstruck stares nor a single word of praise, unlike what she had expected.
No enthusiastic compliments, only silence.
Just then, she spotted Lu Liangwei, the stunning woman who had everyone spellbound.
In an instant, she realized the problem.
Shangguan Lei’s face twisted into a scowl as she glared at the girl who outshone her. At this moment, her makeover seemed like nothing but a joke.
Her face stung as if she had been slapped.
Her expression stiffened, and she eyed Lu Liangwei with animosity.
Sensing her hostile gaze, Lu Liangwei turned her head in that direction.
However, when she caught sight of Yuan Xin, who was next to Shangguan Lei, she immediately ignored the latter and waved to her.
Yuan Xin was greatly satisfied to see Shangguan Lei’s sullen expression. When she spotted Lu Liangwei, she waved to her happily before sitting down beside Beitang Rui.
Shangguan Lei shot Lu Liangwei a bitter glare before taking her seat.
“Is she a family member of Minister Lin, that Great Shang envoy?”
“I think so.”
“She’s so beautiful. Even Shangguan Lei, the most beautiful woman in our kingdom, can’t compare with her.”
“I heard that Minister Lin’s very fond of her.”
“I’d be fond of a gorgeous woman like her too.”
A flippant voice suddenly interrupted the hushed whispers.
Everyone turned their heads, only to realize that it was the eighth prince, Prince He. At once, the voices in the hall died down to a fearful silence.
Prince He’s mother, Honored Consort Sun, was one of the Emperor’s favorites, hence he was always overbearing and reckless in his actions.
Apparently, he had taken a fancy to that envoy’s family member.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he abruptly stood up from his seat and walked toward Lu Liangwei.
“You’ve traveled a long way to our kingdom, so I’d like to propose a toast to you, Madam.” His eyes were fixed on Lu Liangwei as he spoke, his gaze brazen and direct.
Long Yang narrowed his eyes. His fingers twitched, but the girl quickly pressed her soft hand over them.
“You flatter me, Your Highness! As guests in your kingdom, it’s only right that we toast you.” As if she had not noticed Beitang He’s indecency, Lu Liangwei calmly poured a cup of wine and offered it to him.
Beitang He was taken aback by her social grace and fearlessness.
He only collected himself when he saw the wine cup she was holding out to him, and his lips twisted into a knowing smile.
Wisely acting in accordance with the current situation—this beautiful woman was quite the realist!
The man beside her may be handsome, but in the end, he was just an official and not royalty like him.
Any sighted person would know who to choose.
She was no different; he had just expressed his interest in her, and she was already falling over herself to toast him.
Beitang He was very pleased with the beautiful woman’s behavior.
The sight of the fair and slender hand holding the cup roused desire in him.
He reached out to take the cup, wanting to use the opportunity to stroke her dainty hand. However, the moment he touched the cup, the beautiful woman released her grip.
If he had not reacted in time, the cup would have fallen to the floor.
Startled, Beitang He was about to frown when the woman smiled at him.
He was instantly dazed, and he absent-mindedly raised the cup to his lips.
Lu Liangwei’s smile broadened when she saw him finish all the wine. “Enjoy the celebration, Your Highness!”
Still enchanted by her smile, Beitang He returned to his seat.
