Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress
Chapter 285 - 283: The Destined One_1

Chapter 285: Chapter 283: The Destined One_1

He secretly clenched his fist. Anyway, the Emperor of Jin and the King Xian had already agreed to his proposal to marry the Commandery Princess. The announcement would be made at today’s palace feast. He was not in a rush. Even if the Commandery Princess had no feelings for him, he believed he could win her over.

Wei Qiheng’s gaze seemed to stick to Bai Qingyan as he sat back in his seat, his eyebrows revealing undisguised joy.

He had encountered countless women, but only this one could make him so deeply affected after just one meeting. He was willing to spend his life without any other beauties, as long as he could be with her.

Wei Qiheng thought, perhaps as his eldest royal sister had said, he had met his destined one!

Hearing the eunuch’s announcement that the Emperor of Jin and the Emperor of Yan had arrived, everyone in the hall stood up and saluted.

Bai Qingyan glanced towards the Emperor of Yan. When their eyes met, her calm gaze carried a silent warning. Murong Yu was stunned for a moment before smiling wryly, seeming slightly troubled. It looked like he had severely offended the girl his brother liked the last time.

The Emperor of Jin and the Emperor of Yan, Murong Yu, arrived together and took their seats side by side on the high platform.

Following closely behind the Emperor of Yan, Murong Yu, the Little Prince Murong Li’s eyes lit up when he saw Bai Qingyan. The Crown Prince personally guided him to sit next to him.

The Crown Prince treated Murong Li with a warm brotherly attitude.

Murong Li restrained his urge to turn back and look at his Ninth Uncle. It was only when the Crown Prince pretended not to know about their lake excursion and introduced him that Murong Li said, "Yesterday, I was accompanied by Mr. Xiao on a lake tour. I know Mr. Xiao."

The Emperor of Yan looked towards the direction of Murong Li and Xiao Rongyan, raised his wine cup with a smile, and signaled Xiao Rongyan from a distance.

Xiao Rongyan pretended to be surprised and honored. He quickly stood up with his wine cup, gave a respectful bow, and used his sleeve to cover his face as he drank it all in one go.

The Crown Prince was very pleased. Yesterday, upon learning that Xiao Rongyan had accompanied the Emperor of Yan on a lake tour, he had instructed Xiao Rongyan to interact more with the Emperor of Yan.

"Does the Emperor of Yan know Mr. Xiao?" asked the Emperor of Jin to Murong Yu.

"Yes, my chief eunuch met Mr. Xiao in Nanyan. Yesterday, my youngest son insisted on a lake tour and used Mr. Xiao’s painted boat," Murong Yu replied honestly without concealment.

"Mr. Xiao’s talent is astonishing. Even though he is a merchant, he has won our Emperor’s favor. I did not expect the Emperor of Yan to also appreciate Mr. Xiao so much," said the Empress.

The long-absent Empress accompanied the Emperor in attending this feast. Unexpectedly, the Crown Princess Consort’s birth mother, Consort Yu, sat next to the Emperor, while the currently favored Lady Qiu was situated beside the Emperor.

While everyone was stunned by Lady Qiu’s favor and amazed at the Emperor of Yan’s stunning appearance, a rapid sound of a huqin and dense drumbeats began.

A woman wearing a fiery red dance dress adorned with gold and jade ornaments, with her face veiled in gold gauze, stepped barefoot into the hall to the sound of the music. Every step on the drumbeats caused the golden bells on her ankles to jingle crisply. She was followed by several Xiliang warriors carrying drums.

Bai Qingyan looked towards Li Tianfu. Yesterday, Li Tianfu had been in extreme despair over Lu Tianzhuo’s death, but today, she seemed reborn, exuding seductive charm, her gaze fixed on the Emperor with a clear purpose.

Bai Qingyan turned to the high seat where the Emperor, who was having a conversation with Lady Qiu, had a slight smile at the corners of his mouth. It appeared that Li Tianfu’s seductive charms did not capture the Emperor’s attention.

Xiliang women dressed boldly, almost baring their chests, unashamed of showcasing their beauty. Their white shoulders contrasted sharply with their red dresses, causing many young men in the hall to be restless.

The graceful woman stepped forward in rhythm with the drumbeats, her slender waist swaying like a water snake, her dance moves captivating as she smiled seductively towards the Emperor. Her eyes beneath the fan-like eyelashes were filled with an alluring and mysterious gaze.

With a sudden change in the huqin music, the woman’s eyes, more enchanting than peach blossoms, sparkled as she lightly leaped onto a drum held high above a warrior’s head, causing a collective gasp from the audience.

This woman could dance on drums with such lightness!

Li Tianfu smiled and spread her sleeves. Her toes lightly touched the drum surface, and she spun rapidly, causing her dress to rise into the air with her speed. From a distance, she looked like a blooming red plum, breathtakingly beautiful and thrilling.

The ringing bells, drumbeats, and huqin music hastened, and the woman’s spinning quickened.

Even the Emperor straightened up as he focused on Li Tianfu.

Li Zhijie smirked, tapping his folded fan against his palm.

Everyone watched in awe and tension as Li Tianfu, spinning at high speed, moved from one drum to another, leaving only a red blur in her wake. While worried for her, the sight also filled them with excitement.

The huqin music suddenly peaked, and Li Tianfu’s spinning stopped abruptly. She stood steadily on the drum, her fingers forming a peacock shape, while the kneeling warriors slowly stood up. Under the bright palace lamps, Li Tianfu seemed like a high-standing peacock.

She glanced back towards the Emperor, her clear eyes filled with desire, enticing every man who looked.

She slowly extended her arms and slim waist, stepping down from the drums onto the ground barefoot, as if she were a celestial being descending from the sky, kneeling gracefully.

Such a woman was entrancing not only to men but also to Bai Qingyan.

Li Zhijie stood up, saluted the Emperor, and said, "The Princess of Xiliang dances for the Emperor of Jin, wishing him eternal glory!"

"Excellent!" The Emperor of Jin clapped. "The Princess’s dance is truly unparalleled."

"At the command of our Empress of Xiliang, I bring the Princess here for a political marriage, wishing for everlasting peace between Jin and Xiliang," Li Zhijie said with a smile.

Lady Qiu, who was sitting beside the Emperor, subtly tightened her grip. Seeing the Emperor laugh heartily, she gently clutched his robe, her watery eyes filled with forlorn sadness.

The Emperor laughed and held Lady Qiu’s soft hand, saying, "The Princess of Xiliang is so beautiful and charming. If she marries into our Jin Kingdom, it is naturally a good thing. But... the Crown Prince already has an official wife, so the Princess will have to settle for the position of a side consort."

As he spoke, the Emperor’s gaze landed on Lady Qiu with indulgence and affection.

The Crown Princess Consort was startled. She looked up at the Emperor, her pupils trembling slightly as she twisted the handkerchief in her hand.

The Crown Prince was taken aback and quickly stood up to express his gratitude.

Li Tianfu, proud of her beauty, never met a man in Xiliang who wouldn’t bow at her feet if she so wished. Her target was the Emperor. How could it be that the Emperor was not intrigued by her?

She clenched her hand. The Crown Prince was fine. As long as she remained at the power center of Jin, she could eventually annihilate Bai Qingyan’s entire family.

She lifted her head, her captivating eyes looking at the Emperor. She raised her hand and took off her veil, giving a respectful bow.