Shocking! The entire court was drooling with envy because of me.

The emperor was in high spirits. He was not only looking forward to Shen Qing's delicious food, but also to seeing the Liao delegation get humiliated.

Just then, a young eunuch ran in to deliver a message:

"Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince has sent someone again, saying that if you don't allow him to attend the palace banquet, he will smash his head against a pillar in the Eastern Palace and die!"

emperor:"......"

Ever since the news of the palace banquet spread, Crown Prince Nangong Jing had sent people to find him countless times, hoping to attend the banquet.

However, Nangong Jing is currently under house arrest, and the Empress has only recently died. What if Nangong Jing does something detrimental to Lady Shen...?

The emperor pondered for a long time, and finally said, "Then let him die by running over."

Today's palace banquet cannot afford any mistakes; we cannot afford to lose face in front of the Liao people.

As for the Crown Prince, after so many years of indulging in food, drink, and pleasure, how could he possibly be willing to die?

Sigh, if only he could live forever, then he wouldn't have to worry about having an heir.

"Yes, Your Majesty." The little eunuch went to the East Palace to deliver the message, his voice trembling.

Before long, Zhao Gou came running over, panting, and said, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, the Liao envoy has entered the palace!"

"We'll be at the Hall of Supreme Harmony soon!"

The Hall of Preserving Harmony was a grand hall specifically used for entertaining foreign envoys, and it was also the venue for this palace banquet.

The emperor was overjoyed and said excitedly, "Excellent! Are all the preparations for the palace banquet complete?"

"Alright, the masters inside the palace, the ministers outside the palace, the imperial relatives and so on, have all taken their seats and are waiting for His Majesty and the Empress Dowager."

"This servant has already sent someone to invite Her Majesty the Empress Dowager!"

"Excellent, wonderful!" the emperor clapped his hands. "Let's go!"

"yes!"

The emperor and his entourage went directly to the Hall of Preserving Harmony.

The Emperor’s throne is located in the center of the Hall of Preserving Harmony, with sandalwood banquet tables for the Empress Dowager and imperial concubines on both sides.

Long seats were arranged on both sides of the main hall according to rank and status, extending from inside the hall to outside.

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!" the crowd shouted in unison.

The emperor sat in the very center, gazing at the scene before him with great satisfaction.

"Rise, everyone. Enjoy the food to your heart's content today, but be mindful of your table manners so the Liao people don't laugh at you."

"Your humble servant obeys the decree!"

As soon as she finished speaking, the Empress Dowager stepped into the Golden Palace.

Upon seeing this, the emperor quickly rose to help the empress dowager.

But upon closer inspection, good heavens, why was there a fat man who looked somewhat similar to him beside the Empress Dowager?

He rubbed his eyes and looked again. Wasn't this his good-for-nothing son, Nangong Jing?

No, they couldn't get help from him, so they went to beg the Empress Dowager?

They really don't respect their father, the emperor!

The emperor glared, his face full of anger, and was about to shout a rebuke.

The Empress Dowager smiled and pulled Nangong Jing to the Emperor, saying, "Let the Crown Prince witness such a grand palace banquet. This child has been eating steamed buns for a long time and knows he was wrong."

"Look at her, she's gotten so thin from hunger."

"The Liao envoy is coming today; we can't let outsiders laugh at us."

These words immediately shut the emperor up.

The emperor frowned, speechless.

You lost weight from starvation? Where did you lose weight?

When did the Empress Dowager learn to lie through her teeth?

"Father, please, I just want to try Lady Shen's cooking. I promise I will eat properly and will not embarrass you!" Nangong Jing hurriedly pleaded in a low voice.

He's been craving it so much lately.

Today's palace banquet is all prepared by Lady Shen, so he has to come; he'll regret it to death if he doesn't.

Fortunately, he was clever enough to ask his grandmother as well as his father, otherwise he really wouldn't have been able to eat it.

Moreover, besides the food, he had another reason why he absolutely had to attend today's palace banquet.

"Fine," the emperor agreed with a frown. "Since your grandmother has spoken, I will make an exception this time."

"After the palace banquet, hurry back to your East Palace, and don't cause any trouble!"

There are many people here today, and the Liao envoys are about to arrive. To reprimand the crown prince in front of everyone would be a disgrace to the royal family.

Forget it, let's punish this brat after the palace banquet.

He'll impose another three months of house arrest; he wants to see if this kid can really starve himself thin!

Nangong Jing finally got to attend the palace banquet as he wished. He sat directly next to the Empress Dowager and occasionally made a few witty remarks to amuse her.

At first glance, the atmosphere seemed quite harmonious.

"Your Majesty, the Liao envoy has arrived at the entrance of the Hall of Supreme Harmony!" the eunuch announced as he entered the hall.

Emperor: "Let them in."

"The envoy from Xuanliao Kingdom has come to pay his respects—" the eunuch's shrill voice rang out.

Upon hearing the sound, Yelü Qi entered the Baohe Hall, bowed to the emperor, and presented the gifts he had brought from the Liao Kingdom.

"Your Majesty the Emperor of Da'an, on this mission I have brought ten fine horses, three gyrfalcons, ten white fox pelts, five catties each of precious medicinal herbs such as deer antler and snow lotus, and twenty jars of grassland incense..."

"There are also blood-red coral beads, deep-sea amber, lapis lazuli jewelry, natural pearls..."

Yelü Qi recited a long list: fine horses, rare treasures, everything imaginable.

The emperor above saw these things and his eyes lit up; he was extremely satisfied.

He nodded, smiling broadly, "Okay, okay, okay!"

"Such a generous gift pleases me greatly. Please convey my regards to the King of Liao upon your return."

"Your Excellencies have all worked hard. Today, I have specially prepared a palace banquet for you. Please enjoy the food."

The emperor quickly shifted the topic to the palace banquet.

He was really looking forward to the palace banquet and couldn't wait to start eating.

If we could embarrass these Liao envoys, that would be even better.

Just thinking about it makes me happy.

"Your Majesty, I have a request, and I hope Your Majesty will grant it," Yelü Qi said from below.

He couldn't wait to save Lady Shen!

The emperor was puzzled, but still said, "Prince of Liao, please speak freely."

"Your Majesty, during my mission to Da'an, I fell in love with a woman from Da'an and am deeply enamored with her. If Your Majesty would grant me her hand in marriage, I would be willing to serve Da'an for the rest of my life!"

"By establishing a marriage alliance, we can ensure peace and stability for both countries for a century. This would be entirely beneficial and without any harm. We humbly request Your Majesty's approval!"

A prince of the Liao Dynasty fell in love with a commoner woman?

This is a good thing! Sacrificing just one ordinary woman can bring peace to both countries. It's an incredible stroke of luck!

It is entirely beneficial and without any harm.

The emperor laughed heartily: "The prince of Liao is so devoted, of course I am willing to grant his request."

"But we don't know that woman's name, or where she is now."

Upon hearing this, Yelü Qi's eyes lit up.

"Your Majesty, the woman from the common people is named Shen Qing. She lives in Ping'an County and originally ran a restaurant. Now, she should be... in your palace..."