Standing nearby, Shi Yixi gave Jin Yan a brief look and a small shake of his head before climbing into the other carriage.
Once they had boarded the horse carriage, the captain and his elite soldiers mounted their warhorses.
Without sparing Jin Yan another glance, the captain ordered calmly, "Move out."
As they departed, Jin Yan clenched her hands so tightly that her nails dug into her palms.
Noticing blood dripping to the ground, her personal maidservant was startled. She quickly took Jin Yan’s hand, opened her clenched fingers, and wrapped the wounds with her own handkerchief.
"Seventh Princess, you are bleeding!" she exclaimed in heartache.
Sensing the pain, Jin Yan looked away from the disappearing sight of the horse carriage and ordered, "Return to the room."
Noticing her anger, the personal maidservant lowered her head and answered, "Yes, Second Princess."
With her personal maidservant supporting her, Jin Yan walked back to her room and began planning how to attract Feng Xiyan’s attention.
Half an hour later, the escort team arrived at the barracks.
Stopping in the open area where tonight’s banquet would be held, the captain turned to look at the horse carriage and said, "Second Imperial Prince of the Jin Empire, we have arrived."
Sitting inside the carriage, Jin Cen heard this and straightened his hair crown. Holding his folding fan, he stepped down from the carriage and looked at the surroundings.
While he was scanning the soldiers guarding the area, the captain saw a lieutenant under Tan Pengtai approaching.
Dismounting from his warhorse, the captain clasped his fists and said, "This subordinate greets the lieutenant."
The lieutenant nodded in greeting, then turned to Jin Cen and said, "Second Imperial Prince of the Jin Empire, please follow me. Our Great General and the generals are already waiting for you and the Imperial Teacher of the Jin Empire."
Hearing this, Jin Cen smiled and responded, "Please lead the way."
The lieutenant gestured and said, "This way, please."
After watching the lieutenant lead Jin Cen and the others away, the captain looked at his subordinates and ordered, "Return to your posts until further instructions."
The elite soldiers clasped their fists and responded, "Yes, Captain."
Walking into the banquet area, Jin Cen scanned the generals and noticed that they all wore better armor and carried finer weapons than the soldiers.
Shi Yixi walked up behind him, took a few steps closer, and whispered, "Your Highness, their weapons are better than ours. If we can get Feng Xiyan to work for us, our ancestors’ dream will be realized in this lifetime."
Upon hearing this, Jin Cen nodded and whispered, "This prince will not let down my ancestors and my father’s trust."
After he said that, Shi Yixi reminded him, "Your Highness, please be cautious. This banquet is probably like a Hongmen Banquet for us."
Jin Cen glanced at him and nodded.
Seeing them coming, Feng Xiyan, who was seated at the main seat, said, "Welcome, Second Imperial Prince of the Jin Empire. Please, have a seat."
Turning to Shi Yixi, he added, "Imperial Teacher of the Jin Empire, please."
Seated below Feng Xiyan, Jin Cen waited until a soldier filled his wine cup before raising it and saying, "Thank you, Great General Feng, for preparing tonight’s banquet. To show my appreciation, this prince will drink this cup."
After saying that, Jin Cen drank the wine in one go. He then showed the empty cup to Feng Xiyan before placing it back on the long table.
Seeing this, the soldier standing behind him stepped forward and refilled the cup.
After the soldier stepped back, Feng Xiyan smiled slightly and said, "This general is quite curious about your purpose in coming so far to this small Xiqiang City. Second Imperial Prince, taking the good opportunity tonight, why don’t you just tell this general?"
Hearing this, Jin Cen smiled, then signaled his personal bodyguard with his eyes.
Receiving the signal, the personal bodyguard handed the long wooden box he was carrying to Jin Cen.
Opening the box, Jin Cen took out a red scroll and stood up. Carrying it, he moved in front of Feng Xiyan and unrolled it.
The moment Feng Xiyan, Tuluo Cheng, and the generals saw the imperial decree of the Jin Empire, their expressions changed.
"Second Imperial Prince, what is the meaning of this?" Feng Xiyan asked coldly.
Smiling, Jin Cen calmly said, "Great General Feng, this is the marriage agreement bestowed by my Imperial Father. Since we have already spoken this far, this prince will tell you directly."
"Great General Feng, our motive in coming to Xiqiang City is to propose marriage to you on behalf of the Seventh Princess."
As soon as his words fell, the banquet area fell silent.
After a long pause, Feng Xiyan smiled slightly. "Second Imperial Prince, this general is not only the supreme commander of the Feng Army but also the Duke of Huguo of the Yu Empire. My mission is to protect the common people and defend my empire."
He paused, then coldly added, "What makes you think that this general will agree to this marriage proposal?"
The moment he asked this, Jin Cen’s face turned pale under the heavy pressure of Feng Xiyan’s aura. Forcing a calm smile, he sighed.
"Great General Feng, it’s a public secret that the imperial court has wanted to take over the Feng Army from the Feng Clan for years. Instead of waiting to be slaughtered, why don’t you join my Jin Empire and take the throne yourself?"
Hearing this, Feng Xiyan chuckled. Rubbing his wine cup, he lowered his eyes and fell into deep thought.
A few moments later, he raised his eyes to look at Jin Cen and asked, "What will the Jin Empire give this general if I accept this marriage proposal?"
When Jin Cen heard this, he secretly let out a sigh of relief and thought, ’Indeed, no man will refuse the dragon throne. As long as he agrees to this marriage, the Jin Empire’s first step to conquer the Central Continent will be complete.’
’For now, let’s conquer this God of War first. As for how loyal he will be to the Jin Empire, that will be for my younger sister to handle.’