An Jing was even happier when she heard it; this could very well be a coal field!
Suppressing her joy, An Jing said, "That, Meng Zhuqing, you must quickly send someone to the place you passed by to collect some of that black substance and bring it back to me, so I can see if it is what I am looking for."
"Yes!" Meng Zhuqing immediately went to take care of it.
As soon as Meng Zhuqing left, An Jing joyfully said to Xiao Changyi, "Husband, the place Meng Zhuqing mentioned is very likely the location of the coal fields."
Seeing An Jing’s happiness, Xiao Changyi was also quite pleased and responded lightly, "Hmm."
Since Emin was quite far from the Imperial Capital, even the person Meng Zhuqing sent out would need at least half a month to return at full speed.
Before the dispatched person returned, An Jing and Xiao Changyi heard from the Emperor of Xiyun that the Seventh Prince of Dongqing Kingdom, Dongfang Tianyang, had come to Xiyun, and would reach the Imperial Capital within the next couple of days.
Dongfang Tianyang was representing the Dongqing Kingdom for a friendly exchange.
The Emperor of Xiyun did not like war; it brought suffering to the people and could greatly harm the nation’s vitality. Therefore, the Emperor always warmly welcomed envoys from other countries coming for friendly exchanges and those willing to foster good relations with Xiyun.
Now, the Emperor of Dongqing had sent his most beloved son, Dongfang Tianyang, as an envoy, which clearly showed that Dongqing Kingdom was sincere in seeking good relations with Xiyun Kingdom.
Moved by such sincerity from Dongqing, the Emperor of Xiyun was very pleased and planned to invite Xiao Changyi to the welcome banquet for Dongfang Tianyang, to show Xiyun’s sincerity.
On the first day of March, Dongfang Tianyang arrived at the Imperial Capital City and was personally welcomed by Prime Minister Li to settle into the post station.
That evening, a grand welcome banquet was held.
An Jing also attended the banquet with Xiao Changyi, seated next to him, while Dongfang Tianyang, the Prince of Dongqing Kingdom, sat directly opposite Xiao Changyi.
Dongfang Tianyang looked tall and handsome; compared to Su Chengyu’s gentle majesty, his style was more overt and gave off a wildly unrestrained impression, yet it was filled with an air of absolute nobility.
Another handsome man.
This was An Jing’s inward comment upon seeing Dongfang Tianyang.
Immediately after, she added in her heart, No matter how handsome, he’s not more handsome than my husband; my husband is the handsomest.
Tonight, Meng Zhuqing was also present, standing behind An Jing and Xiao Changyi.
Tonight, Tobanya was also there, though seated a little far from An Jing and Xiao Changyi, but on the same side as them.
Tonight, the Emperor of Xiyun did not attend, and Crown Prince Su Chengyu accompanied as host and led the banquet.
The Emperor of Xiyun, being the ruler of a nation, could not lower his status to accompany a prince from another country, and now he had only one son, Su Chengyu. Even though Su Chengyu was the Crown Prince, receiving Dongfang Tianyang was suitable.
As a result, at that moment, it was Crown Prince Su Chengyu who sat upon the high platform.
Fine wines and delicacies were on the table, with a slow dance in the center.
Dongfang Tianyang first drank with Su Chengyu, and then raised his glass to Xiao Changyi across him, smiling, "I have long admired Prince Yi’s great reputation. Now that I have the honor to meet you in person, I must drink with Prince Yi. You must not refuse this glass. Please!"
Without waiting for Xiao Changyi to speak, Dongfang Tianyang drained his glass in one go.
Xiao Changyi didn’t say a word either; he just raised his glass toward Dongfang Tianyang and likewise emptied it in one gulp.
Dongfang Tianyang politely smiled at An Jing, seated next to Xiao Changyi; An Jing returned a polite smile as well.
Seeing Xiao Changyi serve food and pour wine for An Jing, the others were no longer surprised, but Dongfang Tianyang was quite astonished, and thereafter, he revealed an especially meaningful smile.