Nantang’s mind quickly flashed back to the scene from seven days ago where Su Yan crouched in a corner, surrounded by dozens of venomous snakes.
Following that, they had not gone far when the piercing screams of a servant and a Princess came.
After that, he knew nothing more.
Nantang’s complexion changed several times before returning to normal, and he continued to lead Su Yan forward with his usual expression.
Su Yan rubbed the spot on her arm where the tiny Green Snake had bitten her.
After a while, she took a sugar cube out of her wallet, unwrapped the paper, and popped it into her mouth.
The sweet taste of strawberry milk spread from her mouth, diverting her attention from the pain in her arm.
Passing through alleys and winding stone pathways, they finally arrived at the location of the Emperor’s banquet.
All the court officials of third-rank and above were present.
A circle of guards patrolled attentively, stationed meticulously around the perimeter.
The palace maids, dressed in uniform orange maid clothes, moved in and out like a flowing stream.
Upon entering, the lavish extravagance hit them immediately.
At the head of the room sat the Dragon Chair, with the Emperor’s position, flanked by two rows of tables and chairs to the left and right.
Below the Emperor, at the foremost positions of the two columns on the left and right, were the seats for Prime Minister Zhao and General Lin respectively.
Following them were the seats of the Princes and Princesses, arranged in order by age.
Across from the Princes and Princesses were the seats for the envoys, and then the positions for other court officials.
Logically speaking, the bloodline of the Royal Family should be more esteemed, deserving a seat above the Prime Minister and General.
It was evident from this arrangement how much the Emperor relied on these two individuals.
The banquet hall was not yet fully seated.
Looking up, Su Yan noticed that Xuanyuan Yonghao was also not seated among them.
Nantang led Su Yan through the banquet, along a winding path, to the edge of a pond.
Nantang stopped in his tracks, with his arms crossed
"Your Highness, the person has been brought here."
A non-threatening, gentle voice rose
"You may leave."
As the words fell, Nantang bowed with his hands clasped
"Understood."
He responded, and then he left.
Xuanyuan Yonghao was wearing a light-yellow Qilin Robe, his hair neatly bound, looking somewhat different from his usual leisurely appearance.
At first glance, he was even more striking with his red lips and white teeth, exuding a warmth and purity that naturally drew others closer.
The pale moonlight shone on him, adding an extra layer of purity to his figure.
His eyes were pitch-black, and his lips curled up slightly
"What are you standing there for? Come here."
The tone of his voice lacked the previous distance and gentleness, gaining a hint of other emotions.
Su Yan blinked and slowly made her way over.
As soon as she approached him, he grabbed her arm and pulled slightly, bringing them very close to each other.
He observed Su Yan’s soft and gentle demeanor and couldn’t suppress the stirring in his heart.
But his face remained expressionless, and his tone was still unhurried
"Is the wallet embroidered?"
Su Yan nodded
"It’s done."
He smiled, seemingly in no rush to see the wallet, word by word
"Then what do you think, how well was it embroidered?"
"...It’s alright"
"I have said before, if the embroidery is satisfactory, the debt for the silver will be cancelled. If it is not satisfactory... those old matters will have to be brought up again."
Su Yan was startled; she had forgotten about this.
Watching her bewildered reaction, Xuanyuan Yonghao said
"Did you bring the wallet?"
"I..."
"Show me."
Su Yan did not move.
Xiao Hua whispered softly
"Host, maybe... you can tell him to re-embroider it?"
With that statement, it was clear that even Xiao Hua thought the wallet was rather unsightly.
Which made Su Yan even less willing to present it.
As the two of them were entangled in their exchange, Nantang had returned at some point.
Standing two meters away
"Your Highness, Prime Minister Zhao and General Lin have arrived."