CHAPTER 487: CHAPTER 164: PALACE BANQUET (2) RECITING POEMS AND MATCHING VERSES_2

Some words, however, cannot be spoken here.

He is currently following Prince Chu, and the person Prince Chu is most wary of right now is King Chen, who has a very secret relationship with Xie Ruotong...

This relationship is not beneficial to him.

"That’s Xie Ruotong." Xiao Jinxing casually asked after returning a toast to a minister.

Ye Qichi also casually replied while eating the exquisite food of the palace feast, "Mhm."

Thinking the same thing.

You’ve seen her before, haven’t you?

"How are things between Xie Ruotong and Song Yanqing after they got married?" Xiao Jinxing asked in a lowered voice.

Their conversation was like the whispers between a husband and wife.

It made others think they were very affectionate.

But, sitting opposite Xiao Jinxing, Xiao Jinsen naturally noticed the interaction between the two.

Bai Mowan had returned to the border.

The relationship between Xiao Jinxing and Ye Qichi seemed to be getting even better.

Xiao Jinsen didn’t quite know what to feel about it.

It was while seeing their affection that a sense of jealousy arose.

Seeing Ye Qichi looking happy and beaming, there was an inexplicable irritation in his heart.

Beside him, Xie Ruiyao maintained the dignity of her status as the wife of Prince Chu—every move, every word, was proper and noble, full of grace. Today she had also dressed up deliberately, intending to stand out dazzlingly among the many beauties. However, no matter how beautiful she felt when looking in the mirror, she felt instantly pale in comparison upon seeing Ye Qichi.

The beauty of Ye Qichi was truly too astonishing.

Naturally, she noticed Xiao Jinsen’s gaze at this moment and felt even stronger hostility towards Ye Qichi.

She was very clear.

Men simply can’t resist the temptation of women; no matter who it is, as long as they are beautiful enough, they will be liked.

Xiao Jinsen obviously had improper thoughts about Ye Qichi.

Because she loved Xiao Jinsen so much, she understood his gaze all too well.

Despite.

His disdain for Ye Qichi, as declared to anyone asking.

Xie Ruiyao tried hard to keep her composure and pretended not to notice Xiao Jinsen’s feelings for Ye Qichi, but in her heart, she already had plans.

Originally, it was Ye Qichi who helped her to gain Prince Chu’s favor.

If Prince Chu found out that she was involved in this, she would not have a good life in the future, especially since Xiao Jinsen’s initial choice for the wife of Prince Chu was Bai Mowan. Now, thinking of Bai Mowan, Xie Ruiyao felt the irony—once a highly sought-after daughter of the martial arts world within the Imperial Palace, she ended up gaining nothing and could only desolately return to the border, unsure of when she might return.

So actually, after Ye Qichi helped her, she planned to kill Ye Qichi to ensure no one would ever know of the affair, and she wouldn’t have to live in fear.

Now, with Xiao Jinsen’s feelings for Ye Qichi added to the mix...

This woman, she had to be killed!

At this time, Ye Qichi naturally didn’t have so many concerns to guess Xie Ruiyao’s thoughts; she was responding to Xiao Jinxing, "Since Xie Ruotong married Song Yanqing, I haven’t seen Xie Ruotong and am not sure how their relationship is. But I heard from Gu Xingchuan that Ruotong sought his help—based on Gu Xingchuan’s tone, the relationship between Ruotong and Yanqing should be as tranquil as water."

"Mhm." Xiao Jinxing responded.

Not sure what he intended to express.

It felt to Ye Qichi as if, after all she said, he just acknowledged it without much interest.

Ye Qichi rolled her eyes.

She thought Xiao Jinxing would discuss his plans regarding Xie Ruotong with her.

Especially since Song Yanqing had already pledged allegiance to Xiao Jinsen—if Xiao Jinxing and Xiao Jinsen truly went to war, Xie Ruotong could easily be implicated.

Naturally, she didn’t want Xie Ruotong to be hurt in the struggle for power.

Forget it.

We’ll talk about it later.

Anyway.

Xie Ruotong is highly skilled in martial arts.

Should anything happen, she can escape.

She would leave this place of troubles with Xie Ruotong!

The palace banquet continued to be exceptionally lively.

Aside from dance performances, there was also poetry reciting and matching of wits—also a rare joy.

After the midday feast.

Everyone would stroll through the Imperial Palace gardens.

According to the rules of Daxuan Palace.

After the banquet.

Court officials and their female relatives were to wander the gardens separately.

And the ladies, naturally, would be led by Zhao Mengyu.

Zhao Mengyu had set up a banquet inside Plum Blossom Court of the Imperial Palace.

All the ladies sat down according to their rank.

Although it was winter solstice, and the Imperial Palace was covered in white snow.

Charcoal was placed around, and all the ladies were wearing fine padded jackets, draped in fur cloaks, so it wasn’t so cold.