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Shen Chuwei looked at herself in the mirror, her makeup exquisite, her pearl flower hair ornament lavish and luxurious, as if she was about to attend a beauty pageant.

After dressing up, she almost didn’t recognize herself.

She turned her head to Chun Xi, "Chun Xi..."

Before she could finish, Chun Xi guessed what she wanted to say, "Miss, today’s banquet is of the utmost importance, if you offend..."

Shen Chuwei also guessed what Chun Xi was about to say, "If I offend Your Highness, I won’t get to enjoy the banquet, I understand!"

Chun Xi chuckled twice, "As long as you understand, let’s go."

Shen Chuwei looked in the mirror at her neck, almost bent by the weight of her headdress, but for the sake of the banquet, she endured it.

She walked out of the inner room with the support of Chun Xi.

Xiao Jinyan had been waiting outside and when he saw Shen Chuwei all dressed up, he paused, not that he hadn’t seen Shen Chuwei dressed up before, but this time, he felt something different from the usual.

Her dress had a very long hem, and Shen Chuwei didn’t dare to walk too fast, afraid she’d trip over the hem and fall flat on her face.

Suddenly, a spotlessly clean hand appeared in front of her, and she could clearly see the palm lines. The hand was beautiful, even the lines were attractive.

She looked up at Xiao Jinyan, only to see him turning back to gaze steadily at her.

Shen Chuwei placed her hand in his palm; with someone holding her, she felt more stable as she walked.

Chun Xi followed behind, looking at their joined hands and revealing a maternal smile.

Receiving foreign envoys was a matter taken with much ceremony.

Shen Chuwei was not well-versed in ancient etiquette, so she clutched Xiao Jinyan’s hand, following his every move—where he walked, she walked; where he sat, she sat—she knew she couldn’t go wrong following him.

Just as she was following him forward, Xiao Jinyan spoke up to halt her, "Stay still, don’t move."

"Okay," Shen Chuwei obediently stood still until Xiao Jinyan came back to take her to her seat.

The palace maids started bringing in delicious dishes and fine wines one after another.

Shen Chuwei’s gaze was fixed on the food in front of her, just waiting for the Emperor to speak so she could start eating.

At that moment, the shrill voice of Eunuch Li came from outside the door, "Princess Xueyan of Xueyue Country seeks audience with the Emperor."

Hearing ’Princess Xueyan’, Shen Chuwei’s curiosity peaked, and she looked up towards the Grand Hall entrance. She saw a young woman walk in with measured steps. The woman wore a pink veil, leaving her limpid autumn-like eyes visible, her eyebrows adorned with cinnabar adding a touch of allure.

She was draped in a white silk dress, fluttering elegantly like a celestial being descending to earth.

It was no wonder the rumors said Princess Xueyan could overturn nations with her beauty.

Princess Xueyan moved lightly and bowed, "Princess Xueyan of the Xueyue Country pays her respects to the Emperor."

The Emperor looked down from on high, appraising Princess Xueyan, "Rumors say that Princess Xueyan is breathtakingly beautiful. Seeing you today, your reputation is indeed well-deserved."

Princess Xueyan smiled slightly, "You flatter me, Your Majesty."

After exchanging some polite niceties, Princess Xueyan and the envoy were invited to take their seats across from Xiao Jinyan.

Having admired the beautiful woman, Shen Chuwei picked up a grape and popped it into her mouth.

Seeing this, Xiao Jinyan reminded her in a low voice, "Mind your manners."

"Mhm, mhm," Shen Chuwei nodded vigorously, covering her mouth with a handkerchief as she spat out the skin, knowing manners were important.

Xiao Jinyan merely watched her quietly.

Shen Chuwei eyed the crystal pork knuckle on her plate and, after glancing around, grabbed it, planning to take a bite when nobody was watching.

But she caught Princess Xueyan from across the table looking over, probably staring at Xiao Jinyan.

She turned to look at Xiao Jinyan and found him watching her. Following his gaze downwards, she saw it was fixed on her hand gripping the pork knuckle.

The moment was overwhelmingly awkward.

Shen Chuwei declared, "I will elegantly take it and nibble a small bite."

Xiao Jinyan didn’t believe she would elegantly pick up the crystal pork knuckle and bite just a small piece. Knowing her gluttonous nature, she would likely take a big bite and chew discreetly.

"This isn’t the proper setting for eating crystal pork knuckle," he said.

To Shen Chuwei’s ears, that meant she could still eat it if she was careful.

While the Emperor was talking with the envoy, Shen Chuwei was looking for the right moment to bite into the crystal pork knuckle.

Finally, when they clinked their cups from afar, she quickly bit off a large chunk and replaced it, then covered herself with her wide sleeves. To onlookers, it appeared as if she was drinking.

Xiao Jinyan just happened to catch her biting into the pork knuckle, and it was just as he had guessed.

He couldn’t help but rest his forehead on his hand, casting his eyes down at the whole crystal pork knuckle in front of him, wondering why the kitchen had not sliced it this time; it was not at all convenient to eat.

As the banquet drew to a close, the Emperor gestured for the Crown Prince and the princes to accompany Princess Xueyan to familiarize herself with the Imperial Palace.

Everyone understood the Emperor’s intentions—it was to let Princess Xueyan choose a husband for herself, which was also the greatest courtesy extended to a princess.

The Emperor did this also considering the alliance between the two nations; although Daxia had won the battle, it was a narrow victory.

Beyond sending two cities, Princess Xueyan’s dowry was also extremely generous.

In keeping with the principle of reciprocity, Daxia naturally had to treat Princess Xueyan well.

Leaving the Grand Hall, they came to the Imperial Garden.

Princess Xueyan was beautiful and possessed an immortal aura; anyone who saw her would be captivated.

The princes surrounded her, introducing themselves, each hoping Princess Xueyan would choose him.

Princess Xueyan’s gaze was drawn toward the man in black brocade not far off. She asked Prince Xiao Qing, "Is that the Crown Prince?"

Prince Xiao Qing followed her gaze to Xiao Jinyan and nodded, "Yes, that’s my fourth brother, the current Crown Prince."

Princess Xueyan watched his tall figure for a while, then asked with curiosity, "Why isn’t the Crown Prince coming over?"

"I’ll call him," Prince Xiao Qing approached Xiao Jinyan, "Your Highness."

Shen Chuwei, holding Xiao Jinyan’s hand, stole a glance at Princess Xueyan, "Your Highness, shall we go back now?"

Xiao Jinyan, seeing Prince Xiao Qing coming over, withdrew his gaze from Shen Chuwei and said gently, "You go back first, I’ll return shortly."

"Okay," Shen Chuwei curtsied, taking one last look at Princess Xueyan before she left.

Chun Xi supported Shen Chuwei, but glanced back at His Highness, "Miss, could it be that Princess Xueyan has taken a liking to His Highness?"

Shen Chuwei asked, "If it were up to you, which one of the princes would you choose?"

"Of course, it’d be His Highness. He’s handsome, has an extraordinary demeanor, and is the Crown Prince as well..."

As Chun Xi spoke, she suddenly realized something amiss and cautiously said, "If Princess Xueyan chooses His Highness, won’t the East Palace have yet another woman vying for favor?"

"Perhaps," Shen Chuwei said, looking at her cumbersome hem and impulsively lifting it.

Seeing her exposed calf, Chun Xi quickly pressed it down, "Miss, you can’t lift your hem so high."

"What a bother," Shen Chuwei reluctantly let her hem down again.

"Princess Xueyan is so pretty; if His Highness..." Chun Xi looked up at Shen Chuwei, "Miss, are you jealous?"

Shen Chuwei inquired, "Aren’t dumplings prepared for lunch?"

Chun Xi knew her young mistress’s mind was always on food.

"Miss, what I mean is, do you feel uncomfortable seeing His Highness with another woman?"