C67

Why does he live? For power, ultimate power! He doesn't like the feeling of being on equal footing with others. Yet, that woman, no matter when or where, always makes him feel like just a man, not a ruler...

The banquet was set for the Harmony Hall, starting at 6 PM. As the time approached, Tiange's carriage arrived at the east gate of the Imperial City. When she stepped out, she spotted a familiar figure shivering nearby.

"You're finally here!" Rong Qi rushed over, glancing around before leaning in close to Tiange. "I can make it up to you."

For some reason, those words felt awkward!

"Five million dollars," Tiange said, walking toward the east gate.

Rong Qi grimaced and quickly followed. "Isn't it a bit much to talk money with our relationship?"

Tiange stopped, handed her invitation to the guard, and turned toward the garden, only to be intercepted by Rong Qi, who stepped in front of her. "Let's talk about feelings, about how I've been helping you all this time."

Tiange shook her head. "Let's not talk about feelings..."

If you don't experience a little hardship, you never realize how foolish you were in the past. Talking about feelings only leads to heartache.

Seeing Rong Qi's bright, unwavering eyes fixed on her, Tiange added, "It's too costly."

Someone stumbled and fell hard to the ground...

Since it was a state banquet, the setup and the food and drink were anything but ordinary.

When Tiange Feng entered, the entire Yonghe Hall was empty except for the attending maids and eunuchs. Fortunately, a steward was there to manage things. "Miss Feng, you're early. Please, this way!"

Lee Chengrui pointed to a seat, and Tiange Feng nodded slightly, turning to the second gilded low table on her left. Technically, with her current status, she shouldn't have been invited to such a high-level state banquet.

Tiange Feng couldn't quite figure out what Beiming Yuan was up to.

At that moment, Rong Qi became the second invited guest to enter Yonghe Hall. Tiange Feng understood why Beiming Yuan invited Rong Qi. Among the seven countries, only Zhao didn't have a hostage in Qi, and Rong Qi was the closest to Zhao in Qi. It made sense for him to accompany Bai Yushuang.

"Can we lower the fifty million?" Rong Qi somehow managed to convince Lee Chengrui and ended up sitting next to Tiange Feng.

"No." Tiange Feng didn't expect Rong Qi to come up with the money, so there was no point in haggling.

Yet, Rong Qi did come up with it.

Looking at the fifty million promissory note Rong Qi shoved into her hand, Tiange Feng was speechless for a long time, her face darkening. "Are you serious?"

"With black and white on paper, how could I deceive you?" Rong Qi's heart was bleeding.

Rong Qi's words didn't convince Tiange at all. If the King had to choose between fifty million dollars and Rong Qi, he'd definitely grab the money and leave without a second thought, acting as if Rong Qi never existed.

Just as Tiange was about to crumple the IOU and throw it at Rong Qi's face, Beiming Yuan walked in with Dugu Rou.

It was hard to believe Dugu Rou had chosen a luxurious red gown, and the colorful phoenix hairpin she wore sparkled brilliantly under the chandelier.

"She thinks she's the Crown Prince's Consort," Rong Qi whispered, leaning closer to Tiange.

"She was supposed to be..."

If Beiming Yuan hadn't promised Dugu Rou something irresistible, she wouldn't have so decisively sided with him, turning her back on her only ally in the court and disregarding past loyalties.

Unfortunately, Dugu Rou wasn't smart enough. Even Dugu Yan, who had achieved great military success for the nation, couldn't escape this vicious cycle. Did she really expect Beiming Yuan to keep his promises?

From the start of her new life, Tiange finally understood the true meaning of promises.

"Are you okay?" Rong Qi noticed Feng Tiange's hand trembling as she held the delicate porcelain cup, the fruit wine spilling over without her even noticing. He couldn't help but ask softly.

"I'm fine." Feng Tiange released the cup, pulling out a silk handkerchief. Despite the betrayal, she couldn't keep her heart completely calm.

Lost in thought, Feng Tiange didn't notice Beiming Yuan's glance when he entered the hall...

Finally, after all the officials had gathered, the much-anticipated first female general of Zhao, unrivaled under Dugu Yan, made her entrance. As she appeared, Feng Tiange gracefully slid off her chair...

Bai Yushuang was dressed in a vibrant red, as bright as blood, almost too festive!

Beside her, Rong Qi felt at a loss, wishing he could pretend not to know her.

"Bai Yushuang pays respects to the Crown Prince and the Crown Prince Consort." In the hall, Bai Yushuang, like a walking red lantern, stopped in front of Beiming Yuan, announcing loudly.

Dao Wu, also in red, stood respectfully by her side.

Just as Beiming Yuan was about to speak, Bai Yushuang straightened up, "This is the Crown Prince Consort, right? I didn't get it wrong, did I?"

The harmonious scene suddenly turned awkward, and as Feng Tiange raised her cup, her hand trembled again, her gaze involuntarily falling on Dugu Rou.

"Ah, General White, you've come a long way. I must offer you a toast..." Dugu Rou, ever the clever one, raised her glass, hoping to steer the conversation elsewhere.

"That must be the Crown Prince Consort. The bright red attire and the phoenix hairpins are unmistakable. If the Crown Prince Consort offers a toast, I must drink," Bai Yushuang said as Dao Wu handed her a glass.

Bai Yushuang kept referring to her as the Crown Prince Consort, and although Dugu Rou didn't argue, she was visibly uncomfortable.

Inside the hall, aside from Bai Yushuang and Dao Wu, everyone knew each other well.

Dugu Rou drank, thinking she might sit down and fade into the background, but Bai Yushuang spoke up again, "If I may be so bold, the Crown Prince Consort looks familiar to me."

Dugu Rou was once again the center of attention, "Really? Maybe it's just a connection..."

"I remember now, isn't the Crown Prince Consort related to Dugu Yan?" Bai Yushuang feigned a sudden realization, leaving the rest of the sentence hanging for Dugu Rou to catch.

From her seat, Feng Tiange detected a hint of malice in Bai Yushuang's words and smirked coldly. It seemed Bai Yushuang had taken a dislike to Dugu Rou.

"That corrupt concubine is my half-sister," Dugu Rou said with a lump in her throat, glancing at Beiming Yuan, who offered no response.

Bai Yushuang suddenly remembered something and threw down her wine glass, her expression turning cold. "So, you're Dugu Yan's sister."

The glass shattered!

"Though I am Dugu Yan's sister, I am nothing like her. If it weren't for my sense of justice, that treacherous concubine wouldn't have been brought down so easily," Dugu Rou quickly distanced herself from the connection.

With that, Bai Yushuang's expression softened. "Oh, disowning your own kin... The Crown Prince Consort is wise indeed! Look how well things turned out. Not only did you avoid being dragged down by Dugu Yan, but you also took her place and her man!"

"Ahem..." Beiming Yuan cleared his throat. "General, since you've come a long way, why not sit and rest for a while?"

Bai Yushuang turned at the sound, respectfully bowing. "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness, but I'm not tired. Just knowing that Dugu Yan is completely gone fills me with such excitement that I can't feel any fatigue."