"Leader, they have brought the Moon Sun Jade Bracelet with them," the old woman's voice resonated, hoarse and menacing, instilling fear in the hearts of those who heard her.
The woman dressed in red, known as the leader, smiled seductively. "So, he succeeded in making her wear it. Excellent! It seems our plans are unfolding just as we anticipated."
"Leader, that alone is not sufficient," the old woman raised her head and gazed at a painting on the left stone wall. The painting depicted a figure with a bare upper body, wielding a silver staff and riding a two-headed dragon.
Suddenly, eyes appeared in the painting, murky and emitting a faint red glow.
"If it's not enough, then we must exert more effort. By the time they reach the Witch Clan, everything will already be within our grasp," the woman said, her smile enchanting as she gently moved, causing the bells tied to her wrist with a red string to emit a crisp sound. Her beautiful eyes carried a smugness.
"Leader, rest assured, everything is under our control," the old woman assured confidently.
Upon hearing this, a radiant smile graced the leader's face...
As the sun began to set, Su Zimo and her group arrived at the entrance of the imperial palace once again.
As they disembarked from the carriage, they found themselves surrounded by a group of admirers. However, this time, none of them dared to gossip about Su Zimo behind her back. Instead, they looked at her with envy.
Overnight, Su Zimo had transformed from an ordinary person into the princess of Li Xia Kingdom, instantly attaining an immensely prestigious status. Such an unprecedented occurrence filled the eyes of the young ladies with envy and jealousy.
Their hearts shattered as they admired Mu Yunxuan standing protectively by Su Zimo's side.
Hidden among the crowd, Yan Zhaoxue observed the stunning Su Zimo with a cold gaze.
When she glanced at the incredibly charming Mu Yunxuan, jealousy couldn't help but fill Yan Zhaoxue's heart. If she stood beside Jun Shaochen, an outstanding couple in both looks and talents, it would undoubtedly make others envious and jealous.
Suddenly, Yan Zhaoxue caught sight of a figure emerging: Jun Shaochen. Why was he coming out?
Jun Shaochen, dressed in a bright yellow prince's attire, wore two rows of fine sheep fat jade beads on his head, adding an extra touch of elegance to his handsome face.
Making his way toward Su Zimo and the others, Jun Shaochen's gaze was fixed on Su Ninian, who was supported by Sutu Ruoyan.
"Yunxuan, Master Zhuang, you've arrived," he greeted them.
"Yes," Mu Yunxuan nodded in acknowledgment.
"Is His Highness here to pick us up or to pick up my sister?" Su Zimo asked playfully, a hint of mischief twinkling in her eyes.
"It seems Master Zhuang understands me quite well," Jun Shaochen shyly replied.
He exchanged greetings with Murong Shaofeng, Nalan Wenhao, Sutu Ruoyan, and Sutu Lixin.
"Nie'er," Jun Shaochen's gaze finally landed on Su Ninian, his eyes reflecting a gentle light.
Yan Zhaoxue keenly observed the interaction between the two of them. The more she looked, the more she felt that something was amiss. The Crown Prince personally coming out to receive someone could only mean two possibilities: either the visitor held significant status or someone he deeply cared about was among them.
"Xue'er, what has captured your attention? You seem quite focused," Yan Ping'an, stepping down from the carriage, asked as he followed Yan Zhaoxue's gaze.
Upon spotting Su Zimo and Mu Yunxuan, his expression turned displeased.
Wherever these two went, they became the center of attention.
Yan Zhaoxue maneuvered through the crowd and made her way toward Su Zimo and the others.
"Oh, what an honor it is for the Holy Master and the Master of Mingyue Villa to have the Crown Prince personally come to receive them," Yan Zhaoxue said sarcastically, swaying her body in a display of her princess demeanor.
Su Zimo couldn't help but feel a headache coming on when she saw this white lotus. Couldn't they stay quiet for a while? They seemed insistent on flaunting their power and status in front of everyone.
Su Zimo chose to completely ignore her, not even sparing a glance at Yan Zhaoxue. A woman's pettiness knows no bounds, and if she could avoid it, she would.
Mu Yunxuan did the same.
Jun Shaochen's expression turned cold as he spoke. "Princess, your attitude is quite questionable. Just moments ago, the Crown Prince treated Miss Su... Oh, no, Princess Nalan, so tenderly. Why are you so indifferent to this princess?"
Yan Zhaoxue wore a triumphant and mocking expression on her face, devoid of any respect.
Her words only added to the confusion among everyone present, fueling more speculation.
"Since the princess is aware of how I treat others, it would be best not to provoke me," Jun Shaochen's handsome face turned completely cold in an instant.
Yan Zhaoxue found herself at a loss for words to counter Jun Shaochen's statement, addressing him as "Your Highness." She had previously conducted an investigation on Jun Shaochen and discovered his compassionate and kind-hearted nature. That's why she had proposed a marriage alliance during the celebration in Qingshi Country. However, Jun Shaochen had rejected her proposal and expressed his desire to find someone reliable. Could he genuinely see Su Zimo as that person?
Jun Shaochen, a tall and elegant figure, appeared in their midst and walked directly toward Su Zimo and her group. His deep black eyes were fixated on Su Zimo, capturing the attention of everyone around.
As anticipated, the description in the book didn't fully capture the vibrant range of emotions in one's life. The mysterious woman depicted in Jun Shaochen's life was undoubtedly Su Zimo.
Reflecting on Su Zimo, Yan Zhaoxue sensed an increasingly powerful aura emanating from Jun Shaochen, leaving her astonished. She wondered what kind of opportunity he had encountered to undergo such a sudden and remarkable transformation.
"Yunxuan, let's go inside," Su Zimo suggested, not wanting to draw further attention to themselves.
Meanwhile, Prince Yu's carriage had also arrived, further fueling Su Zimo's reluctance to remain.
"Agreed!" Mu Yunxuan embraced Su Zimo, and they walked inside while the others instinctively made way. The banquet was about to commence, and Su Qi and Su Li were absent, having stayed at Mingyue Villa.
As Su Zimo and Mu Yunxuan departed, the others didn't linger either, proceeding into the palace.
Observing Jun Shaochen and Su Zimo standing closely together, Yan Zhaoxue's eyes flashed with malice.
"Xue'er, let's go inside as well!" Yan Ping'an, who had unknowingly arrived behind Yan Zhaoxue, suggested.
"Certainly!"
Jun Shaochen and Murong Zeyu exchanged nods and followed suit, entering the palace together.
In the Royal Flower Garden of the imperial palace, the hour of illuminated lanterns had already arrived.
Under the lanterns' glow, the plants in the garden appeared more vibrant, and the colors of the flowers became more vivid.
The garden boasted ancient cypress and locust trees, complemented by various stone sculptures, flower arrangements, and captivating landscapes, creating a visually enriching experience.
Upon gazing at the garden floor, one could admire patterns intricately designed with colorful pebbles and jade stones, symbolizing blessings, wealth, and longevity.
The most captivating sight was the artificial mountain at the garden's exit, adorned with lush green vines.
A large red carpet was spread across the garden floor, leading to at least a hundred low sandalwood tables arranged in rows.
Palace maids and eunuchs served drinks and fruit platters in an orderly manner.
Su Zimo scanned the surroundings and noticed that many ministers of Haoyue Kingdom had already taken their seats.
As they arrived, eunuchs approached them to guide them to their designated seats.
Once settled, others began to arrive gradually.
Yan Zhaoxue's face turned furious upon seeing Su Zimo once again. Combining her resentment with the Crown Prince's words, she harbored a strong desire to eliminate the Su sisters for her relief.
Sensing Yan Zhaoxue's piercing gaze, Su Zimo met it with a sharp and fearless look.
Yan Ping'an and Yan Zhaoxue took their seats not far from Su Zimo and the others.
"The Emperor has arrived!" Qin Gonggong's resounding voice echoed throughout the area.
Everyone stood up, respectfully bowing and paying their respects.
After the ceremony, Su Zimo glanced up and caught a glimpse of Yao Consort, momentarily puzzled by the Emperor of Haoyue's behavior.
The Emperor of Haoyue had become increasingly unpredictable. Could it be that he had already suspected the cause of Jun Yuerong's death?
Considering Jun Yuerong was the woman he loved the most, it made sense. But did he release Yao Consort for the sake of Jun Yuerong, or was it to pit Yao Consort against the Empress? Jun Shaochen had undergone such a drastic change that he couldn't possibly be unaware of it.
"To the esteemed guests from various countries, today I invite you all to the Royal Flower Garden for a farewell banquet, wishing you a smooth journey."
Emperor Haoyue raised his wine cup high and said, "I'll drink first as a toast."
After speaking, he raised his head and finished the wine in his cup.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" led by Nalan Wenhao, everyone followed suit and drank their wine.
Su Zimo sat silently, pondering whether Qinglian and Qingfeng could uncover any information about the Ghost Palace. The whole situation seemed too coincidental, and having watched many detective TV shows, she couldn't help but suspect the cause of Princess Yuerong's death.
But based solely on Princess Yuerong, who never stepped out of the palace, it would be impossible to stage such a fake death scene. There must be insiders both inside and outside the palace. Tonight's visit to the palace provided her with an opportunity to investigate thoroughly.
The news of the princess's fake death had not leaked out of the palace. It seemed that Emperor Haoyue had blocked the information. The burial date for Jun Yuerong had been set, and Su Zimo thought it was even better this way. Once the burial was over, the real Princess Yuerong would be more likely to reveal her true colors.
"Miss Su Zimo, I offer a toast to you three siblings on behalf of myself. It's a pleasant surprise to see that you have become princesses of Li Xia Country. Congratulations."
Consort Yao raised her wine cup with a smile and raised it towards Su Zimo.
"Thank you, Consort Yao!" Su Qingjue, Su Zimo, and Su Zinin stood up, and the three siblings finished the wine in their cups.
"Mochi, it's all Tian'er's fault for being so foolish six years ago, letting you miss out on a beautiful marriage." Consort Yao suddenly expressed regret.
Upon hearing this, Su Zimo gave Consort Yao a cold look. By bringing up the events from six years ago, Consort Yao was stirring up thoughts in many people's minds.
Women are driven by beauty and guided by wisdom, especially with the princes and emperors of several countries present. What was Consort Yao's intention?
"Mother Consort is right. Your son made a mistake that will haunt him for a lifetime."
Jun Lintian took a step forward, kneeling on the ground with a sincere apology on his face.
Glancing back, he looked at Su Zimo, who was bright and confident. Back then, giving her up was the dumbest decision he had ever made in his life.
Looking into Jun Lintian's eyes and recalling the Su Zimo from back then, it was like a fool encountering a trickster. The trickster said, "If I have candy, I'll give you all of it." The fool would be moved to tears, offering their heart to the trickster. But the trickster, burned by the fool's heart, threw it far away. The fool foolishly ran to pick up the shattered heart, only to realize that the trickster had never given them anything. Now, the trickster regretted it and came to apologize. It was truly laughable.
And why did they always bring up the events from six years ago?
"Tian'er, unfortunately, you have awakened too late," Emperor Haoyue's hearty voice suddenly spoke up.
"Father Emperor, you're right. Now, I truly regret my actions," Jun Lintian responded.
Instantly, the whole crowd started discussing, and some turned their heads to look at Su Zimo.
"Consort Yao, it's been six years since that incident. Why bring up the past and harm the harmony between our two countries?" Nalan Wenhao knew his daughter had suffered many grievances, but with him by her side, he wouldn't allow anyone to speak ill of her.
Upon hearing this, Consort Yao's smile froze. Why did it involve the relationship between the two countries?
"King Nalan is correct. It's Tian'er who didn't have the fortune."
Su Zimo cast a grateful glance at her father. It felt good to have someone standing up for her.
The Empress sat on the side with a cold expression. Did Consort Yao really come out just to target Su Zimo? It was a pity! Su Zimo had risen like a phoenix and was difficult to deal with. If only there was someone to handle Su Zimo for her, she would have a bit less to worry about.
"Alright, tonight is a farewell banquet for the esteemed guests. Ladies, is there anyone willing to entertain us?"
Emperor Haoyue suddenly spoke up, but he glanced at Su Zimo.
"Your Majesty! During the celebration in Qinguo, Princess Nalan presented an interesting word game. How about starting with a princess from somewhere this time?"
Yan Zhaoxue suddenly spoke up! She wanted to see how much talent Su Zimo had. Last time, the incident with the fake Princess Jiuyao allowed Su Zimo to escape unscathed, but it wouldn't be so easy this time.
Upon hearing this, Su Zimo knew that Yan Zhaoxue had ulterior motives. She didn't want to attend this banquet in the first place, but she had to give face to Jun Shaochen since he personally went to the Mingyue Villa and presented her with a gift.
"Since the princess is interested in my abilities, then I will comply with the princess's wishes."
After speaking, Su Zimo turned her head and looked at Muyun Xuan.
"Yun Xuan, would you like to hear me sing or dance tonight?"
"Mochi, are you in a particularly good mood today?" Muyun Xuan asked gently.
Su Zimo raised the bracelet on her wrist, wearing a smile full of charm. The meaning was clear: it was because Muyun Xuan had given her a gift today.
"Mochi, why not indulge in dancing instead? Your singing voice is extraordinary, but why not showcase your dance skills as well?" Muyun Shaofeng suggested with a gentle smile. He had heard her sing, but he hadn't seen her dance. He didn't want to leave with any regrets, as every aspect of her was deeply etched in his mind, and he could relive those memories every day. Muyun Xuan's expression turned serious as he added, "Mochi, you can choose to dance or sing, whatever you prefer."
"In that case, let's dance! I'm feeling energetic today," Su Zimo cheerfully responded.
Upon hearing her decision, a different shade of color bloomed on Muyun Xuan's refined and elegant face.
Nalan Lixin clenched her fists tightly as she watched. It was clear that only Sister Zimo could bring a smile to his face.
Su Zimo stood up and addressed the Emperor, "Your Majesty, please allow me to prepare for the dance."
"Princess Nalan, please! The Haoyue Palace has a wide selection of unique dance costumes. Feel free to choose," Emperor Haoyue replied, but the change in his address from 'Consort' to 'Princess' momentarily made Su Zimo furrow her brows, feeling a bit unaccustomed.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Su Zimo turned around mischievously and blinked at Muyun Xuan.
"Hehe!" Muyun Xuan chuckled softly, deeply enamored by her playful demeanor.
As they observed the interaction between the two, Nalan Wenhao wore a bitter smile. In the end, she would never see his love. But perhaps this was the best outcome. His presence wouldn't burden her, their conversations wouldn't feel awkward, and for now, this was enough.
A palace maid approached and escorted Su Zimo away.
Yan Zhaoxue watched Su Zimo leave with a cold smile. Dancing was their Zisang Kingdom's forte, and she had witnessed dances from other countries before.
Jun Yaoxi leaned in close to Jun Lintian's ear and whispered, "Brother, Yan Zhaoxue has always wanted to form a marriage alliance with the Haoyue Kingdom. Since the Crown Prince isn't interested, why not propose it?"
"Lil' Xi, I've been considering the same. Let's see how it goes," Jun Lintian smiled, eagerly anticipating Su Zimo's performance.
The dance hall was spacious, adorned with a wide array of dance costumes. Su Zimo carefully selected the attire she needed.
She chose to dance the mesmerizing Swan Dance, as she disliked many things but loved dancing, especially the graceful Swan Dance from ancient times.
After searching for a while, Su Zimo finally found the dress she needed—a vibrant red one, striking and attention-grabbing, with perfectly sized water sleeves.
"I'll choose this one!" Su Zimo instructed the palace maid behind her.
The maid swiftly took the dress and led Su Zimo to the changing room.
With the attire selected, Su Zimo contemplated the background music. She decided to use the Swan Dance as the main piece and also included her favorite ancient-style song. Su Zimo had an impressive memory for lyrics. She found the musician and sang the song for him. Using Emperor Haoyue's method, the musician recorded the melody. It took nearly half an hour to prepare everything.
Meanwhile, the audience patiently waited, eager to witness Su Zimo's dance.
Suddenly, the melodious sound of instruments filled the air, and everyone in the room fell silent, turning their attention towards the stage.
And everyone patiently waited to catch a glimpse of Su Zimo's dance. Suddenly, the melodious sound of musical instruments filled the air, causing the people sitting to stop their conversations and look towards the stage. There stood Su Zimo in a bright red dress, gracefully bowing and lifting her head. She gave a slight smile to the crowd, her eyes shimmering and captivating everyone present. In that fleeting moment, she exuded an indescribable beauty that captivated all eyes.
With just that brief glance, everyone was astonished. Su Zimo followed the rhythm of the music, showcasing her graceful figure like a celestial being. Her water sleeves flowed like running water and fluttered like flying dragons and dancing phoenixes. The vibrant red water sleeves, combined with her long, silky black hair swaying with her movements, her slender waist as supple as a willow, and each perfect action accompanied by radiant eyes and a faint smile, mesmerized the hearts of the onlookers.
The long water sleeves in Su Zimo's hands were wielded with exquisite mastery, vividly displaying the beauty of soaring geese in flight. Mu Yunxuan gazed deeply at the person who danced with her soul; wherever she went, she could astound people. Mu Rong Shaofeng smiled as he watched Su Zimo, delighted to witness Mo Er's extraordinary dance skills that set her apart from others. Jun Lintian was mesmerized by Su Zimo's effortless dancing, seeing her as a beautiful swan in flight, making him yearn to hold her tightly in his hands. Yan Zhaoxue's surprised lips fell open; how was it possible for Su Zimo to dance with such grace?
On the other hand, Nalan Wenhao and Situ Ruoyan exchanged smiles, applauding for their daughters. "Mother, although Mo Er couldn't cultivate since she was young, she excels in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Especially in dancing, it's her favorite," Su Zinian explained beside them. "No wonder she dances so well!" Situ Ruoyan looked at her daughter's graceful figure, smiling with great joy.
Meanwhile, Mu Rong Zeyu's gaze was fixed on Su Zimo, his eyes filled with infatuation and surprise. He couldn't help but wonder how many secrets this woman still held. When the final note descended, pink petals gently fell from the air, filling the atmosphere with a fragrant aroma. Su Zimo slowly retracted her dragon-like water sleeves, resembling a heavenly maiden scattering flowers. "Clap... clap!" The entire hall of the Moon Palace resounded with enthusiastic applause. Su Zimo smiled slightly at the applause, but deep down, she couldn't help but complain to herself. In ancient times, there were tales of time-traveling heroines leading a dance of a hundred beasts, but it was so difficult for her, Su Zimo, to perform a single dance. Where had all those birds and beasts disappeared to?
"Well done, Princess Nalan, your dance has moved the world. Your movements are light, elegant, and gracefully beautiful. Tonight, we've truly been treated to a sight," praised the Moon Emperor loudly. "Thank you for your high praise, Your Majesty," Su Zimo courteously replied, bowing gracefully. Compared to the dances performed by the princesses of the Purple Mulberry Kingdom, her Phoenix Dance was much softer, showcasing a unique feminine beauty that the male attendees of the Moon Palace would undoubtedly appreciate.