Chapter 8: [008] Court Banquet

The next day, although they were supposed to be busy preparing for the wedding three days later, the Emperor held a banquet due to a visit from a neighboring country and required officials to bring their family members to the palace. Qu Mu Siqi’s face had been ruined, and Qu Mu Qingshan was intent on utilizing Ningbi, so he took her and Qu Mu Yanyu to attend the palace banquet.

The carriage moved slowly, finally arriving outside the palace gates. The imperial palace was indeed different from the outside world. Although Ningbi felt that the Qu Mu estate was already luxurious enough, this was, after all, the place where the Emperor resided. With its red bricks, yellow tiles, and magnificent splendor, the gorgeous scene before her eyes actually made Ningbi feel a deep sense of suffocation, as if it were a giant birdcage. Ningbi could not help but feel a surge of emotion.

Following Qu Mu Qingshan inside, she watched him exchange pleasantries with his old acquaintances. Everything involved business interests; even if they detested one another, they could not afford to burn bridges. Qu Mu Ningbi had seen enough of these hypocritical officials and their play-acting.

"Yanyu, take your third sister around to look at things, and come back when the banquet begins," Qu Mu Qingshan spoke up just as Ningbi was about to turn and leave.

"Third sister, follow me," Qu Mu Yanyu said with a fake smile, reaching out as if to put an arm around Qu Mu Ningbi, but Ningbi dodged it without a trace. No one noticed that Ningbi had done it on purpose, leaving only a resentful Qu Mu Yanyu behind.

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The banquet began, and the various officials took their seats in order. Special seating was arranged for the three powerful noble families: the Qu Mu estate, the Shangguan manor, and the Murong hall.

"Rumor has it that Qu Mu Ningbi is cowardly and incompetent, so why does she appear so elegant and poised today?" a young official’s son sitting opposite could not help but exclaim in admiration.

Although they did not speak loudly, everyone could still hear them clearly.

In fact, it was not just them who were stunned by Qu Mu Ningbi’s temperament and appearance; even the Third Prince, Yu Muze, and the Seventh Prince, Yu Mutu, sitting in the seats of honor, could not help but be startled, forced to look at this aloof woman in a new light.

"Third brother, it seems that rumors are not to be trusted," said the Seventh Prince, Yu Mutu. His long black hair was loosely tied up, his skin was not the typical complexion of a man but slightly pale, his dark eyes were incredibly amorous, his nose was high and straight, and his lips were as red as cherries. Dressed in a blue brocade robe, holding a white folding fan in his hand, and wearing a golden belt around his waist, he was the very picture of a playboy.

As a mercenary leader, Qu Mu Ningbi listened very carefully to the comments being made about her. Naturally, she did not miss a single one. She shifted her gaze away from the young officials, tilted her head slightly, and cast a cold, indifferent look toward the two princes in the seats of honor.

The Emperor certainly had many sons. Looking at the seats of honor, there were twelve princes in total. Presumably, her sickly fiancé must not have come, which would mean there should be thirteen royal children.

Withdrawing her gaze, Ningbi sat quietly. She was very eye-catching today; after all, her exploits had spread through every street and alley. The previous Qu Mu Ningbi could not even leave the house, but ever since she had flirted with a handsome man in the street and acted like a lovesick fool wanting to follow him home, Qu Mu Qingshan felt his face had been completely lost, viewing her as the greatest stain on his life.

The music began to play. Soon, more than a dozen songstresses stepped out with light, nimble steps, dancing gracefully with movements that were enchanting and heart-stirring.

Suddenly, the young lady of the Shangguan manor, Shangguan Xiyu, walked to the center of the hall from her seat. Her delicate frame bowed slightly as she saluted the Emperor sitting on high, "Greetings, Your Majesty. It is a rare honor for this humble daughter to enter the palace and see the Emperor. I wish to perform a song, though it may be clumsy; I wonder if Your Majesty would grant me permission?"

The Emperor was all smiles, his heart gladdened. With a wave of his brocade sleeve, he granted it!

"These vulgar performances must have become tiresome for the young masters to watch. Since the young lady of the Shangguan manor wishes to perform, why don't the young ladies of the three great noble families all show their skills? I, too, would like to be entertained. I wonder what the Emperor thinks?" Empress Wan spoke up, her demeanor full of charm.

"I agree," the Emperor nodded. "Then let us begin."