A grand banquet was being held in the palace.
It was the most exciting moment.
The King of Dongzhou sat high on his throne, surrounded by his ministers.
Cups clinked merrily.
The singing and dancing were in full swing.
On one of the two stages, a troupe was performing the timeless love story of Xue Pinggui and Wang Baochuan with a chorus of sweet - voiced actresses.
On the other stage.
Several well - built women were swaying their charming bodies, dancing to their hearts' content.
The audience below.
One by one, their eyes were fixed on the writhing women on the stage. If it weren't a public occasion, they would probably pounce on the women and devour them.
Extravagance.
These two words best described the state of the palace at this moment.
The King of Dongzhou swirled the wine in his cup, with a gorgeous - dressed woman in his arms.
His face was full of affection and boundless love for her.
If the Dongfang family were still at the peak of its power, the King of Dongzhou wouldn't have dared to be so presumptuous. Ignoring his sick wife, he held a grand banquet in the palace just to make the beauty in his arms smile.
The woman called the King in a tender voice.
The King enjoyed it very much.
Were they really so comfortable and carefree, as if there were no one from the Dongfang family in the palace?
Dongfang Yinuo took a deep breath.
Then she put on a smiling face.
She didn't come here to accuse anyone. Dongfang Yinuo didn't expect to wake up the King of Dongzhou, who had no heart or was determined to betray his wife.
"Your Majesty, the princess has arrived," announced a servant.
Just when the banquet was full of laughter and joy.
At the news of the arrival of the wildest princess in Dongzhou, everyone stopped simultaneously.
The King of Dongzhou frowned.
"What is she doing here?"
Although he was dissatisfied, the King of Dongzhou didn't dare to show it too obviously. After all, the last layer of the relationship with the Dongfang family hadn't been broken yet. He couldn't go all out until the best opportunity came.
"My King, could it be that the birthday banquet you prepared for me has upset the princess in the palace? I've always said that I'm just a lowly person. It's only by your grace that I have the fortune to accompany you. This birthday banquet is too ostentatious. It shouldn't have been held," said Lady Jinse timidly.
The King of Dongzhou's face darkened.
"My love, don't be afraid. Do you think I don't even have this little power?"
Lady Jinse lowered her head meekly.
She looked like a delicate beauty.
The King of Dongzhou looked up.
"Continue," he ordered.
The singing and dancing resumed.
Dongfang Yinuo was also invited into the venue.
Based on his understanding of his youngest daughter, the King thought she must have come to cause trouble. In that case, it would be good for him to have an excuse to drive her away.
It was really strange.
Normally.
People from the Dongfang family despised such things and would never participate. His youngest daughter was also very proud. Since she came back, Lady Jinse had suffered a lot at her hands. Dongfang Yinuo usually avoided Lady Jinse whenever possible. Why did she come here on purpose today?
Before he could figure it out.
Dongfang Yinuo had already arrived in front of them.
She was quite well - behaved.
Seeing the King of Dongzhou dote on Lady Jinse so much, she didn't get angry.
Instead, she bowed to the King of Dongzhou as a subject's daughter should, and then nodded to the woman in the King's arms.
Such courtesy.
The King of Dongzhou couldn't find an excuse to drive her away for a moment.
"Yinuo, you've just returned. You should rest well in the palace and accompany your mother. Why are you still running around?"
"Father, I've come this time to give a gift to Lady Jinse," said Dongfang Yinuo.
Lady Jinse looked up timidly.
She was like a frightened little lamb.
"Princess, I, I don't think I've done anything to offend you," she said.
Yes.
Lady Jinse referred to herself as a servant girl.
Because the Queen Mother was still in the palace, and the King of Dongzhou still feared the power of the Dongfang family. So for the time being, he hadn't officially made Lady Jinse his concubine.
But even so.
Everyone in the palace treated Lady Jinse with the etiquette due to the mistress of the palace.
Even the King of Dongzhou.
He called Lady Jinse his love.
The more delicate and pitiful Lady Jinse was, the more the King of Dongzhou doted on her.
He always thought.
He had been a coward for most of his life. When he met Lady Jinse, she was gentle and unassuming, pouring all her love on him. She respected and served him. In front of Lady Jinse, he could do whatever he wanted without worry. All these were things that the shrew Dongfang Ruoxi could never give him.
Before Dongfang Yinuo could reply.
The King of Dongzhou had already defended Lady Jinse.
"Jinse, you don't need to be afraid. Your status will be official sooner or later. Yinuo, today is Jinse's birthday, a great and happy day. You've always been willful, and I've indulged you. But today, be more sensible and don't cause trouble for Jinse, okay?"
Dongfang Yinuo almost rolled her eyes in anger.
If it weren't for the admonition of the senior, she might have lost her temper and overturned the table upon hearing these words.
And this.
Was exactly what Lady Jinse wanted to see.
This woman.
Always had such a knack.
Most women's tenderness made people feel comfortable and enjoy it.
But Lady Jinse's tenderness was like a knife, and the blade was pointed at Dongfang Yinuo.
With just a few simple words, she had put a big label on Dongfang Yinuo's head, and Dongfang Yinuo hadn't even said anything yet.
"Father, you've misunderstood. I thought that although Lady Jinse has no official title, she serves you. Although she's just a servant girl, she's a servant girl who has climbed into your bed. Anyway, it's hard for her to serve you. I've come this time to give her a gift. I didn't expect that before I even said a word, Lady Jinse was so quick to think that I'm here to accuse her," said Dongfang Yinuo.
Lady Jinse looked aggrieved.
Just as she was about to defend herself.
Dongfang Yinuo continued, "Oh, it's not that I look down on Lady Jinse and call her a servant girl. These words just came out of her own mouth. I thought that although Lady Jinse doesn't understand the rules, maybe after being with you for so long, her character has become more humble. Since she has such self - awareness, I shouldn't go against her. Am I right, Lady Jinse?"
Dongfang Yinuo had been to the Hailing Kingdom.
After she came back.
She seemed to have changed into a different person.
Her former rashness was completely gone.
Now when she spoke, she was not only polite but also hid countless soft knives in her words. When they were stabbed at others, others could only endure the pain.
Now.
It was exactly this situation.
Lady Jinse was full of anger.
But since she usually presented herself as a weak and helpless woman.
Now.
She could only reply, "Thank you, Princess, for your understanding. It was I who judged you with a petty heart. I hope the Princess won't blame me."
Dongfang Yinuo smiled faintly.
She didn't even look at Lady Jinse.
Instead, she said to the King of Dongzhou, "Father, anyway, I'm the princess of Dongzhou and your most beloved daughter. Don't I even have the qualification to attend this grand banquet?"
The King of Dongzhou stared straight at Dongfang Yinuo.
Was this still his arrogant and willful daughter?
For the first time, the King of Dongzhou felt a sense of danger from her.