Gu Weifeng's anger wasn't so easily quelled. As the saying goes, the one who tied the bell must untie it. If the Lin family didn't come out and give an explanation, this matter wouldn't end today.
"Send someone to the Lin Mansion and summon Lin Qiong."
"Yes." The guard retreated.
Yi Zhici tugged at Yi Junshi's sleeve again. "Father, please persuade the Emperor not to be angry."
"Nonsense. This is a major matter. How can his anger be quelled by just persuasion?" Yi Junshi sighed. "General Lin Qiong shouldn't be so foolish..."
Yi Zhici blinked her big eyes, which seemed to be filled with clear brook water. "Please, okay..."
Normally, when Yi Zhici acted coquettishly, Yi Junshi would always comply with her wishes. In fact, not only Yi Junshi, but few could resist her coquetry. Even her master in Cangyang often couldn't bear to punish her, which was one of the reasons why Yi Zhici had been so domineering in Bihai Villa for so many years.
Yi Junshi sighed and looked at Gu Weifeng with a somewhat embarrassed expression. "Your Majesty, please have your meal first."
Gu Weifeng looked at Yi Junshi. "Is the Marquis of Jing protecting Lin Qiong? I seem to be even more unhappy."
Yi Junshi tightened his grip on the wine cup slightly, and the veins on his hand became more prominent. "Your servant doesn't dare."
Gu Weifeng gave a meaningful smile but didn't say anything more.
Yi Zhici looked at the strange atmosphere between her father and the Emperor. She was puzzled for a long time. Her father... seemed to be sulking. As everyone knew, Yi Junshi was well - known for his good temper in the capital and had never had a quarrel with anyone.
Why was it different between him and Gu Weifeng today?
Just as she was wondering, there was a commotion in front of the palace. A guard came to report, "Your Majesty, the young general of the Lin family... and Princess Qingping are here. They are waiting outside the palace now."
There was a moment of silence in the hall.
Gu Weifeng said, "Summon them."
Lin Yuan and Princess Qingping entered together. Lin Yuan was dressed in a fine brocade robe embroidered with cloud geese, which made his figure look even more tall and straight. Princess Qingping was wearing a thin silk dress embroidered with golden butterflies and flowers, looking like a celestial being.
They were truly a perfect match.
Some ministers began to whisper, "If this princess really comes for a marriage alliance, it wouldn't be a bad idea for her to marry the young general of the Lin family."
"Both of them are unmarried. It would be a wonderful thing."
"Yes, yes. Now that the Emperor has no heirs yet, he can only choose from the sons of the ministers. The young general of the Lin family is indeed a good candidate."
Yi Zhici gave them a cold look. Those ministers were still chatting happily when suddenly they felt Yi Zhici's cold gaze. They gradually fell silent.
Princess Qingping curtsied. "Qingping of the Xin Yi Kingdom pays respects to His Majesty the Emperor."
Lin Yuan also saluted Gu Weifeng and said, "Today, your servant went out to prepare a birthday gift for the Marquis of Jing. When I returned to the mansion, I found that Princess Qingping of the Xin Yi Kingdom had arrived. I thought the princess didn't know the way to the palace, so I didn't dare to delay for a moment and brought the princess here."
Qingping also said, "I'm new here and don't know the way. Also, the journey was too long, and I was exhausted when I reached the capital. I knew the young general of the Lin family when I was in the Southern Border, so I took a rest in the Lin Mansion before coming to see Your Majesty."
However, Gu Weifeng ignored them and asked, "What gift did you prepare for the Marquis of Jing?"
Princess Qingping, who was left on one side, turned pale, but she still stood there gracefully, not inferior to any of the young ladies from noble families.
Lin Yuan said, "Your servant didn't attend the palace banquet on the Winter Solstice Festival because that strange Taoist priest was very mysterious. I got some information today and went out to look for him. The Taoist priest only has a piano score called 'Evening Tune on the Lake' now. It might be a bit shabby to give it to the Marquis, but fortunately, the Marquis's birthday is still a few days away, and I still have time to look for a better gift."
This "Evening Tune on the Lake" was no ordinary piano score. It was a tune for cultivating spiritual power in ancient times and had been lost for hundreds of years. It was extremely precious.
His words were flawless. He not only explained why he didn't attend the palace banquet but also flattered Yi Junshi a lot, making Yi Junshi indebted to him.
Yi Junshi nodded. "Chongjin has good intentions."
Lin Yuan bowed. "I'm glad the Marquis doesn't mind."
Gu Weifeng was still angry. "Where is Lin Qiong?"
Lin Yuan remained calm and composed, showing a calmness that no ordinary young man could have. "My father asked for leave from Your Majesty before. Today is the anniversary of my mother's death, and my father is keeping vigil in the ancestral hall."
Without even needing Lin Qiong to show up, Lin Yuan single - handedly removed the hat of treason, leaving no room for criticism and making Gu Weifeng unable to vent his anger.
"Qingping, why did you come to the Gu Yue Kingdom?"
Qingping quickly replied, "There were some disputes between Xin Yi and Gu Yue in the Southern Border before. My father sent me here to apologize to Your Majesty."
Just as Gu Weifeng was about to make things difficult for her, Yi Junshi interrupted him. "Since Princess Qingping has come, she can stay here. She should get along well with the young masters and ladies of her age."
Qingping was a bit confused, but she still curtsied. "Thank you, Marquis."
This act of making decisions on behalf of the Emperor didn't surprise any of the civil and military officials in the court. They had already gotten used to it. Gu Weifeng turned his head away and ignored Yi Junshi.
Yi Zhici was relieved to see that the charge of treason was finally dropped, but when she looked at Princess Qingping in the middle of the hall, she felt a bit uncomfortable.
Lin Yuan had lived in the Southern Border for so many years, and the Gu Yue Kingdom and the Xin Yi Kingdom were only separated by the Southern Border. Could his beloved be...
After taking a sip of wine, the burning liquor made her internal organs ache, but she felt a bit better. When her body ached, her heart didn't hurt so much.
Gu Jing asked Gu Weifeng for permission. "Brother Emperor, can we go to the back garden to play? The younger generation always feels restricted here."
Gu Weifeng didn't say a word. It was Yi Junshi who agreed on his behalf.
Everyone was still not surprised.