The Empress walked to the Imperial Consort's side, glanced at her with a cold snort, and left.
The Imperial Consort smiled indifferently. With the annoying person gone, her mood instantly improved. She sat upright on the chair, her posture impeccable.
"Princess, there might be a misunderstanding regarding this matter. Perhaps you should sit down first. After the banquet concludes, I will certainly give you an explanation."
Emperor Xuanwen's face showed a hint of anger. Restrained by the presence of so many people, his tone was as gentle as possible.
Murong Jinyun refused to give up and wanted to say more, but Baili Xi, behind her, spoke first, "Princess, please sit down first."
Murong Jinyun turned to look at Baili Xi, then at Ling Mo Han. Suppressing the impulse in her heart, she sat down.
"Young General Ling, please return to your seat."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Ling Mo Han cupped his hands in response and, under everyone's gaze, sat back down. He reached out and took Feng Jin's slender hand.
"Your hands are so cold. It's late and the dew is heavy; you're wearing such thin clothing. Put on a cloak first."
With that said, Ling Mo Han removed his outer robe and draped it over Feng Jin, tidying it for her with care.
Feng Jin's gaze fell on Ling Mo Han, and a smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "You gave your clothes to me, aren't you cold?"
"I'm fine. I've endured the coldest months with just a single garment. It's different for you. If you catch a cold, it's me who will be heartbroken."
Ling Mo Han looked at Feng Jin with eyes as soft as water, a stark contrast to the cold expression he had worn earlier.
Only when facing Feng Jin did his face show any hint of a smile.
Murong Jinyun watched their affectionate display, her heart filling with bitterness. The hand holding the wine cup tightened abruptly, veins bulging on her fair hand.
Her eyes stung with unbearable pain. She raised her cup and drank it dry. The strong liquor burned her throat, causing a slight ache, and a burning sensation in her esophagus, which was nothing compared to the bitterness in her heart.
"Princess, drinking hastily harms your body. Please drink slowly." Baili Xi reminded her.
Murong Jinyun drank another cup, already showing a slight hint of intoxication. "A Xi, do you think I shouldn't have come? He has long forgotten who I am; it's me who has been clinging on. Look, he's already married and has children, and they seem so in love..."
"I just feel like everything I've done is a joke. I shouldn't have begged my father to let me come to Dong Chu to find him. That way, I could have continued to live in my unrealistic dreams."
She had dreamt this dream for three years, anticipated it for three years. Her heart brimming with expectation as she traveled thousands of miles to Dong Chu, only to end up with nothing but sorrow.
"Your humble subject only knows that whatever the Princess does has its reasons, regardless of right or wrong."
Baili Xi's gaze towards Murong Jinyun held a mixture of other emotions. He had been sent to the palace from a young age to accompany Murong Jinyun as she grew up.
Countless people had instilled in him the idea that he must protect the Princess and prioritize her safety.
But what they didn't know was that the moment he first saw the young Murong Jinyun pulling on his sleeve and calling him brother, he had secretly vowed in his heart to protect his little Princess with his entire life.
When he learned she was going to Xi Liang, he abandoned all his military duties without hesitation and begged the Emperor to allow him to accompany her to Dong Chu.
Even if the one Murong Jinyun loved was not him, as long as he could see Murong Jinyun safe and happy, that would be his life's aspiration. This was the first time he saw Murong Jinyun so sad and distressed, and he looked at Ling Mo Han with hostility.
Ling Mo Han also felt this gaze, full of hatred and malice. He turned his head and met Baili Xi's eyes.
This gaze was like that of two males competing for a female, filling Ling Mo Han with exasperation. How could he have attracted such troublesome unrequited affection?
"Baili Xi must see you as a love rival. Young General Ling's charm is quite something."
Feng Jin saw through the situation at a glance and said teasingly.
"As long as my wife is attracted to me, that's enough. I don't want anyone else."
"Stop your nonsense. When we get back, you can tell me all about your matters with the Xi Liang Princess. Dare to miss a single word, and I will absolutely not let you off."
Feng Jin gritted her teeth and whispered into Ling Mo Han's ear. Damn man, he had so much unrequited affection, one after another, blooming endlessly. She was even tired of pruning these peach blossoms.
"It's all their fault for not having eyes and throwing themselves at me. I am innocent."
He wished he could write the word "innocent" on his face. Why did they all have to pounce on him? Ling Mo Han was truly exhausted now.
After the palace banquet ended, Feng Jin did not linger for a moment. She pulled Ling Mo Han and headed out. If they delayed any longer, even her husband might be snatched away.
Upon returning to the manor, Cai Qing hurried forward. "Young Madam, the two young masters are asleep. Was the banquet today fun? Is that Xi Liang Princess as beautiful as the rumors say..."
Feng Jin looked at Ling Mo Han with a smile that was not a smile. "Whether she's beautiful or not, you have to ask someone else. What do you say, Young General?"
Although Feng Jin was smiling, her expression was terrifying.
"I truly don't know what that Xi Liang Princess is all about. I don't know her at all."
Ling Mo Han felt more wronged than Dou E. He had never met this person, yet she suddenly claimed they had a private engagement and insisted on marrying him, even producing a token. He couldn't explain it even if he had ten mouths.
"Then tell me, what's the deal with that jade pendant? Since it's yours, how did it end up with the Xi Liang Princess?"
Feng Jin relentlessly continued to question. That jade pendant was indeed real.
Sensing the situation was dire, Cai Qing quietly retreated, lest she get caught in the crossfire.
"The jade pendant was lost on the battlefield three years ago. I went back to look for it but couldn't find it, so I let it go. I don't know how it ended up with the Xi Liang Princess. Regardless, I am innocent. You are the only woman I have ever had in my life, and there will never be a second."
"That's strange." Feng Jin frowned slightly. Since the jade pendant was lost long ago, how did Murong Jinyun get her hands on it?
When Murong Jinyu took out the jade pendant, Feng Jin had examined it closely. The cut surface on the half jade pendant was very neat, clearly man-made, not a break caused by physical impact.
Could it be that someone was impersonating Ling Mo Han and colluded with Murong Jinyun, deliberately trying to frame him?
But if they wanted to frame him, they wouldn't do it so sneakily. Yet, judging by Murong Jinyun's demeanor, she seemed confident, not at all like someone who was faking it.
Feng Jin stared intently at Ling Mo Han, her doubts deepening. After a moment, she tentatively asked, "You don't happen to have split personalities, do you?"