The cruel little princess

It was the time of the New Year's Eve, and the envoys from both countries had arrived in Beijing. The emperor held a banquet in the palace and entertained the ministers and envoys from both countries at noon.

The two princesses of the Azure Dragon Kingdom and the White Dragon Kingdom stood side by side, like two beautiful flowers blooming in a magnificent palace. They gracefully paid their respects to the emperor.

Princess Fukang of the Qinglong Kingdom possessed skin as white as snow, delicate and smooth as mutton-fat jade. Her face resembled a meticulously carved goose egg, its lines soft and flowing. Her willow-shaped eyebrows rose slightly, like distant mountains. Beneath them were a pair of eyes, radiant and deep, like stars, as if holding endless stories.

Her nose is straight, small and delicate, and below it is a cherry mouth without any rouge. When it is slightly raised, it reveals a gentle and charming smile.

Her long, shiny black hair cascaded down her shoulders, with strands occasionally fluttering in the breeze. She wore a gorgeous red palace dress, embroidered with exquisite patterns in gold thread, and tied with a golden ribbon around her waist, which accentuated her graceful figure.

Princess Mingzhu of the White Dragon Kingdom has a unique beauty.

Her complexion is a healthy tan, radiating a sunny vibrancy, and her features are chiseled, with high cheekbones and a strong chin.

Her eyes were as deep and mysterious as the waters of a lake, and her long eyelashes fluttered slightly like butterfly wings. Her lips were full and sexy, and when she smiled, her white, even teeth were exposed.

Her hair was inky black, tied up high, looking neat and tidy. She wore a blue dress with silver embroidered patterns on the hem, a simple yet elegant look. Her posture was upright, like a proudly standing pine tree, exuding confidence and strength.

The sun shone brightly in the palace. The emperor sat high on his throne, draped in his dragon robes, his majesty evident. His sharp gaze swept across the two princesses below.

Princess Fukang of the Qinglong Kingdom stepped forward gracefully, bowed her head slightly, folded her hands before her, then knelt down and performed a graceful curtsy. She spoke in a gentle and respectful voice, "Your Majesty, may you be well. I am Princess Fukang of the Qinglong Kingdom. I am deeply honored to have the privilege of meeting your Majesty today. I wish your Majesty good health and that the friendship between our two countries endures."

Princess Mingzhu of the White Dragon Kingdom also walked forward gracefully, with her head slightly lowered and a look of just the right amount of respect in her eyes.

She opened her red lips slightly, and her voice was as sweet as a yellow oriole singing in a valley: "Your Majesty, I am from the White Dragon Kingdom. It is my honor to meet Your Majesty today. May Your Majesty be in good health, your country be prosperous, and may the friendship between our two countries be as evergreen as pine and cypress." Then, Princess Mingzhu bent her knees slightly again and performed a standard etiquette, showing her dignity and grace.

The emperor looked at the two beautiful and elegant princesses and laughed heartily, his voice as resounding as a bell. "Hahahaha, both princesses are beautiful and graceful. Please take a seat! It is a great honor for me to have you here today, and it is also a testament to the friendship between our two countries. I would like to talk with you about friendship and plan for the future of our two countries."

The hall was bright and glorious, with intricate carvings on the vermilion pillars and lifelike coiling golden dragons.

The ministers, dressed in court robes, sat in order of rank. Their expressions were solemn, as they waited respectfully for the emperor's words. The table was laden with delicacies, and the aroma of the delicacies filled the air.

The musicians played cheerful music, and the dancers danced gracefully. Their graceful figures fluttered in the hall like butterflies, their colorful sleeves fluttering in the wind, a scene of breathtaking beauty.

The emperor raised his hand slightly, signaling for silence. His voice was steady and powerful: "Today, I am hosting a banquet here. It is truly a grand event. Guests from all over the world have gathered here, and the palace is ablaze with splendor."

I am filled with joy, yet I also feel a great sense of responsibility. This banquet is to welcome our distinguished guests from afar, and to celebrate our peaceful and prosperous times.

Looking back, our nation has weathered many storms, yet we, our subjects, have worked together to forge ahead. Today, peace reigns supreme, and our people live and work in peace and contentment. I know that this achievement would not have been possible without the loyal assistance of you, my dear ministers, and the friendly exchanges between nations.

Today, the presence of a princess from another nation adds a new dimension to the friendship between our two nations. May we all speak freely at this grand banquet, discuss state affairs, and share joy. Let this banquet be a new starting point for friendship and cooperation. Let us work together for the prosperity of our nation and the well-being of our people, and create a brilliant future. Now, I declare the banquet open! The ministers shouted in unison: "Long live our emperor!"

At the banquet, the ministers toasted each other and chatted cheerfully. They discussed state affairs and shared their insights and experiences. The emperor listened and nodded, very satisfied with his ministers' performance.

This banquet, hosted by the emperor for his ministers, not only showcased the majesty and extravagance of the royal family, but also embodied the harmony and unity between the monarch and his subjects. On this special occasion, everyone felt the prosperity of the country and was filled with pride and confidence.

Shen Youyou and His Royal Highness Prince Jin, a couple, even though they are the prince and princess, cannot make an exception in such occasions.

Their positions were carefully arranged by the emperor. Among the many princes, they appeared neither too ostentatious nor indistinguishable from the crowd.

It was Prince Jin's intention not to be too ostentatious. He didn't want to be in the spotlight at this moment and be noticed by any princess. There was no room for a third person between him and his beloved little princess! Of course, except for the future little baby!

The emperor's bottom line is to remain in the same boat as everyone else! As the emperor's most favored son, the emperor actually wants him to marry a princess as a concubine. If possible, it would be a double blessing to marry two concubines at the same time! This will lay a foundation for his future and add a little more help!

But last night, His Royal Highness Prince Jin visited the palace to pay his respects to the Emperor and mentioned the matter in passing. He hadn't mentioned the Princess's pregnancy, but only hinted at not wanting to take a concubine. He didn't dare directly ask his father to choose one person for his life, and while he still hadn't fully grasped the situation, he chose to remain silent. The Emperor had no choice but to comply with his wishes and made the following arrangements.

At first, His Royal Highness Prince Jin was extremely cautious, deliberately avoiding freshwater fish and shrimp, instead focusing on selecting dishes that were fresh and not too strongly scented. He carefully placed the food in the bowl in front of Shen Youyou with his serving chopsticks, meticulously tending to her meal.

After all, at this moment, Shen Youyou's pregnancy still needs to be concealed as much as possible, and the longer it can be concealed, the better. If the time comes when it can no longer be hidden, it will not be too late to make other plans.

It's quite strange to say, since the morning sickness at noon yesterday, Shen Youyou didn't show any discomfort at all, whether it was last night's dinner or this morning's breakfast.

If she hadn't personally checked her pulse and confirmed that she was over three months pregnant, she would have suspected she had simply had an upset stomach yesterday...

Could morning sickness really be so short-lived? It would disappear without a trace in just one meal?

At this moment, she was eating the food with great relish, showing no signs of discomfort at all. It seemed that the little one in her belly must be an angel baby who came to repay her gratitude!

Shen Youyou thought happily as she ate the food more and more deliciously.

His Royal Highness Prince Jin, who was in charge of serving the meal, felt an indescribable joy in his heart when he saw his little princess's appetite had increased greatly.

So, he simply piled all those delicious and beautifully prepared imperial meals in front of Shen Youyou, as if he was afraid that she would not be full.

That affectionate look was like being able to pull out silk threads. Just by quietly watching his darling little princess enjoying the food, he felt that happiness was overflowing, and even about to bubble up!

The deep love between this loving couple is like a pool of thick honey, so sweet that people are intoxicated and unable to extricate themselves.

Suddenly, His Royal Highness Prince Jin caught sight of a drop of crystal-clear soup on the corner of the little princess's mouth. He quickly picked up a soft handkerchief and gently wiped it clean for her, striving to ensure that his beloved little princess always maintained a beautiful and charming appearance.

This heartwarming scene of their loving and harmonious relationship happened to fall into the eyes of His Royal Highness Prince Rui and Princess Rui who were sitting opposite them.

His Royal Highness Prince Rui's hawk-like sharp eyes were fixed on Shen Youyou's little face, which had now become radiant and charming.

His thoughts drifted back to the past, when she was just as beautiful, but he had ruthlessly "abandoned" her because she was unable to bear children. But at this moment, when he saw her again, an irresistible impulse welled up in his heart.