Male superiority and female superiority: forced love

It took Yue Yixing a full hour to reach the Zhenbei Palace, a three-mile journey. The moment he entered, he didn't want to go back. He turned and flew north toward the forested mountains. Perhaps only by working up a sweat could he figure out what he should do.

3:30 PM, Nanxing Palace

The news that the Prince of Zhenbei was attending the banquet with his grandson and granddaughter-in-law had already spread. Everyone thought that the old prince would make his youngest son the crown prince, but they didn't expect that he would pass the title directly to his grandson.

Speaking of this legitimate grandson, the old prince had kept it a secret. Even the emperor had only recently learned that Princess Mingzhu had a child who had taken her surname, Xiang.

There was still half an hour before the banquet started, and the Chaoxia Hall was packed with people, with more than half of the seats occupied.

Prince Nanxing, Princess, Prince Beiyue and the Imperial Preceptor have already taken their seats.

The noble ladies sitting nearby all cast admiring glances at these three powerful and handsome men.

Hao Zhuchen's looks were slightly inferior to Lu Yinian's, but he was also a rare and handsome man. He was twenty-six years old and had yet to choose a wife. As for the reason, it was said that he was extremely narcissistic and believed that no woman in the world was worthy of him. Emperor Nanxing and Empress Nanxing were so worried about his marriage that they issued an ultimatum: if he didn't find a woman of his choice within two years, they would force him into a marriage.

If you ask why Emperor Nanxing and the Empress are so indulgent towards the Crown Prince, we can only say that they have no other choice.

The couple had been childhood sweethearts, promising each other a lifetime together. They were blessed with a pair of children. Perhaps their overindulgence had distorted their daughter's character. Fortunately, their son was relatively normal, with only a hint of narcissism as a trait.

"Master Zhou, I offer a toast to you." Ever since Hao Rong saw this distinguished guest from Beiyue, her heart had fallen.

He possessed the stature of a dragon and the grace of a phoenix, a natural disposition. His features were like cold jade, his spirit like autumn water. This man was incredibly beautiful, enough to devour everything.

Lu Yinnian and Lu Zhuoxi were all thrown behind him.

She only wants him!

"You are too polite, Princess. The Luofuchun of Nanxing Country is three parts refreshing and seven parts spicy. One cup is very soothing. But I am not good at drinking, so I will drink another cup with you, Princess." Zhou Ziyi raised the corners of his lips, held the cup with both hands and drank it in one gulp, cleanly and neatly, without leaving a drop.

"Master, you're too modest. Luofuchun is spicy, but the aftereffects aren't intoxicating. Don't worry." Hao Rong said with a smile, and then filled her own glass again. It's better to be drunk, isn't it more exciting when you're drunk?

Hao Zhuchen stared thoughtfully at the imperial sister's slightly tipsy face, his mind quickly weighing the options. Even though Zhou Ziyi held high rank, he wasn't royal after all. He felt Lu Yinnian or Lu Zhuoxi would be better. However, the latter was too beautiful, and given the imperial sister's temperament, she might not agree.

Many of the noble ladies present also had their eyes on Zhou Ziyi, and they hated Hao Rong with a vengeance. She had a plethora of servants in her own mansion, yet she wasn't satisfied. Her appetite was bigger than the sky, deeper than the sea. Could it be that she wouldn't stop until she had every handsome man in the world?

"Dad, look at that bitch, she's acting wild again!" Shi Congxin, the daughter of the Minister of War, pulled her father's sleeve angrily with a look of resentment on her face.

Shi Daoyin quickly covered her mouth: "Keep your voice down, how can you say such outrageous words? Don't you see who is coming today? And where are you sitting! Be careful!" After he finished speaking, he looked around worriedly. Fortunately, their family was the only one sitting at this table.

"I don't care! Dad, I've seen Master Zhou, and I want to marry him." Shi Congxin was obsessed with looks, but she was a hundred times more kindhearted than Hao Rong. At least she wouldn't use improper means to abduct a handsome man. Of course, even if she had the intention, she didn't have the ability.

Fang Susu, the wife of the Minister of War, glanced at the table where His Royal Highness was sitting, pursed her lips, and said, "You're the only daughter in the family, so marrying far away is out of the question. I advise you to give up on this idea as soon as possible. Instead of wasting time, you'd better focus on the Crown Prince. Do you know why your parents haven't let you marry yet? Your Highness will be twenty-eight in two years. Let your father talk to the Emperor about it then."

"Your mother is right. The prince's appearance is also first-rate. What else are you dissatisfied with?" Shi Daoyin was eager for His Highness to turn twenty-eight tomorrow. Most of the prominent families in Yangcheng gave birth to sons. His daughter was arguably the perfect choice for the Crown Princess. Previously, when the Prince of Zhenbei wanted to arrange a marriage for his grandson, he hesitated. It made no sense to leave the throne untouched, right?

Shi Congxin stared at his parents' enigmatic smiles as if they were idiots. Could the Crown Prince, with his personality, possibly even be interested in her? In this world, the woman who could catch his eye hadn't even been born yet!

Just as the two of them were about to relax their expressions, the Crown Prince's tutor Yue Wuyu sat down.

"Master Shi, Madam Shi, why are you so happy?"

"Master Yue, you... are sitting here?" Shi Daoyin immediately stopped smiling and looked puzzledly towards the table of the Prince of Zhenbei, who had not yet taken his seat in front of him on the right.

"What? You don't welcome us?" Yue Wuyu glanced at his old friend with a half-smile, but his heart was already filled with dark clouds. He didn't want to sit here either. Who made Wanrong call Wu Shuhong today? It pissed him off!

"What nonsense are you talking about, Grand Tutor? Come, come, I'll apologize and offer you a drink." Shi Daoyin cheerfully filled his glass with Jade Liquid. This Luofuchun, you can only drink it in the palace. He had to drink his fill before leaving.

Returning to Prince Nanxing's table, Hao Rong continued to toast. Zhou Ziyi had no choice but to drink, but fortunately, Lu Yinnian blocked the next few drinks for him.

The Nanxing Princess's alcohol tolerance was unprecedented in their lives. She drank cup after cup of the potent liquor, her face flushing and her heart calm, as if she were drinking cold water. It nearly brought out the psychological scars in Zhou Ziyi and Lu Yinnian.

All the men in Beiyue Country have a great alcohol tolerance. If they were to be outdone by a girl today, wouldn't they be laughed to death by King Yixiang and his people when they return?

Fight!

As he was dazed, he seemed to hear a loud shout from outside the palace gate: "The Prince of Zhenbei and the Princess of Zhenbei have arrived." The palace attendant wanted to announce everyone, but except for Princess Mingzhu, the other three had no official titles or nobility. The Prince of Zhenbei let him go and only announced his own name and the princess's name.

When Hao Rong heard that the old prince was coming, he was so scared that his neck shrank and he subconsciously leaned back. He even stopped drinking and looked cautiously towards the palace door, fearing that he would see those two evil spirits.

Hao Zhuchen had heard that the Crown Princess of Dayong would also be present today, so he immediately put down his cup and turned around.

The hall was silent as everyone had finally waited for this moment.