The Lord God is kneeling on the washboard again

On this day, the sun was shining brightly, the breeze was gentle, and the highly anticipated state banquet finally arrived quietly amidst everyone's anticipation. The entire capital was filled with a festive and solemn atmosphere, and ministers from the court brought their families and attended this grand banquet in their best attire.

Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) wore the same color as Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) today. The hue resembled the twinkling stars in the deep night sky, mysterious and captivating. He stood tall and straight like a pine tree, his demeanor elegant and stern, his handsome features accentuated by the sunlight. The garment was perfectly tailored, fitting his slender frame, and every detail betrayed his noble status and exceptional taste.

Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li), dressed in a red dress, stood out like a flaming flower in full bloom among the crowd. The dress, embroidered with delicate patterns in gold thread, swayed gently with her steps, shimmering with brilliance.

Her hair was meticulously tied up, a few strands falling around her fair cheeks, adding a touch of charm. Her eyebrows were as dark as distant ink, her eyes were like stars, her lips were naturally red, and her slightly upturned mouth was filled with a perfect smile, which was both dignified and exuding a touch of charm.

Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) looked at her beside him, his eyes full of surprise and pride.

The people around couldn't help but cast glances at her, some with envy, some with jealousy, and some with admiration. However, Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) seemed oblivious, simply following Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) gracefully, her every move displaying the demeanor of a lady from a noble family.

Little Mu Han tugged at the hem of Xing Xuanli's (Duanmu Li) skirt, tilted his head and said, "Mom, you look so beautiful today." Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) lowered her head and looked at him tenderly, her eyes full of love.

In this magnificent palace, Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li)'s red-dressed figure became a unique and beautiful scenery.

The banquet finally began, the sound of stringed instruments rose melodiously, and the dancers danced gracefully.

Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) sat next to Yun Mohan (Nangong Han), her eyes slightly lowered, her expression a little reserved. Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) noticed her nervousness and gently held her hand, offering silent comfort.

Delicious dishes were served one after another, filling the air with fragrance. Everyone enjoyed the food and chatted happily. However, Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) had no interest in eating. She kept a constant eye on the surroundings, fearing any impoliteness.

At this moment, the Emperor raised his glass to make a speech, and everyone stood up to congratulate him. Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) also raised her glass along with Yun Mohan (Nangong Han), her movements graceful and appropriate.

The atmosphere at the banquet gradually became lively. The ministers began to toast each other and exchange some official social words. Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) was also unable to avoid socializing with others, while Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) smiled and nodded at the side.

Suddenly, a minister's family member brought up Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li), "I heard that Madam is from the Duanmu family. I wonder if you're acclimating to this state banquet today?"

Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) had no expression on her face and said calmly: "Thank you for your concern.

Little Mu Han was getting restless sitting aside, so Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) patted his hands gently, signaling him to be quiet.

The whole banquet was full of intrigue and socializing, and Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) tried to remain calm and composed in this complex environment.

At this moment, a sharp voice rang out: "Prince Dongling, the princess is here!"

The previously boisterous banquet instantly quieted, everyone's attention focused on the doorway. Two figures slowly entered the hall. The Crown Prince of Dongling, dressed in a gorgeous brocade robe, stood tall and straight, his face handsome yet a bit stern, his eyes shone with an elusive glint. The Princess, dressed in a long pink dress embroidered with delicate flowers, had a delicate face, a lively gaze, and a faint smile on her lips.

Emperor Nanyuan narrowed his eyes slightly, still with a kind smile on his face, and said: "Dear guest from Dongling has come from afar, please take a seat quickly."

Prince Dongling bowed slightly and said in a steady and powerful voice, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your hospitality."

The princess also bowed with an elegant and moving posture.

Everyone began to whisper, speculating about the purpose of Prince Dongling and Princess's visit.

Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) gently pulled Yun Mohan (Nangong Han)'s sleeve and whispered, "Nangong Han, how much do you know about the Crown Prince of Dongling?"

Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) frowned slightly and responded in a low voice, "Li'er, I've only heard vaguely of this Dongling Crown Prince. I've heard that he's meticulous and ruthless, and holds considerable influence in the Dongling court. His sudden arrival this time probably means he has some ulterior motive."

Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) had a flash of worry in her eyes: "What should I do? What if they make trouble at the banquet..."

Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) held her hand and offered her some comfort: "Don't panic, His Majesty is here. Let's see what they intend to do."

At this time, Prince Dongling's gaze swept across the crowd, pausing slightly on Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) and Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li), and a meaningful smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) was being stared at by the Crown Prince of Dongling, and Yun Mohan (Nangong Han)'s face instantly darkened. He looked at the Crown Prince of Dongling with a cold gaze, a chill emanating from his body.

Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) met the gaze of Crown Prince Dongling and said calmly, "Have you seen enough, Your Highness?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere at the banquet froze. Everyone gasped, surprised by Xing Xuanli's (Duanmu Li) audacity.

Prince Dongling was slightly startled, then burst into laughter: "Haha, interesting, really interesting!"

Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) felt a tightness in his heart and looked at Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) worriedly.

Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) remained calm, still looking coldly at the Crown Prince of Dongling, and said, "Your Highness is so rude, is this the etiquette of Dongling?"

The Crown Prince of Dongling stopped smiling, a sinister look flashing in his eyes. "I am merely curious about what is so special about this woman that the Regent is so interested in her."

Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) straightened her back, her eyes firm and fearless. "Your Highness's curiosity is too abrupt. I am just an ordinary woman, not worthy of your Highness's speculation."

Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) stepped forward, protecting Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) behind him, and said coldly to Crown Prince Dongling, "Your Highness, please be mindful of your words and do not lose your dignity."

The corners of Prince Dongling's mouth rose slightly, with a hint of sarcasm: "Prince Regent, you are so nervous, afraid that I will take action against your little wife. I will not care about someone who has no cultivation.

Suddenly a female voice sounded, "Your Highness, please don't blame me, Fourth Sister, you are still young."

Everyone's attention was drawn to the voice, and they saw a woman in light blue clothes walking towards them. She had a pretty face, and her eyes were gentle and intelligent.

Crown Prince Dongling raised his eyebrows slightly, looked at the woman and said, "Oh? Then according to what you said, what should I do?"

The woman bowed gracefully and said softly, "Your Highness the Crown Prince is magnanimous and will not hold a grudge against a little girl. Besides, today is such a joyous occasion, don't let such a small matter ruin the mood."

Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) looked at the woman in blue and said, "Duanmu Ya, stop being so hypocritical."

Duanmu Ya's expression changed slightly, and a hint of anger flashed in her eyes, but she quickly regained her gentle demeanor and said, "Third sister, what are you talking about? I'm doing this for your own good."

Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) sneered: "For my own good? You're probably just waiting to see me make a fool of myself."

Duanmu Ya bit her lip and said with a look of grievance: "Sister, how could you misunderstand me like this? I am only concerned about the reputation of our Duanmu family and don't want you to offend the Crown Prince of Dongling."

Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) took a step forward and looked directly into Duanmu Ya's eyes: "Duanmu Ya, put away your hypocritical face. Don't think I don't know what you are thinking."

At this time, people around began to whisper and talk about the dispute between the two sisters.

Seeing this, Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) gently pulled Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) and said, "Li'er, don't be impulsive."

Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) took a deep breath and said, "Nangong Han, she's always like this, one thing on the surface, another behind the scenes."

Duanmu Ya's eyes were filled with tears, and she said pitifully, "Fourth sister, I really don't have any ill intentions, why do you always target me like this?

Suddenly a sharp voice sounded again, "The Xilan envoy has arrived!"

The already tense atmosphere was further complicated by this sudden announcement. Everyone's eyes turned to the door, where a group of envoys dressed in distinctive Xilan attire filed in.

The Xilan envoy in the lead was a tall and strong man with a piercing gaze. He strode forward and bowed respectfully toward the emperor, saying, "The Xilan envoy pays respect to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be blessed with great fortune and may the friendship between our two countries endure."

The emperor raised his hand slightly and said, "Envoy, please excuse your formalities and take your seat."

The Xilan envoys took their seats one by one. At this time, the atmosphere at the banquet became more subtle and unpredictable due to the arrival of Prince Dongling and the Xilan envoys.

Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) and Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) looked at each other, their hearts filled with confusion and worry.

Prince Dongling looked at the Xilan envoy with a meaningful smile on his face, and it was unknown what he was thinking.

After the Xilan envoy took his seat, he glanced at the crowd. When he saw the Crown Prince of Dongling, he paused slightly, and a trace of imperceptible vigilance flashed in his eyes.

The entire banquet seemed to have turned into a battlefield without the smoke of gunpowder, with various forces secretly competing with each other, and the situation became increasingly confusing.

This announcement was like a stone dropped into an already turbulent lake, making the already subtle and unpredictable atmosphere of the banquet even more tense.

Everyone's eyes turned to the door, only to see a group of people dressed in Beilin's distinctive clothing striding in. The Beilin envoy in the lead was tall, with a resolute face, and his eyes were full of sharpness and majesty.

The emperor sat up slightly, still wearing that seemingly kind yet elusive smile on his face.

The Crown Prince of Dongling and the Xilan Envoy also had different expressions, some were alert, some were in deep thought, and some had other calculations.

Xing Xuanli (Duanmu Li) and Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) looked at each other, and a hint of worry flashed in each other's eyes.

The Beilin envoy strode forward, bowed to the emperor, and said in a loud voice: "The Beilin envoy pays respect to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live long and long, and may the friendship between our two countries be forever strong."

Emperor Nanyuan nodded slightly and said, "Envoy, please excuse your formalities and take a seat."

As the Beilin envoy took his seat, the situation at the banquet became more complicated, and the undercurrents between the various forces became more intense.

Suddenly, Princess Beilin ran to Xing Xuanli and held her hand, "Sister, so you are here?" She didn't know her sister's name after the last time she left in a hurry.

Xing Xuanli was stunned by this sudden action and asked in confusion: "Princess, do we know each other?"

Princess Beilin widened her eyes, her face full of disbelief: "Sister, don't you remember me? Last time on Ziyun Mountain, you saved me!" You saved me from those villains.

Xing Xuanli frowned slightly and tried to recall, but she was still confused: "Princess, I really... can't remember."

Princess Beilin stamped her feet anxiously: "Sister, the situation was so critical, and those criminals were so vicious. If you hadn't appeared in time and helped me, I'm afraid I would..." As she spoke, the princess' eyes became red.

Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) said from the side: "Princess, don't worry. Perhaps Li'er was just recklessly saving people at the time, and she didn't take it to heart afterwards."

Duanmu Yazai hurriedly said: "Princess, are you mistaken? My fourth sister, she... She can't practice luck, but she can also do martial arts.

Duanmu Yazai hurriedly said: "Princess, are you mistaken? My fourth sister, she... She can't practice luck, nor does she know martial arts."

Princess Beilin frowned slightly when she heard Duanmu Ya's words, then laughed twice. "I can't cultivate my luck. This is the best joke I've heard this year."

At this time, a series of female voices were also heard. The woman was dressed in green. She stared at Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) from time to time with a shy look on her face. Princess, this Duanmu Li was not lucky in cultivation.

Princess Beilin looked at the woman in green and said calmly: "Lingxiao Sect, Luo Lingshan

Luo Lingshan bowed slightly and said, "Princess, it is my daughter."

Princess Beilin snorted coldly: "I have seen it with my own eyes, and you cannot speak nonsense here."

Xing Xuanli looked calm, as if these words had no effect on her.

Yun Mohan (Nangong Han) looked at Luo Lingshan with indifference and said, "Miss Luo, please speak with conscience."

Luo Lingshan bit her lip and said, "Regent, I dare not lie.

Princess Beilin took Xing Xuanli's hand and said, "Sister, ignore this annoying person. I believe I won't remember it wrongly."

At this time, people around were whispering, surprised by the sudden dispute.

Prince Dongling watched this scene with great interest, a calculating glint in his eyes.

The Xilan envoys were also whispering to each other, as if they were guessing the reason.

Emperor Nanyuan frowned slightly and said, "Stop arguing, let's discuss this matter later." But the doubts in everyone's hearts did not decrease.