Good heavens! The Supreme God is being relentlessly harassed!

Xie Liuyan ultimately only gave a few lukewarm warnings: "Don't let this happen again, or else..."

He didn't say the second half of the sentence, but judging from his tone, it probably wasn't something that would make Shen Wangchuan happy.

Shen Wangchuan stuck out his tongue, indicating that he understood.

The banquet was still going on, but many people's minds were no longer on the banquet.

They never expected to encounter the Empress Dowager bestowing a marriage upon the Regent at the Emperor's birthday banquet, and that the Empress Dowager would be publicly humiliated by the Regent in front of everyone.

Many astute individuals have already sensed something unusual about this.

Minister Shen was like that; seeing his foolish son standing behind Xie Liuyan, grinning foolishly, he worried about the future of the Shen family.

Although he had three children, the other two had already left the mansion, leaving only his youngest son, Shen Wangchuan, still in the mansion.

At first, Minister Shen was disappointed in him because he lacked ambition.

However, if Shen Wangchuan didn't become an official, he could stay in the mansion. He and Wanrou would be counting on this young man to take care of them in their old age.

I only hope that when he gets old, his youngest son will not only bring glory to the family, but also keep the Shen family from falling into ruin.

Even so, he was worried that Shen Wangchuan wouldn't be able to achieve it.

Shen Wangchuan was unaware that his father, Shen Qingcheng, who was not far away, was worrying about him so much. He was standing behind Xie Liuyan for the first half of the time.

As the banquet progressed into its latter half, the dancers ceased their performances, and the ministers continued to chat and drink.

He brought over a small stool from somewhere and sat down a little behind Xie Liuyan.

Xie Liuyan glanced back at him once, then ignored him.

Shen Wangchuan knew this meant tacit approval. He hadn't eaten anything to fill his stomach when he came today, and he took a liking to the delicious food placed in front of Ayan.

However, he was here today as Xie Liuyan's personal bodyguard, so it was inconvenient for him to openly take things.

"Ayan~~ Could you get me a peach shortbread?"

"Ayan, and that white fungus soup too."

"Ayan, give me another small plate of meat."

He said he would basically fulfill Xie Liuyan's requests, but Shen Wangchuan called out to him so many times that it became "Ayan" followed by the name of a delicacy.

Xie Liuyan wondered if there was some connection between his name and the food on the table.

He barely touched the food at the banquet, while Shen Wangchuan ate it all.

If only I had given Shen Wangchuan something to eat before he arrived, things wouldn't be like this now.

The palace maids who were serving nearby had long been dismissed by Xie Liuyan, after all, it was best to keep his interactions with Shen Wangchuan a secret.

So now Xie Liuyan has to do everything himself, helping Shen Wangchuan get some pastries, picking up some dishes, and serving soup.

Xie Liuyan felt strange, as if Shen Wangchuan was the prince who had come to attend the banquet, while he had become the one serving on the side.

Seeing that the other party was enjoying their meal, Xie Liuyan didn't pursue the matter any further.

Time passed slowly, and the banquet drew to a close.

Empress Dowager Zuo was clearly furious today. Xie Liuyan dared to treat her, the Empress Dowager of Yun Kingdom, like this in public.

She must have a serious talk with her brother when she gets back.

However, she did not forget her other purpose today. Since Xie Liuyan did not accept being won over, she would leave his side to her own brother.

But there's still the matter of Yunqi, which wasn't mentioned today.

Thinking of the embarrassment of being refuted in public, Empress Dowager Zuo did not make a big fuss.

Instead, he moved aside slightly and then said to Yunqi:

“Aqi, you are now fifteen years old, an age when you should be aware of human affairs.”

"It's time for your mother to take a concubine."

Yun Qi thought to himself, "As expected, everything is exactly as my uncle, teacher, and Minister Shen predicted."

His mother is no longer the woman who loved him at the beginning; she is ambitious and seeks power to control his life.

His expression was cold, and a few drops of wine spilled from his hand.

Even though I know the truth in my heart, I still can't get over the hurdle of feelings.

Yun Qi asked in a low voice, "Does Mother think that I should select concubines and choose an Empress from among them?"

Empress Dowager Zuo's mind stirred slightly: "Selecting concubines is a must, but as for the Empress, I have already found someone for you."

"Your Majesty's niece, Zuo Lin'er, is quite good. She is dignified and elegant, and her appearance is also very pleasing. What do you think about summoning her to the palace another day, Your Majesty?"

Yun Qi sneered inwardly, but maintained a calm expression on his face: "Thank you, Mother, but I should still prioritize the affairs of the state. I don't need you to trouble yourself."

"I will make my own decision on the selection of concubines and empress in the future."

Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Zuo almost lost control of her emotions.

Today is the emperor's birthday banquet. She felt her face burning. Xie Liuyan was one thing, but now Yun Qi is doing it too. Is he deliberately trying to disobey her?

"Good, good! It's really good!"

Empress Dowager Zuo said "good" three times in a row, and the ministers below heard the commotion.

"My son has grown too big for his britches and no longer wants to listen to his mother."

"But my son, don't forget who your birth mother is, and who supported you on your path to the throne. Don't let yourself be used by those with ulterior motives, or your mother will be too late to help you if you regret it!"

Empress Dowager Zuo no longer lowered her voice when she spoke. She was like a woman haggling at a market, disregarding her dignity and only focused on achieving her goal.

After speaking, she turned and left, while the eunuch beside her called out in unison, "Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is departing!"

A palace banquet was made somewhat unpleasant by the repeated interference of his own mother.

The courtiers remained silent, fearing the emperor's wrath.

Although Yunqi was not in a good mood due to the influence of the Empress Dowager Zuo, he was not too upset because he thought that he, as the emperor, had defended his most important right to choose a spouse.

"I am very happy to be here today. Thank you all for coming to my birthday banquet."

"If there is nothing else, you may leave on your own. The carriages are already waiting at the palace gate."

Since it was Yun Qi who spoke, the ministers naturally complied and left the Imperial Garden in twos and threes.

As if struck by a thought, Yun Qi stepped off the stage and went to Xie Liuyan's side.

"Will Your Majesty stay overnight in the palace tonight?"

There was a room specially prepared for Xie Liuyan in the palace, where he could stay when he was tired.

It wasn't very late. Xie Liuyan glanced at Shen Wangchuan beside him. There was nothing wrong with him staying overnight, but Shen Wangchuan seemed a little strange at the moment.

His face was flushed red; I wonder if it was from drinking too much at the banquet.

Let's go back to the Prince's Mansion as soon as possible.

"No need. Your Majesty, please take good care of yourself. You may summon me to the palace at any time if needed."

Seeing his insistence, Yunqi did not try to persuade him to stay.

Seeing that most of the ministers had left, Xie Liuyan asked Shen Wangchuan behind him, "Can you still push the wheelchair?"

The other person's speech was slurred and unintelligible, so Xie Liuyan had no idea how much this guy had drunk, whether openly or secretly. He sighed and called out to the air:

"Liuyun."

A bodyguard dressed in a black short-sleeved shirt knelt on one knee. "Your Highness."

"Let's go." Xie Liuyan told Liu Yun to keep an eye on Shen Wangchuan while pushing his own wheelchair.

It took quite a while to finally get into the carriage.

Seeing the person who had found a suitable spot to rest on his neck, Xie Liuyan couldn't help but laugh at himself.

Using the "interesting palace banquet" to fool Shen Wangchuan backfired, causing him a lot of trouble.

"You'd better stay asleep, or I'll have to settle the score with you for today!"