Help! The cunning and treacherous minister and I were reborn together!

On this festive occasion, the whole nation is celebrating.

Under the azure sky, tens of thousands of fireworks burst forth in a vibrant display. The streets of Shengjing were packed with people, performing lion dances, releasing lanterns, playing ring toss, and singing, expressing their joy to the fullest.

In the imperial city, Li Kai sat at the head of the table. Although he was still sick, his spirits were high because of the grand event.

First, officials paid homage, followed by envoys from various countries who presented rare and precious treasures, each offering a few auspicious words.

Xiao Zong was not in the capital, so Su Zhi had no choice but to attend the banquet. At this moment, she sat among the noblewomen, idly cracking melon seeds.

Gu Shuang peeled an orange and placed it in front of her. "Eating too many melon seeds will make you thirsty. There's more wine than water at the banquet. The palace maids and eunuchs are used to flattering the powerful and belittling the weak. After you finish these, they may not bring out anything new."

She couldn't have sat in this position before, but Xiao Jianye made great contributions to the peace talks in southern Xinjiang, which allowed her to sit next to Su Zhi.

What I just said may not have been pleasant to hear, but it came from the bottom of my heart.

Xiao Zong led his army to victory against the Southern Frontier army, but His Majesty made no mention of rewarding him. Anyone could see the subtle implications behind this.

"Thank you, sister-in-law."

Su Zhi put the melon seeds back on the plate, wiped her hands with a handkerchief, broke off a segment of orange and put it in her mouth.

She covered her cheek and sighed, "It's so cold!"

It felt like swallowing a block of ice whole.

Gu Shuang exclaimed "Ouch!" and quickly handed her hot water, "I forgot, don't eat anymore!"

Several ladies nearby whispered among themselves, wondering how Xiao Zong had offended His Majesty, forcing his wife to brave the freezing cold to attend the banquet.

The voices of the group grew louder and louder, making it difficult for Su Zhi not to hear them. She glanced to the side with annoyance, and the group immediately fell silent, lowering their heads. Some picked up their wine glasses, while others picked up food, not daring to look in their direction again.

Gu Shuang comforted her, "A bunch of gossipy women, don't bother with them!"

"No problem."

Su Zhi winked at her, clearly not taking their words to heart at all.

In the center of the hall, Prince Sutuo finished his dance and was about to leave when, in a fleeting glance, a beautiful woman with fair skin and a lovely face came into view.

He was momentarily stunned, then crossed his arms in front of his chest and bowed to the emperor.

"Your Majesty, I have taken a liking to a woman and am willing to offer ten thousand cattle and sheep as a dowry. I beg you to act as matchmaker and allow me to bring her back to the grasslands."

Li Kai laughed heartily, "The prince has only just arrived in Shengjing and already has someone he admires; congratulations! May I ask, whose daughter is she?"

"I do not know her name, but she is in the main hall."

Li Kai looked around, assuming he had taken a fancy to one of the palace maids, and said cheerfully, "Your Highness, please do as you please. If she is willing to go with you, I will immediately grant you both a marriage."

Prince Su Tuo was overjoyed and ran to his beloved, greeting her in the Daqi language: "I am Le Xie Mi, and I adore you. Please marry me and become my queen!"

Su Zhi stared at him in astonishment, the ladies around her were also dumbfounded, and the ministers, upon seeing who the prince was facing, were nearly speechless with shock.

Gu Shuang swallowed hard. "Prince, she is my sister-in-law. She has a husband."

"so what?"

Prince Su Tuo gazed at Su Zhi's small, palm-sized face and thought: The sun in Daqi is not harsh at all, otherwise how could her skin be whiter than a lamb's wool?

"Is your man good to you? Would you leave him and come with me?"

Chu Xia and several uncles were about to rush over to explain, but Su Zhi shook her head at them and, as she stood up, revealed her round, bulging belly.

“I am deeply grateful for the prince’s kindness, but as you can see, I am already married and have his child. I love my husband very much and cannot leave him to go with you.”

The light was too dim just now, and her stomach was hidden by the table, so Le Xiemi couldn't see it clearly. At this moment, a blush appeared on her face, and she touched her nose awkwardly.

The scene from my past life is playing out again before my eyes. Although the seats and identities are different, it is still very exciting and scary.

Su Zhi calmed herself down and took the initiative to help him ease the awkwardness, saying, "There are many beautiful girls in Daqi. I believe that the prince will definitely meet someone he can spend his life with."

Le Xie Mi's eyes darted around, and she asked, "Do you have sisters? You're so beautiful, your sisters must be very pretty too. Can I meet them?"

Su Zhi's heart leaped into her throat. Li Kai, who had been silent for a long time, pondered, "How old is Lan Yin this year?"

Chu Xia looked at his fourth brother, who stood up with a stern expression. "Your Majesty, my daughter is not yet of marriageable age and has been spoiled since childhood. The position of Princess Consort of Su Tuo is related to the diplomatic relations between the two countries. She... is probably not up to the task."

A very obvious rejection.

Le Xiemi couldn't save face; his eyes were sinister, and he was on the verge of exploding.

Su Zhi quickly smoothed things over, "Your Majesty, the Yuan family did not suspect my identity before because my appearance resembles that of my sisters. Yuan Pu's fourth daughter, Yuan Ying, is still in the Imperial Clan Court. Why don't we bring her out and let Prince Su Tuo meet her?"

Li Kai nodded and echoed, "Yes, yes, I forgot you have a sister. Bring her here quickly!"

Xu Dahai received the imperial order and arrived at the Imperial Clan Court in no time.

Yuan Ying, dressed in tattered clothes and with messy hair, knelt down to receive the imperial decree. Her face, having been deprived of sunlight for so long, appeared even paler and more fragile.

Xu Dahai grabbed her chin, examined her face, and breathed a sigh of relief: thankfully, she wasn't disfigured.

He beckoned several palace maids and matrons over and ordered, "Hair her up and dress her up. Show her your best skills. Make her as beautiful as you can. Do you all understand?"

"understand!"

Everyone hurriedly began to tidy up, and Yuan Ying, with tears welling up in her eyes, sat in the bathtub as they scrubbed and rubbed her.

The old woman wet the comb with water and used some force to comb through the hair.

"If you want to cry, Miss, cry your heart out here. You can cry after you've put on makeup. If you anger His Majesty and the Prince, you'll never be able to leave this world!"

Yuan Ying sniffed, "Granny, I'm not crying anymore."

No matter what kind of den of dragons and tigers Su Tuo is, or how ugly the prince is, as long as he can help her get out of here, he is her savior!

More than half an hour later, Yuan Ying, led by a palace maid, ascended the main hall. Beneath the intricate and dazzling jewels, her fair face glowed with a faint luster, her beautiful eyes sparkling, and her red lips glistening, exuding an indescribable charm and shyness.

Although her beauty, adorned with jewels, couldn't compare to Su Zhi's natural beauty, Yue Xiemi still happily accepted it for the sake of friendship between the two countries.

Yuan Ying knew she was the prince's second choice, and she gave him a vicious look.

Su Zhi smiled and looked back at her, toying with her wine glass in her hand, like a king who held the power of life and death.

Yuan Ying felt a chill run down her spine: she was warning her!

If she wants to cause trouble, she can be sent back to the dark and gloomy prison to be bullied and abused by others!

Thinking this, she looked away, softened her posture, and fed the prince a glass of wine.

Le Xie Mi was very receptive to this. He gently lifted her delicate chin and said softly, "Don't be silly. I'll take better care of you when we get back."

The ministers and noblewomen were extremely disgusted by Yuan Ying's obsequious behavior towards foreign powers. They downed a mouthful of strong liquor and cursed in their hearts: Like father, like daughter, a whole family of spineless cowards who take advantage of others!

Master Chu raised his cup to Su Zhi, his eyes filled with gratitude.

Su Zhi drank a full cup of water instead of wine, her smile bright, as if to say: We're family, no need for thanks.