Shocking! Five men are in love with the same woman!

However, she herself is not as flamboyant as she appears.

Instead, she is generous, gentle, and approachable.

At this point, Emperor Jingzhao had already begun his opening remarks at the banquet.

He sat upright above, looking down and said in a deep voice, "My beloved ministers, today is my birthday. I am very pleased to be able to gather here with you all and celebrate this grand occasion together."

Looking back, I was ordained by Heaven to sit on this supreme throne, and I am fortunate to have the wholehearted assistance of my beloved ministers, which has led to the prosperous era we enjoy today.

I observe that in the Great Zhao Dynasty, the people live in peace and prosperity, and the nation is flourishing, all thanks to the efforts of you gentlemen.

Today, I wish to share this joy with you all and enjoy the happiness of peace. I hope that you, my beloved ministers, will continue to be loyal and devoted to the prosperity of our dynasty. Let us join hands and work together to create a great cause that will benefit all people for generations to come.

"Come, fill the cups with fine wine, let us celebrate this auspicious occasion, and may our dynasty forever enjoy peace and prosperity, and may my birthday be celebrated many times over!"

As soon as the words were spoken, everyone in the hall knelt down and shouted, "Long live the Emperor! May His Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and live as long as the heavens!"

Emperor Jingzhao smiled and raised his hand to gesture for everyone to rise, saying, "Please be seated, everyone. There's no need for formalities today. Enjoy yourselves to the fullest."

Then the sound of string and wind instruments filled the air, and the dancers filed in, their colorful sleeves fluttering, like a group of fairies descending to earth.

Then the gift-giving ceremony began.

The eldest prince was the first to rise and walk to the center of the hall, holding a sandalwood box in both hands.

He proclaimed loudly, “Father, I present this pearl from the South China Sea to you. This pearl has been nurtured in the deep sea for thousands of years. Its luster is warm and gentle, like the radiance of the bright moon. May your benevolence shine like the light of this pearl and benefit the world.”

The eunuch took the box and gently opened it. Inside, a huge pearl emitted a soft yet dazzling light, prompting gasps of amazement from the crowd.

Ling Yan raised an eyebrow.

That really shows how much effort they put into it!

The eldest prince looked at the astonished reactions of the crowd and then at his father's satisfied expression, feeling extremely pleased and delighted.

Next, the Second Prince presented a painting he had drawn himself.

The painting depicts Emperor Jingzhao in court attire, sitting in the main hall to hold court.

Emperor Jingzhao was extremely fond of it.

Then the Third Prince presented a pure white steed as white as snow and said, “Father, this horse can travel a thousand miles a day and is exceptionally brave. Your son wishes that you, Father, may be like this steed, forging ahead bravely and creating an even more glorious era.”

Emperor Jingzhao exclaimed with delight, "Excellent!"

The fourth prince then presented a Buddhist scripture he had copied himself, saying, "Father, I pray for your well-being every day and have copied this scripture by hand, wishing you long life, good health, and eternal peace."

Emperor Jingzhao looked at the fourth prince with indescribable affection and satisfaction.

He praised happily, "My son is thoughtful; your father is very pleased."

Then the Fifth Prince presented a blood-red coral as tall as an adult.

Emperor Jingzhao was overjoyed!

His eyes were incredibly bright.

After Xiao Muyao presented his gifts.

Several eunuchs carried a huge scroll forward, which was then slowly unfurled.

The moment it was displayed before everyone's eyes, it seemed as if the magnificent and turbulent scenery of the entire world was condensed into this one painting.

The first thing that catches the eye is the towering, majestic mountains, with peaks stretching into the clouds, and strange rocks scattered on them.

Next comes the surging river, its waters flowing like a silver dragon winding its way across the land.

The river surface shimmered with sunlight, sparkling with countless tiny golden rays. Along the riverbank, weeping willows swayed gently, their branches dancing in the wind, like the tender strokes of nature's brush.

Looking further into the distance, there is a vast plain, with golden waves of wheat rolling gently in the breeze, like a golden ocean.

The villages along the fields are scattered in an orderly fashion, with neat houses and wisps of smoke rising from the chimneys, full of the atmosphere of life.

The scene also shows a bustling town with crisscrossing streets, numerous shops, and a constant flow of pedestrians and vehicles.

The use of color in the entire painting is extremely exquisite. The green mountains are outlined with thick ink to highlight their grandeur, while the green water is rendered with light colors to show its dynamism.

The golden wheat fields and vermilion city gates complement each other, creating a scene of prosperity and flourishing.

Every detail is handled perfectly, making one feel as if they can sense the breath of the mountains and rivers, the rushing of the streams, and the vibrant life of this land.

For a moment, the entire hall was silent, everyone immersed in the magnificent scene presented by this splendid painting.

Emperor Jingzhao sat upright above, and then his eyes widened, sparkling with surprise and shock.

Then, without thinking, I got up and walked step by step toward the painting, as if I were being drawn by an invisible force.

Everyone else in the hall was also captivated by this masterpiece.

Some stared wide-eyed, mouths slightly agape, their faces filled with disbelief; others squinted, carefully appreciating every detail of the painting, nodding repeatedly in agreement.

After a long while, Emperor Jingzhao finally came to his senses from his extreme astonishment.

His voice trembled with excitement: "This painting, this painting is truly a masterpiece! I have never seen such an exquisite and magnificent work!"

He turned his head and looked at Xiao Muyao with burning eyes, saying, "My son, your painting of ten thousand miles of rivers and mountains depicts the magnificent landscape of our dynasty and the grand blueprint in my heart!"

Emperor Jingzhao's face was flushed with excitement. He looked at the scroll again and said loudly, "The majesty of the mountains, the grandeur of the rivers, and the prosperity of the towns are all vividly displayed within this small space! This is the fortune of our dynasty, and also the fortune of me!"

The crowd seemed to awaken from a dream, and shouted in unison, "Your Majesty is wise, and Prince Rui is exceptionally talented. This painting is truly a priceless treasure!"

Emperor Jingzhao was overjoyed. He stepped forward, patted Xiao Muyao on the shoulder, and said, "My son, you have put your heart into this. Such a fine work shows your love and dedication to the country. I am very happy and gratified."

Xiao Muyao maintained his calm and steady demeanor throughout, as if the surrounding noise and praise could not shake him in the slightest.

Faced with the astonished gazes of the crowd and Emperor Jingzhao's lavish praise, he simply smiled calmly.

His tone was calm and humble: "If Father Emperor is pleased, that is my greatest comfort, and all my efforts these past few days will have been worthwhile."

Emperor Jingzhao's smile deepened, and he nodded with satisfaction, saying, "I really like it. I have felt your sincerity."

The atmosphere between the father and son was warm and lively.

Meanwhile, the second prince, who had also presented a painting, was furious.

There was also a strong sense of jealousy and resentment.

Because he asked himself honestly, his paintings were no worse than the sixth prince's, so why did everyone, including his father, praise him so highly?

Isn't it just a clever and auspicious painting of a vast landscape?

His downfall was due to drawing the wrong picture; otherwise, he wouldn't be enjoying his current success.

Then the ministers presented their gifts one after another, including precious paintings and calligraphy, rare antiques, exotic spices, and so on, a dazzling array that was hard to look away from.

Each gift was filled with everyone's respect and blessings for Emperor Jingzhao, and the entire hall was filled with a solemn yet joyful atmosphere.

Just as Lingyan was feeling bored and drowsy, Emperor Jingzhao summoned the envoys from various countries to the palace.

Lingyan immediately regained her senses.

His eyes lit up instantly, and he turned his gaze toward the entrance of the main hall.

She was about to see the great beauty, Chu Xiyao.