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

A new year brings new scenery and a new feast; may joy and happiness continue into the new year.

Children rejoice, wine and food are served, laughter echoes around the fireplace late into the night.

With Emperor Jingzhao's order, the banquet officially began.

A procession of palace maids and eunuchs dressed in uniform filed in, each carrying a dish of exquisite food.

The dishes were presented with great care, some on exquisite blue and white porcelain plates, and others on finely carved jade dishes.

Every dish is a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate, making them incredibly tempting.

At the same time, the wine was poured in turn.

The wine rippled in the delicate glass, releasing a rich aroma, sometimes as clear as amber, sometimes as pure as fine wine.

Meanwhile, on one side of the main hall, court musicians began to play traditional string and wind instruments.

The sounds of various musical instruments intertwined, forming a harmonious and beautiful melody that echoed in the air above the main hall.

The group began to savor the delicious food, chatting quietly or laughing heartily.

The entire banquet was filled with a warm and joyful atmosphere.

Emperor Jingzhao held his wine cup and slowly moved his gaze around the hall.

First, he looked at his children, and then his gaze shifted to his grandchildren.

Some of the children were still innocent and naive, curiously looking around at everything in the hall, their tender little faces filled with a desire to explore this new and wonderful world.

That tiny figure contained boundless vitality and hope for the future, like a seedling just breaking through the soil, full of vigor.

Then he looked at his brothers and sisters.

They are also his relatives who grew up with him and went through thick and thin with him.

Finally, he looked at his elders and uncles.

Their hair was streaked with gray, but the composure and wisdom that had been honed over the years were evident in every gesture.

Looking at his family members gathered in the room, Emperor Jingzhao was filled with an unprecedented sense of satisfaction.

It was a warmth woven from kinship, a beautiful and harmonious scene unfolding before his eyes.

Every family member is an indispensable part of his life.

His lips curled up slightly, and his eyes sparkled with satisfaction and happiness.

The Empress then turned her gaze to Lingyan and Xiao Muyao.

Watching them chatting and enjoying their food in a warm and harmonious atmosphere, she couldn't help but smile knowingly.

Then she turned her gaze to the Eighth Princess.

But they noticed that the Eighth Princess would occasionally cast her gaze in a certain direction.

She followed her gaze and saw a man who amazed her.

Although the Empress had never met Jiang Jingyu in person, she had seen his portrait.

The figure in the painting is already quite remarkable.

Seeing it with my own eyes now is even more astonishing.

His demeanor possessed both the elegance of a scholar and the heroic spirit of a military general.

She and her adorable daughter are a match made in heaven, a perfect couple.

As the saying goes, a mother-in-law becomes more and more satisfied with her son-in-law the more she looks at him, and the Empress was in that state at this moment.

The more Jiang Jingyu looked at Jiang Jingyu, the more satisfied he became.

Emperor Jingzhao, who was standing to the side, also noticed that the Empress was staring at a certain spot, so he curiously followed her gaze.

Emperor Jingzhao then understood why the Empress had acted this way.

He had naturally met Jiang Jingyu before, and that's why he immediately agreed when the Empress told him she wanted to marry Xiao Ba to him.

This man is an exceptional individual, perfectly worthy of his legitimate princess.

Jiang Jingyu naturally noticed the scrutinizing gazes of the Emperor and Empress above him.

However, he did not feel any pressure, so he did not pay much attention and pretended not to know.

However, his gaze would always inadvertently and subtly drift towards the direction of the Eighth Princess.

The banquet was in full swing, with laughter and cheerful conversation echoing throughout the hall.

Consort Hui took a sip of the wine, her gaze sweeping across the crowd before finally settling on Ling Yan.

A flash of resentment crossed her eyes, then quickly disappeared.

Then, she deliberately raised her voice slightly so that everyone in the hall could hear her clearly: "Princess Consort, look how fast time flies. It's been a year and a half since you married the Crown Prince."

She paused slightly, her gaze sweeping back and forth over Lingyan's abdomen.

That gaze seemed to penetrate clothing, carrying an uncomfortable scrutiny.

Then, in a tone that seemed concerned but was actually full of malice, she said, "But it's been so long, why is there still no sign of pregnancy in your belly? I heard that you were seriously ill for half a year this time. Could it be that your body is too weak and you are not fortunate enough to give birth to an heir for the Crown Prince? The continuation of the royal bloodline is a major matter, and it cannot be delayed like this."

Any woman who heard her words would probably feel as if they were being stabbed in the sore spot by a sharp knife.

However, Lingyan didn't care about this at all.

He continued eating calmly, not even blinking, completely ignoring her.

Consort Hui's expression changed slightly upon seeing Ling Yan's attitude, but she quickly regained her composure.

Then, pretending to be earnest and earnest, she advised, "Princess Consort, I'm doing this for your own good. You can't be too jealous. If a woman is jealous, she will be criticized. If you can't have children yourself, you must not delay the Crown Prince. You should be more generous and take in a few more concubines for the Crown Prince."

Seeing that Lingyan remained unmoved and ignored her, Consort Hui's anger burned even more fiercely.

So she continued to escalate the situation, her tone laced with provocation: "Think about it carefully. If they can give birth to children, aren't they also your blood relatives? As the Crown Princess, you only need to carefully teach these children, and in the future they will naturally respect you and love you as their mother."

The implication was that the rumor that Lingyan was infertile had been firmly established, as if it were an undeniable fact.

The people in the main hall began to whisper among themselves.

Some looked at Ling Yan with pity in their eyes.

Some looked at her with concern and pity.

Some were secretly laughing, seemingly waiting to see Ling Yan make a fool of herself.

Some even harbored certain thoughts.

However, Ling Yan, the person involved, did not change her expression at all.

Like still, deep water, without the slightest ripple.

The other party involved was the same, not caring at all.

The two were so calm and composed, as if none of this concerned them.

Because they didn't know that Lingyan truly didn't care about this matter.

And what she said was true.

Although it was true, the fact that she deliberately harassed her in front of everyone with such an embarrassing topic showed her malicious intent.

At this moment, all eyes in the hall were focused on Ling Yan.

People held their breath, eager to witness how she would respond to this sudden provocation.

However, she continued to enjoy the delicacies on the table with ease, thanks to the Crown Prince's attentive service.

She took each bite with such ease and composure, as if the storms of the outside world had nothing to do with her.

Only when the plates in front of her were completely empty did she slowly raise her hand and gently wipe the corner of her mouth with a delicate silk handkerchief.

Many people were surprised by her appetite.

The Crown Princess can eat so much!

At this point, many people were waiting to see how she would retaliate, including Emperor Jingzhao.

Because he knew she was not one to suffer a loss.

That's why he never stopped Consort Hui.

Consort Hui was so angry that she almost vomited blood.

Damn!

She actually disregarded her completely!

This is really unreasonable!

How dare they ignore her like that!

Lingyan felt she was full and finally looked up at Consort Hui.

There was no trace of embarrassment or panic on her face after being made difficult, nor any shame or indignation at having her sore spot exposed.

Two sharp beams of light shot from those eyes, which shone as brightly as stars.

Like swords drawn from their sheaths, they shot straight toward Consort Hui with a chilling aura.

This created an unprecedented sense of pressure for everyone present.