Great Xia: At the start, summon the Net of Heaven to suppress the martial arts world.

It was just past noon in the Eastern Palace.

Xia Taige had just finished lunch when she saw the steward of the Prince of Qin's mansion outside the East Palace requesting an audience!

Xia Taige was slightly puzzled, but still received the steward of the Prince of Qin's residence!

Xia Taige was quite familiar with the steward of the Prince of Qin's mansion.

In the past, Xia Taige had frequented the Prince of Qin's residence, so she was quite familiar with it!

When Xia Taige received him, Steward Wang entered the palace gate and immediately performed a grand salute upon seeing Xia Taige!

"Wang Hui, steward of the Prince of Qin's residence, greets Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

"Get up!"

"What brings you to see me today?"

Upon hearing this, Butler Wang stood up and respectfully replied:

"Your Highness, I have been sent by the Prince of Qin to deliver an invitation!"

Xia Taige looked slightly puzzled, then gestured to Mei Jian beside him to take the invitation!

Mei Jian understood, stepped forward, and accepted the invitation from the hands respectfully held out by Steward Wang!

Xia Taige took the invitation, opened it, and saw that it read:

{To His Highness the Crown Prince: I cordially invite Your Highness to the Xumiao Pavilion at dusk today. I have prepared a simple banquet in anticipation of your arrival!}

Upon seeing this, Xia Taige frowned, stared at it for a moment, and then put down the invitation in his hand!

Although it was an invitation, Xia Taige could see in it that Xia Beixuan was distancing himself from her!

This is something Xia Taige doesn't want to see. Although Xia Taige has just been appointed as the crown prince, it is for the better development of the Great Xia!

Xia Taige never intended to use his status as the Crown Prince to look down on Xia Beixuan.

Xia Taige raised her head, looked at Butler Wang who was still waiting for a reply, and immediately said:

"Tell my elder brother that I will definitely be at the banquet on time at 5 PM today!"

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, Butler Wang bowed and turned to leave!

Watching Butler Wang's retreating figure, Xia Taige looked at Mei Jian beside him and whispered an instruction:

"Go and check whether my elder brother went to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager after I left today!"

Mei Jian nodded in understanding, turned and left to inquire!

Indeed, it is true that one should be alone and isolated.

Xia Taige felt a strange sense of emotion. He had only just become the crown prince, yet his own brothers, who shared the same mother, were already treating him like a stranger.

After you wield the divine weapon, will you still have someone to talk to?

The more Xia Taige thought about it, the more terrified he became.

Inside the Prince of Qin's Palace.

King Qin, Xia Beixuan, sat upright in the main hall with his eyes closed, occasionally frowning, seemingly lost in thought.

Not long after, Steward Wang rushed over to report!

Hearing footsteps, Xia Beixuan opened his eyes and looked up at Butler Wang!

"Your Highness, His Highness the Crown Prince reports that he will definitely attend the banquet on time at 5 PM today!"

Hearing Butler Wang's reply, Xia Beixuan seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, and then asked:

"Have all the others been notified?"

"Your Highness, not a single person is absent; they have all promised to attend the banquet on time!" Steward Wang replied respectfully.

Xia Beixuan nodded upon hearing this, then looked at Butler Wang and instructed him:

"Keep a close eye on the Xumiao Pavilion. Make sure there are no mistakes. Send all the experts in the manor out to keep watch!"

"If you are short-handed, take my token to the Yan family to borrow experts to ensure everything goes smoothly!"

Xia Beixuan was still somewhat worried. He was the one who initiated this banquet. If Xia Taige were to be assassinated at the banquet, he would be in deep trouble, no matter what.

It's possible that someone deliberately framed them!

Butler Wang was well aware of the implications, and solemnly nodded as he accepted the token!

Although there are many experts in the Prince's mansion, it is still difficult to ensure that nothing goes wrong!

Inside the East Palace, Xia Taige looked at the plum blossom sword in her hand and the information about Xia Beixuan's schedule for the day that she had retrieved, and felt a mix of emotions.

According to the observations of the Zhenwu Division's spies, Xia Beixuan went to Yong'an Palace to pay his respects to Lady Yan before noon.

After having lunch at Yong'an Palace, they returned to their residence.

Not long after, the steward of the Prince of Qin's residence was sent to the Eastern Palace to deliver an invitation!

Xia Taige probably wouldn't believe it if you said that the Yan family wasn't involved!

It can be seen that although Xia Taige made a solemn promise to Yan Shi in the morning, Yan Shi was still somewhat worried.

Xia Taige sighed helplessly, feeling somewhat irritated.

After a moment of silence, Xia Taige shook his head, deciding not to think about it anymore.

At this moment, Lin Ying had just arrived at Yong'an Palace, led by the eunuch who delivered the imperial decree!

As soon as she entered Yong'an Palace, she saw a person exuding a noble air sitting on the main seat, smiling and looking at her!

Lin Ying dared not be negligent. Upon seeing this, she immediately knelt down on both knees and performed a grand salute to Madam Yan!

"Your humble servant Lin Ying greets Your Majesty the Empress!"

Seeing this, Yan nodded in satisfaction, her eyes filled with even more admiration!

"Get up quickly!"

Upon hearing the order, Lin Ying stood up and stood there gracefully!

Lin Ying glanced around Yong'an Palace without leaving a trace, and when she saw that there were no other ministers' daughters besides the Empress and palace maids, she immediately felt relieved!

Upon seeing Lin Ying's poised and elegant demeanor, Madam Yan couldn't help but sincerely admire her:

"She is truly stunningly beautiful! Her manners are dignified and graceful, a model of a well-bred young lady. This shows that the Lin family must have an excellent upbringing!"

Hearing Yan's undisguised praise, Lin Ying smiled appropriately, bowed slightly, and said softly:

"Thank you for your kind words, Your Majesty!" Her voice was clear and melodious, like a nightingale singing in a valley.

With a gentle smile, Madam Yan looked softly at Lin Ying and asked in a slow voice:

"Do you know why I summoned you to the palace today?"

Lin Ying raised her head, meeting Yan Shi's gaze. A thoughtful look flashed in her eyes as she replied sincerely:

"Your Majesty, I do have some guesses about this."

Upon hearing this, Madam Yan immediately understood and, without beating around the bush, asked directly:

"If that's the case, what are your thoughts?"

Normally, for the daughters of high-ranking officials in the court, being able to marry into the royal family and become the Crown Princess would be an immense honor!

However, the matter is not that simple.

After all, Lin Ying is Lin Dongshi's granddaughter.

Lin Dongshi, as the Grand Secretary of the current dynasty, held a high position and wielded great power.

If Lin Ying were to become the Crown Princess, and Lin Dongshi were to remain firmly in the position of Grand Secretary, it would likely pose a significant threat to the entire court.

This is precisely the situation that His Majesty is unwilling to see.

Therefore, the time when Lin Ying was summoned to the palace was also the time when Lin Dongshi made his decision!

Therefore, Mr. Yan asked this question!

"Your Majesty, I, Lin Ying, will leave this to Your Majesty's discretion!" Lin Ying bowed respectfully.

Upon hearing this, Madam Yan's eyes lifted slightly, and she smiled sweetly!

His gaze toward Lin Ying became even more amiable!

Immediately, Lady Yan instructed the palace maids:

"Guards, bestow this blue jade hairpin upon Lin Ying!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a palace maid came out carrying a jade tray with a crystal-clear jade hairpin on it!

Seeing this, Lin Ying did not refuse, but generously bowed to thank Yan Shi!

"Thank you for your generous gift, Your Majesty!"

Upon hearing this, Madam Yan still waved her hand with a smile, her appreciative gaze fixed on Lin Ying!