My best friends both transmigrated into a book and married powerful officials; she left me and I lef

"Big brother!"

"Third brother!"

"The boss!"

Just as the man collapsed, three voices rang out simultaneously. In the next instant, several people quickly arrived in front of him and helped him up.

Wei Jian sneered, "We're still family, aren't we?"

With a wave of his hand, he didn't give the other party much of a chance to explain. "Take him away and ask him if there are any accomplices and who is behind it all."

Immediately afterwards, the group was taken away.

"We were able to successfully find the culprit thanks to Miss Sang." Wei Jian turned around and cupped his hands to Sang Luan and Meng Youning, speaking respectfully. "I must head to Linde Palace now, so I'll leave the rest to you two."

Then, Wei Jian instructed his men, "Be careful, don't let any suspicious person get away."

"Yes." The guards' voices suddenly rose in volume.

After Wei Jian left, the Imperial Workshops suddenly felt much more spacious.

Night fell as expected.

Linde Hall.

Palace maids came and went, each carrying a glass cup filled with various kinds of food.

After placing it on the table, they hurried out, their steps quick yet orderly.

The hall was brightly lit, with light and shadow interplay.

At this moment, the ministers were all seated on the side. Except for the seats next to Feng Hengzhi and Qi Ran, which were empty, all the other seats were full.

The crowd couldn't help but whisper among themselves.

Although the people in the court never saw the two brides again after their marriages, stories about them continued to circulate among the common people.

"Where is Luan'er?" Liu Wenxian asked Feng Hengzhi, noticing that there was no one beside him and looking around but still not seeing Sang Luan.

Feng Hengzhi casually picked up the wine cup in front of him, tilted his head back and took a sip, then turned his body slightly to the side, looked up and replied indifferently, "Don't worry about her."

Liu Wenxian frowned slightly, turned to look at Feng Shinian beside her, her eyes full of worry.

She gently nudged Feng Shinian's arm. "She hasn't returned by now. Could she have taken the wrong road?"

Feng Shinian patted her hand, "Madam, you don't need to worry too much. Today is, after all, a palace banquet. Luan'er should know what to do."

Liu Wenxian had a bad feeling.

She only prayed that Sang Luan would not be impolite at the palace banquet.

Just as she was lost in thought, a bright yellow figure suddenly appeared above her, standing with his hands behind his back.

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress!" Everyone knelt down and bowed in unison.

"Rise, everyone. Please be relaxed at this palace banquet. Consider it a get-together for old friends who haven't seen each other for a long time." Emperor Zhaowu looked down at the crowd, his voice full of vigor. He then waved his hand and slowly sat down.

"Yes, sir." Everyone responded in unison.

"The palace banquet is officially beginning..." The eunuch beside Emperor Zhaowu shouted at the top of his lungs, his tone drawn out.

As soon as he finished speaking, several women dressed in red entered the hall one after another. They moved with great grace, their clothes fluttering with every step they took.

After about ten people entered, they stopped and quickly adjusted their posture.

The next moment, music began to play, and the beauties started to dance gracefully.

The beautiful woman moved, her red dress fluttering, instantly attracting the attention of everyone present. The wine cup was held in someone's hand, and the liquid inside was gently shaken.

After a stick of incense.

"Where's You Ning?" Jiang Zhuo leaned closer to Qi Shangqing and lowered her voice. "It's already started, why hasn't she come back yet?"

As Qi Ran drank his wine, his gaze leisurely fell upon the woman moving gracefully in the room.

He remembered that one night a few years ago, there was a woman of exceptional beauty dancing gracefully under the moonlight.

When the beautiful woman started dancing, he would spontaneously join in with the music, thoroughly enjoying himself.

Her dance moves were far more beautiful than those of the people in front of her.

Unfortunately, those days will never come again.

Thinking of this, Qi Ran's mood instantly plummeted, and he tilted his head back and drank several mouthfuls of wine in a row.

It seemed that only in this way could he release the pent-up frustration in his heart.

Jiang Zhuo's words suddenly reached his ears, and he waved his hand somewhat displeased, "Mother, why are you bringing her up at such a fine time? It's such a downer."

If it weren't for his parents insisting that he get married, and the emperor's decree pressing down on him, he wouldn't have married Meng Youning.

Qi Shangqing glanced at him sideways, his brows furrowing tightly. He reached out and slapped Qi Hou on the back of the head, glaring at him and saying, "You brat, if you keep acting like this, I think your time as the heir is almost over."

Qi Ran's cheeks were flushed, and he felt a little dizzy.

He chuckled at Qi Shangqing, "Father, what are you saying? As long as you remain a prince, my status as the heir apparent will never end, never!"

Qi Shangqing frowned at him, said nothing more, and quickly looked away, letting out a sigh of relief.

"Why haven't I seen the Crown Princess?" Emperor Zhaowu suddenly asked.

Qi Ran waved his hand, his disdain undisguised, "It's best if she doesn't come."

A moment of silence fell over the scene, and Qi Ran was still somewhat dazed.

Emperor Zhaowu paused, and the smile in his eyes vanished completely.

He gave an "oh," and said, "It seems you're not entirely satisfied with this marriage I've bestowed upon you?"

Qi Ran squinted, suddenly stood up, raised the wine cup in his hand towards Emperor Zhaowu, his lips parted slightly, and before he could speak, he let out a burp.

Qi Shangqing's eyelids twitched, his face expressionless. He reached out and pulled Qi Ran down from the platform. Jiang Zhuo, who was standing nearby, grabbed a piece of pastry and stuffed it directly into Qi Ran's mouth.

"Just eat yours," Jiang Zhuo said through gritted teeth.

"This child has had too much to drink, so please don't take it to heart, Your Majesty." Qi Shangqing stood up, a smile playing on his lips. "Your Majesty's bestowal of a marriage upon him shows your high regard for Ran'er, so how could Ran'er be dissatisfied?"

"Since you can't drink, then drink less." Emperor Zhaowu narrowed his eyes for a moment, his voice devoid of any emotion.

Immediately, he raised an eyebrow and shifted his gaze elsewhere, "Shouldn't it be Fushengxian's turn next? Fushengxian's singing is much better than the others."

As soon as he finished speaking, a chorus of agreement immediately rose from below.

The palace servants quickly removed all the musical instruments from the stage, making the performance area much more spacious.

"Your Majesty, please have some grapes." The Empress ordered someone to add another fruit platter for Emperor Zhaowu.

To everyone's surprise, he simply waved his hand, his gaze fixed intently ahead, "When I was little, my mother would often listen to this Huangmei Opera. Empress, you should listen carefully later as well."