Reincarnation and Rebirth

Xiao Yunting's sharp gaze swept across the room, catching a glimpse of Su Wan'er's eyes. His heart skipped a beat, but his dark face, usually tanned from years of leading troops, showed almost no other color.

He forced himself to remain calm, sat down diagonally opposite Su Wan'er, nodded slightly to her, and then looked away.

Zi Xingchen had always harbored resentment towards them, so since she liked Zi Xingchen, it was best not to cause her any trouble.

Seeing his aloof and unapproachable demeanor, Su Wan'er inwardly groaned, "The original owner of this body really committed a terrible sin."

Outside, the eunuchs began shouting again, "The Emperor and Empress have arrived! The Empress Dowager has arrived! Prince Jing has arrived!"

Su Wan'er composed herself and knelt down to pay her respects along with the others.

After saying "No need for formalities," Zi Xingchen led Su Qing'er slowly toward the stage.

As Su Qing'er passed by Su Wan'er, she suddenly stopped and said, "Your Majesty, why is my sister sitting here? Logically speaking, she should be sitting on the platform."

The Empress Dowager said coldly, "Empress, this is a palace banquet. As the Empress, how can you allow a concubine to surpass you?"

"I know I was wrong."

Zi Xingchen hurriedly said, "Empress Dowager, Qing'er and Wan'er are sisters. Please don't blame Qing'er. The position of Imperial Noble Consort should indeed be on the stage. Which blind servant arranged the seat?"

The chief eunuch by the Emperor's side, Eunuch Wei, turned pale with fright. "Your Majesty, it was my oversight."

What an oversight! Su Wan'er lowered her head and sneered, saying in a calm voice, "Your Majesty, it's fine for me to sit here. After all, there's not much space on the stage, so I won't join in the fun."

Zi Xingchen choked, about to reprimand Su Wan'er, but remembering Su Wan'er's prestige in the Thunder Army, she had no choice but to give up. She glanced at Xiao Yunting as if casually, and said indifferently, "Since the Imperial Noble Consort has said so, then let's arrange it this way."

After saying that, he led them toward the stage.

As a prince, Zi Xinghe naturally couldn't go on stage. He sat next to Xiao Yunting and smiled at him, "General Xiao, you have made another great contribution. Congratulations!"

Xiao Yunting remained expressionless. "Thank you for your praise, Prince Jing."

Hmph, boring. Zi Xinghe turned his eyes away.

Lin Chenwei, not yet officially appointed, could only sit beside her mother. The head of the Lin family was originally just the magistrate of a county under Meizhou. When Zi Xingchen and his group fled to Meizhou and settled in the Lin family's residence, Lin Chenwei caught Zi Xingchen's eye. Su Wan'er had some complaints at the time, but her deeply ingrained patriarchal ideas made her believe that it was normal for men in ancient times to have multiple wives and concubines.

At that time, their army had grown to a considerable size, and the Ziyan army in Meizhou had been completely driven out. The head of the Lin family saw that Zixingchen had the potential to revive the Ziyun Kingdom, so he was happy to see his daughter and Zixingchen's relationship succeed.

As for why Lin Chenwei hasn't been given a title yet, it's naturally because of Su Ping's opposition. Su Wan'er has always been by Zi Xingchen's side and has made great contributions, so he dares not object. But what is the Lin family? If Lin Chenwei enters the palace and gives birth to a prince first, wouldn't his sister's position be in jeopardy? Therefore, Su Ping used the excuse that the emperor and empress had just married and the empress hadn't given birth yet to force Zi Xingchen to agree to wait until Su Qing'er gave birth to a prince before filling the harem.

Although the ministers were unwilling, they were helpless. After all, the Su family was now very powerful, and even the emperor was wary of them. Moreover, the Empress Dowager was on the side of the Su family. Those who wanted to send their daughters to the palace were waiting anxiously and begging the Empress to get pregnant as soon as possible.

As for the Lin family, they dared not complain. Originally a seventh-rank official, he was able to enter the court and become the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, a third-rank official, because of his daughter. Most importantly, this position was usually held only by the emperor's confidants. As long as the emperor trusted him, Lin Jiheng felt that everything was worthwhile. As for his daughter, she was just an aid to his career.

The palace banquet was quite boring. First, Zi Xingchen gave a long and rambling speech, making grand promises. Then, he praised Xiao Yunting highly. In Su Wan'er's opinion, Zi Xingchen's praise was tantamount to making enemies for Xiao Yunting. Some elders couldn't stand it, but they didn't dare to say anything. However, their eyes betrayed them.

Xiao Yunting remained calm and composed. After rising to thank the emperor and accepting the reward, he sat down again. This time, he didn't even glance at Su Wan'er.

The next second, Zi Xingchen chuckled and said, “Yun Ting, this time we drove Zi Yan Kingdom back south of Yunhe, and they were severely weakened. I think the border should be peaceful for the next few years. You are not young anymore, and I don’t want to be known for mistreating my subordinates. What do you think of the Second Miss Zong from the Right Prime Minister’s family?”

The Zong family is considered one of the emperor's confidants. When the Ziyan Kingdom invaded, the head of the Zong family sent his entire family back to the countryside to hide, while he remained in the capital. To protect Zi Xingchen's escape, he ultimately died at the hands of the Ziyan Kingdom. The current Right Chancellor is the eldest son of the Zong family, Zong Renyi. The eldest daughter of the Zong family was betrothed to the heir of the Marquis of Anguo during the late emperor's lifetime. The second daughter is also a legitimate daughter, beautiful and intelligent, a talented woman known to everyone in the capital. However, it is said that because she fell into a lake in winter when she was young, she has always been weak, and there are even rumors that this Miss Zong may not be able to bear children. Therefore, even though she is now eighteen years old and still unmarried, the emperor actually wants to betroth her to Xiao Yunting. The purpose of this is very clear.

A crack appeared on Xiao Yunting's face, and he immediately stood up, saying, "Your Majesty, the Ziyun Kingdom has only recently achieved stability, and the Ziyan Kingdom is still stirring. Although the Mingyue Kingdom on the other side has not yet made any moves, we must remain vigilant. I do not wish to discuss personal matters, but only..."

"Oh? Could it be that General Xiao already has a lover in his heart?" As soon as these words were spoken, the scene immediately became strange. Many of those who had fled with Zi Xingchen knew that General Xiao had always been very special to Consort Wan, and everyone had their own guesses.

Zi Xingchen also looked at Su Wan'er, as if trying to see through her heart.

Su Wan'er kept her eyes down, seemingly oblivious to what was happening.

Xiao Yunting said calmly, "Your Majesty, my heart belongs only to the Ziyun Kingdom."

“Serving the Ziyun Kingdom with Chengjia is not contradictory. Since you have no one in mind, then I will make the decision.”

After he finished speaking, he was about to issue the decree when suddenly, chaos erupted in the crowd behind him, and dozens of men dressed as guards brandished swords and slashed at the stage.

Zi Xingchen was shocked, and Eunuch Wei shouted, "Protect the Emperor! Protect the Emperor!"

Upon seeing this, Xiao Yunting directly confronted the man in black.

Unfortunately, when entering the palace, military officers had to disarm themselves. Xiao Yunting's fists were no match for several swords, and he was somewhat powerless.

In the chaos, a guard actually rushed towards Su Wan'er. Su Wan'er cursed inwardly, "The original owner of this body didn't know how to hide her talents or improve herself. Now look what's happened, she's become their target."

Indeed, the reason why Zi Xingchen was able to regain power in such a short time was because of Su Wan'er. Once Su Wan'er dies, it will be equivalent to cutting off one of Zi Xingchen's arms.

Upon seeing this, Zi Xingchen shouted, "Protect Consort Wan!"

Su Qing'er clenched her fists tightly, her eyes seeming to pierce Su Wan'er's body.