mtl008 Chapter 260 Your Majesty, Princess Pingyi has rebelled!
Chapter 260 Your Majesty, Princess Pingyi has rebelled!
Just when the atmosphere was delicate, a majestic announcement broke the silence in the palace: "The Emperor has arrived!" This voice was like a thunder, breaking the originally tense atmosphere.
Instantly, everyone stood in awe, their faces filled with awe, and they all knelt down to pay homage, shouting in unison: "Greetings to the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
The emperor, dressed in a dragon robe, walked into the hall with steady steps.
He had a hearty laugh, waved his hand to signal everyone to excuse themselves, and asked everyone to take a seat.
"Xi'er, come and sit next to me." The emperor's voice was gentle yet firm, revealing his love and respect for Chu Zixi.
When Chu Zixi heard the emperor's call, she stood up lightly. Her steps were light and attracted the attention of everyone present.
She came to the emperor and sat down obediently, like a docile sheep.
At this moment, every pair of eyes in the hall were staring at Chu Zixi, with curiosity, jealousy or surprise flashing in their eyes.
"Xier is my daughter who has been living away from home for many years. I hereby confer her the title of Princess Zhaoyang." As soon as the emperor finished speaking, the whole hall was shocked.
Everyone looked surprised and congratulated Chu Zixi.
However, this joy did not last long as it was disturbed by an undercurrent of doubt.
Zhuge Xiong stood up slowly with a solemn expression, clasped his hands together, bowed deeply to the emperor, and then said sharply: "Your Majesty, please forgive me for being blunt. Although Princess Zhaoyang looks gentle and charming, how can we be sure that she is really your biological daughter who has been away from home for many years? I know that your Majesty misses your daughter deeply, but the royal bloodline is of great importance and cannot be confused in the slightest. Moreover, why did she return to the palace at this time? Is there any conspiracy hidden in this? Please think carefully and don't be blinded by superficial phenomena."
His words were like a stone thrown into a lake, causing thousands of ripples.
A buzz of discussion immediately arose in the hall, and the atmosphere became extremely tense and uneasy.
Everyone fell into deep thought, as if pondering the deeper meaning behind this sentence.
After hearing this, Chu Tianlong's face darkened slightly, and a hint of imperceptible displeasure flashed in his eyes.
But he quickly controlled his emotions, regained his composure, and said in a deep voice: "My daughter, I can recognize her naturally. I have sent people to investigate in detail, and all the evidence shows that she is indeed my daughter, Lord Zhuge, there is no need to worry too much."
However, the public's doubts did not dissipate because of the emperor's words.
At this time, another minister stood up. Although his tone was respectful, it was also full of persistence that could not be ignored: "Your Majesty, the royal bloodline is extremely important and as heavy as Mount Tai. What Lord Zhuge said was really out of loyalty and concern for the royal family. I hope Your Majesty can consider it carefully to avoid any mistakes."
The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became extremely solemn.
Chu Zixi sat beside the emperor, her eyes as calm as water, as if all this turmoil had nothing to do with her.
Chu Tianlong, the king of Chu, sat on the dragon throne, his eyes slightly narrowed, revealing unquestionable majesty.
His words were as cold as ice: "Shut up! I have personally investigated the identity of Princess Zhaoyang. She is indeed my own flesh and blood who has been stranded outside. Today's palace banquet was specially prepared to welcome Princess Zhaoyang back. I don't want to hear anything unfavorable to Princess Zhaoyang."
Chu Tianlong looked at Jun Feimo standing beside him and said, "I would like to thank King Zhan of Dongyang State for escorting Princess Zhaoyang all the way back to Chu State."
After that, the hall fell silent. Then, a calm voice rang out. It was the War King of Dongyang, Jun Feimo. His tone was calm but revealed a power that could not be ignored: "It should be."
As soon as these words were spoken, there was another wave of whispers in the hall.
Everyone looked at each other in surprise and curiosity: "What? He is the famous war king of Dongyang Kingdom? He personally escorted Princess Zhaoyang here?"
There was a mixture of admiration and confusion in the discussions. After all, in this season when the roads were blocked by heavy snow and the wind was freezing cold, if it were not for the escort of a figure like the War King of Dongyang State, how could a weak woman safely pass through numerous obstacles and reach the State of Chu?
Chu Tianlong interrupted the chaotic discussion at the right time, waved his hand, and ordered majestically: "Come here, sing and dance to celebrate the princess's return home."
The music suddenly started, and the dancers entered the stage lightly with their colorful sleeves fluttering, adding a touch of brilliant color to this solemn occasion.
In this seemingly joyful and peaceful atmosphere, everyone has their own calculations and waves hidden in their hearts.
Zhuge Xiong's eyes were filled with resentment and resentment, and his gaze shot like a sharp arrow towards Chu Zixi - the newly returned Princess Zhaoyang.
His son died because of her, and this hatred gnawed at his heart like a poisonous snake.
Even though the emperor had acknowledged the princess, the resentment and unwillingness in his heart had not diminished in the slightest.
The letter from Princess Pingyi was like adding fuel to the fire, and his hatred for Chu Zixi reached its peak. He snorted coldly, with an unknown conspiracy flashing in his eyes.
Chu Zixi naturally noticed the unfriendly look and she smiled contemptuously.
She is not the "weak woman" that those people say. To provoke her is to seek death.
In that magnificent palace banquet, the lights were bright, the music was melodious, and the scene was full of joy and peace.
During the banquet, all the ministers were dressed in gorgeous clothes and had smiles on their faces. Their eyes were all focused on Princess Zhaoyang, Chu Zixi, who had just returned from afar.
As the banquet progressed, the atmosphere gradually reached a climax. Several high-ranking ministers, accompanied by their wives with exquisite makeup and daughters in their prime, slowly stood up, their actions revealing their deep respect and curiosity for the princess.
The wine glasses in their hands shone with a warm luster under the candlelight, as if carrying the expectations and blessings of the entire court.
The prime minister was naturally happy. The emperor had a queen. Didn't this mean that the emperor would soon establish a princess as the emperor to reassure the people?
The prime minister stood up with his wife and daughter, holding a wine glass, "Your Highness, along with your family, would like to offer a toast to Princess Zhaoyang. We congratulate Her Highness on her glorious return to her hometown. May the princess enjoy long-lasting blessings and share the glory of our Great Chu!"
The prime minister, who was at the head of the group, had a loud voice and spoke earnestly. Before he even finished speaking, he had already attracted a chorus of agreement.
Chu Zixi smiled slightly when she heard that, a curve appeared at the corner of her mouth, and her eyes slowly swept over the crowd, with a barely perceptible light flashing in her eyes.
She raised her hand slightly, her slender fingers slightly bent, and her fingertips lightly touched the edge of the exquisite wine glass. Her movements were elegant yet powerful, as if even this simple action contained endless meaning.
"You are so polite, ladies and gentlemen." She said softly, her voice clear and pleasant, like the sound of a yellow oriole singing in a valley, intoxicating.
She gently raised the glass and drank with everyone, then tilted her head back and drank the wine in the glass, fully demonstrating the princess's heroism and magnanimity.
The wine entered her throat, bringing a warm feeling. Chu Zixi frowned slightly, as if she was a little uncomfortable, but she quickly regained her composure, still with a faint smile on her face.
Just as the palace banquet was coming to an end, the sound of weapons and screams were suddenly heard outside.
Everyone in the hall looked horrified and looked at each other, not knowing what was going on.
At this time, a guard ran into the hall covered in blood. His face was pale, and his eyes were filled with fear and despair. He knelt in the center of the hall and said in a trembling voice: "It's bad, Your Majesty, Princess Pingyi has rebelled! She led the army to attack the palace, and the commander of the Imperial Guards, Fan Fu, also obeyed her orders. Now many soldiers have turned against us."
Upon hearing this news, Chu Tianlong was immediately furious. He stood up abruptly and roared, "How dare you!"