213 Do Not Tempt Me 2

The scene with Lei Yuanxu cast an unpleasant shadow over everyone. It made them realize for the first time that their sacred grand tutor could be offended. At once, the infatuated gazes dimmed and no one dared to break any rules.

The palace servants reminded the musicians who had stopped to resume playing their lovely melodies. However, the melodious sounds had no power to dispel the shadow that lingered in everyone's hearts.

The palace servants quickly washed all traces of blood from the ground, then scattered scented powder to mask the thick smell of blood. It was almost as if nothing had happened.

It was almost time. Accompanied by joyful music, a beautifully dressed woman carrying a child slowly emerged from the side of the grand hall. Beside her was the Emperor of the Kingdom of the Sacred Dragon, wearing his imperial crown!

Everyone stood in unison.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

The Emperor of the Kingdom of the Sacred Dragon lifted the scepter in his hand slightly. The golden scepter had a groove that had been carved with a tiger claw. A fist-sized ruby was mounted in the groove and its brilliant glitter matched that of the precious stones in the Emperor's crown. Together, they outshone all the lights in the hall.

"Today is the Thirteenth Prince's birthday banquet. Please everyone, don't stand on ceremony." The Emperor spoke smilingly. Although he was past fifty, he was well-preserved and looked to be in his early forties. The wrinkles at the corners of his eyes not only did not make him look old; they gave him the steady look of a mature man.

Everyone took their seats.

The Emperor sat on the throne and the incomparably beautiful Imperial Consort, Lian Yi, sat at his right. She still held the innocent and tender Thirteenth Prince in her embrace.

The Emperor of the Kingdom of the Sacred Dragon had one Empress and four Imperial Concubines and all of them were ravishing beauties.

The Emperor's gaze fell on the empty seat on his left. "Where is the Grand Tutor? Was he unable to come?"

No one in the great hall dared to reply, but their gazes turned in unison to fall on the table concealed in the corner.

The Emperor followed everyone's gaze and suddenly saw that the grand tutor who should have been sitting by his side had actually gone over to sit at a table in the corner. He was slightly perplexed.

A palace servant immediately came forward and whispered into the Emperor's ear for a moment.

The Emperor's surprised gaze transformed into a slight smile.

"It's all right, as long as the Grand Tutor himself is comfortable."

Everyone was silent.

Indeed, the Emperor unconditionally yielded to the grand tutor's every decision.

Amidst the congratulations and the Emperor's hearty laughter, Lian Yi sat by the side with the Thirteenth Prince in her arms and an elegant and charming smile on her face. Her gaze passed briefly over Ji Fengyan, who was sitting next to Xing Lou.

The banquet began and delicacies of every kind were served. However, no one's mind was on the food. If they were not bringing their gifts forward, they were standing by the side, echoing the Emperor's opinions. Each desperately hoped to cement their existence in the Emperor's eyes.

Even Ji Qingshang brought the gifts that the Ji family had prepared and went forward to curry favor.

Only Ji Fengyan and Xing Lou's table…

was utterly desolate.

No one dared to approach, so the two of them sat alone at the large table.

Xing Lou seemed to have no intention of eating. Ji Fengyan could not be bothered to pretend to be civil, so she naturally wanted to start on the delicacies in front of her.

But…

Ji Fengyan fell silent at the sight of the highly polished knives and forks on the table.

Although some in the Kingdom of the Sacred Dragon did use chopsticks, those were mainly commoners. The aristocracy and the imperial family preferred to use knives and forks.

However…

Never had Ji Fengyan's used such things in either her past or present lives.

Ji Fengyan's expression was a little agonized. Little Bat, who was obediently clinging to her shoulder, occasionally glanced at Xing Lou and Xuan Wei.

…