Chapter 22.5: After The Sickly Beauty Transmigrated Into a Book, He Married the Arrogant Crown Prince

After coming out of the garden, Song Beiyao followed behind Pei Ji, trying to start a conversation with him, but he was exceptionally cold. 

It seems that what happened in the garden earlier made him suspicious. 

But the book provides too little background information about "Song Beiyao" and even Song Beiyao himself doesn't know the reason behind it. 

……

The Fifth Prince Pei Ming, what is the relationship between him and the original owner? Could it be that the original person infiltrated the Crown Prince's residence as a spy, and it has something to do with the Fifth Prince?

In this case, what role does Zhao Guo play in all of this?

And Ling Feng's call of "Master," could it be that Pei Ming has another identity?

Today, Pei Ming recognized that I am not the original person, and I don't know if he will take any action…

Walking and thinking, and before he knew it, he had arrived at the Liuxiu Palace, where the palace banquet was being held. The palace was vast, and at first glance, it was resplendent with gold and jade. Inside, the royal family and high-ranking officials of the Great Zhou had already filled the seats.

"His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived—!"

As the eunuch outside the hall called out in a sharp, high-pitched voice, everyone stood up to respectfully welcome His Highness the Crown Prince into the hall.

The envoy from Northern Qi did not understand the rules of the Great Zhou and had no intention of following them either. He simply sat in his seat, watching as two figures, one in black and the other in red, stepped into the hall.

The man in the black brocade Qilin robe ahead was tall and imposing, with a strikingly handsome face, sword-like brows, and starry eyes. A glance from him was enough to instill a sense of overwhelming pressure.

Helian Zhuo had seen Pei Ji before. His gaze had been fixed on that red figure from the very beginning. He asked the person beside him, "Who is that person behind?"

The man in the dark red robe behind had a slender figure and an extraordinary demeanor. As he walked, his robe swayed like clouds. His long black hair was tied low behind him, his complexion was as pale as jade, his features were exquisitely beautiful, and his eyes, with their shifting glances, seemed to hold countless tender emotions, captivating and mesmerizing, making it hard to look away.

"That person is..." The man in the side seat was momentarily stunned, fiercely pinching his thigh and saying, "It's the Fourth Prince of Zhao Kingdom, who is also the new concubine of the Crown Prince of Great Zhou from a month ago."

Helian Zhuo had seen many beauties, but never one as stunning as this.

His gaze gradually became deep and greedy, lingering on those crimson lips and willow-like waist. Those legs hidden under the robe must be even more slender and long, entwined around him, surely intoxicating.

Just thinking about it makes him extremely excited.

The two of them walked past the seats of the envoy group and directly sat down in the frontmost seats opposite the envoy group.

At this time, the emperor had not yet arrived, but most of the ministers below had already gathered. Originally quite lively, the Liuxiu Palace became much quieter with the arrival of His Highness the Crown Prince.

Song Beiyao sat beside Pei Ji, feeling the scrutinizing gazes from all directions, both overt and covert. He was all too familiar with this feeling and didn't take it too seriously.

The palace maid beside them poured wine for the two, and after a while, the empress, supporting the emperor, arrived slowly.

Everyone at the table stood up again to welcome the emperor.

As he took his seat, Song Beiyao lifted his gaze and gently glanced at the person on the throne. The emperor clearly appeared old and haggard, plagued by illness, and looked like he wouldn't live much longer.

As Song Beiyao's gaze swept past, he happened to see a group of women sitting to the side. One of the women wearing a peach-colored pleated skirt had been staring at him. When she saw him looking over, she sweetly smiled at him, her two dimples at the corners of her mouth particularly charming.

The girl had a delicate and charming appearance, somewhat resembling Pei Ji's features. Song Beiyao quickly guessed who she was and smiled slightly at her.

The palace banquet officially begins, with songs and dances in full swing, sharing a grand feast.

Song Beiyao repeatedly thought of Princess Heyi's fate, feeling uneasy in her heart. She then raised her wine cup and said to Pei Ji, "Husband, I have something to discuss with you."

"What's the matter? We'll talk about it when we get back." Pei Ji's expression was quite indifferent.

"Then I'll raise a glass to you, my husband." Song Beiyao smiled again and said.

Pei Ji glanced sideways at the cup of wine in his hand and said coldly, "This king will not drink today."

Song Beiyao helplessly put down his wine cup. It seems that the recent incident in the Imperial Garden has inadvertently created a rift between Pei Ji and him.

After the first round of singing and dancing, taking advantage of the occasion when the envoy from Northern Qi presented gifts, the old emperor patted the empress and asked her to speak on his behalf.

"The regent previously suggested wanting to see the princess perform a dance at the palace banquet, and His Majesty has already arranged it." The Empress smiled and said, "Princess Heyi is indeed the best dancer in our Great Zhou. Let's have her perform a dance for the Regent."

Upon hearing this, Song Beiyao frowned. Could it be that Princess Heyi was chosen at this time?

Looking over to the side, Pei Ji's hand gripping the wine glass had knuckles turning pale, and the veins on the back of his hand were slightly raised.

The Northern Qi is strong and its military is abundant, not in the slightest inferior to the Great Zhou. Now that the Emperor of Da Zhou is seriously ill, it is truly not the time to make enemies. Song Beiyao knew in his heart that even if Pei Ji had a thousand unwillingnesses, he absolutely could not show up at this moment.

Just then, a voice was heard from the envoy's table: "I don't want to watch the princess dance anymore. Hearing that Zhao Kingdom produces beauties, both men and women can sing and dance well. Today I see that Zhao Kingdom's Fourth Prince is here, and indeed he is extraordinarily charming.”

Song Beiyao was suddenly mentioned, slightly taken aback, and looked up. A cold, sinister gaze immediately coiled around her like a venomous snake.

"I wonder if the Fourth Prince could dance a song for me?"

For a moment, the great hall was filled with silence.

All the ministers lowered their heads in silence; no one had the right or the courage to speak in such a situation.

A few of the bolder ones glanced back and forth between the Crown Prince, the Concubine, and the Regent of Northern Qi. No one knew how things had come to this point, but the reputation of the Regent of Northern Qi was well-known far and wide. Looking at the side consort's expression, it seemed to make sense.

Who wouldn't want to see a beauty dance? But after all, the side consort belongs to His Highness the Crown Prince, so who knows if His Highness is willing…

"Okay."

Just as everyone was harboring their own ulterior motives, a clear and melodious voice suddenly broke the silence.

When Song Beiyao stood up, Pei Ji's hand slightly lifted, as if to press him down, but then he seemed to remember something, clenched his fist in the air, and finally withdrew his hand.

"I can agree to the regent's request, but I would also like to ask Your Highness to grant me a request." Song Beiyao looked towards the seats of the Northern Qi envoy group, speaking slowly and deliberately.

Helian Zhuo sat in the main seat, wearing a wide-sleeved robe in deep purple, his posture relaxed. Just looking at his appearance, he could be considered a handsome man, but his expression was too wild and unruly, his eyes clouded as if he had indulged too much. He stared fixedly at Song Beiyao, as if he wanted to strip off his clothes piece by piece with his gaze.