From Cold Palace Princess to Celestial Empress Ch. 26
The main hall of the City Lord’s residence was brightly lit, with the sound of zither music lingering in the air.
Cups were raised, and toasts were exchanged.
Xiao Minghuang sat at the head of the table, with Ye Ruoshui seated beside her.
“Where is Wanqiu…”
Xiao Minghuang scanned the banquet hall, but only saw unfamiliar faces. Lin Wanqiu was nowhere to be found.
Lin Zhengquan, sitting not far away, noticed her searching gaze and smiled.
“Your Highness, are you looking for my daughter?”
Having her thoughts exposed, Xiao Minghuang remained calm on the surface but felt somewhat awkward inside. After all, Lin Zhengquan was Lin Wanqiu’s father, and even as a princess, she could not ignore this relationship.
Xiao Minghuang didn’t know how to respond and simply nodded faintly.
“Your Highness, do not worry. My daughter will be here shortly.”
As he spoke, Lin Zhengquan tapped the table three times. The sound was not loud but carried a rhythmic quality, as if it could travel a great distance.
With the three taps, the music in the banquet hall abruptly stopped, and all the lights went out.
The guests, aside from the officials of the City Lord’s residence, included prominent figures from various families in Beiyang City. However, they were all puzzled by the sudden change.
But in the next moment.
A single point of pearl-like light suddenly appeared in the center of the hall, rapidly expanding to illuminate an area of about ten feet.
Within that radiant light, a stunning figure in a vibrant red dress emerged.
Her skin was like smooth jade, her beauty as fiery as the dress she wore. Her eyes were as clear as autumn water, and her smile was enchanting, leaving an unforgettable impression.
Her bright eyes were fixed directly on Xiao Minghuang, who sat at the head of the table.
Perhaps because everyone was in the dark, the subtle fluctuations in Lin Wanqiu’s gaze went unnoticed.
Moreover, her entrance was so breathtaking that all attention was drawn to her unparalleled beauty and grace, making it difficult to notice the slight shifts in her gaze.
The guests present were almost all notable figures in Beiyang City, closely associated with the City Lord’s residence, and had watched Lin Wanqiu grow up.
They suddenly realized that the once quiet and reserved girl had blossomed into such a peerless beauty.
An elderly man with graying hair sighed, “If I had a son, I would spare no expense to have Miss Lin as my daughter-in-law.”
A noblewoman glanced at her own daughter and, knowing she could not compare, said with disappointment, “If my daughter had even half of Miss Lin’s beauty, she wouldn’t still be unmarried at over thirty.”
After the elders had expressed their admiration, the younger generation couldn’t sit still and began to whisper among themselves.
“It’s been months since we last saw Miss Lin. How did she suddenly become so beautiful?”
“Could it be that she took a Beauty Elixir? The Lin Family is wealthy; buying a Beauty Elixir for their daughter wouldn’t cost much.”
“Brother Liu, you jest. A Beauty Elixir doesn’t have such a powerful effect. It’s almost as if she’s a different person.”
“Gentlemen, is it possible, just possible, that Miss Lin was always this stunning, and we just never noticed before?”
Amid the hushed whispers, the glow gradually brightened, illuminating the entire hall, restoring brightness to every corner.
Everyone’s gaze remained fixed on Lin Wanqiu, as if still pondering why the previously unremarkable Miss Lin had suddenly become so beautiful.
Lin Zhengquan glanced at the head seat and saw Xiao Minghuang’s appreciative gaze, a hint of satisfaction flickering in his eyes.
“Wanqiu, go and pour wine for Her Highness.”
Hearing this, Lin Wanqiu nodded slightly and walked over to Xiao Minghuang’s side.
Seeing Lin Wanqiu, dressed in a stunning outfit, approach her, even Xiao Minghuang couldn’t help but show a look of amazement.
In all her years, aside from herself, she had never seen such a breathtakingly beautiful woman.
Lin Wanqiu, in her red dress, with her unparalleled beauty, was now firmly etched in her mind, something she would never forget in her lifetime.
At this moment, such a peerless beauty, her eyes filled with tenderness, gazed unwaveringly at Xiao Minghuang.
Under such a gaze, even Xiao Minghuang, who had seen and experienced much, couldn’t help but blush slightly, a strange feeling rising in her heart.
Strange, why do I feel so warm?
She calmed the heat in her heart and thought to herself:
Perhaps forming a contract with Lin Wanqiu wouldn’t be so bad. Born with blocked meridians, she’s so pitiful. I must help her.
As she pondered, a gentle smile appeared on Xiao Minghuang’s face, her eyes curving, her cheeks no longer cold but rosy and tender.
Perhaps encouraged by this gaze, Lin Wanqiu found the courage to continue, raising the cup and stepping forward.
At this moment, Ye Ruoshui, standing behind Xiao Minghuang, looked confused and flustered, as if saying:
Her Highness said I was the most important person in her heart… It must be true… It must be…
Lin Wanqiu slightly bent down and poured half a cup of wine for Xiao Minghuang.
However, Xiao Minghuang did not drink the wine but instead picked up the cup and said softly:
“Wanqiu, would you drink this cup for me?”
For some reason, she now wanted to see the peerless beauty slightly intoxicated.
Lin Wanqiu’s cheeks turned slightly red as she reached out her small hand to take the cup and drank it all in one go.
As the warm wine entered her stomach, Lin Wanqiu’s snow-white cheeks became even more rosy, appearing delicate and alluring.
Not far away, Lin Zhengquan smiled slightly, comparing Ye Ruoshui and Lin Wanqiu, and thought to himself with delight:
A mere maid, how can she compare to my daughter? I believe it won’t be long before Her Highness’s heart is firmly held by Wanqiu. By then, our Beiyang City will have a powerful ally.
Since the old Beiyang City Lord passed away, he had been suffering from a hidden ailment, unable to break through to the Divine Sea Realm. The court had long intended to recall the Lin Family to the capital. Without a powerful ally in the court, the collapse of the vast Lin Family was not far off.
“Wanqiu, why don’t you sit beside Her Highness?”
As he spoke, Lin Zhengquan glanced at Xiao Minghuang, seemingly seeking her approval.
Naturally, Xiao Minghuang had no objections and nodded in agreement.
A fragrant breeze wafted through the air, and a graceful figure swayed gently.
Lin Wanqiu, with her elegant demeanor, took a seat beside Xiao Minghuang, her gaze filled with tenderness.
After an afternoon of contemplation, she had made up her mind.
Even though the young maid beside Xiao Minghuang seemed difficult to deal with, she would never give up!
This was not only for the benefit of her family but also for her own feelings.
Perhaps she had already fallen for Xiao Minghuang the moment she first saw her in that dark cave.
The world might not believe in love at first sight, but Lin Wanqiu knew it was because they had never met someone as peerless as Xiao Minghuang.
We were betrothed before birth and met without knowing each other. This is a match made in heaven, a destined pair!
Lin Wanqiu thought to herself.
As the evening progressed, Lin Wanqiu continuously poured wine for Xiao Minghuang, who did not refuse and drank it all, occasionally returning the gesture by pouring wine for Lin Wanqiu.
Before long, both of their cheeks were slightly flushed, their eyes moist and dreamy from the wine.
Unnoticed, the bright moon hung high in the sky, and the night was already half over.
Perhaps due to drinking too much, even the bodies of martial artists could not withstand it, and many guests staggered to their feet to bid farewell.
Xiao Minghuang, seated at the head of the table, had also consumed a fair amount of wine. Her body leaned softly against Lin Wanqiu, her eyes half-closed as if in a semi-conscious state.
Behind them, Ye Ruoshui occasionally cast her gaze at the two leaning against each other, her eyes filled with confusion, and an inexplicable sense of irritation arose in her heart.
Her Highness said I am the most important person in her heart. I should trust her! I must trust her!
Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Ruu
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