99: Promise yourself, but I reject you

Taiji Hall.

Emeralds served as tiles, white jade as beams, intricately carved with lifelike coiled dragons; the plaque, made of sandalwood, bore characters crafted from pure gold, making it magnificent and imposing.

The hall was exquisitely decorated, resplendent with gold, adorned with glazed treasures, and hung with ancient scrolls, a perfect blend of luxury and classicism.

Inside the hall, tables and chairs were set, laden with fine wine and delicacies, all rare mountain and sea treasures. Numerous officials and young talents gathered, conversing in hushed tones.

Xie Weilou sat with Yan Ruyi, pouring a cup of fine wine as he surveyed the people in the hall.

Among the princes, Yan Wuchen and Yan Wugou were nowhere to be seen. Both had suffered severe injuries and likely hadn't recovered enough to appear.

“......”

Su Muxue was also among the crowd, her gaze falling upon Xie Weilou, causing her to lose herself in thought.

“Mu Xue, what’s wrong?”

Xiao Ce looked at Su Muxue, a hint of confusion in his eyes.

“No… nothing…”

Su Muxue shook her head.

“Xie Weilou, Su Muxue was just looking at you.”

Yan Ruyi looked at Xie Weilou with a gossip-filled expression.

Previously, Su Muxue and Xie Weilou also had a marriage engagement. However, when Xie Weilou was imprisoned, Su Muxue directly went to Zhenxi Marquis Manor to annul the engagement, stating bluntly that Xie Weilou, a profligate son, was unworthy of her.

This incident had caused Zhenxi Marquis Manor to lose a great deal of face.

Xie Weilou said with a confident expression, “Perhaps This Young Master is too handsome!”

“Hmph! You narcissistic fellow, if you’re so handsome, how did your engagement get broken off?”

Yan Ruyi pouted.

Xie Weilou’s face straightened, “Is this called narcissism? This is called being realistic. Earlier, in that snowy landscape, you wanted to offer yourself to me, but I sternly refused. Don't you remember?”

“You… shameless!”

Yan Ruyi glared angrily at Xie Weilou. If not for this fellow taking advantage of the situation, how could she have said such a thing?

“.......”

Yan Junlin and Yan Ruyu sat nearby, and they immediately looked at the two.

Yan Ruyi offered herself and was refused?

These two should have had no prior interaction, so why was their relationship suddenly so peculiar?

Xie Weilou’s gaze fell on Yan Ruyu, and he sighed, “Princess, don’t look. Earlier, you suggested I become your male companion, and I refused that too. I vow to loyally serve His Royal Highness, the First Prince, and it’s impossible for me to agree to your sordid terms!”

Bang!

Yan Ruyu’s eyes narrowed in fury, and she instantly crushed a wine cup. Her gaze, sharp and cold, fixed on Xie Weilou.

This fellow spoke without restraint, daring to say anything. Did he truly not want to live?

The scene fell silent. Everyone looked over, their gazes at Xie Weilou and Yan Ruyu carrying a hint of oddity.

“Interesting.”

Baili Changqing held his wine cup, savoring it. He smiled faintly; youth was indeed good.

Lin Qinghuang glanced at Xie Weilou, a hint of speechlessness in her eyes. This fellow was clearly doing it on purpose, deliberately provoking Yan Ruyu.

Someone easily provoked might have their danger level greatly reduced!

“......”

Thinking of this, Lin Qinghuang revealed a profound smile.

Yan Junlin’s face showed emotion, and a mist appeared in his eyes.

He quickly poured a cup of wine and raised it to Xie Weilou: “Brother Xie’s words make This Prince feel incredibly ashamed! I’ll drink three cups as a penalty.”

After speaking, he poured and drank three cups consecutively.

“Such an act!”

Yan Ruyi muttered inwardly, her gaze towards Yan Junlin tinged with a hint of mockery.

“It seems Xie Weilou has truly colluded with the First Prince.”

The surrounding officials pondered deeply.

Xie Weilou, after his release from prison, might not have been a threat, given that the entire Zhenxi Marquis Manor had been seized by Xie Cangxuan. However, now that he was close to Yan Junlin, things were no longer simple.

To move against him, they would have to see if Yan Junlin agreed.

Xie Cangxuan’s face was incredibly gloomy. The closer Xie Weilou got to Yan Junlin, the more he suspected whether the deaths of Wu Shang and Wu Ji were related to Yan Junlin.

As the First Prince, what did Xie Weilou have that was worth his attention? Nothing more than the Zhenxi Marquis Manor.

If the other party wanted Xie Weilou to inherit the position of Marquis Zhenxi, then they would certainly help Xie Weilou resolve various troubles, and their family, as it happened, was precisely that trouble.

Thinking this way, Yan Junlin was highly suspected in the deaths of Wu Shang and Wu Ji.

Xie Weilou noticed Xie Cangxuan’s expression, and his smile grew even wider. He quickly poured a cup of wine and raised it to Yan Junlin: “I vow to loyally serve His Royal Highness, the First Prince!”

Yan Ruyu: “......”

Yan Ruyi: “......”

One phrase, do you really need to say it so many times? It’s as if the people present don’t know you and Yan Junlin are colluding.

Yan Junlin also smiled bitterly, yet still showed a face full of gratitude: “Thank you, Brother Xie.”

“The Emperor arrives!”

Outside the hall, a majestic voice rang out.

A middle-aged man, dressed in a dragon robe with a dignified face, entered the main hall. His complexion was somewhat pale, and he looked unwell.

“Greetings, Your Majesty!”

Everyone present quickly bowed.

The Xia Emperor gently waved his hand: “No need for formalities.”

After speaking, he sat down on the dragon throne at the very front.

Xie Weilou observed the Xia Emperor, muttering in his heart: “This old man is also a schemer!”

The Xia Emperor saw Xie Weilou staring at him, and his gaze also fell upon Xie Weilou. After some observation, he detected nothing amiss.

Xie Weilou possessed the Heavenly Book, which could block all detection. Even a powerful figure like the Xia Emperor found it difficult to perceive anything.

The Xia Emperor slowly spoke: “Xie Weilou, We just heard that you were invited by Ruyu. Very good!”

“Oh?”

Everyone’s hearts tightened. Xie Weilou was clearly invited by Yan Ruyi, so why did the Xia Emperor say he was invited by Yan Ruyu?

Earlier, news had spread that the Xia Emperor intended to make Xie Weilou Yan Ruyu’s consort. Now, his words seemed to confirm the truthfulness of that previous rumor?

Yan Ruyu’s expression was calm, and she said nothing, as if none of this concerned her.

“This old man is harming me!”

Xie Weilou thought to himself. The Xia Emperor’s seemingly casual remark could completely push him into the eye of the storm.

But it didn’t matter; someone with nothing to lose fears no one. Anyway, many people were already targeting him, wanting to kill him.

Xie Weilou rose and bowed to the Xia Emperor: “Reporting to Your Majesty, I was actually invited by the Third Princess this time!”

“Oh? Invited by Ruyi?”

The Xia Emperor showed a hint of interest, and he looked at Yan Ruyi.

Yan Ruyi rose and bowed: “Father, Xie Weilou was indeed invited by me. He said he wished to admire Father’s majestic bearing!”

“Admire?”

The Xia Emperor was somewhat surprised. He looked at Xie Weilou: “Xie Weilou, since you say you wish to admire Us, then We shall ask you this: in your heart, what kind of king are We?”

Everyone’s gaze sharpened. Such a question, if answered incorrectly, would be a capital offense.

If it were left to the civil officials present, there would naturally be no problem; a few flattering words would easily pass the test.

But Xie Weilou was a profligate son, speaking without restraint, prone to saying the wrong thing!

Xie Weilou said with a serious expression, “Reporting to Your Majesty, in my heart, you are the first king of all time!”