After sensing Chu Qing's furtive excitement, the little meatball shivered.
Its master had just wondered if it would be too bloody, but what was this excitement?
Could it be that some violent tendency had awakened in her?
Thinking of this, the little meatball quickly explained, "Sorry, master! I was careless just now and accidentally brought in words from other continents. What I said just now... um... 'battle'... actually means a competition!"
Competition?
She understood this.
Whether friendly or not, there were always several rounds of competitions during the communication between the two countries. Whether it was a literary or martial competition, or some other strange competitions, as long as one won, it would boost one's own morale and dampen the enemy's.
Although a lot of high - sounding words would be said, if one won, one would feel extremely happy. Sometimes, if it pleased the emperor, one could even receive a lot of rewards.
This mission wasn't too difficult for her.
Seeing that Chu Qing understood, the little meatball repeated again, "You must complete this mission. You must have a 'battle'!"
Then, it fell silent again.
When Chu Qing came back to her senses and looked at the Second Prince of Xiliang, the three of them had already walked to the center of the main hall and saluted the emperor with a Xiliang etiquette.
Only then did Chu Qing take a good look at the three of them.
The only man in the middle was undoubtedly the Second Prince, Huyan Longhao. But the identities of the women standing on his sides were hard for Chu Qing to guess.
Especially since both of them were wearing veils, only showing their eyes.
One of them had slightly upturned eye - tails with a cinnabar mole under her eyes. When her eyes fluttered, it made one's bones go soft. And she hadn't even shown her real face yet.
The other one was a bit less attractive. Although her eyes were also good, for some reason, Chu Qing always felt that the woman would glance at her from time to time, which made her very uncomfortable.
Seeing Chu Qing frown slightly, Wei Ying reached out and grabbed her hand under the table.
Then he lowered his voice and asked, "What's wrong?"
Every time Wei Ying talked to her in a low voice, Chu Qing felt extremely soft all over. His voice was like magic, tickling the tip of her heart.
Just then, the woman with the cinnabar mole glanced in Wei Ying's direction. Then, right in front of Chu Qing, she gave Wei Ying a flirtatious look.
Chu Qing's face darkened instantly.
"Is she prettier or am I?" Chu Qing never thought such a stupid question would come out of her mouth. But after seeing that woman's look, she immediately became alert.
Hearing Chu Qing's jealous words, Wei Ying tightened his grip on her hand, "No one in this world can compare to you."
Hearing this, she looked into Wei Ying's clear eyes carefully. Only then did Chu Qing feel relieved.
It seemed that Wei Ying hadn't even given that woman a proper look.
...
After Huyan Longhao finished his salute, the emperor reached out his hand in a gesture of false support and then said in a loud voice,
"The Second Prince is truly handsome and imposing."
Huyan Longhao placed his hand on his chest and bowed slightly, "Your Majesty flatters me."
The emperor smiled politely. Then he looked at the two women and asked, "I wonder who the other two are?"
Hearing the emperor's question, Huyan Longhao first pulled the woman on his left, the one with the cinnabar mole, forward. Squinting his eyes, he said with a smile, "This is my younger sister, the Third Princess of Xiliang, Huyan Zhuoyi."
The woman called the Third Princess slowly took a few steps forward. Then she took off her veil and said, "Huyan Zhuoyi pays respects to Your Majesty~"
Although her tone was a bit stiff, her voice was as tender as if it could squeeze out water.
And her appearance really fascinated many people.
Chu Qing subconsciously glanced at Wei Ying beside her.
She saw that he was slightly frowning, as if thinking about something.
After smiling silently in her heart, Chu Qing focused her attention on the center of the main hall again.
After Huyan Zhuoyi briefly introduced herself, she put on the veil in her hand again and stepped back behind Huyan Longhao.
Seeing this, Chu Qing was a little surprised. Although she had an outstanding appearance, her personality seemed quite reserved?
Thinking of the look that woman had given Wei Ying just now, Chu Qing naturally didn't believe that she was really as she appeared.
After his younger sister introduced herself, Huyan Longhao looked at the other woman. Then he pulled her over and said, "This is my beloved concubine, Shengxiang. The journey from Xiliang to Dayan is very long. I was extremely bored. If it weren't for Shengxiang's close... personal care day and night, I really couldn't bear it."
Hearing his words with some other implications, some people turned their heads away.
Although the emperor was also a bit dissatisfied with his wanton behavior in the main hall, he still maintained a good attitude and smiled.
The woman called Shengxiang lowered her eyes and bowed slightly, "Your humble servant pays respects to Your Majesty."
The emperor gave a non - committal grunt as a response.
Seeing this, the woman named Shengxiang also stepped back behind Huyan Longhao.
After the simple introduction, the emperor exchanged a few polite words with Huyan Longhao.
Just then, as if he had thought of something, Huyan Longhao hooked his lips with a meaningful smile and said, "I heard that Dayan has many capable people. I wonder if I have the honor to see some of them?"
Chu Qing squinted her eyes, and her smile became a bit cold.
What was coming finally came.
Just say a few flattering words casually, and then lead to the following competition. Of course, he must control what to compete in. Only in this way could he have a better chance of winning.
Trying to take the initiative into his own hands? Chu Qing sneered silently.
Then she spoke up, "I wonder in the Second Prince's opinion, what kind of people are considered capable?"
Hearing Chu Qing's voice, everyone turned their eyes to her in unison.
Huyan Longhao, on the other hand, squinted at Chu Qing with great interest.
"I wonder who this is...?"
"She is this prince's princess." Wei Ying said calmly. Then he put his arm around Chu Qing.
Feeling Wei Ying's protection, Chu Qing felt a warm current in her heart. Then she continued, "I wonder what the Second Prince is interested in? Literature or martial arts? Or something else?"
Hearing Chu Qing's words, Huyan Longhao laughed softly, "I've only heard of the great reputation of the Prince of Ning before. I didn't expect that the Princess of Ning would also be a heroic woman. She is really straightforward. Since the Princess of Ning has said so, she must be confident. To be honest, I'd like to feel the charm of the military generals of Dayan. I wonder... which one does the Princess of Ning want to go on stage first?"
Martial arts? Chu Qing hooked the corner of her lips.
Although she knew that the people of Xiliang were good at martial arts, she had full confidence in the people of Dayan. After all, Dayan had the Prince of Ning. Even if he didn't go on stage himself, he should send a suitable candidate.
So Chu Qing squinted her eyes and said unhurriedly, "I wonder which one the Second Prince wants to send out to compete?"
"Compete?" Huyan Longhao's expression, which had been waiting to watch a good show, suddenly changed, "What does the Princess mean...?"
"Isn't it a competition? The people of Xiliang should be very forthright, right?" Why had he become so hesitant?
Huyan Longhao, however, let out a puff of laughter and then said slowly, "Princess of Ning, I never said there would be a competition."
"???" Chu Qing was caught off guard and stunned.
No competition???