No One But You Can Be the Princess Royal

The palace banquet was a joyous occasion for both host and guests, but Qin Xiyi, sitting beside Liang Shi, found the table full of delicacies tasted like wax. She did not spare another glance at the assembled ministers.

She truly couldn’t lift her head; the moment she had uttered the word “no” earlier, Cheng Mozhi’s gaze had been sharp enough to kill.

This was the Huangji Hall of the Liang Kingdom. Even a single look or gesture could allow Liang Shi and his ministers to sniff out a clue.

Not to mention the unspeakable relationship they once shared—even if he, as an envoy, merely showed disrespect or committed a breach of etiquette before the court, Cheng Mozhi would find it hard to explain himself.

Thinking of Cheng Mozhi’s brazen gaze in the grand hall, Qin Xiyi felt a wave of stifling frustration rise in her chest.

Qin Xiyi held her wine cup for a long time without drinking. She wished the banquet would end quickly; she wanted to escape.

But just as the midnight bells chimed, Cheng Mozhi, who had remained silent all this time, suddenly stood up.

「Your Imperial Majesty of Great Liang, this humble servant has brought Fuyao, a famous wine of the Zhao Kingdom. My Emperor repeatedly instructed me to offer three cups of wine. The first cup is dedicated to Your Majesty’s longevity, wishing that the conflicts between Liang and Zhao will cease forever, and that our nations will flourish for generations.」

Cheng Mozhi drained his cup in one gulp. Liang Shi calmly emptied his own cup, giving the envoy ample face.

Cheng Mozhi poured another cup of wine.

「This second cup is to congratulate the heir apparent. May the Crown Prince inherit the nation’s destiny with grace and majesty.」

The eunuch standing beside the Crown Prince, receiving a nod from the Emperor, raised the cup and drank on his behalf.

「And this third cup!」 Cheng Mozhi suddenly raised his voice, his gaze landing squarely on Qin Xiyi. 「This humble servant toasts Her Imperial Majesty the Empress, wishing Her Majesty a long and splendid life.」

She met Cheng Mozhi’s gaze, paused for a brief moment, and then lowered her head to drink the wine. However, before the words of gratitude could leave her mouth, she was nearly choked by what Cheng Mozhi said next.

Cheng Mozhi did not return to his seat. Instead, he said with a bright smile, 「Although Her Majesty does not know me, I have long admired Her Majesty.」

「Back then, before I entered officialdom, I saw Her Majesty from afar standing on a pleasure boat by the shore of a garden. Her regal grace was breathtaking, like a celestial being. This diplomatic mission has fulfilled a personal wish of mine. To catch a glimpse of you brings immense honor to my family, and I shall have no regrets in this life.」

「Even my wife’s eyes and brows resemble Her Majesty’s. It seems heaven has truly blessed me.」

*Clack.* The chopsticks in Qin Xiyi’s hand dropped to the floor. Her palms were already slick with sweat.

She snapped her head up to look at him, suddenly finding him terrifyingly unfamiliar.

When did this man become so mad?

What kind of occasion was this? How could he say such things here?

Sure enough, the Liang officials instantly erupted like a boiling pot. They stood up one after another, glaring with wide eyes and condemning Cheng Mozhi’s presumption and insolence.

How could the mother of a nation be subjected to the repeated “admiration” of a minor official from a lesser state? Worse, his words carried a distinct undertone of public infatuation.

The court, which had just been filled with toasts and laughter, was instantly ignited by several officials from the Ministry of Rites. They already looked down on the Zhao Kingdom, which paid annual tributes, and would not easily pass up a chance to humiliate a Zhao envoy.

The very thing Qin Xiyi feared most had happened.

「Such a crime of lèse-majesté warrants the immediate expulsion of the Zhao delegation!」

「To babble about trivial personal matters in front of His Majesty is an insult to the throne! He should be arrested and prosecuted!」

「This man is treasonous and rebellious! He must be beheaded and his head displayed to the public!」

……

The demands for punishment echoed through the golden hall, rising wave after wave.

Yet the instigator, Cheng Mozhi, actually sat back down, poured himself some wine, and began drinking on his own. He completely ignored the other Zhao officials standing behind him, whose faces had turned pale with fright.

The Emperor of Liang, who had remained expressionless, suddenly slammed his wine cup onto the table.

With a clatter, the guards stationed in the corners marched forward and surrounded them, their swords and sabers unsheathed to reveal a cold, pale gleam.

The grand hall fell dead silent. The civil and military officials of Liang all bowed their heads and stood in attendance, no longer showing even a hint of their previous anger.

They suddenly remembered that the one who should be most furious in this entire hall was the sovereign sitting high above.

Moreover, it was Emperor Chenghong, Liang Shi, who had ascended the throne through sheer ruthlessness.

Qin Xiyi felt a sudden chill sweep through the hall, cold to the bone.

Liang Shi looked at Cheng Mozhi expressionlessly: 「Do you have anything else to say?」

Cheng Mozhi stood up again, walked before the imperial dais, stood below the steps leading to the Empress, and bowed deeply.

「This humble servant merely spoke from the heart, with absolutely no intention of deception or offense. If my words were poorly chosen, I submit myself entirely to Her Majesty’s disposal.」

Cheng Mozhi straightened up and looked at Qin Xiyi, his eyes bottomless as he spoke each word deliberately.

「This servant will have absolutely no complaints.」