A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 858: Chapter 858: I Refuse

Of course.

Zhao Junyao not liking it doesn’t mean others don’t.

Inside the grand hall.

Princess Hai Feng danced with jade-like feet, moving like the wind and waves to the rhythm of the music.

Her dance was indescribably beautiful, dreamlike and illusory, both real and unreal.

Her joints were nimble and agile like a snake, her phoenix eyes bright and captivating.

Her gaze and movements responded to the drumbeats, harmonizing with the sound.

The red dress on her body fluttered lightly with her movements, like a blooming scarlet lotus.

Long water sleeves wrapped around her arms, as crimson as fire, her seamless dance scattered the sleeves around her.

As the drumbeats intensified, she appeared as swift as a rabbit under a crimson moon, her agile dance blurred into light and shadow.

As the drumbeats slowed, she resembled Chang’e in the moon, with a graceful and enchanting demeanor, gentle as water.

Her charming eyes were filled with tenderness, wishing to transform into a pool of spring water and melt everyone’s bones and blood.

Absolutely beautiful, fiery red, captivating...

She possessed the looks, dance, and figure desired by women across the world.

She also had the allure, vitality, and youthful beauty most admired by men.

Like a tender flame lotus just budding, she was both water and fire, leaving one desirous and unable to let go.

In the entire hall, let alone men.

Even Xia Ruqing and Consort Hui, the other women, were deeply entranced and unable to resist.

Finally, the drumbeats stopped, and Princess Hai Feng’s dance ended.

Only after a long while did everyone finally come to their senses.

Following this, applause and praise came pouring in endlessly.

Princess Hai Feng’s beautiful eyes were filled with satisfaction and a coy smile.

Of course, there was a hint of disappointment; earlier, everyone was watching her, except him!

But it didn’t matter, her father said he would find a way!

So, she gracefully and shyly performed a curtsy and withdrew.

Satisfaction!

Even if he didn’t like it, she had danced a piece for him.

Knowing that it was her first time dancing for her beloved in her lifetime.

How lucky is that?!

The applause slowly faded.

At this moment, Prince Jin, who had been drinking at the side, stood up and loudly asked.

”Emperor of Great Chu, how was my daughter’s dance? Did it capture your eye?”

Zhao Junyao took a sip of tea and smiled faintly, offering praise despite his true feelings.

”The commandery princess is as graceful as a celestial being, truly remarkable; our Great Chu can only admire her!”

Prince Jin was delighted by the compliment, chuckling a few times before continuing.

”Since that’s the case, I won’t beat around the bush, I’ll go straight to the point!”

”The main purpose of Western Xia’s visit this time is to establish good relations with Great Chu!”

”We have brought twenty carts of the most precious gifts to offer to Great Chu, hoping the emperor won’t look down on them!”

”Additionally...”

”I believe the emperor has guessed!”

”My daughter has always admired the Emperor of Great Chu, and to show our sincerity, we’ve decided to form an alliance through marriage and betroth her to the Emperor of Great Chu, how about it?”

”Rest assured! If the marriage is successful, we will send even more abundant dowries to show our sincerity!”

”I wonder... what is the Emperor of Great Chu’s intention?”

This proposition was somewhat aggressive, direct yet blunt.

A wrong answer would directly offend, possibly leading to hostility between the two countries with no room for negotiation.

But if accepted...

The ministers looked at their emperor’s increasingly dark face.

And thought, it seems unlikely...

Zhao Junyao’s face was indeed somewhat sullen, but he was always composed.

He wouldn’t act out in such a setting.

But asking him to marry? It’s absolutely impossible.

The most crucial problem now was, they’ve cornered him at his doorstep, how to refuse?!

Thinking it over, Zhao Junyao directly stated.

”I find it inappropriate!!”

Those firm five words, like five thunders, shocked everyone in the hall into bewilderment!

Did the emperor refuse?

The emperor actually refused!?

Not to mention the commandery princess’s celestial beauty and extraordinary talent.

Simply considering Western Xia’s sincere intent from miles away for diplomacy, and the easy-to-achieve friendly relations between the two nations.

Placed upon any emperor, it would be impossible to refuse.

No need to sacrifice much, just marry a woman.

Such a beneficial matter, directly refused, requires tremendous courage?!

While the ministers felt regret, they also inexplicably felt proud for their emperor!

’Our Great Chu does not covet your gifts nor your women!’

’Friendly relations are possible, marrying your commandery princess, no!’

For a moment, the ministers of Great Chu remained silent and expressionless, though secretly feeling smug.

A bit... schadenfreude, anticipating Western Xia’s embarrassment!

Whereas Western Xia’s officials, even Prince Jin, King Western Xia, and Crown Prince Hai Yue, their faces were not looking good!

Princess Hai Feng even more so.

She was shocked, heartbroken, disappointed looking at the Emperor of Great Chu.

Despite the distant mountains and waters, she came from afar to find him, covering her face for him, dancing and offering gifts.

She had given him so much, she never imagined he would refuse her!

She didn’t believe it, she couldn’t believe it!

Surely he hadn’t recognized her yet.

Thinking about it, she was about to get up and explain.

Suddenly held down by Prince Jin and sat back down.

”Father!”

”Fengfeng!”

Prince Jin was somewhat stern.

The joy from earlier was entirely gone now.

Only anger remained, uncontrollable anger!

”Don’t move, let’s see how he explains!” Prince Jin deliberately raised his voice a bit.

Just for Zhao Junyao to hear!

Zhao Junyao just smiled faintly, raised his wine cup.

”Appreciating the commandery princess’s goodwill, I accept it!”

”Unfortunately, I am already married!”

”Not only married but with numerous wives and concubines, a harem of three thousand beauties!”

”With the commandery princess’s celestial grace, marrying me would only be as a concubine, truly a grievance for her. Besides, my heart is on the world, uninterested in love stories, furthermore, I’m occupied with state affairs, inevitably neglecting the commandery princess!”

”Therefore... I am not a suitable match for the commandery princess!”

”Prince Jin, I have spoken my piece, I ask for your understanding!”

”If the commandery princess doesn’t mind, there are many heroic and good men in Great Chu for her to choose!”

”If the commandery princess has taken a liking to any of them?!”

”I will personally bestow the marriage for the commandery princess! To promote friendly relations between Great Chu and Western Xia, how about it?”

Zhao Junyao’s tone was calm, unhurried, logically structured!

Yet such seemingly placid words contained an invisible pressure.

Forcing Prince Jin into silence.

Definitely can’t say, I’m willing for my daughter to be your concubine.

And certainly can’t say, dismiss your empress to marry my daughter!

Not that they would agree, even within Western Xia, it’s impossible, isn’t it?

An empress of a country, how could you dare disrespect her?

That makes it tricky, huh!

Prince Jin then looked somewhat begrudgingly at Princess Hai Feng.

”Fengfeng, didn’t you say he’s not married?”

Hai Feng was somewhat frustrated.

”Father, I’m sorry, I... actually, I don’t know either!”