Li Mochou's face turned green with rage, but he restrained himself, knowing that if this weren't the Qin Palace, he would have exploded in anger. However, he also knew that losing his temper would only please Song Qingshu even more, and bottling it up could lead to internal injury.

  After sitting for a while, the maidservants led everyone to attend the banquet in the palace.

  Surrounding the main palace, the buildings are more densely packed, so outside the heavy snow is falling, but there is no wind, and it's not too cold. Coming out of the side hall, after winding through nine bends for eighteen turns, a time equivalent to sipping two cups of tea, I finally arrived at the grand hall where the banquet was being held.

  "The Envoy of National Defense has arrived!" The temple people outside the palace loudly announced

  There were maidservants leading Zi Chao and Ji Yu, etc. to the west wall of the main hall, standing together with other maidservants, while Zhang Wuji was with Song Qingshu several steps away.

  The ministers of Qin had all arrived, and when Song saw them coming in, some people clasped their hands or nodded their heads, which was considered a greeting.

  Song initially came from a small country and was also very young, and even the Mohe who followed her side, Mohe Nori, was very young. Therefore, many people did not have much intention of getting to know them, but they all wondered what the king had privately summoned her for.

  Although curious, they feared the majesty of the winning chariots and no one dared to ask questions casually.

  The dishes were already laid out on the table, and the maidservants were busily refilling the teacups.

  The teacher, Zhang, was about to speak, but was stopped by Song Chu's slightly raised hand.

  She leaned her body slightly towards him and lowered her voice, saying "Look around"

  Li Mou glanced around and met many inquiring or curious eyes, suddenly understanding why Song Chu didn't let him speak. Those Qin officials seemed to be chatting with each other, but their attention was all focused on them.

  On the temple grounds, Qin Gong did not give Song Chuyi a chance to show off, and no one knew how she would behave. Suddenly, a voice called out "Teacher", making many people reevaluate Song Chuyi.

  They saw that Bao Yu's movements were not careless and knew that the things they had been secretly paying attention to had already been known by others, so they no longer deliberately hid.

  At the beginning of the Song Dynasty, a man with a square face and a scholarly appearance, over 40 years old, bowed to her with a smile and said, "I have long heard that Wei's land produces many talents. Today, I see that it is indeed true. You are so young yet you are already a model for others, it is truly admirable and worthy of praise."

  "The grown-ups mistakenly praised him. The child said: 'When three people walk together, there must be one who can be my teacher.' He was just being modest." Song Chu smiled and returned the courtesy.

  Just as he was about to say something else, he heard the eunuch loudly announce, "The Emperor has arrived."

  Everyone rushed forward

  Song Chuanyi saw that Ying Qi's hair seemed to be wet, and his clothes had been changed. He thought to himself: Qin Gong is not only efficient in handling matters, but also efficient in taking baths, who knows... On Song Chuanyi's face, a faint, barely noticeable sly smile emerged.

  She couldn't help but sneak a peek, but the distance was too far and the lighting near the main seat was poor, so she could only see an outline. Even so, she could tell that Qin Gong was indeed a rare handsome man in the world, just as Song Chuyi had said. However, at the same time, his overwhelming aura and coldness also made Zǐ Cháo feel not even a bit of interest in him.

  "See you later, Your Majesty." The officials swung open their wide sleeves and bowed deeply in a grand gesture of respect.

  "Free of charge" wins the favor, he slightly raises his hand and the temple people immediately bow their heads to listen to orders.

  "Let's begin," he said.

  "The temple people responded with a loud voice and stood up, saying 'The banquet begins, let the music start'"

  The musicians on both sides immediately began to play, and the elegant music sounded first. At this time, if there were gifts to be presented, they could start now; otherwise, everyone would enjoy the music together.

  At the beginning of the Song Dynasty, he got up and saluted with his hands together, saying, "To congratulate Qin Gong on his accession to the throne, a special envoy was sent by the emperor to present three rare treasures to Qin Gong."

  Three absolute treasures? Everyone's attention was focused on them.

  "Clap! Clap!" Zhang Guo slapped his hands together.

  Ji Yu handed over a beautiful jade box, one foot long and four inches wide, to Zi Chao. Zi Chao's body trembled slightly, and he hastily reached out to receive it. He gritted his teeth, untied the veil on his face, held the jade box with both hands, and walked through many seats with light steps, stopping two zhang away from the main seat. He knelt down to pay respects, but did not raise the box above his head like ordinary offerings.

  This was what Song Chuoyi had instructed, if they were to lift it up, then tell everyone that the thing they were presenting was inside the box, and hold the box against their abdomen, most people's attention would be focused on Zizhong.

  "The thing that should be dedicated to Duke Qin is this very object" Song initially said

  Winning without excessive expression, his eyes looked at Zi Chao, "Come closer"

  That cold, emotionless voice made Zi Chao's heart rise to his throat, unable to breathe. But she was a noblewoman after all, only intimidated by the power of the winner. In this kind of situation, she wasn't nervous at all, still maintaining her calm and composed demeanor as she walked forward a short distance, kneeling seven feet in front of the winner.

  "This is a precious gift, but which of the three absolutes does it represent?" asked a smiling high-ranking official.

  "This is the eldest daughter of a noble family in our country, with a beauty that stands out from all others. She is well-versed in poetry, books, etiquette, music, dance, chess, and painting, making her the ultimate gem of our country. The jade box in her hand is made of top-quality sheep fat white jade, translucent, warm, and flawless, crafted by skilled artisans over half a year, making it the second ultimate treasure. As for what's inside the box... there's nothing like it in this world, making it the third ultimate treasure."

  Zi Chao's appearance, while not necessarily stunning, is still quite captivating. As a noblewoman, she is well-versed in literature and possesses refined taste. It's rare to find someone who combines nobility, intelligence, and beauty, making her a truly exceptional woman.

  "On behalf of the widow, I thank the Marquis of Wei" said Ying Xi.

  The meaning of this sentence is to accept the gift.

  At the beginning of the Song Dynasty, a smile floated up in his eyes, and he bowed his head and said, "I will definitely convey it to the foreign minister."

  She lowered her eyes, and her gaze drifted towards Song Chuyi, with a hint of tears in her eyes. Although Qin Gong was handsome, she naturally felt happy, it was still much better than serving an old man who was about to die. However, compared to Song Chuyi's gentle and humorous nature, Qin Gong was like the cold stars at the top of the mountain, too high and too cold, only to be admired from afar but not touched. She feared him from the bottom of her heart.

  The temple master led the child away in the morning.

  At the beginning of the Song Dynasty, Yī wasn't blind to Zǐ Cháo's tears, but she could only sigh inwardly. If she were a man, she would never have given up Zǐ Cháo in this situation. Moreover, Qín Gōng was not interested in beautiful women, and it was clear that he had no interest in Zǐ Cháo. But she was destined to not be able to respond to Zǐ Cháo's feelings, so doing this was also a way of finding a good home for Zǐ Cháo.

  The gift-giving ceremony is over, and the banquet can now officially begin.

  The tune and dance came up, the beautiful woman's slender waist was charming, one lift of her hand and one turn of her eyes were all full of charm, Song Chu looked at it with flying eyebrows and colorful movements.

  After two songs were over, she picked up her wine cup and took a sip, glancing at the host.

  The lights were dim there, and she wore a black silk dress, leaning against the armrest with one hand supporting her head, more than half of her face hidden in the darkness, quietly as if she didn't fit in with this lively banquet.

  Song Chuoyi took a few more glances and dared to bet that Yingzi was asleep!

  For the rest of the banquet, Song Chu occasionally glanced at him, for as long as half a quarter of an hour. This person didn't change his expression once, and the ministers all got used to it, because even if he wasn't sleeping, he was still like this.

  As the evening drew to a close, the maid beside him went forward and filled his wine cup with fine wine. He shifted slightly in his seat, as if he had been resting for a moment, before sitting up straight again.

  The old master Gan Long said a few words of courtesy, then Ying Ju raised his cup, his voice slightly hoarse from sleep, "The banquet is about to disperse, drink this cup to the full!"

  The crowd echoed in agreement, and then with a slight wave of his sleeve, he tilted his head back and drank it all.

  At the beginning of the Song Dynasty, one person cursed, "Damn it, he's really good at saving trouble!" A big feast, just a few words at the beginning and end, and the rest of the time was spent sleeping! However, if we only evaluate the banquet, the food and drink were excellent, and there was wonderful music and dance, she seemed to have had a great time.

  The banquet ended and everyone dispersed one after another.

  At the beginning of the Song Dynasty, a certain scholar-official was chatting with several others when he occasionally caught snippets of other people's conversations.

  "Are you saying it's time for His Majesty to replenish the harem?"

  "Right, can't let Wei girl monopolize it"

  "It's been a year since you turned nineteen, and now that spring has arrived, you're twenty... it's time for you to take a wife..."

  At the beginning of the Song Dynasty, a sigh was heard: "Mother, how come there is no one in the harem of the winner?"

  However, it's not strange to want to come back. The rulers of Qin State rarely had an interest in enriching the harem. Due to offending the new law as a youth, he was exiled to the mountains for six or seven years until Duke Xiao passed away and he was brought back to take the throne.

  Looking at the means by which he won, it is clear that during those years of exile he was consumed with a desire for revenge and self-improvement. Moreover, his noble status would not have allowed him to casually find some village girl to marry. Having just ascended to the throne, he was busy taking control of power, executing Shang Yang, and even at banquets he could fall asleep - it's strange that he could muster up the interest to find a woman.

  Snowflakes dancing in the air

  The lights in the bedroom of the winner's palace are still on.

  A man in a black robe leaned against the armrest, his slightly damp hair scattered behind him, his long and powerful hands holding a bamboo slip. At this moment, his expression was not the stern and rigid one he showed to others, but rather a lazy and slightly tired one.

  The light in the fireplace cast an increasingly inscrutable expression on his handsome face, and the warm colors could not dispel the coldness in his eyes.

  In the same posture, after a long while, an imperial attendant came in and said, "Your Majesty, it's already midnight, time to rest."

  "Hmm" replied the eunuch, and then said, "Bring over the things that Wei Guo presented today."

  The eunuch was taken aback, what's going on in the middle of the night... isn't it about finding a woman for that kind of thing? The thought flashed by, and the eunuch bowed his head to ask, "Are all three treasures brought together?"

  "The box" wins the game, and the bamboo slips are tied up and thrown to the left of the desk.

  As a personal attendant for several months, he has gradually become familiar with the new lord's temperament. He seems to be very intimidating, but in fact his temper is not bad at all. At least he has never taken it out on them, these slaves. Although he speaks very little, he is very direct.

  However, the new ruler likes clever people and is dissatisfied with those who are directly dismissed. If a big mistake is made, killing someone will not be tolerated. Until now, those who can stay behind are all loyal and unswerving.

  Before long, the eunuch presented the jade box

  Wang Yun seemed uninterested in the exquisite jade, instead opening the box and finding a bamboo slip, three volumes of sheepskin, and took them out.