Female Supremacy and Rise to Power: Lin Shu's Imperial Examination Adventures

Chapter 268: Envoys’ Welcoming Banquet

The day after Lin Shu's wedding, the envoy from the Northern Wilderness Kingdom finally arrived in the capital, albeit belatedly.

However, the person leading the team this time was no longer the former Great Princess Naoribu of the Northern Wilderness.

Now that the four kingdoms had gathered, a welcoming banquet was naturally in order. Thus, Feng Han immediately announced that a banquet would be held three days later at the royal hunting grounds of Qingcheng Mountain, followed by a grand court assembly and competition between the four kingdoms the day after the banquet.

In reality, Feng Han's move was intended to announce a marriage alliance with Nanli in front of the envoys of the other two countries, establishing a lasting friendship! In this way, even if Ximen Kingdom and Beihuang Kingdom had any ill intentions, they would have to think twice.

As it was a royal hunting ground, there were restrictions on accompanying officials. Only officials of the fifth rank or above from the capital were allowed to accompany the group, and only those of the third rank or above were allowed to bring their families.

Inside the Lin Mansion.

After recounting the events of the palace banquet, Lin Shu said directly, "For this palace banquet, Amu and Aheng will accompany me."

Su Mu pondered for a moment, then nodded and replied, "That's fine. Huanzhi and Ayun are too young to go to the hunting grounds this time, and Ayu is pregnant and has difficulty moving around, so it's not very safe."

With no objections from the crowd, the matter was settled.

Three days later.

On the outskirts of the city, at the Qingcheng Mountain Royal Hunting Ground.

Envoys and officials from various countries filed in, creating a solemn and dignified scene.

Holding the seemingly serious-looking Xiao Ansi in her arms, Lin Shu led Su Mu and Ji Heng off the carriage and slowly entered the hunting grounds.

"Ah Shu, it's been a long time!" Someone called out as soon as I got off the carriage.

Lin Shu turned around at the sound of her voice and saw that it was Crown Princess Feng Zhao and her two husbands. Lin Shu had not seen Feng Zhao since returning to the capital, and had heard that she had gone on an inspection tour to the east.

"Your Highness, the Crown Princess, the Crown Prince, and the Consort Xiao." Lin Shu and her husband bowed to Feng Zhao and the others. At first, she was slightly surprised to see that the two people beside Feng Zhao were pregnant, but she soon realized that the Crown Princess's Crown Prince and Consort Xiao had to be present on such an occasion.

Feng Zhao had already seen the chubby little dumpling in Lin Shu's arms, who was trying to act calm and collected like Lin Shu. She couldn't help but tease it a couple of times, then turned to look at Ji Heng beside Lin Shu, raised an eyebrow with a dashing air, and said slowly:

"I was away from the capital some time ago and was unable to attend A-Shu's wedding. I would like to offer my congratulations in advance, and I will present my gift another day."

After saying that, Feng Zhao leaned down slightly, lowered her voice, and continued teasingly:

"Ah Shu, I have heard that the Crown Prince of the Southern Li Regent has feelings for you;

Even the belated envoy from the Northern Wilderness must have heard that the Southern Li Kingdom intended to form a marriage alliance, so he returned to his country and brought his most favored prince with him. It goes without saying who he is...

Haha! Ah Shu is so lucky, I envy her so much…”

For some reason, Lin Shu detected a hint of schadenfreude in the other person's words. So, she raised her eyes to look directly at Feng Zhao, her gaze flickering, and said with a mischievous glint in her eyes:

"How does Your Highness know that the prince of the Northern Wilderness didn't come for you? Besides, both Lord Feng and Consort Xiao are exceptionally talented individuals, so why envy Lin Shu? Could it be that you two..."

Lin Shu stopped short of finishing her sentence, which only made things more intriguing.

"Don't talk nonsense, don't talk nonsense! That man from the Northern Wilderness is tall and strong, I am not worthy of him."

Feng Zhao was still in shock that Lin Shu had not denied that the Prince of Nanli had feelings for her when she was startled by Lin Shu's last words of "sowing discord" and her heart started racing.

As expected, after Lin Shu and the others finished exchanging pleasantries and saying goodbye, her waist was tightly gripped by a slender and delicate hand. Feng Zhao hissed softly, knowing this was what was going to happen! This Lin Shu really wouldn't suffer the slightest loss these days!

As night fell, everyone took their seats in order, and the banquet began.

The camps were surrounded by tents, and the banquet was held in the open training ground. On the high platform of the training ground, there was a huge phoenix table.

On either side of the phoenix table, there were two rows of tables. Officials sat in order of rank from front to back, with delicacies piled up on the tables, so many that it was hard to see the end at a glance.

In the open space in the center of the training ground, a bonfire roared, and several sheep and deer were roasted on it, while singers and dancers sang and danced around the bonfire.

Feng Han sat upright above, his gaze sharp and his smile subtle yet imposing.

After several rounds of drinks, Feng Han suddenly raised his hand to dismiss the dancers, raised his wine cup, and said loudly, "Today, the four kingdoms have gathered, which is truly a grand event. May all the countries live in harmony and share in peace."

Everyone raised their glasses in response.

Feng Han looked at the Nanli envoys with satisfaction, nodded to Xu Jingyun who was wearing a mask, and continued:

"Besides welcoming the envoys today, there is another matter to discuss. My Fengming is about to form a marriage alliance with Nanli, which is a fortunate event for both countries. Let us take advantage of the presence of the envoys from all four countries to finalize this matter and have them witness it."

Feng Han's words still carried an air of authority, but his joy was evident in his expression.

Of all those present, only Simon was caught off guard by the news and was therefore quite shocked; the rest of the people all wore expressions of 'I knew it'.

Feng Han surveyed the expressions of the crowd below the stage, then looked at Xu Jingyun and asked, "Prince of Nanli, is there a woman you admire? If so, I will bestow a marriage upon you immediately!"

After speaking, Feng Han glanced at Lin Shu discreetly. How could she not know that the two of them had already been secretly having an affair!

Of course, she already knew Xu Jingyun's identity, but none of that mattered. What mattered was that the other party could represent Nanli.

Upon hearing this, Xu Jingyun slowly finished her drink, stretched lazily, stood up, and respectfully bowed to Feng Han, saying:

"Then I thank Empress Fengming in advance! I do indeed have a woman I fancy..."

Judging from Xu Jingyun's self-reference, he gave Feng Han a lot of face.

As he spoke, his gaze swept lightly over each of the young women present. Just as those women couldn't help but harbor feelings for him, he fixed his gaze on Lin Shu, pointed at her, and spoke in a playful yet deep voice:

"Hmm...it's her—Lin Shu!"

Seeing the young women below looking at Lin Shu with envy and resentment, Feng Han silently rolled her eyes, but said aloud:

"The Crown Prince of Nanli has excellent taste."

Xu Jingyun raised an eyebrow and smiled slightly, clearly indicating that she was satisfied with her choice.

"Lin Shu, are you willing?" Feng Han asked Lin Shu in a dignified voice.

Lin Shu noticed Xu Jingyun's gaze, lowered her brows, stood up, bowed to Feng Han, and replied, "Your Majesty, I am naturally willing to accept the Crown Prince's favor."

Feng Han laughed a few times and, satisfied, arranged the marriage between the two: "Hahaha! Good! I hereby bestow this marriage upon you two. I hope you will treat each other with respect and add to the harmony between our two nations."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Thank you, Empress Fengming!"

Lin Shu and Xu Jingyun spoke in unison.

-