How could Su Li be willing to be manipulated by her? He couldn't help but glance coldly at Dongfang Zhuo beside him. Dongfang Zhuo had a different look on his face at the moment. He was looking at the queen with a frown, as if he didn't agree with what the queen did. Su Li was stunned for a moment, then immediately knelt down and prostrated: "The Queen has misunderstood!"
She probably didn't expect that she would dare to refute her words at this point. The Queen raised her eyebrows and her eyes suddenly turned violent. She stared at her and asked, "Misunderstanding? Did I get it wrong? What you are holding is not the Phoenix Blood Jade." What?"
Su Li hurriedly said: "The Queen is right, the Phoenix Blood Spiritual Jade is indeed in Mingxi's hands, but Mingxi did not accept it voluntarily. It is really... King Jing'an was so kind that it was hard to refuse, and Mingxi was planning to find an opportunity to return the jade. Your Majesty!" After saying that, she held the jade in both hands and held it up to her head.
Dongfang Zhuo's expression changed. He always knew that she didn't like him, but he didn't expect that she would reject him like this in front of the emperor, empress and Dongfang Ze. It was hard to accept for a while.
He walked over and took the blood jade from her hand. Whether he was too angry or too sad, he was trembling all over and speechless.
Dongfangze's eyes flickered, and he persuaded with a smile: "Brother Second Emperor, don't be angry! Princess Mingxi just tells the truth."
"What do you know?!" Dongfang Zhuo turned around angrily and shouted angrily.
Dongfang Ze remained calm and said with a faint smile: "Ze really doesn't know anything. He just happened to see the second emperor brother putting the Phoenix Blood Jade into the hands of the princess."
Although it was true, Dongfang Zhuo couldn't help but change his expression. He clenched his fists and his anger was about to explode at the first touch.
The queen's eyes changed, and she quickly grabbed Dongfang Zhuo's hand, warning him with her eyes that the emperor should not act impulsively here.
Dongfang Zhuo turned his eyes slightly, and the emperor who was sitting on the throne without saying a word was looking at him. His eyes were indescribably deep. Dongfang Zhuo suddenly felt a chill in his heart, and his whole body was filled with anger, which disappeared in the blink of an eye.
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The queen then let go of him, walked slowly for two steps, and came to Su Li. Her eyes were like swords, staring at her closely, but she said with a smile: "You mean, you have no intention of having any interest in King Jing'an?"
Su Li lowered his eyes, but before he could answer, the Queen continued: "But I remember that your name was not on the list of candidates for concubine. It was King Jing'an who desperately brought you into the palace! You dare to say that before that, You have never expressed any affection for him?! Could it be that you are deliberately taking advantage of him?!"
The voice sounded gentle, but the tone was harsh.
Su Li was shocked and hurriedly bowed her head and said, "Mingxi is frightened and doesn't understand what the Queen means!"
The queen sneered slightly and said: "Huh! On the day when I chose the concubine, Zhuo'er was willing to risk the crime of disobedience to bring you into the palace. You should know very well what that means! You danced in front of me and shocked everyone. It can be seen that you I have been prepared for a long time, and I have the same intention as Zhuo'er, and I want to be the Princess of Jing'an... But... "
Her eyes were stern, and there was a hint of ridicule in the corner of her lips, "The Emperor takes pity on your outstanding talents and allows you to choose one of the two princes as your husband, but you are hesitant... Su Li!" The Queen suddenly bent down and called Her name was imminent with a stern look in her eyes, and she asked: "If you have no intention of him, then you are using him to achieve your purpose of entering the palace! I really want to know, what is the purpose of you entering the palace?" "
As soon as these words came out, the expressions of everyone in the room changed, and they all looked at her.
Su Li's heart was shocked. She had to say that the queen was really powerful. Every word she said hit the point, as if she had already seen through her.
Dongfang Zhuo stared at her with complicated eyes, his hands secretly clasping in his sleeves, as if waiting for an answer.
Su Li raised his head slightly and found that the emperor's eyes were narrowed deeply, his gaze was unpredictable and sharp, and cold sweat broke out on Su Li's spine.
The queen's words had aroused the emperor's suspicion. Unexpectedly, the husband selection banquet has not yet begun, but there are already many dangers. At this moment, whether Su Li recognized it or not, it was already difficult to explain!
Su Li took a deep breath and frowned. Just when she was about to speak, Dongfang Ze suddenly knelt down beside her and said, "Please forgive me for your sins!"
Su Li turned to look at him in surprise, and met the look he gave him. The look in his eyes was indescribably affectionate and tender. Su Li was slightly startled, and couldn't help but blush.
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This scene naturally did not escape the eyes of the other people. The queen's expression changed. Before she could speak, the emperor's eyebrows moved slightly and he asked in a deep voice, "What crime are you guilty of?"
Dongfangze quickly lowered his head, his handsome face was filled with shame, and he respectfully replied: "My father is aware of everything, and I don't dare to deceive you! I... and Miss Su were already in love before they chose the concubine, but she couldn't help it. She is not on the list of candidates for concubine, and I don’t have the courage to defy the order and bring her into the palace, so... "
"So she used your brother to bring her into the palace to perform dances, so that you could have a chance to choose her as your concubine?" The emperor asked with squinted eyes, as if he didn't believe it, and looked at Su Li, "Princess Mingxi, since You have feelings for King Zhenning, and I gave you the grace to make your choice that day, so why didn’t you choose him?”
Su Li quietly raised his eyes and glanced at Dongfang Zhuo aside from the corner of his eyes. His face was livid, and he didn't know whether it was because of anger or some other reason. His tall body was trembling slightly, and his eyes seemed to be shocked. She doesn't want to believe it, but she also seems to be very afraid that she will admit that it's all true!
Su Li sighed deeply. Dongfang Ze's words were not about rescuing the siege, but clearly about robbing people. This is not a reason. Obviously the emperor is not gullible. Now she is in a dilemma. No matter which one she admits to being interested in, it will only arouse suspicion.
She leaned over and said, "Ming Xi is scared! King Jing'an is a prince with a distinguished status, and Su Li will never dare to take advantage of him! Previously, King Jing'an arranged for Su Li to enter the palace because he really didn't want Su Li to be burdened by fame anymore and suffer for the world. Disregarded. Su Li was touched by the prince's sincerity. He never expected his majesty to be so kind! He didn't expect that the two princes would also favor Su Li... Su Li was frightened in his heart. The two princes were like gods, how could a little girl dare to Randomly chosen? That's why I hesitated. Please give me your Majesty's advice!" She kowtowed, her forehead touching the ground, and her tone was very respectful and sincere, as if her loyalty could be revealed to the sun and the moon.
The emperor's face moved slightly, but the queen frowned and glanced at her son. Dongfang Zhuo's clenched fists had slowly loosened, but the pain in his eyes could not be concealed. When she was willing to follow him into the palace, she thought she... was interested in him. Unexpectedly, she had another purpose. His eyes were lowered. The man who had always been very proud of himself now had a dull look in his eyes. He began to wonder where his once full confidence came from.
The queen saw his expression in her eyes, and couldn't help but feel a sinking heart. She said sternly to Su Li: "I don't believe it just because you said you didn't use it! Your Majesty..." The queen turned around, knelt at the emperor's feet, and was about to Asking the emperor to make the decision for his son, Dongfang Zhuo suddenly said: "Mother! I trust her!"
The queen turned back in surprise. Dongfang Zhuo had a firm look on his face, with a hint of pleading in his eyes, as if he was begging his mother to save the last bit of his poor self-esteem for him.
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Su Li took a look, was slightly shocked, looked back, lowered her head and looked at her feet. One of her hands was suddenly shaken hard. She turned her head and saw Dongfang Ze's eyes were calm and his expression was as usual, as if he was giving a silent reminder.
The aloof emperor didn't know what he was thinking. His eyes flickered and flickered, and he wandered among the four people below with probing eyes. Finally, he fixed on Su Li's face and said in a deep tone: "Since King Jing'an believes in you, I don't want to pursue this matter." .So this time, are you ready?"
Su Li said calmly: "Your Majesty... Mingxi has prepared three questions, and she will be able to fairly select the husband who suits Su Li's heart the most."
The emperor's eyes moved. According to the current situation, it was nothing more than a fight between Ze and Zhuo. She could not escape the choice of one of his two sons, but if something happened... he would not let her marry someone else easily!
With a gloomy look in his eyes, the emperor immediately stood up and said: "Everyone, get up. It's almost time, don't keep the envoys from the two countries waiting!" After saying that, he strode out of Fengyi Hall, and the queen hurriedly got up to follow.
Su Li breathed out gently and spread her palms. A slight cold sweat had penetrated her palms at some point, but she knew that the real danger was yet to come.
Dongfang Ze bent down to help her up, looked at her deeply, and said lightly: "Let's go."
Following the Holy Driver, the three of them were silent all the way, each with his or her own thoughts, but they were all silent. ()
No one took a second look at the beautiful scenery all around.
Yunyan Terrace is actually a very large stone pavilion, built from countless huge stones, and is built in the Baiguoyuan on the top of Xiaoshan Mountain. In this season, the red and yellow colors under the Yunyan Terrace are full of fruits, and the clouds above the Yunyan Terrace are misty, as if they can reach the sky with their tentacles.
Everyone stepped on the thousand stone steps, all the way up, as if they were walking into the clouds, feeling like they could reach out to reach for the stars, which made them feel proud and proud.
Although Su Li had no intention of enjoying the scenery, when he arrived here, he couldn't help but sigh, and his heart suddenly agitated.
"Your Majesty, Emperor Sheng, the Queen!" The crown prince of Dingguo and the four princes of Bianguo, who had been waiting here for a long time, all stood up and saluted.
The emperor and the empress walked side by side to the main seat above and sat down. They said with a friendly smile: "You two noble envoys will be excused from the ceremony."
! "
Su Li and others then greeted each other, and Yang Xiao deliberately winked at Su Li, attracting Dongfang Zhuo's cold gaze.
Dongfang Ze's expression was pale, and he glanced at Su Li as if inadvertently, but Su Li completely ignored him. After receiving the emperor's permission, he went straight to his seat. The other three people also took their seats.
On the big red carpet, there are long tables and square chairs, each serving as a seat.
Su Li's seat was above the four people, below the emperor and empress, and next to Dongfang Zhuo. The order of seniority and youth is still the same, and Dongfang Ze’s seat is under Dongfang Zhuo. Opposite the two men were Lang Chang, the crown prince of Ding Kingdom, and Yang Xiao, the fourth prince of Bian Kingdom. The two of them were sitting together, one was elegant, generous and decent, and the other was sitting with no posture, full of informality. It was really a sharp contrast, but looking at it this way, each had its own pleasure.
During the banquet, there was no shortage of polite words as people exchanged cups and cups. During this period, Yang Xiao was full of praise for the prosperity of the imperial capital of Sheng: "The little king has long heard that the real estate of Sheng is rich and prosperous, and it is praised by people all over the world. The largest country in the world, I thought that people were exaggerating before, but now that I have come to see you, I know that what I said is true! It can be seen that His Majesty Emperor Sheng governs the country well, and I really admire it!"
The emperor's brows were still, and he smiled slightly and said: "The fourth prince has oversold you! Although our country is still prosperous, today, in terms of rich materials and developed economy, it still belongs to Dingguo! With the crown prince of Dingguo here, how dare I do this? Tuoda!"
Lang Chang raised his hands and bowed, and said politely: "The Emperor Sheng complimented me a lot. Although our country's agricultural trade industry is slightly developed, its real estate is limited after all. It cannot compare with the vast land and rich resources of Sheng Kingdom. The grasslands of Bian Kingdom are thousands of miles fertile and the horses are unparalleled. Everyone can be a warrior." !”
Probably because he was praised to the fullest, Yang Xiao raised his head and laughed, looking very happy.
The emperor then smiled, and while everyone was toasting and drinking together, Su Li noticed that a chill passed through the emperor's eyes, so fast that it seemed like an illusion.
After drinking for three rounds, the emperor put down his wine glass, glanced at Su Li and his two sons, and said with a smile: "Thanks to the respect of the two monarchs, I came all the way to attend the husband selection banquet of our princess. I, deeply I feel honored! Although this husband selection banquet was originally prepared for my two princes, since the two noble envoys were invited to participate, I will not be partial. Today, the princess's choice of husband depends entirely on her personal wishes, no matter what the final outcome is. Whoever can win the heart of the princess, I hope the others can treat her with peace of mind and not harm her harmony! What do you think?"
"It's natural!" Yang Xiao smiled casually and answered the most cheerfully, as if he didn't care at all about the outcome of today's husband selection.
Su Li was a little puzzled. Ordinarily, he could not have come all the way here just for a formality, right
Prince Dingguo looked at Su Li with a smile and nodded in recognition.
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The two Dongfang Ze brothers did not dare to have any objections.
The emperor then turned to Su Li and said, "Mingxi, you can start with your three questions."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Su Li stood up and saluted, and said with an elegant smile: "Su Li's humble face has received the emperor's grace, and he gathers here with you to decide for the rest of his life. Su Li is not talented, so he thought of three questions and asked the four You will be generous in teaching me." Her beautiful eyes with flowing wisdom slowly looked at the four of them one by one.
Yang Xiao raised his eyebrows and said: "A beauty like the princess claims to be ugly. Doesn't that mean that all the women in the world have to wrap their faces in cloth, so how can they dare to come out to meet people?" What he said was a bit unseemly, causing the maid behind him to lower her head and whisper. laugh.
Su Li frowned slightly. She had known that this person's words were out of tune, so she didn't feel annoyed. She just smiled coldly and said, "Fourth Prince is a compliment!"
Yang Xiao didn't seem to care about her cold attitude at all, and said with a smile: "I wonder what the princess's topic is? Tell me quickly! Xiao Wang can't wait!"
It sounded like he was impatient, but there was clearly no hint of impatience or impatience on his face.
"Fourth prince, don't be impatient!" Lang Chang raised his hand gracefully, slowly waved the folding fan in his hand, and said in a calm tone: "The princess is a beautiful and elegant person, so the questions must be elegant and interesting. I don't know what the first question is. Question, is it a guessing game or a word match?"
Generally speaking, when a woman chooses a son-in-law, she cannot escape from these two things.
Dongfang Zhuo's face straightened and he immediately sat up straight. No matter whether he was guessing riddles or words, he couldn't be troubled. If intelligence determines victory or defeat, then he might still have some chance of winning!
Dongfangze saw Dongfang Zhuo's thoughts in his eyes, and the corners of his lips curled up slightly, and a faint mocking sneer was pressed deep into the corners of his chiseled mouth so that no one could see it.
Su Li smiled slightly and said: "The prince is overly praised! When it comes to elegance, Su Li really doesn't dare to compare with the prince! All of you here are talented and knowledgeable people, how can Su Li dare to imitate others? If you can come here to get together, that's it! He is destined to be with Su Li. Su Li just wants to take this opportunity to find his best friend and stay with him for life! Therefore, Su Li boldly poses a question today. Regardless of good or bad, no matter how high or low, whose answer is the closest to the little girl, Su Li will Let’s toast with wine!” After that, he bowed deeply.
Rather than looking at intelligence, it depends on whether people can connect with each other. This method of winning is novel, interesting and unexpected.
. This choice of husband is quite reasonable. But in this way, it is hundreds of times more difficult than a test of talent!
Everyone was stunned for a moment, but suddenly their interest doubled.
Dongfangze looked at her, his deep eyes shining with light. The most unpredictable thing in the world is the human heart. If you want to find someone who shares your mind with you, it’s hard to find just one in the vast sea of people! She wanted to find one among these four people! The topic was just a fair fight on the surface, but in fact she firmly held the right and qualification to determine the winner and loser in her own hands. This kind of thoughtfulness and magnanimity were indeed rare!
The emperor frowned slightly, but secretly appreciated it in his heart. His eyes towards Su Li had changed.
The empress sitting next to the emperor suddenly felt a little uneasy in her heart. The emperor valued Su Li so much and made many exceptions for her. Today's husband selection banquet was probably far beyond her imagination.
Su Li slowly walked aside and gently raised her hand: "Pah, pah, pah." There were three crisp sounds. Two palace ladies in green clothes immediately came forward carrying a mahogany easel that was as tall as one person.
On the easel rests a carefully framed scroll. Everyone couldn't help but be secretly curious. What was the purpose of Su Li, who had just said that he would not be judged by his intelligence, when he brought a painting now
Su Li walked to the easel, waved her delicate hand, and the scroll unfolded, revealing an elegant and pleasant landscape painting.
Green peaks enter the clouds, green pools are like abyss, and thin clouds are like fog, lingering among the crisscrossing mountains. Although there are luxuriant flowers and trees, the roads in the mountains are vaguely complex and changeable. At first glance, this painting seems to be an extremely ordinary landscape painting. The painting skills can be considered to be excellent, the brushwork is proficient, and the freehand brushwork is acceptable. But it is not a masterpiece by a famous artist, it seems to be seen everywhere in the market.
Everyone was stunned and couldn't help but look at him a few more times, with different expressions for a while. Especially Yang Xiao, the fourth prince of the Bian Kingdom, his eyes flashed with light, and his usual careless expression no longer existed. He stared straight at the picture, as if he had suddenly discovered a treasure.
Lang Chang stroked his palm and praised: "What a beautiful painting! With just a few strokes, the essence of the entire world, mountains and rivers can be included in it! What a great brushwork!"
Dongfang Zhuo came a little closer, looked at the painting, and then at Su Li who was standing aside. After going back and forth several times, he suddenly felt that the painting and the man were one. He couldn't help thinking: "The ink is still fresh, it seems like It was recently completed, Li'er, this painting... was it painted by you?"
Su Li was startled, shook his head and said with a smile: "Prince Jing'an thinks too highly of Su Li.
! How could Su Li be able to draw such a landscape? ! "After saying that, he turned his eyes away, not wanting to meet Dongfang Ze's gaze.
He was smiling but not smiling, and his eyes were as deep as a pool, as if no lie could escape his eyes.
Su Li felt her heart skip a beat, and she didn't dare to look any further, so she hurriedly looked away.
Just listen to Yang Xiao asking, "Isn't it the princess's painting? Whose hand did it draw?" At this moment, it seemed that the ungrateful fourth prince of Bian Kingdom had returned to normal.
Su Li didn't answer but smiled and said: "I thought the Fourth Prince would ask my question! But it seems... the Fourth Prince is more interested in the person who painted the painting?" Her eyes were cold and sharp, looking straight at Yang Xiao.
Yang Xiao laughed and said: "Princess, you don't know something. Xiao Wang has hired many painters to help me draw my portraits. None of them can draw a person as elegant and graceful as Xiao Wang! I'll see you today." After seeing the painting of the princess, Xiao Wang felt that the painter must be different! How about the princess introduce it to Xiao Wang, and let Xiao Wang take it back to the Bian Palace and become a royal painter, wouldn't it be a wonderful thing?! "Although he was laughing, his eyes were slightly dark.
Su Li had already experienced this person's ability to speak nonsense, and today she felt that he was full of lies and could not believe a word of it. He smiled lightly and said, "This painting was accidentally obtained by Su Li in the market. I don't know who it was by! I'm afraid it will disappoint the fourth prince. Su Li liked the artistic conception in the painting and once wrote a poem about it, titled The back of the painting. Now I invite four of you to compose a poem on this painting."
After saying that, the palace maid immediately presented pens, inks, paper and inkstones to the four of them.
Dongfang Ze stared fixedly at the criss-crossing mountains in the painting, always feeling that the painting seemed familiar. He suddenly discovered that there was an incomplete half of the stone bank in the south. His eyes suddenly moved, and he squinted thoughtfully.
Prince Dingguo Lang Chang was the first to write. His words, like himself, are elegant and elegant, making people feel like they are taking a breath of spring breeze. After a while, a five-character poem appeared on the paper.
“I feel happy when I reach the east of Mount Ding, and only when I look at each other do I climb higher.
My heart flies up with the wild geese, and my hair is tied to the trees because of my sorrow.
Why should we bring wine and drink together on the Qingqiu Festival? "
Su Li finished reading slowly and couldn't help but frown slightly. This poem is very neat, and the artistic conception reveals a feeling of homesickness, but...
Before she could speak, she heard the queen say: "The prince is really smart and quick."
. This poem is affectionate and has neat dialogue, but why are there two lines missing? "
Lang Chang smiled and said: "I have little talent and little knowledge. I only got these six lines at the same time. It made the Queen laugh. I have an unkind request. I would like to ask the princess to complete this poem. I wonder if the princess would be willing to correct me?"
He cast his gentle eyes on Su Li, kind and kind, with a touch of almost invisible expectation and sorrow hidden in his deep eyes.
Su Li couldn't help but be startled. He saw that he just started writing without thinking, as if he was writing from the heart. He felt that there might be a feeling of homesickness in this poem, but it was more like he was looking forward to when his relatives would be able to see him again. Traveling across thousands of mountains and rivers, the family is reunited!
Su Li's heart skipped a beat, knowing that with his talent, how difficult would it be to write two more lines of poetry? Why do you have to make up for him yourself? I feel uneasy in my heart. The last time I met Lang Chang, he had many hints about his life experience. Could it be that he was doubting that he was his relative? Then I felt that this idea was a bit ridiculous.
She smiled and said: "The prince is too modest. Su Li dare not make any assumptions about the prince's poems. I hope the prince will forgive me." After that, she gave him a deep blessing and declined politely. Lang Chang's face darkened, and the disappointment in his eyes deepened.
Dongfang Zhuo stood up and looked at her silently. But this look actually contained an indescribable sadness.
Su Li picked up the poem he presented and scanned it lightly. It was still the familiar handwriting. It was strong and powerful, and there was a sense of heroism everywhere.
“The sun rises in the mountains and the night is frightening, and the winding path leads to a quiet place.
The bright light pleases the mind, and the shadows in the pool are a hundred layers deep.
All the trees and flowers are not exhausted, but the dusk is green.
After traveling up and down, looking back, my heart is empty..."
Looking back, my heart is empty!
Looking back, my heart is empty...
－－－－－－Digression－－－－－
Don't worry, everyone, each of the three questions has a purpose. And the best is always behind. Please look forward to it, haha o(n_n)o~
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