Chapter 298: Chapter 298 The New Emperor Ascends the Throne and Dugu Mo Returns (8)

Her silky hair cascaded down her back, and as she danced, her ample bosom trembled in rhythm. Her long lashes fluttered, and her eyes never strayed from the man on the throne. Hidden behind a veil, she only piqued further curiosity.

After the dance concluded, she advanced gracefully and bowed deeply, "Ming Xuan pays her respects to the Emperor, may the Emperor live forever." Just then, a breeze from nowhere lifted the veil from Ming Xuan’s face, revealing her entire visage: a high-bridged nose, pink lips, exuding a sweet fragrance which left the man on the throne utterly entranced.

Ming Xuan, her cheeks blushing under the Emperor’s gaze, raised her timid eyes to meet his, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

"Ah, dispense with the formalities," Dugu Han cleared his throat awkwardly, covering his mouth with his hand.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." She rose and gently retreated to the side of her elder brother, Ming Shang, and seated herself elegantly.

Ming Shang, having observed every move of Dugu Han, smiled inwardly and unfurled his fan, "Your Majesty, does my sister’s dance meet with Your approval?"

Dugu Han pressed his lips into a smile, "Princess Xuan’s dance was indeed beautiful."

"Since her dance has found favor in Your eyes, why not form a marriage alliance between Mingyi Country and Xue Country to foster a century of friendship?" Ming Shang stood, speaking forthrightly.

Dugu Han glanced at Ming Xuan, his thoughts racing. Such an alliance would not only bind him to Mingyi Country but also grant him a beauty by his side, all while jointly guarding against Sunset Kingdom. Delighted at the prospect, he readily agreed.

"Good, Ming Xuan is bestowed the title of Consort Xuan and will reside in Yongcui Palace."

Ming Xuan bowed in thanks, her sweet voice echoing, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Dugu Han gestured for Consort Xuan to sit beside him. With a flushed face, she ascended the steps and took her place next to the Emperor, softly speaking and bringing great joy to Dugu Han.

Meanwhile, Luo Qianyu sat leisurely drinking his cup of wine, entirely absorbed, until eventually, he drained his cup and stood with nonchalance.

"Today is a fortunate day for the Emperor, with double happiness arriving at his doorstep. To express our congratulations, our Sunset Kingdom also presents a gift."

"Oh, Crown Prince Luo, I am quite curious to see what gift you have brought for us," Dugu Han said, his eyes filled with intrigue as he looked towards Luo Qianyu at the lower seat.

"You shall not be disappointed," Luo Qianyu replied, a mysterious curve to his lips as he clapped twice. At the signal, several imposing guards carried a large chest to the center of the hall.

Dugu Han pointed to the chest below, his mouth twitching, "This is the gift from Crown Prince Luo?"

"Yes." With a flick of his sleeve, the lid of the chest flew off, and a beautiful young woman emerged, soaring gracefully through the air with a beautiful arc, accompanied by wafts of fragrance. As she landed softly, the scent became even clearer.

Sniffing the air, Dugu Han detected the source of the fragrance to be the woman who was bowing before him, "Are you wearing a sachet?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, Luo Qianxiang carries no sachet. This scent is natural to her since birth." Dressed in white, Luo Qianxiang bowed with natural elegance, resembling an ethereal fairy descended to earth.

"Rise." After a moment of stun, seeing Luo Qianxiang still in a bow, he quickly spoke.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty, how do you like the gift? Is it to your liking?" Luo Qianyu asked with a smile, lifting his cup and taking a delicate sip.

Clapping his hands, Dugu Han applauded, "I am very pleased."

Looking over to Luo Qianxiang and her lovely smile, "Princess Xiang, you are hereby named Consort Xiang and will reside in Baihua Palace."

Luo Qianxiang stepped forward to salute, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Having seen such a fine drama, the evening wasn’t wasted merely sitting here.

"My lady, are you tired?" Dugu Chen noticed how his wife, who had been watching with great interest just moments ago, suddenly seemed listless.

Feng Xuxu shook her head, evidently bored, "I’m just bored, I want to go back to the residence." She batted her pitifully large eyes at Dugu Chen.

Dugu Chen’s heart softened instantly at the sight of her large eyes, disregarding the looks of those around him. He picked up Feng Xuxu, rose from his seat, exited the grand hall, boarded the carriage, and went straight back to the Prince Residence.

"Chen, you just left like that, aren’t you afraid the Emperor will be angry?" She tilted her head, in ancient times, the distinction between monarch and subject was of the utmost importance, not even blood brothers could cross the bounds of this propriety.

Dugu Chen smiled warmly upon hearing this, "I have an imperial edict from the retired Emperor allowing me to forgo kneeling when I see the Emperor, and I also have a Death Exemption Token."

"Oh, then I’m relieved." She snuggled comfortably into his embrace, closed her eyes, and gradually, her breathing became even.

The Emperor watched as Dugu Chen suddenly left; he frowned briefly, then carried on as though nothing had happened, continuing to watch the dance and chatting with his two newly favored concubines. However, his smile did not reach his eyes.

Since the coronation ceremony ten days ago, Capital City, so lively and bustling, had slowly begun to return to normal. The crown princes of the two nations, having spent a few days diverting themselves in the Capital City, departed yesterday.

In an abandoned residence, a person dressed in black with a severely scarred and terrifying face pulled out a fire signal from their wide sleeve, and sent it into the sky. They then sat under a tree to rest with eyes closed.

People in a certain part of the city, upon seeing the long-absent signal flash through the sky, were filled with surprise and joy, hastening to the place from where the signal had been sent.

"Master." Jing Ye, Jingfeng, Jinglei, and Jingdian knelt in unison at the man’s feet.

"Rise," he said with a hoarse voice.

As the men looked up, they were all startled.

"Master, your face..." Jingfeng suddenly raised his voice as he spoke, his eyes wide with shock.

"No matter, I did it to myself," he said with a dismissive wave of his hand, seemingly unconcerned. However, his eyes betrayed his resentment.

"What has been happening in Capital City recently?" He asked, hands behind his back, looking in the direction of the Imperial Palace.

"Master, Dugu Han ascended the throne ten days ago," Jing Ye reported cautiously, still stealing glances at his master.

"Hmm, and Dugu Chen?" When he mentioned Dugu Chen, a fierce aura surged around him, filling the air with the scent of death.

Jing Ye swallowed and whispered, "Dugu Chen, he is now spending every day at the Prince Residence accompanying Princess Mei. It has been confirmed that Princess Mei is already pregnant, uh... pfft."

The man in black sent Jing Ye flying with a palm strike; his already terrifying face took on an even more sinister appearance.

Jing Ye struggled to his feet, wiped the blood from his lips with his sleeve, and continued to stand there.

"Use every means possible to bring Feng Xuxu back to me." A ruthless chill flashed in his eyes, and he sneered coldly, "Hmph, Dugu Chen, Feng Xuxu, I, Dugu Mo, will never let you off."