2738 Our Decision

Ma Ta plated his food and casually glanced over at Miss Zhongli who had been caught looking. “What’s with the show-off? Are you trying to compete with us just by looks?”

“Heh, seems like it’s quite lively today! If Miss Zhongli wants a competition, our Sikong Planet battle team is up for the challenge!”

All the officials promptly followed suit, picking up bites of food with their chopsticks and starting to eat.

Some even grabbed their favorite dishes, worried that there might be more commotion later, preventing them from enjoying their meal properly…

Mo Lian couldn’t help but curl his lip at their behavior.

Thinking about it, these officials were truly disheartening.

In the span of a meal, they managed to lose years’ worth of stipends, and now they might not even be able to fully savor the food.

Zhongli Zhiwei stared solemnly at Qi Xuanxuan and the others, struggling to suppress her annoyance.

/These people clearly aren’t from our Divine Province. How dare they be so disrespectful in front of me, the daughter of the esteemed Great General Zhongli?/

/Is it all because of the Crown Prince Consort?/

If it weren’t for this Crown Prince Consort coming between them, and if she, as the second daughter of the Zhongli Estate, had not been forced to stay here, she might have already moved to the Crown Prince’s Estate. She wouldn’t have to put up with their nonsense here.

These thoughts made Zhongli Zhiwei’s expression darken considerably.

“Zhiwei, apologize to the Crown Prince Consort,” advised a dignified woman by Zhongli Zhiwei’s side with a gentle smile. “You’re still too young to understand, my child.”

This woman was none other than the second consort of the Great General Zhongli, Zhongli Zhiwei’s birth mother, Madame Ma.

Madame Ma rose from her seat and respectfully inclined her head towards the young Crown Prince Consort. With a gracious smile, she said, “Zhiwei has been impulsive. Your Highness, would you kindly forgive her?”

As for the offense, there was no need to elaborate, as everyone was already well aware of it.

/Wasn’t it because Second Young Lady Zhongli’s exceptional talent earned her an invitation to the Imperial Academy, while the young crown prince consort, hailing from the Mu Clan, was left without one?/

Madam Zhongli’s desire to apologize stemmed from her concern that the young crown prince consort might vent her frustration on her daughter Zhiwei.

Quiet murmurs of criticism circulated silently before surreptitious glances were stolen in the direction of the young crown prince consort.

The sight only managed to stoke further irritation.

From her inscrutable expression, it was impossible to discern whether the Crown Prince Consort felt happiness, anger, sorrow, or anything at all. She maintained the countenance of a carved jade sculpture, observing the proceedings like a disinterested audience watching a troupe of clowns…

Her gaze was imbued with an almost palpable disdain. It was impossible to overlook.

The Emperor furrowed his brow and uttered in a frigid tone, “Enough, let’s not dwell on this. We have an announcement to make.”

Amidst her perplexity, Zhongli Zhiwei clenched her teeth.

/Did they not hear that the emperor has yet to officially recognize the crown prince consort’s title?/

/Why did it seem as though the Emperor was shielding this confounding Crown Prince Consort, especially after today?/

/This situation was becoming increasingly peculiar./

“Previously, the wedding and ceremonies for the crown prince and crown prince consort were held within my own Star Domain,” the Emperor intoned, his gaze sweeping across the assembled officials below. “We have resolved to host an additional wedding banquet in their honor.”

“This celebration shall take place three months from today.”

The sudden clap of thunder made Chen Baojia, Zhongli Zhiwei, and the other girls dizzy and confused.

/What?/

/The Emperor has actually decreed to personally oversee their wedding. Does that imply… he acknowledges the Crown Prince Consort’s status?/

Chen Baojia was taken aback, almost spewing out a mouthful of her drink. Dizziness swept over her.

/If even His Majesty recognizes the Crown Prince Consort, then… what options do I have left?/

Chen Baojia’s mind was in turmoil. She was eager to seek guidance from Madam Guo’an on this matter.

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