Long Time No See, My Crown Princess

Huangfu Xuan's golden eyes calmly looked at the woman in the scarlet brocade robe, her waist embroidered with gold thread, her waist slender, and her legs long. Her hair was swept up into a high bun, adorned with a nine-tailed golden phoenix hairpin. Compared to their last meeting, she was dressed even more magnificently now.

The nine-tailed golden phoenix hairpin could only be worn by the Empress Dowager or the Empress! Among the continents, she was too young to be the Empress, let alone the Empress Dowager. However, there was a princess who had received all glory and favor since birth, and there was a prophecy that this woman was born with the phoenix destiny, destined to possess the entire world! The Emperor of Mobei had bestowed upon her the name "Huang" and enfeoffed her as Princess Qinghuang. But as this princess grew older, she became increasingly arrogant and tyrannical, committing all sorts of evil, and drooling whenever she saw handsome men. Therefore, everyone believed the prophecy of the past was merely a joke.

At this moment, Dantai Ji had already apologized to Zhongli Cheng on Dantai Huang's behalf for her rudeness. He quickly stepped into the hall, cast a warning glance at Dantai Huang, then walked before her, placed a hand over his chest, bowed, and said, "Dantai Ji, on behalf of Mobei, congratulates the Emperor of Dongling on his ascension!"

Dantai Huang immediately lowered her head, trying to make herself invisible. A sharp gaze pressed from the front, while her back felt cold. It was truly torturous! Had she known she would meet that monster again so soon, she would not have burned his room or stolen his things. Now, she was caught between a wolf and a tiger!

The corners of Huangfu Xuan's lips curled into an icy smile. Smiling without warmth, he said, "The First Prince of Mobei is too polite. May I know who this is behind you?"

"It is my imperial sister, Princess Qinghuang!" Dantai Ji replied with a smile, though his eyes held a trace of hesitation. Had this girl offended the Emperor of Dongling during her day out?

It was indeed Dantai Huang! Huangfu Xuan sneered and said, "Princess Qinghuang looks very familiar. Today, when I encountered trouble, that assassin..."

At this point, Dantai Huang abruptly raised her head to look at him. Assassinating the emperor was a crime she could hardly escape even as a princess, and it might even affect the relations between the two countries! Thus, she stared straight into the other's golden eyes, then seemingly carelessly shook her leg slightly.

This slight movement caused Huangfu Xuan's expression to change instantly! The woman's meaning was simple: if he spoke of her kidnapping him, she would reveal the matter of the smelly socks to everyone! An assassin involving a princess of a nation would surely be recorded in history, and along with the smelly socks... In other words, if he continued to pursue this, his glorious life in the history books would be stained with the mockery of being stuffed with smelly socks!

Furthermore, the envoys of various nations were all present. He would become the laughingstock of the world tomorrow, without even waiting for future generations!

Therefore, he stopped mid-sentence, his gaze toward Dantai Huang becoming even more terrifying. This damn, arrogant woman!

Seeing him stop mid-sentence, Dantai Ji looked at Huangfu Xuan strangely. "What about that assassin? Does it have anything to do with Huang'er?"

Huangfu Xuan's face turned green as he stared at Dantai Huang for a long time. Finally, he decided to swallow this anger for now! He spoke, "When the assassin fled, he bumped into a woman. The person he bumped into looked very much like Princess Qinghuang!"

"It was indeed this Princess! That assassin was fierce and malicious. He scared this Palace to death at that time!" Dantai Huang said quickly, feeling somewhat smug. This fellow could no longer hold the assassin matter against her! But she also knew this man would not let her off so easily!

"Fierce and malicious, committing heinous crimes, dying a hundred times would not atone for his guilt!" His golden eyes stared coldly at her as he ground his teeth, uttering each word.

The surrounding guests noticed the unusual atmosphere between the two, so they lowered their heads to drink and chat, knowing they should not pry into matters that did not concern them. However, their eyes still stealthily observed the situation, and their ears perked up.

Just then, a eunuch announced in a high-pitched voice, "The Empress Dowager has arrived!"

Huangfu Xuan had to suppress his anger and said, "First Prince of Mobei, Third Princess, please be seated!"

"Thank you, Emperor of Dongling!" Dantai Ji replied politely, leading Dantai Huang to sit on one side.

Only now did Dantai Huang begin to observe the palace. It was magnificent, solemn, and majestic. The throne was made of pure gold, and two rows of foreign envoys and Dongling officials sat in an orderly fashion. In the corners of the great hall, behind the officials, a few lonely maidservants stood holding vases, which contained a few peach blossom branches.

After the Third Prince of Dongjin presented his gifts, the Empress Dowager of Dongling arrived. But Dantai Huang had no mind to pay attention at this moment, because she miserably discovered that the entire hall was fully seated, and only the table opposite her remained empty!

And that monster had not entered yet! In other words, that seat was highly likely his. Once he sat down, he would see her the moment he raised his head! How miserable!

The arrival of the Empress Dowager changed the atmosphere in the hall quite a bit, but Huangfu Xuan's murderous gaze remained glued to Dantai Huang. Just then, the eunuch announced loudly again, "The Crown Prince of Beiming has arrived!"

The moment the words fell, the hall fell into absolute silence! It was so quiet that even breathing could be heard, and everyone turned to look at the entrance. The Crown Prince of Beiming, Jun Jinglan, was already a legendary figure!

Made Crown Prince at one year old, shocking the world at seven, leading twenty thousand troops alone to suppress the rebellion of the five kings at eleven, taking the regency and monopolizing the royal power of Beiming at thirteen! Regaining Beiming's independence at fifteen, no longer paying tribute to Dongling, and defeating Dongling's border cities several times. By the age of eighteen, Beiming under his rule had become the number one power!

This man was unpredictable, planning for the world and guiding the empire, capable of almost anything!

Such achievements, which some could hardly accomplish in a lifetime, were easily achieved by an eighteen-year-old youth! Renowned at a young age, stunning the world, and ranking first among the ten great handsome men, he had become the dream lover of countless women!

Thus, those who had never met him looked toward the door, wanting to admire the demeanor of the Crown Prince of Beiming! Those who had met him waited leisurely to watch the show; Jun Jinglan and Huangfu Xuan were lifelong enemies! Only Dantai Huang desperately lowered her head. Seeing everyone's reaction, she knew this monster was no simple person. Her life was truly bitter!

At this moment, the man dressed in brocade robes and jade ornaments slowly walked in. A smile played on his lips, and each step he took on the floor made people's hearts tighten unconsciously. As for Dantai Huang, she heard the noble young ladies behind her gasp, with some whispering:

"Heavens, the Crown Prince of Beiming just looked at me!"

"Shameless, he was clearly looking at me!"

"Nonsense, it was clearly me!"

Thus, Dantai Huang finally understood why the monster had said she would commit suicide out of despair if she failed to obtain him!

Entering the hall, Jun Jinglan was accustomed to being the center of attention. His narrow phoenix eyes swept in one direction—the seats of the Mobei royalty! There sat a woman with her head lowered, her eyes guiltily looking around. His thin lips curved upward. It was not in vain! So she was here!

But he showed no abnormality, slowly withdrawing his gaze. Since she was a princess, if she burned his palace and he remained unharmed, Mobei would merely compensate him a little. If it were that easy, would it not be too cheap for that woman? Therefore, he had to change his approach. He walked quickly to the center of the hall and said, "Congratulations to the Emperor of Dongling on his ascension!"

"Crown Prince of Beiming, please be seated!" Huangfu Xuan's expression was also very distant and calm. On the surface, no one could tell they were at daggers drawn.

But Jun Jinglan did not move, only smiling. "I wonder if the Emperor of Dongling has found the culprit who burned this Crown Prince's palace?"

The moment these words came out, Dantai Huang's head lowered even further! *Don't see me, don't see me, no one see me!*

Huangfu Xuan frowned, took a breath, and said, "There is no news for the time being. Please be patient, Crown Prince of Beiming. I will definitely give you justice!"

"Then, thank you, Emperor of Dongling! Having just arrived in Dongling for a few days, I encountered a robbery, which makes this Crown Prince feel very miserable. Moreover, Dongling and Beiming are in conflict, making my life even more difficult. Recently, I even carelessly caught a cold, cough, cough..." After speaking, he coughed a few times for dramatic effect.

Only now did everyone notice that although it was late spring in March, the Crown Prince of Beiming was wearing a fur cloak. From his words, they understood his meaning and secretly lamented that the Crown Prince of Beiming indeed lived up to his reputation! In the future, they must never easily allow this person to enter their countries!

Huangfu Xuan naturally understood his implication, which was that the culprit did not need to be found, but the exchange condition was for him to withdraw his troops from Liyang.

Thus, he truly had to start wondering if Jun Jinglan had set the fire himself! However, the other had met with misfortune in Dongling and was now ill. If he did not take responsibility, he would be criticized everywhere and mocked by the world! Even if the culprit were caught, Jun Jinglan's illness could not be easily dismissed!

Beyond Liyang was Gunzhou, which Dongling and Beiming had always split in half. Withdrawing troops was no different from handing over half of Gunzhou to him!

But with the envoys of various nations present, before everyone's eyes, the opponent was both faking illness and exerting pressure. Even if he was unwilling, he could only grit his teeth and speak, "I also feel Liyang is too chaotic and was preparing to withdraw my troops. Please rest assured, Crown Prince of Beiming!"

Thus, Dantai Huang understood why the monster had not exposed her—he had such intentions! In that case, did she technically help him? If so, he would not hold it against her anymore, right?

While she was thinking, Jun Jinglan said to Huangfu Xuan, "Then, thank you for your assistance, Emperor of Dongling!"

With that, he turned to look at Dantai Huang, smiling faintly as he said, "Long time no see, my Crown Princess!"