The Confrontation of Affection

These words, if spoken by any other ordinary woman, the label of "husband-cursing fate" would surely turn them into social pariahs, avoided by everyone.

But when Dantai Huang said these words, it made everyone think she was just angry at the two men who wanted to marry her by any means necessary, and was thus talking nonsense...

She was that kind of person; once she disliked someone, saying such things was normal!

As soon as her voice fell, a light laugh echoed in the hall, coming from that lazy, peerlessly arrogant Northern Ming Crown Prince. The sound drifted softly from Jun Jinglan's mouth:

"This Prince also has a tough, wife-cursing fate. The State Preceptor said I must find someone with an equally tough fate and must take a husband-cursing woman as my consort to suppress it. Otherwise, whoever this Prince marries will be cursed to death. Princess Quehuang should marry me for the sake of the safety of all women under heaven. Furthermore, my fate is the same as the Princess's; isn't this an arrangement made by the blue heavens?" (He really is shameless, super thick-skinned.)

The corners of Dantai Huang's mouth twitched several times. You monster, well played! Even saying he must marry a husband-cursing woman, is he tired of living! However, hearing this, Dantai Ji looked at Jun Jinglan with a slightly more friendly gaze. Since Huang-er said that, he was willing to go along with it; perhaps after marriage, this man could also tolerate Huang-er's arrogant and willful nature!

But the princesses, noble ladies, and young misses were all screaming in their hearts! No wonder they couldn't win the affection of the Northern Ming Crown Prince; it turned out their fates were too good! Buddha, please grant me a husband-cursing fate! It was said that from this day forward, for ten whole years, the women of the world took having a "solitary star" fate and a husband-cursing destiny as a mark of glory, causing their parents endless headaches. Of course, that was a story for later.

"We are the Son of Heaven; a husband-cursing fate can do nothing to Us. Please rest assured, Princess!" Huangfu Xuan also immediately followed up. Since Jun Jinglan had expressed himself, how could he fall behind?

The Empress Dowager, looking at this scene, smiled and said, "As soon as I saw Princess Quehuang, I found her very much to my liking. May I invite Princess Quehuang to sit by my side?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall fell silent. Rumor had it that this Empress Dowager was the daughter of a concubine from the former Duke of Qi of Nanyue. When Nanyue was annexed by Dongling, some people were disgruntled and rebelled. The late Emperor of Dongling, Huangfu Huaihan, then married a daughter of a prominent clan as Empress to appease the people. However, rumor also had it that she bore a few resemblances to her elder cousin, the former Empress of Nanyue, Nangong Jin, which was why a concubine's daughter like her could become the Mother of the World. Because of these rumors, everyone felt a bit awkward hearing her speak; after all, in an era that highly valued lineage, there was still some disdain for an Empress Dowager born to a concubine.

Since the Dongling Empress Dowager had spoken, Dantai Huang naturally had to give her face. Thus, she could only stand up and speak: "The Empress Dowager thinks too highly of Quehuang. To be appreciated by the Empress Dowager is this Princess's honor!"

With that, a palace maid beside the Empress Dowager on the high platform immediately placed a chair. Dantai Huang sat on the chair, and as soon as she sat down, she felt the murderous gaze of Huangfu Xuan coming from her right. In an instant, she regretted it! Wasn't sitting here just letting someone murder her with their eyes?

Since Dantai Huang had sat down, the Northern Ming Crown Prince naturally couldn't keep standing in the hall. He slowly walked to his seat and sat down, raising a wine cup, his narrow eyes looking at Dantai Huang with a half-smile, his expression very dark.

The Empress Dowager reached out and took Dantai Huang's hand, saying, "Princess Quehuang is indeed of national beauty and heavenly fragrance, a perfect match for my son!"

Thus, Dantai Huang understood—this old lady wanted to play the emotional card! She probably saw that her son really liked her, so she was helping to snatch a bride! She glanced at Huangfu Xuan's murderous eyes, quietly swallowed her saliva, and said nothing. The Empress Dowager turned her head and met her son's terrifying gaze, frowning in displeasure: "Emperor, what kind of look is that? Even if you like Princess Quehuang, you cannot look at her like that; you'll scare her!"

Huangfu Xuan replied with a fake smile, "Mother Empress's lesson is correct; your son will certainly pay attention in the future!"

After lecturing her son, the Empress Dowager turned back, holding Dantai Huang's hand and earnestly advising her on Huangfu Xuan's behalf: "Princess, the Emperor is just someone who isn't good at expressing himself. His gaze isn't one of dislike; it's entirely because he likes you too much! You must not misunderstand!"

Dantai Huang gave a forced smile and nodded: "The Empress Dowager is right!" He liked her so much he wanted to tear her apart!

"The Emperor of Dongling has a cold and arrogant temperament, and doesn't understand romance. He isn't even half as considerate as this Prince. Princess must think carefully and not choose wrongly!" A voice, carrying a bit of impropriety yet serious beneath the surface, slowly rang out. The peerless man held a white jade cup, drinking wine with a casual and unrestrained air. His narrow eyes grew even more cold and sharp!

Dantai Huang naturally knew this man was warning her, essentially saying: Princess, you are a piece of meat on the chopping block; you must choose a good block to meet your end! Damn it, wouldn't any block result in being hacked to pieces? She had to hold her ground; she wouldn't step on any block. The ground was still the safest! "This Princess is still young and has no intention of considering this matter for now!"

Being young was the ultimate defense!

At this moment, among the daughters of the officials, a woman stood up in great displeasure! Pointing at Dantai Huang, she shouted, "What's so good about her? Her reputation is terrible. Why would the Emperor Cousin favor her?"

"Qila, shut up!" A man in official robes shouted with a frown! That wretched girl was truly spoiled rotten by him. Was the Mobei Princess someone she could point fingers at? After lecturing his beloved daughter, he turned and knelt toward Huangfu Xuan: "Your Majesty, this old official has failed in his daughter's upbringing. Please punish me, Your Majesty!"

County Princess Qila was the daughter of the Prime Minister. Naturally gifted and intelligent, she was skilled in music, dance, and the arts—the number one talented woman of Dongling. She had always been haughty and had been groomed since childhood to become the Empress. Today, Dantai Huang had suddenly appeared, and she was naturally full of resentment! She couldn't hold it back for a moment, so...

Before Huangfu Xuan could say anything, a "Bang!" rang out as the table in front of Dantai Ji was overturned! Even in anger, his nobility and elegance were not compromised! He sneered, "Dongling's way of treating guests truly opens this Prince's eyes! Huang-er, let's go!"

Huangfu Xuan hurriedly spoke: "Mobei First Prince, wait!"

The Prime Minister also quickly stood up, took three steps to reach Dantai Ji, bowed deeply, and repeatedly explained: "My daughter was rude! Please calm your anger, First Prince. It was all my daughter's stupidity. This old man is willing to bear the punishment for the First Prince and the Princess!" If Dantai Ji really left, war might come tomorrow, and he would be the culprit!

Everyone frowned slightly, except for Jun Jinglan, whose thin lips curled up into a bright, radiant smile. Dongling had offended Dantai Ji; this woman was ten parts likely to fall into his hands. A good thing!

County Princess Qila only then realized she had caused a great disaster. Her mouth hung open, and she was scared senseless. However, seeing Dantai Ji's reaction, Dantai Huang couldn't help but smile. She had only met him for a few hours, but her Royal Brother protected her in every way; it truly felt like having family! She spoke: "Royal Brother, no need to be angry. This lady is right; this Princess is indeed good for nothing, nothing special!"

As long as she didn't have to marry those two, she would accept any slander!

Hearing Dantai Huang's words, Dantai Ji's sword-like brows furrowed, and a strange glint appeared in his peach blossom eyes. When did this girl learn to be humble?

"Who said that? This Princess has heard that Princess Quehuang is skilled in song and dance, and no one in the world can compare. This Princess has always liked dancing; I wonder if I might invite Princess Quehuang to show her skills today and also give me some pointers?" These words were spoken by the Eastern Jin Princess Royal, Zhongli Han.

Although Dantai Huang had a bad reputation, her skill in song and dance was known to the world. Thus, hearing this, Dantai Ji's eyes also flashed with pride!

Jun Jinglan heard this and narrowed his eyes, watching with interest. This woman was skilled in song and dance? Doubtful!

Sweeping a glance at the Eastern Jin Princess Royal, he saw her kind expression but noticed the hidden malice in her eyes. She probably thought her own dance skills were excellent, so she intentionally praised Dantai Huang to the heavens first. Once Dantai Huang finished, she would dance even better. She thought she could destroy Dantai Huang's reputation and use her to elevate herself! Realizing this, Dantai Huang instead smiled. Want to play with her? Then let's see who plays whom! "Since the Princess has said so, how could this Princess not give face?"

With that, she stood up and said, "This Princess wishes to change clothes, I wonder..."

The Empress Dowager quickly spoke: "Quickly, lead the Princess!"

At this moment, the Dongling Prime Minister was being humble and repeatedly apologizing to Dantai Ji. Huangfu Xuan also ordered County Princess Qila to be dragged out and given twenty strokes as a warning. Only then did Dantai Ji's anger subside.

The hall began to fill with chatter as everyone waited for the Mobei Princess to return from changing. After about half an hour, just as everyone was losing patience, a troupe of dancers finally stepped forward. They held curtains in their hands, forming two rows as they slowly walked in. And in the middle, Dantai Huang, wearing a "bizarre outfit," strode in!

The whole place fell silent. One look and they knew a performance that would shock heaven and earth, move the soul, and delight the heart was about to begin! The Eastern Jin Princess Royal also grew nervous!

Jun Jinglan and Huangfu Xuan also narrowed their eyes, watching her with interest.

At the very moment everyone held their breath in anticipation, a high-pitched female voice nearly scared them into wetting their pants!

"Mountain, top! Let's go together, nothing can stop the future!" Dantai Huang stifled a laugh and shouted at the top of her lungs! Let's see how I deal with you all!

"Pfft—"

"Cough, cough—"

All around were the sounds of spraying water and coughing! This truly was a performance that shocked heaven and earth and moved the soul—it terrified people! Could they take their leave? Just as they were thinking of risking death to escape, another roar rang out, nearly knocking them to the ground!

"Day, and, night! I love you, nothing can stop the future!"

Everyone simultaneously wailed in their hearts: "Father, Mother, save us—"