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墨書 Inktalez
Leaving the Royal Palace Although it was large, the Nobility was even more numerous, and the Main Hall simply could not accommodate that many people.
Naturally, the royal relatives could enter the Main Hall, along with some ministers who were allowed in by the Sovereign. Ouyang Hao was one of them. The rest had to line up outside the Main Hall according to their ranks.
As the National Banquet began, ceremonial music played, and singing and dancing were certainly not lacking. In the grand hall surrounded by singing swallows, wine cups clinked together; although it was not overwhelmingly noisy, it still felt somewhat chaotic.
Ouyang Zixin kept her eyes on her nose and her nose on her heart, not lifting her head since the start of the National Banquet. Having strong sensitivity was sometimes not a good thing, as conversations and discussions from all around flooded into her ears.
Even if she didn't want to listen, she had no choice but to endure it; she couldn't just block out her hearing during the National Banquet.
High above, Nan Gong Yao was accepting toasts from everyone one by one. With a beaming smile, he occasionally diverted his gaze towards Ouyang Zixin.
This is bad.
Ouyang Zixin thought to herself; she had tried her best to minimize her presence, so why did the Sovereign still notice her in such a crowded hall?
She gently tugged at Bai Su, whispering, "Mother, I need to excuse myself for a moment."
Following Ouyang Zixin's gesture, Bai Su looked in that direction but saw nothing unusual about the Sovereign. She was puzzled as to why her daughter wanted to leave at this moment.
"Mother, I'll be right back." Ignoring Bai Su's reaction, Ouyang Zixin quietly stood up and slipped out through the door leading to the side hall.
" Cloud Nation Ninth Prince, Lord of Ink Yun Tianmo has arrived." A palace attendant announced sharply, cutting through the sounds of music in the Main Hall. "He brings three carts of elixirs to celebrate the National Banquet."
Yun Tianmo walked in from outside the hall, elegantly dressed in purple. It was not uncommon for nobles from other countries to attend the National Banquet, but the courtesy of this announcement had never been seen before.
Yun Tianmo has arrived?
Ouyang Zixin was about to close the side hall door when she heard the palace attendant's announcement. Peeking through the crack of the door, her gaze coincidentally met Yun Tianmo's, startling her so much that she lost her grip and slammed the door shut.
Ouyang Zixin, we meet again.
Yun Tianmo's lips curled slightly as he chuckled lightly, then stepped forward to bow to Nan Gong Yao.
"Prince Mo, I hope you are well." Although the sounds of music and ceremony filled the grand hall, the sound of the door closing did not escape Nan Gong Yao's ears.
Could Tuoer's speculation have some truth to it?
"Thank you for your concern, Sovereign." Yun Tianmo was certainly not here just to present gifts; his appearance at this moment indicated that some matters were easier to address now.
Nan Gong Yao's gaze sharpened. Although the exchange of glances between the two had been brief, it was clear that Yun Tianmo and Ouyang Zixin knew each other.
One was a legitimate daughter from the secluded Xuan Shi Mansion, and the other was a prince from a distant land. If there was any possibility of their acquaintance, it could only be one reason—that they had both entered a secret realm.
Yun Tianmo was a person of deep strategy. His presence at the Exiled Nation's National Banquet likely had ulterior motives.
While mingling with everyone at the banquet, Nan Gong Yao quickly analyzed Yun Tianmo's purpose for coming. He suddenly felt that inviting him to publicly present a gift might have fallen into Yun Tianmo's trap.
Thinking about it this way, Nan Gong Yao lost the desire to continue the banquet. The thought of publicly bestowing a marriage during the National Banquet also faded away.
Let’s observe a bit more.
After several rounds of drinks, Nan Gong Yao left the table early, allowing the royal relatives and high-ranking officials to entertain themselves.
Seeing Nan Gong Yao leave, Yun Tianmo also lost interest in staying any longer. Before leaving, he raised his cup towards Ouyang Hao, downed it in one go, and then exited the Leaving the Royal Palace.
"Why is the Ink King of Cloud Nation coming to the palace to present gifts recently?"
"I don't know. Just look at his demeanor; it's truly remarkable."
Yun Tianmo's icy demeanor made many who wanted to approach him hesitate until he left, after which they began to discuss quietly.
"What a pity that we are unable to meet such a person..." one of the officials lamented. "If he were a prince of Exiled Nation, wouldn't that be like adding wings to a tiger?"
"Let's keep this conversation private. If it reaches Sovereign or any prince's ears..." The person speaking leaned in closer and made a gesture across his throat, then continued, "I can't say if it would be like adding wings to a tiger, but most likely it would be inviting wolves into the house."
The two exchanged glances and ceased their conversation. It was better to enjoy the National Banquet without stirring up trouble. After all, there were plenty of precedents for disaster arising from careless words.
When Ouyang Zixin returned to the Main Hall, Yun Tianmo had already left, but he had overheard their discussion clearly.
Inviting wolves into the house? Perhaps you are onto something, my lord.
Ouyang Zixin silently noted the appearances of those two officials. If one day they spoke accurately, their foresight—or perhaps their ability to read people—was indeed impressive. He should encourage his father to associate more with them.
Ouyang Hao saw his daughter staring intently at the two ministers who were nearly fifty years old, and he felt a wave of panic. Coughing lightly, he thought to himself, "Don't misunderstand; I don't think my daughter has taken a liking to those two."
What worried him was that his daughter had overheard their conversation. With Ouyang Hao's cultivation level, he naturally understood what they were discussing. However, he knew that it was politics, and if Ouyang Zixin became concerned about such matters, it would no longer be politics but rather trouble.
He could no longer stay at the National Banquet. Ouyang Hao hurriedly greeted his colleagues at the neighboring table and took his wife and daughter back home.
Although Ouyang Hao left quickly, he did not expect that it was already too late.
That night at the National Banquet, the Third Prince, Nangong Tuo, got completely drunk and was severely reprimanded by the Sovereign afterward, punished to reflect in isolation.
This little incident was soon forgotten by most, but Ouyang Zixin remained vigilant because as long as Nangong Tuo was not released, she wouldn't have to worry about any marriage arrangements.
After all, who would arrange a marriage for a prince who was currently being punished?
With this major burden lifted, Ouyang Zixin's life became more carefree again. Aside from her daily meditation, she spent the rest of her time immersed in her studies.
Ouyang Hao had initially worried that his daughter would become too involved in political matters, but seeing her engrossed in books every day gradually eased his mind.
What he did not know was that Ouyang Zixin had already met Yun Tianmo and even discovered a biography about the Cloud Nation's Nine Commanders in her study.
"I never expected that Yun Tianmo has such a legendary background. Ninth Prince—this title sounds much better than 'Ink King.' Ink King, Ink King, Demon King, Demon King... Hahaha, it really suits him," Ouyang Zixin remarked while reading the biography and making jokes.
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