"Who else could it be if not this official?" Lian Shengjie's answer was full of confidence, but if one listened carefully, one could see how dry his voice was.
Pang Xiao cast a sidelong glance at his outwardly fierce face and sneered, then ignored him.
His slender fingers with distinct joints picked up an exquisite white porcelain wine cup with gold. Immediately, a beautiful female servant with a smile like a flower poured wine for him with a copper pot in hand.
The amber wine fell into the wine cup. The color was sparkling and translucent, and the aroma was rich.
The female servant's red lips curled slightly. Her gaze carefully lingered on Pang Xiao's handsome face. Her cheeks immediately blushed, and she shyly lowered her eyes.
This scene made Lian Shengjie feel envious. He couldn't help but swallow his saliva and quickly walked forward a few steps.
Pang Xiao didn't care at all. He raised his head and drank the wine in one gulp. His Adam's apple moved, and the strong curve of his jaw added a bit of casual and domineering aura to him.
The female servant's cheeks became redder. She prepared to pour more wine, but Pang Xiao used his slender fingers to turn the wine cup upside down. He waved his hand to indicate for the servant to withdraw. He cast a sidelong glance at Lian Shengjie and lazily said,
"Official Lian must have received Your Majesty's decree. Otherwise, you wouldn't have grown so bold and not saluted when you see This King."
Lian Shengjie finally moved his gaze away from the beautiful woman. When he met Pang Xiao's mocking and sharp eyes, his body trembled and he almost knelt down.
"Cough, this official, this official came by imperial decree. Unlike some people, who came without permission. "Lian Shengjie said with extreme apprehension.
He was really scared after being beaten. When he saw Pang Xiao, his entire body tensed up, and the places on his back that had been beaten began to ache.
Pang Xiao raised his eyebrows and smiled. He casually pointed to an empty seat: "Sit. Why stand when you speak? This King didn't punish you to stand."
Lian Shengjie's face turned red. He was angry, and his timidity decreased a little. He straightened his neck and sat down opposite Pang Xiao.
Seeing that the two people from Da Zhou didn't seem to get along, the Minister of Hong Lu was so nervous that his palms were sweating. He was afraid that the two would fight because of a disagreement. If something like this happened under his watch, the Emperor would definitely be angry.
Seeing that Lian Shengjie had taken his seat and was no longer speaking, the Minister of the Chamberlain of Dependencies let out a sigh of relief. He ordered the several officials accompanying him to take their seats as well, and then ordered the banquet to begin with singing and dancing.
The elegant sound of the wind instruments was melodious and pleasing to the ears. The young dancers were dressed in gauze, and their movements were graceful and graceful. In the magnificent Flower Hall, there was a bit of ethereal beauty. In addition, there was a table for eight with red brocade and peony flowers on it, and there was a jade plate of delicacies and fine wine on it.
Lian Shengjie ate delicacies and fine wine, and had beauties serving him. His gaze was fixed on the dancing young girls, and he felt both physically and mentally comfortable. His tense mood instantly relaxed.
Pang Xiao cast a sidelong glance at Lian Shengjie's foolish appearance. He took the wine pot from the female servant's hand and poured himself a drink. His eyes that were admiring the singing and dancing were extremely cold. It was as if he didn't see this beautiful scene in the slightest.
When the Minister of Hong Lu and the other Dayan officials saw the completely opposite attitudes of Pang Xiao and Lian Shengjie, they each had their own guesses. They didn't dare to participate in the battle between the two and only silently accompanied them.
After three rounds of wine, Lian Shengjie was completely relaxed. His mood also rose because of the wine.
"Prince Zhongshun, you came to Dayan without permission. What is the punishment for this?" The originally imposing words were spoken with a heavy stutter after he was drunk, and he didn't have any confidence.
Pang Xiao lazily said: "The two countries have successfully negotiated peace and become friendly neighbors. This King is just traveling around. What crime is there?"
"You are twisting words and forcing logic! You are the commander of the Tiger Army. Don't you know the importance of your position? Your Majesty didn't allow you to travel, but you decided on your own. Do you know that you have angered Your Majesty? "Lian Shengjie was drunk and slammed the table angrily.
The singing and dancing suddenly stopped. Everyone was frightened by Lian Shengjie's sudden anger and kept quiet out of fear.
The Minister of Hong Lu didn't dare to participate in Da Zhou's matter. He quickly got up and waved his hand to lead everyone away.
The scene that was singing and dancing a moment ago was now strangely quiet.
Pang Xiao drank a mouthful of wine and was too lazy to speak.
Lian Shengjie saw that Pang Xiao didn't speak and sneered: "If you don't speak, it means that you are afraid! Let me tell you, Pang Zhixi. I have seen that you have been rampant for a long time. You have always been disrespectful to us, the old officials of Bei Ji. We have been loyal to Your Majesty, but you have been picking on us and beating and scolding us. Fortunately, His Majesty is wise and has seen through your domineering nature. "
Pang Xiao dug his ears: "Are you done?"
"His Majesty asked this official to ask you why you didn't return to the capital and came to Dayan instead! Why aren't you answering?! "
"When a general is outside, he is not subject to military orders."
Pang Xiao put down the wine jug. The bottom of the brass jug lightly touched the table, making a 'tok' sound.
"Besides, This King has his own reasons for This King."
Lian Shengjie saw that Pang Xiao didn't explode and scold him like before. He couldn't help but sneer in his heart.
So what if he has the Tiger Army's Tiger Tally?
So what if the 100,000 Tiger Army is brave and good at fighting and can fight one against ten?
Even if Pang Xiao is a King, he still has to bow down to Your Majesty. He is also afraid of the old officials of Bei Ji and the North Settling Marquis Ji Zeyu's Dragon Stallion Army!
Not to mention that the Dragon Stallion Army has sufficient military strength.
Years ago, when the Great Zhou Dynasty conquered the lands of Northern Ji, Pang Xiao led the Brave Tiger Army and slaughtered the vanguard. Even though the officials had already surrendered, Pang Xiao still dragged them out and fed them to the dogs. His viciousness had already made the old officials of Northern Ji fearful.
These people have now submitted to Da Zhou. In their hearts, Pang Xiao was the culprit that caused the destruction of Bei Ji.
How could they not hate Pang Xiao?
Moreover, Your Majesty is afraid of Pang Xiao's military strength. Ji Zeyu's Dragon Stallion Army is growing stronger day by day. It is a sharp weapon that keeps the Tiger Army in check. However, Pang Xiao doesn't know how to restrain himself. He is still arrogant and makes a scene at every turn.
Lian Shengjie, as an official of Bei Ji who surrendered to Da Zhou, has already disliked Pang Xiao for many days.
Now that he saw that Pang Xiao only said, "When a general is in a foreign country, he will not obey orders." He was so proud that he was about to float.
"You have been proud for too long." Lian Shengjie laughed and said, "Old Brother, let me give you a piece of advice. Restrain yourself. Now that you have explained to me properly, I can also put in a few good words for you in the letter to Your Majesty. Otherwise, I'm afraid you won't even know how you died. Moreover, it is not me who wants to ask why you came to Dayan. It is Your Majesty who wants to ask. "
As Lian Shengjie spoke, he stood up with his arms on the square table. He leaned over and pretended to listen, but his face was full of mockery. "Come, come, come. Tell me about it first."
Pang Xiao kept smiling with his eyes down and played with the golden wine cup in his hand.
Huzi, who was beside him, was so angry at Lian Shengjie's proud face that his face turned purple. He wanted to rush up and break Lian Shengjie's neck.
Lian Shengjie saw that Pang Xiao still didn't speak. He leaned forward and smiled proudly. "Why aren't you talking? You said that you 'have your reasons.' Why don't you tell me your reasons? "
"Pa!" A crisp sound. Lian Shengjie covered his swollen face in disbelief and looked dazedly at Pang Xiao.
"Who do you think you are? What right do you have to listen to This King?" Pang Xiao stood up and looked down at Lian Shengjie's pale face.
Lian Shengjie was woken up by the slap. Recalling his mocking words, he covered his face and took a few steps back as if he could escape Pang Xiao's attack range.
Pang Xiao was too lazy to pay attention to him. He turned around and left the Flower Pavilion with Huzi.
Lian Shengjie covered his face and stared at Pang Xiao's back. He roared fiercely, "Don't, don't be so arrogant. Sooner or later, you will cry!"
The scene in the room had been seen clearly by the officials of the Honglu Temple who were peeping through the crack in the door. They quietly went to report it to the Emperor.
The Emperor was hugging the Empress and sitting on the Arhat Bed with bright yellow bedding by the window of the Imperial Study.
Hearing the Honglu Temple official's words, the Empress smiled charmingly, "It seems that Prince Zhongshun is nothing more than this."
The Emperor had had enough of Pang Xiao's domineering attitude. He patted the Empress's butt and whispered a few words in her ear.
The Empress continued to act coquettishly for a while. Seeing that the Emperor really wanted her to leave, she reluctantly left the Imperial Study.
The Emperor smiled as he watched the Empress walk away. Only then did his expression become serious. He stood up and said, "So, Emperor Zhou is afraid of Pang Zhixi."
"This humble subject thinks so too. Otherwise, with Meng Zhi Xi's domineering nature, he definitely wouldn't tolerate Sir Envoy's repeated questioning. "
"Tsk! Zhen knew that this kind of arrogant person wouldn't have a long life even if he was rich. How could he allow others to sleep beside him? Emperor Zhou probably couldn't stand his actions and wanted to suppress him. Otherwise, how could that Lian person dare to be so bold in front of Pang Zhixi? "
"Your Majesty is wise." The Honglu Temple official nodded.
The Emperor waved his hand and dismissed the Honglu Temple official.
When there was no one around, the Emperor sat behind the black wooden desk with a gloomy expression.
Thinking back to how his polite greetings to Pang Zhixi were seen by so many commoners and officials, the Emperor felt regret.
Who knew that Pang Zhixi's position in Da Zhou had already been shaken?
If he had known, he would have been more unyielding! Even Pang Zhixi couldn't control Emperor Zhou's thoughts!
He actually believed Pang Zhixi's threat of war?
What a mistake, what a mistake!
In a fit of anger, the Emperor swept the brush, ink, and paper on the table to the ground.
When the guards and eunuchs outside heard the commotion, they frantically rushed in to protect the Emperor. Seeing that the Emperor had lost his temper, they were slightly relieved. However, they all kept quiet out of fear and didn't dare to go close to persuade him.
The Emperor's temper had become more and more irritable recently. He often couldn't control himself when he was angry. Last time, the eunuch who was in charge of writing and writing only said a few words of advice and was dragged out to be beaten 20 times.
If it wasn't for the eunuch who was in charge of writing and his connections, how could he still be alive now?
When the Emperor smashed everything that could be smashed, he let out a sigh of relief.
"Bring me the elixir that Immortal Liu offered."
"Yes." The eunuch immediately went to fetch an exquisite golden box and presented a jet-black elixir with both hands.
The Emperor swallowed it with cold wine and immediately felt his entire body relax. He was in a good mood.
He laughed and said, "The Empress recommended Immortal Liu very well. Tell the Empress to reward her according to her discretion. Take whatever she needs from my treasury."
"Yes. This servant will go now. " The eunuch smiled apologetically and bowed. In a low voice, he instructed the eunuchs to quietly clean up the mess on the ground.
The Emperor thought for a moment and said, "Also, go early tomorrow morning and announce that my grace to the Family Qin is not fake. Now that the Sun Clan has become a first-rank noble lady, they should be rewarded. I will write a plaque for the Family Qin tomorrow. Send it to someone to make it. Also, set up a memorial arch for the Sun Clan in front of the Family Qin. After you send the reward tomorrow morning, make a trip to the Family Qin and inform them."
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