The monarch appeared to be in his fifties or sixties, with gaunt cheeks and a visage thoroughly drained by wine and lust.
To his left sat a woman in elaborate attire who looked to be only in her late thirties or early forties. She bore a striking resemblance to Yue'er, her present appearance hinting at the peerless beauty of her youth.
On his right, however, sat a seductive woman of sixteen or seventeen. Wearing revealing clothing, she had alluring, fox-like eyes that remained fixed on Xiao Yifeng, boldly casting flirtatious glances at him in full view of the assembled court.
Seeing the old monarch leering at Su Miaoqing, both Xiao Yifeng and Su Miaoqing felt a pulse of disgust.
The empress beside the monarch nudged him gently, whispering, "Your Majesty."
Snapping back to his senses, the monarch gave a dry laugh and chirped cheerfully, "Immortal Maiden, please sit. Servants, guide the two young Immortal Masters to their seats."
An attendant eunuch hurriedly bowed and led Su Miaoqing and Xiao Yifeng to the third seat on the right.
Once they were seated, the monarch spoke in a measured tone. "The arrival of two esteemed disciples from the Wentian Sect brings great honor to this emperor. Yet, I have never heard of this Wentian Sect. State Preceptor, how does it compare to our kingdom's Baiyue Sect?"
He turned his gaze toward a middle-aged man in a black Daoist robe sitting below. Xiao Yifeng had noticed him the moment they entered; the man was actually a Golden Core cultivator.
"Haha, Your Majesty jests. The Wentian Sect is a paramount sect of the Central Plains. My Baiyue Sect is far inferior," the State Preceptor replied with a light laugh, well aware of the Wentian Sect's true standing.
"The State Preceptor is too modest. We of the Dao do not dwell on such comparisons," Xiao Yifeng said with a slight smile.
Appreciating Xiao Yifeng's tact, the State Preceptor nodded to him subtly.
At that moment, the young man in the chief seat on the right stood and raised his cup toward Su Miaoqing. "I am Crown Prince Dai Yun of the Yuanhai Kingdom. I never thought I would meet a peerless beauty like Immortal Maiden Su in my lifetime. Allow me to offer a toast to you."
Su Miaoqing glanced at him, noticing his resemblance to the old emperor. Though he tried to appear grand and heroic, his footsteps were weak and floating, intensifying her disdain.
"My Senior Sister cannot hold her liquor well. I shall drink this cup in her place," Xiao Yifeng said calmly, lifting his cup and draining it in one gulp.
"May I ask what connection you two Immortal Masters have with my younger sister? And what brings you here today?" Prince Dai Yun asked, his eyes continuing to wander over Su Miaoqing.
"We are close friends with Yue'er. We came specifically to deliver a token from her to Her Majesty the Empress."
Xiao Yifeng retrieved Yue'er's token from his Storage Ring. An attentive eunuch waiting nearby stepped forward, took the token, and presented it to the empress.
"I did not expect my Yue'er to make such friends within the Wentian Sect. Thank you both for taking the trouble to bring this to me," the empress said with composed grace.
"It is a minor matter, hardly worth mentioning," Xiao Yifeng smiled.
The emperor suddenly seemed to recall something. "Earlier, when you two entered, it appeared the Crown Prince of the Heavenly Dragon Kingdom and Princess Yuge recognized you. How do you all know each other?"
Zhang Tianzhi stood and bowed slightly. "Reporting to Your Majesty, we met Young Master Xiao and Immortal Maiden Su on our journey here. In truth, we were able to arrive safely thanks to their righteous assistance. I did not expect to meet them again so soon."
"So you share quite a destiny," the emperor chuckled heartily. "This emperor believed Princess Yuge was already a beauty rare in this world, yet I never expected to meet an ethereal, peerless immortal like Immortal Maiden Su. It has truly opened my eyes. This life has not been in vain!"
"Your Majesty praises me too highly. Yuge possesses only humble features and would not dare compare herself to Immortal Maiden Su," Yuge said softly.
"Princess, you are far too modest. Since your country intends to form a marriage alliance with ours, why do you refrain from removing your veil?" the emperor asked with a suggestive look.
"Indeed. The Princess clearly possesses a face that could topple cities. Why hide it behind a veil? Could it be that we mortals are unworthy of viewing your immortal countenance?" Prince Dai Yun chimed in.
Several younger princes joined in the clamor with even less restraint.
Yuge looked troubled and cast a glance toward Zhang Tianzhi.
"Heehee... This concubine thinks Princess Yuge might have her own difficulties. The Crown Prince and the other princes should not press her so hard," the seductive woman beside the monarch purred. Though her words sounded considerate, the malice in her tone was unmistakable.
"That will not do. None of my brothers would want to marry an unsightly woman. Everyone would prefer a celestial figure like Immortal Maiden Su," Prince Dai Yun laughed boisterously, turning his gaze back to Su Miaoqing once more.
Su Miaoqing was already displeased by their pressure on Yuge. Seeing the prince leer at her again, her temper flared, and she nearly slammed her hand on the table.
"Since everyone insists so earnestly, Yuge shall make a fool of herself," Yuge sighed softly. She slowly reached up and removed her veil, revealing her face.
The entire hall fell silent as all eyes turned to her. Princess Yuge was not unsightly in the slightest. Her features were delicate, framed by a soft, rounded face that gave her a gentle, frail aura that made one want to protect her.
In terms of pure facial features, she was only slightly below Su Miaoqing, though she lacked Su Miaoqing's transcendent, otherworldly aura.
"Princess Yuge is indeed a rare beauty! I was impolite earlier. My palace still lacks a side consort; Princess, you might consider it," Prince Dai Yun said, his attitude shifting instantly.
"Elder Brother, do not compete with me! I am not yet betrothed!" a frail, thin prince in the second seat interjected.
The other princes quickly began to argue over her, turning the scene instantly absurd.
"Silence! What utter lack of decorum!" the old emperor roared in anger. He then cleared his throat. "Princess Yuge came to form a marriage alliance. Naturally, she will enter the palace as my consort."
"Precisely. Your Majesty is heroic, wise, and in the prime of his years. The inner palace happens to have room, and this concubine has been feeling overwhelmed lately," the seductive woman cooed shamelessly.
The old emperor looked quite pleased with her response, whereas the empress's expression turned cold with obvious distaste.
The princes dared not dispute their father and could only bow their heads in assent, while the officials below began voicing praises for the emperor's wisdom.
Xiao Yifeng and Su Miaoqing exchanged astonished glances, feeling their perception of royalty thoroughly challenged. This imperial court was an absolute mess.
With such a monarch and such officials, it was no wonder the Yuanhai Kingdom faced downfall. It was also clear why Yue'er had never mentioned anyone from her homeland except her mother.
Although Zhang Tianzhi was displeased by the emperor's lecherous display, hearing that the marriage alliance was still valid, he stood up and asked, "Then regarding the matter between our two kingdoms...?"
"Hahaha! Today is a joyful occasion. Let us not speak of such dreary topics. Play music and pour the wine! Today, we discuss only pleasure, not affairs of state," the emperor declared. For all his apparent lust and folly, he deftly deflected the political inquiry without making a hasty commitment.
With no choice left, Zhang Tianzhi sat back down in frustration, lifted his cup, and drained the wine in a single gulp.