Chapter 712.1: Woman of wonder

Du Ling continued to enjoy his wine, masking the mocking look in his eyes.

“Dear officials, Xiliu has been bombarded by problems in recent times. This Monarch will need everyone here to put in their best effort.” Hua Zirong gave a solemn statement to which the officials nodded and agreed with.

After much time passed, the banquet seemed to be approaching its conclusion when suddenly, Yun Ruofeng walked in while clad in his white changshan.

“Xiliu Monarch, please don’t blame this Prince for arriving late.”

Looking at his pretentious appearance, Du Ling couldn’t help but ridicule him. “Prince Yun is really a big shot to have us wait here for so long.”

Yun Ruofeng smirked. “Western Region King, you really know how to jest. This Prince has specially prepared some gifts for Xiliu’s Monarch.”

Coldness glimmered in Hua Zirong’s eyes. “What gifts have you prepared for this Monarch, Prince Yun?”

Yun Ruofeng clapped his hands twice, and two pairs of guards came in carrying a box each. With a gesture from Yun Ruofeng, Yun Ling came forward to open them.

Surprise flitted across the officials’ expressions. One box contained gold, while the other contained silvers.

“Prince Yun, what do you mean by this?” Hua Zirong asked coldly.

Yun Ruofeng smiled faintly. “All of this is what this Prince has prepared for Xiliu’s refugees. Should Your Majesty require more, it is still within my means.”

He looked towards Pei Qianhao’s seat. “I wonder what Prince Hao has prepared for Xiliu’s refugees.”

Yun Ruofeng scoffed inwardly. He had specifically waited for this long to enter so that he could see what Pei Qianhao and Du Ling could offer. However, his patience wore out after not noticing any movements from the two. That was when he decided to walk in and try to give them a ruthless slap to the face.

Disdain flashed past Pei Qianhao’s eyes, but he kept quiet.

Su Xi-er smiled and spoke in his stead. “Prince Yun’s wealth is praiseworthy; it is only a shame that all this wealth came from undignified means.”

Her words stung Yun Ruofeng’s heart. Lan-er, why are you treating me like this? You can’t bear to have someone say even a single bad thing about him? Not only did you become his, you are even bearing his child; both of your heart and body now belong to someone else.

The madness in Yun Ruofeng’s eyes grew, but he attempted to mask it under a composed facade.

“Why so anxious, Princess Consort Hao? This Prince only asked because I am concerned about Xiliu’s refugees.” 

Contempt was apparent on Su Xi-er’s visage, and she paid no more attention to him.

Du Ling’s eyes were also full of ridicule, findingYun Ruofeng despicable. “What else did you prepare, Prince Yun. Why don’t you present everything at once, so that you won’t find the item this King has brought disgraceful when you see it later.”

“Then this Prince would like to see what the Western Region King has brought.” Yun Ruofeng retorted  with an unperturbed expression.

Since you are acting so arrogant, I would very much like to see what you can offer; it can’t be anything other than just gold and silvers.

Du Ling smirked. “The item this King has brought is only for the eyes of Xiliu’s Monarch. Everyone else, including the officials and Prince Yun, can’t lay their eyes on it.” His tone was proud, carrying the domineering aura of a leader.