Chapter 192: Chapter 192

Originally hearing that there was a banquet today where the Emperor would host a state banquet to receive envoys from two countries, Jun Ning decided to excuse herself.

Earlier at the palace gates, she had stopped the envoys from Bei Xia from entering the palace due to an epidemic, disrupting their plans and essentially offending the envoys from Bei Xia.

She did not believe that these people would be magnanimous and not hold a grudge, so she was not planning on attending the banquet. Even though the Emperor and the Empress Dowager very much wanted her to go, hoping to take this opportunity to show off their most cherished princess, Jun Ning still refused. Read complete versıon only at 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡⚑𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⚑𝙣𝙚𝙩

She chose to stay obediently at Weiyang Palace, going nowhere.

Qiong Hua did not understand why her daughter would not go, but seeing that Jun Ning was not going, she lost interest as well. She also stayed at Weiyang Palace to accompany Jun Ning.

Jun Yu saw this and stayed as well.

The three of them, mother and children, played games and ate delicious food at Weiyang Palace.

Jun Ning thought that doing so would allow her to avoid a disaster, but what happened?

Despite this, she still could not avoid it.

She was personally brought to the banquet by Xiao Lizi, who said she was to have some sort of competition with the Ninth Prince of Bei Xia.

It seemed that everyone was very interested in her; as soon as she arrived, everyone’s eyes settled on her.

The little girl was wearing a green Liu Xian dress today, personally made by the Empress Dowager for her. However, as the weather was cold, she wore a furry cloak over it. This cloak accentuated her cuteness, making her adorable and charming.

Truly the cherished one of Emperor Yongning!

Put yourself in his shoes. If any of you here had such an adorable daughter after having so many sons, wouldn’t you also cherish her dearly?

Everyone seemed to understand why Emperor Yongning favored this daughter so much.

Sitting at the top, Emperor Yongning’s face immediately filled with a sense of pride and satisfaction upon seeing the little girl arrive.

No one would say he was only destined to have sons anymore, right!

Jun Ning did not know what was on everyone’s mind. She sniffed and instinctively glanced at the seats for foreign guests.

The envoys from Bei Xia, upon seeing her, looked as though their eyes were about to pop out. It seemed they were utterly angry with her due to past events.

As for the envoys from Northern Barbarian, who were her mother’s family, the two young leaders smiled at her very warmly without any hint of hostility.

Truly her mother’s family, absolutely deserving of her mother’s constant admiration.

They did not disappoint her mother.

Jun Ning felt a surge of emotion in her heart.

"Yiyi, come over to Grand Empress Dowager here."

The Empress Dowager, sitting beside Emperor Yongning, was afraid that the little girl might be frightened by such a grand occasion, so she beckoned Jun Ning over to her side first.

With her protection, the little girl would definitely not be afraid.

Jun Ning glanced at Xiao Lizi beside her, and Xiao Lizi nodded at her and gave a brief reminder, "Princess, since the Empress Dowager is calling you, you should go over. But remember, do not run or shout, just walk over slowly."

A country with great dignity must not lose its etiquette.

Jun Ning nodded and slowly walked towards the Empress Dowager. As she passed Jing Shu beside the Crown Princess Consort, Jing Shu made funny faces at her, her expression was quite lively.

Though Jun Ning did not understand her intentions, she politely responded with a wink.

When she passed by the Crown Prince and the Eldest Prince, the former watched her with a smiling face full of joy, while the latter gave her a fierce look, matching the unfriendly attitude of the envoys from Bei Xia.

Jun Ning shivered, withdrew her gaze from the Eldest Prince, and quickened her steps to the Empress Dowager. Rather than sitting in the prepared seat, she threw herself into the open arms of the Empress Dowager.

The audience watched, full of admiration despite their disbelief.

In such a setting, only the Eighteenth Princess dared openly leap into the Empress Dowager’s arms!

The Empress Dowager hugged her little granddaughter and whispered in her ear, "Yiyi, don’t be afraid, no matter what happens, Grand Empress Dowager is here to protect you."

Jun Ning nodded and looked towards Emperor Yongning, who was seated in the central position.

Emperor Yongning gave her a reassuring gaze, indicating that as long as he was there, she need not worry.

Even though her mother and brother were not by her side, the protection of these two was enough, and Jun Ning was no longer afraid.

"Since the princess has arrived, can the competition begin?" asked the Ninth Prince of Bei Xia.

Emperor Yongning nodded slightly, "Of course."

But before the competition started, the Crown Prince, with Emperor Yongning’s consent, made a request, "Both your country and our Eastern Chu are dignified nations. Naturally, the competition should not be based on childish or embarrassing topics."

For example, a topic like whether or not someone wears open-crotch pants would be absolutely unacceptable.

Everyone wants to save face.

Bei Xia had no objections and agreed.

"Also, it will be the best of three," the Crown Prince continued.

The Eldest Prince of Bei Xia responded, "Naturally."

"However..." The Eldest Prince of Bei Xia gave a thoughtful glance at the crowd who had just bet on Jun Ning winning alongside the Crown Prince, "Since the officials, princes, and even His Majesty of your country have wagered on your princess winning, shouldn’t there be a stake involved?"

Of course, wagering involves rules, and it cannot be just empty words.

At this moment, the Eldest Prince made a chilling remark, "I didn’t bet on the Eighteenth Princess winning." Just a little fool against a five-year-old prince, who’s half a year older than her, it’s impossible for her to win.

Emperor Yongning glanced at the Eldest Prince, wondering what nonsense he was spouting. At a state banquet, not fighting for the honor of one’s own family is one thing, but making them lose face is another.

If it weren’t for the occasion, Emperor Yongning would have scolded the Eldest Prince harshly.

But since it was this kind of setting, maintaining dignity was important.

Emperor Yongning merely gave the Eldest Prince a look and said nothing more.

Yet, the imperial majesty honed over years was all in that single glance.

The Eldest Prince shuddered and promptly closed his mouth.

Emperor Yongning then looked at the Eldest Prince of Bei Xia, who had just spoken.

"If there is to be a wager, it’s not just Eastern Chu that should stake something, Bei Xia should also wager!"

"So, I ask, what do the envoys from Bei Xia intend to wager?"

If only one party is wagering and the other is not, that’s just bullying.

The Eldest Prince of Bei Xia originally did plan to bully.

He only wanted to entice Eastern Chu into wagering. As for him, regardless of winning or losing, he would remain unaffected, reaping the benefits.

However, he did not expect Emperor Yongning, this old fox, to let him off the hook.

It seemed he had to wager and place a significant bet at that. Thus, Eastern Chu would have no choice but to join him in the high stakes.

But what specifically to stake?

Like the Crown Prince, the Eldest Prince of Bei Xia was confident that his side would win and would not lose.

With such confidence, he boldly placed his wager.

"I am willing to wager three of Bei Xia’s cities. If my brother cannot defeat your Eighteenth Princess, Bei Xia will willingly offer up three cities."