无翼乌工口里番无色无摭挡

Obviously, he was still holding a grudge over last night’s incident.

Jiang Ning didn’t mind his bad attitude and instead proactively held his hand, smiling, “Your hand is still quite warm.”

Li Hongyuan snorted but did not shake her hand off.

To outsiders, the affection between this Crown Prince and his Princess Consort seemed to be very harmonious, as they walked hand in hand everywhere.

Only they knew what it meant to appear to be a couple but to be estranged in spirit.

First, they went to the Heavenly Worship Hall.

A banquet was about to be held here to welcome and entertain the Princess and Crown Prince of Silla.

The Emperor’s health was poor, and he had no energy to deal with it. Besides, their guests were of a younger generation, so it was enough for the Crown Prince and Princess Consort to greet them.

Li Hongyuan walked around and asked about various matters. Seeing that there was nothing amiss, he returned to his seat and drank his tea leisurely.

Jiang Ning came to his side, looked around, and took a piece of pastry to stuff into her mouth.

“Is that proper?” said Li Hongyuan in a soft voice.

“Hehe.” Jiang Ning covered her mouth with her wide sleeves and finished eating the pastry, then took another piece, “It’s cold, so one easily gets hungry.”

Li Hongyuan said, “The banquet will take a while. Why don’t you go to the back and rest? That headdress of yours looks very uncomfortable.”

With the gold phoenix coronet on her head, she surely felt its weight.

Jiang Ning touched her head, indeed feeling a headache from the pressure.

But even if she were to take it off now, she’d have to wear it again later, which would be even more of a hassle.

Better to endure it for now.

“Come here,” Li Hongyuan said.

“What?” Jiang Ning leaned towards him.

Li Hongyuan took a handkerchief from his sleeve and gently wiped a pastry crumb from the corner of her mouth, whispering, “It’s bad enough to sneak a snack, but you also want to leave evidence on your face?”

Jiang Ning laughed, “I ate it right in front of you, openly and honestly. Your Highness, is your brother also attending the banquet later?”

Li Hongyuan shook his head.

“I didn’t see him earlier either?”

“He must have gone straight to the Crystal Frost Hall to see the Emperor Father.”

“Ah?” Jiang Ning was surprised, “What about the Mu Jian?”

“It will be handed over to them.”

“Isn’t Silla afraid that we’ll renege and not give them the Mu Jian?”

“Do you think the relationship between two countries is a child’s game?”

“This Li You didn’t even bother to meet us and went straight to see the Emperor. Is he scared of meeting you? Fearing that you might harm him?”

“With all eyes on him just now, do you want everyone to know that Silla brought a captive of Great Sheng? Before they entered Chang’an City, someone from the Emperor Father’s side had already quietly brought Li You into the palace.”

Jiang Ning stood up.

“Don’t go!” Li Hongyuan ordered.

“There’s still time. I’ll go to the Crystal Frost Hall to see what the bastard prince is made of and whether he has the ability to compete with Your Highness.”

“Do you need to go?” Li Hongyuan looked towards the hall door, “Look, hasn’t he taken the initiative to come?”

Hearing this, Jiang Ning immediately looked up at the entrance.

A tall and lean figure with broad shoulders and a narrow waist appeared at the door.

With his back to the light, Jiang Ning had to squint for a moment to adapt to the brightness before she could see his face clearly.

He had a smiling, gentle face, with soft brows and eyes. Despite his young age, he did not wear his hair in a topknot but instead let it trail down his back to his hips.

As he walked, his long hair swayed, carefree and energetic.

He was the kind of gentle man one felt warm and trustworthy at first encounter.”

Jiang Ning glanced at him and then at Li Hongyuan.