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Chapter 459 The two slaps during the day still didn't teach the princess a lesson.

Zheng Lin's gaze swept over Xiao Qingchen in Chu Ruohan's arms and Xuan Ge'er in Gu Junze's arms, then looked at Yun Ge'er, his voice softening.

"Huainan, now that the table has been set up, enjoy your meal."

Yun-ge'er relaxed a little, but still stayed close to Chu Ruohan.

For the little guy, besides his elder brother, Chu Ruohan and Gu Junze are his closest relatives.

The atmosphere at the banquet was fairly harmonious, with singing and dancing, and toasts being exchanged.

Just then, a sharp and untimely voice rang out.

"Father!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a young woman in gorgeous clothes glaring angrily at Chu Ruohan's family beside General Wang Duan Qingye.

Those beautiful almond-shaped eyes widened in anger; it was none other than Princess Duan Shumin, who had been arrogant and domineering in the jewelry shop during the day.

Having suffered such great humiliation, how could she possibly bear to see her enemy again at this palace banquet?

She pointed at Chu Ruohan, her voice distorted with excitement: "It's them! Father, it was them who bullied me during the day!"

Duan Qingye frowned and scolded in a low voice, "Shumin, don't be rude!"

Duan Shumin, however, was relentless, turning her gaze to Yun Ge'er with intense malice.

"Your Highness, King of Chu, as a prince of my Zheng Kingdom, you actually recognize a general from an enemy state as your father and obey his every word. You are truly a disgrace to our Zheng Kingdom!"

Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent, and everyone's attention focused on Gu Junze's family and Yun-ge'er.

Zheng Lin put down his wine glass, his face calm and composed, and slowly said, "Your Highness is mistaken. Back then, Huainan was wandering outside and barely survived. Fortunately, General Gu and Madam Gu took him in and cared for him, which allowed him to live in peace."

"This kindness is heavier than Mount Tai. There is nothing wrong with him recognizing General Gu as his father; on the contrary, it is a manifestation of gratitude."

“But…” Duan Shumin stamped her foot and turned to Zheng Lin to complain, “Emperor brother, even so, they can’t bully us! I only said a few words to them, and they beat me in public! This is simply a provocation against the dignity of our Zheng Kingdom!”

Upon hearing this, Chu Ruohan sneered, a cold glint flashing in her beautiful eyes: "It seems that those two slaps during the day did not teach the princess a lesson."

Junze had worked so hard to achieve temporary peace between the two countries, and they must not allow this arrogant princess to provoke them with a few words and reignite the war.

She looked at Zheng Lin, her tone calm yet clear: "Your Majesty, you are wise. Today's events were caused by the Princess's aggressive actions. We only imposed a light punishment to protect ourselves."

Although Gu Junze didn't say much, the coldness in his gaze when he swept over Duan Shumin made her involuntarily shrink back.

Looking at his wife's protective demeanor just now, Gu Junze felt a strange sense of pleasure despite her somewhat aggressive manner.

Seeing this, Yun-ge'er mustered his courage and said loudly, "Brother, she was the one who snatched the hairpin from Mother first! Mother had already given it to her, but she still spoke rudely, saying that I had disgraced our ancestors. Father was angry, so he had people take action!"

"You're talking nonsense!" Duan Shumin pointed at Yun-ge'er angrily, "It was clearly you who bullied me because you outnumbered me!"

"You started it by swearing!" Yun-ge retorted defiantly.

Zheng Lin listened quietly to the argument between the two, his fingers tapping the table unconsciously, while his gaze seemed to drift towards the silent General Wang Duan Qingye.

Seeing Duan Shumin twist the truth, Chu Ruohan sneered, "The future empress of Zheng has truly opened my eyes today. Sophistry and willful arrogance—if she were to rule the world one day, I wonder what the Zheng harem would be like."

Upon hearing this, Duan Shumin's face turned bright red.

Immediately, a civil official in a purple robe stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Madam Gu, you are mistaken. The appointment of an empress in Zheng is a matter of great importance to the state. How can it be treated lightly? His Majesty is wise and powerful and will make his own decisions. There is absolutely no question of a pre-selected empress."

Duan Qingye's face was already so dark it could drip water. Seeing his daughter arguing endlessly with someone, even dragging his future empress position into it, he could no longer remain silent.

He stood up, walked to the center of the hall, and bowed deeply to Zheng Lin: "Your Majesty, it is my fault for failing to properly educate my daughter, which has led to her improper words and actions and offended our distinguished guest. I beg Your Majesty to punish me."

When Duan Shumin saw her father step in, she wanted to speak up to defend herself, but Duan Qingye glared at her with sharp eyes, and she immediately deflated like a punctured balloon, hanging her head and not daring to say another word.

Seeing this, Zheng Lin waved his hand and said in a calm tone, "General, you are too kind. It's just a child's quarrel, there's no need to take it too seriously."

"Today is a welcome dinner for General Gu and his entourage, so let's not let these trivial matters spoil our mood." He was giving Duan Qingye a way out.

Duan Qingye bowed in gratitude, returned to his seat, and glared fiercely at Duan Shumin, signaling her to behave.

The banquet that followed finally returned to calm, and no one dared to provoke anyone again.

After the banquet ended, everyone took their leave.

What gave Gu Junze a headache was that Yun Ge'er's small figure followed closely behind Chu Ruohan, his little hands tightly gripping her sleeve, as if he was determined to follow her back to the post station.

"Mother, I want to sleep with you again tonight." Yun-ge looked up at his mother, his eyes full of anticipation.

Gu Junze's face darkened, and he gritted his teeth inwardly.

This little guy not only steals his wife's attention during the day, but also tries to take his bed at night.

He must be suffering alone in his empty room! We can't let him get away with it today!

Duan Qingye stood outside the palace gate, watching the Gu Junze family's carriage gradually disappear into the night. Even after the lights completely vanished at the street corner, he remained standing still, his expression inscrutable.

Duan Shumin stood behind him with her head down, not daring to breathe.

She herself knew how badly she performed at the palace banquet today.

"Father..." she called out timidly.

Duan Qingye did not turn around, his voice cold and hard as ice: "You are not the only eligible daughter in the Duan family."

"If you continue to be so unrestrained and arrogant, the position of Empress will be filled by someone from a collateral branch."

Upon hearing this, Duan Shumin trembled violently, and her face turned deathly pale.

She knew her father wasn't joking.

She immediately knelt down, her voice trembling with tears: "Father, I know I was wrong! I will never do it again! Please give me another chance!"

Duan Qingye did not turn around, but simply snorted and mounted his horse.

With a flick of the reins, the sound of hooves was exceptionally clear in the quiet night, disappearing into the darkness in an instant.

Duan Shumin was left alone, trembling in fear. She could not bear to be abandoned by her father.

Duan Shumin took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. Her mother would definitely help her...

He turned around, got into the carriage, and headed back!