NCCnovel Chapter 171 Sister Cen Xiao Attends Banquet at the Palace
Chapter 171 Sister Cen Xiao Attends Banquet at the Palace
The emperor's invitation lay on the table, its bright yellow background and inky calligraphy evoking the majesty of imperial power. Cen Jiexiao's fingers gently traced the gilded markings, but it felt like the touch of cold shackles, weighing heavily on her heart. This heaviness stemmed not from the oppression of imperial power, but from the unbridgeable chasm between her and Chai Zhen. Cen Jiexiao knew full well that this chasm wasn't simply a difference in status, but rather their starkly different philosophies, like two parallel lines that could never intersect.
Chai Zhen, the ruler of a nation, pursued supreme power, the stability of his empire, and absolute dominance. His world was one of political intrigue and calculation, of profit and exchange, and the cold, ruthless tactics of an emperor. Meanwhile, Cen Jiexiao yearned for freedom and equality, for education and the well-being of the people. Her world was the sound of reading, the innocent smiles of children, a world filled with warmth and hope. Their worlds, one in heaven, the other in the underworld, were destined to be incompatible.
"Of course I'll go." Cen Jiexiao put down the invitation, an intriguing smile on her lips. There was a hint of helplessness and self-mockery in that smile, but not a trace of fear. "Your Majesty is so 'hospitable'. If I don't go, won't I seem timid and cowardly?"
Seeing that Cen Jiexiao had agreed to attend the banquet, Yu Lan couldn't help but feel worried for her. She knew Cen Jiexiao's personality too well. She was upright and could not tolerate any injustice. If the emperor really said something outrageous, given Cen Jiexiao's temper, she was afraid that he would be deeply offended again.
"Dean, should we attend this banquet..." Yu Lan hesitated to speak. She wanted to persuade Cen Jiexiao not to go to the banquet and refuse it, but she was worried about making Cen Jiexiao unhappy.
"No need to say more, I know my limits." Cen Jiexiao interrupted Yu Lan, her tone revealing a firmness of confidence. She knew what Yu Lan was worried about, but she, Cen Jiexiao, always acted with a clear conscience. Moreover, she did not want to bring any trouble to the academy or the children because of her own affairs.
Cen Jiexiao was not dressed up, but only wore a plain and elegant skirt, with her long hair tied up with a jade hairpin. She looked fresh and elegant, forming a sharp contrast with the luxurious palace.
Inside the palace, there was singing and dancing, and the flow of wine and food. Chai Zhen had specially arranged a banquet in the palace garden, saying it was so that Cen Jiexiao could relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery, but Cen Jiexiao knew in her heart that this was just an excuse.
"President Cen, please." Chai Zhen raised his wine glass, looked at Cen Jiexiao with burning eyes, and his tone was so gentle that water could almost drip out.
Cen Jiexiao smiled slightly and raised her glass in response, "Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful for your kindness."
After three rounds of drinks, Chai Zhen put down his glass, looked at Cen Jiexiao affectionately, and said softly, "I have always admired Dean Cen's talent and courage. I wonder if Dean Cen would be willing to... come to the capital to take up a position there, where he can better display his talents."
"Your Majesty, I come from humble origins. I only wish to contribute to the people's well-being and educate them. I have no other aspirations." Cen Jiexiao spoke calmly, yet with considerable resolve. She politely declined Chai Zhen's invitation, knowing she didn't belong here.
Chai Zhen's expression froze for a moment, then he regained his gentle smile. "I understand. Dean Cen is wholeheartedly devoted to the country and the people. I was rude."
Although Chai Zhen concealed it well, Cen Jiexiao still caught a glimpse of disappointment and loneliness in his eyes.
Cen Jiexiao sighed inwardly. She herself was not a cold-hearted person, but she knew very well that the gap in their status meant that they were destined to be from different worlds.
Just as Cen Jiexiao was musing, a sudden burst of laughter shattered the harmonious atmosphere of the banquet. The laughter was loud and arrogant, tinged with contempt and defiance, resonating like thunder in Cen Jiexiao's ears, causing her to frown unconsciously. She looked in the direction of the sound and saw a tall, burly figure emerge from the crowd. He was dressed in fine clothes, walked steadily, and with a hint of arrogance on his face, he walked straight to the center of the banquet.
"Hahaha, Emperor of the Great Zhou, I've long heard that your country is full of talented people. Seeing you today, I'm just like you!"
The envoy was none other than the neighboring Liaodan Kingdom. He was dressed in a rich, dark green brocade robe, embroidered with lifelike flying dragons in gold thread. At his waist was a scimitar inlaid with gems, its scabbard intricately carved, a testament to his status and position. He was tall, with dark skin. Beneath thick brows lay a pair of piercing, hawk-like eyes. Beneath a high nose, thin lips curled slightly in a scornful smile.
Chai Zhen frowned slightly, clearly displeased by the Liaodan envoy's rude behavior, but he suppressed his emotions and simply asked calmly, "What do you mean by this, envoy? Do you think my hospitality is inadequate?"
"The Emperor of Great Zhou has misunderstood. This envoy has only long heard that Great Zhou is home to many talented people, and today I have come to see them for myself. However..." The Liaodan envoy deliberately dragged out the last word, his eyes sweeping across the crowd before finally landing on Cen Jiexiao. A mocking smile curled his lips. "I heard that your country has a remarkable woman named Cen Jiexiao. She not only founded Zhaoyin Academy, but also proposed many novel ideas. Even His Majesty the Emperor favors her." He glanced at Cen Jiexiao, his tone full of contempt and provocation. "After seeing her today, she's nothing special. Just a woman with a false reputation!"
Upon hearing this, Cen Jiexiao sneered inwardly. She had long heard that the Liaodan Kingdom was ambitious and had always been eyeing the Great Zhou. Their visit this time might have ulterior motives! Their real purpose was probably to take this opportunity to humiliate the Great Zhou, test its strength, and prepare for a future invasion.
"Your Excellency is joking. Dean Cen is talented, but he is usually low-key and rarely goes out. It is normal that many people don't know much about him." Chai Zhen's face darkened, and there was a hint of displeasure in his tone. He could naturally hear the hidden meaning of the Liaodan envoy's words, and knew that he was deliberately provoking him, but as the king of a country, he naturally could not lose his composure.
"Oh? Really?" The Liaodan envoy smiled disapprovingly. He leaned back in his chair, casually playing with his wine glass. "In that case, why don't we invite Dean Cen out and let us see her talent? Let's see if the so-called first talented woman of the Great Zhou Dynasty is really as everyone says, a once-in-a-century wonder."
With that, the Liaodan envoy's gaze, scrutinizing and provocative, slowly swept across Cen Jiexiao's face, finally resting on her eyes, as if trying to peer through this window into her inner thoughts. He frivolously tapped his fingers on the table, again and again, as if pounding everyone's heart, as if urging Cen Jiexiao to respond, wanting to see how this legendary talented woman would handle his challenge.
Cen Jiexiao met his gaze without flinching. She had long anticipated that these envoys, having come from afar, would never remain complacent and would inevitably seek to stir up trouble. She knew they were deliberately trying to intimidate her. If she showed even the slightest sign of cowardice, not only would she lose face, but the Great Zhou would also lose face in the face of the Liaodan Kingdom.
Thinking of this, Cen Jiexiao took a deep breath and slowly stood up. The magnificent lights in the hall shone on her simple and elegant dress, as if coating her with a faint golden glow. She looked calmly at the aggressive Liaodan envoy, her lips curled up slightly, forming a confident and calm smile.