Chapter 3

Chapter 3

The Qin State held its coronation ceremony and the monarch’s wedding simultaneously.

The newly ascended Lord of Qin was dressed in black robes. His features were sharp and stern, and his entire being radiated an imposing pressure.

He held my wrist as we ascended the steps, one by one.

When we reached the highest point, I turned around and nearly tumbled off the high platform.

Great, just great. All Six States had come to observe the ceremony.

Who wouldn’t feel their knees go weak upon turning around and seeing six former husbands?

Fortunately, they all thought I was one of seven septuplets.

Except for Xiao Wei.

He, on the other hand, looked quite intrigued. His hand, hidden within his sleeve, gave me a little beckoning flick.

He definitely knew the truth.

The coronation banquet was held in the main hall of the Qin State.

Xiao Qin and I sat side by side, while the representatives of the Six States sat on either side of the hall, three to a side, not far from each other.

I had originally intended to repeat my old tricks and make the Lord of Qin despise me this very night.

However, with my six predecessors present, I was afraid of arousing their suspicion. So, I meekly sipped my meat broth.

Whatever Xiao Qin put in my bowl, I ate.

After three rounds of drinks, everyone began to chat.

The conversation inevitably circled back to the hot topic: Miss Su.

Xiao Qi was the first to speak with a sarcastic tone. “It seems Su Yan knows how to raise his daughters. This youngest daughter is quite quiet.”

I just wanted to say: first of all, the environment was exactly the same; secondly, you should look for the problem within yourself.

Xiao Yan downed a mouthful of wine and said, “At least this one didn’t tell you that her name was ‘Chi Zao’-as in, you’re ‘doomed sooner or later.'”

I didn’t expect the cold and aloof Xiao Yan to actually understand a pun like that.

Xiao Chu, sitting opposite him, had no intention of joining the discussion, but Xiao Qi took the initiative to ask him.

Xiao Chu smiled gently, being vague with his words.

“Hmm? I’m doing quite well. It’s just that… she might not like eating fish.”

I lowered my head and shoveled food into my mouth, dying of laughter inside.

Xiao Wei sat between Xiao Chu and Xiao Han. He held his wine cup, hiding the smirk at the corner of his mouth.

Xiao Zhao wouldn’t talk about such things even if his life depended on it.

Avoiding Xiao Qi’s prying gaze, he poked the fur collar of Xiao Yan next to him and whispered, “Aren’t you hot?”

Xiao Yan smoothed his fur collar, leaned toward him, and explained in a low voice, “But it’ll be cold when I go back.”

It was clear that Xiao Yan loved his fur collar most of all.

Seeing that Xiao Zhao would rather make small talk than meet his eyes, Xiao Qi turned his gaze toward Xiao Wei and Xiao Han on the opposite side.

Xiao Wei tucked away his smile and took the initiative, raising his cup in a toast. “King of Qi, cheers.”

Xiao Qi drained his cup and overturned it to show respect, finally stopping his gossiping about him.

The pressure shifted to Xiao Han at the end of the table.

The others all represented powerful states; he, coming from a mere small country, couldn’t just muddle his way through.

Xiao Han kept his head down submissively, holding his wine cup with a slight curl to his lips.

“The sixth daughter of the Su Family… I like her very much.”

As soon as he said this, the other five fell silent.

For a moment, the room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Xiao Han hesitated for a long while before looking up, his gaze filled with confusion.

He didn’t know what he had said wrong.

Xiao Qi checked everyone’s expressions one by one.

It was almost a consensus among the states that Miss Su was overbearing and difficult to get close to.

He looked at Xiao Han, incredulous. “You guys… slept together?”

My heart leaped into my throat.

Xiao Han suddenly began to cough violently, using his wide sleeve to partially shield his face.

But his earlobes were red enough to bleed.

This reaction was as good as an answer.

Xiao Wei gripped his wine flask, his lips curling into a half-smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

He walked over to Xiao Han, leaned down, and filled his cup for him.

“It seems the Crown Prince of Han is the luckiest one after all.”

I unconsciously gripped my chopsticks too hard.

My bowl tipped over with a loud ‘clatter’ as it hit the floor, making quite a commotion.

Everyone turned to look at the sound.

I lowered my head until it was level with the table, pretending to be very busy.

Xiao Qin sat upright, glancing at me sideways with a thoughtful look.

Thinking I was just thin-skinned and embarrassed, he told me to go back first and wait for him.

I hurried to the back of the hall to change my clothes.

I was halfway through unfastening my robes when the doors and windows suddenly rattled. I hurriedly threw my outer robe back on.

A person covered my mouth from behind.

“Su Li, it’s one thing to betroth one daughter to seven states, but how could you fail to treat us all equally?”