There is a happy inn in the capital.

Chapter 419 Requests a Dance

She sat quietly the whole time, barely touching her food. Her aloof face, sculpted like ice and jade under the lamplight, stood out starkly from the surrounding noise.

"Does this young lady find our banquet in Boyu Kingdom boring because she hasn't said a word?"

The market prince's voice boomed, tinged with a malicious glint in his eyes, "I've heard that the noble lady of Zixing is quite talented. Why don't you play a tune, or... dance, so everyone can enjoy your performance?"

His eyes gleamed with a desire to conquer, as if he regarded Ye Bingli as some kind of rare prey.

Ye Bingli raised her eyes, her clear gaze sweeping over the Bacha Prince like a cold spring skimming over a rolling stone, neither joyful nor angry, yet causing the Bacha Prince to inexplicably feel a tightness in his chest.

She gently shook her head: "No."

The atmosphere suddenly became somewhat tense.

Li Shuchen cursed the father and son inwardly, but put on a bright smile and spoke first.

"Oh dear, Your Highness, you've put Bingli in a difficult position. She's quiet by nature, can't play the zither, and certainly can't dance. Unlike me, I'd love to dance, but I'm afraid my frantic movements might crack the precious floor tiles of your Amber Palace. We couldn't afford to pay for that!"

As she spoke, she made an exaggerated, clumsy gesture that almost knocked over the wine glass in front of her.

The tenth prince couldn't help but chuckle.

Liang Yuying and Xu Shaobao's lips also curled up slightly.

The market prince frowned as he looked at Li Shuchen. He noticed her pretty face and lively, somewhat impulsive manner. While not his preferred aloof type, she was still a novelty. He snorted.

"You, woman, are more vibrant than they are."

King Ardan's attention was briefly drawn, and he smiled, "Miss Li is so genuine and lovely. Come, try this 'Honey-Glazed Camel Hump,' it's delicious."

Li Shuchen took the opportunity to express his gratitude, then turned to Liang Yuying, speaking in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for the king to hear.

"General Liang, please try this! We've been braving the elements on this journey, and we've never seen such fine food! His Majesty is truly generous."

As she spoke, she gestured to Liang Yuying with her eyes.

Liang Yuying understood and raised her glass to the King of Aldan: "I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's hospitality. My Emperor Zixing also cares about the friendship between our two countries. This mission is also to enhance exchanges, such as on the matter of trade..."

"Eh--"

King Ardan immediately waved his ring-adorned hand, interrupting him, his smile unchanged, but his tone becoming perfunctory.

"General Liang, with fine wine and delicious food before us, why rush to discuss these trivial matters? Trade has always existed; there's no need to rush. You've come a long way and must be tired. Stay a few more days, and we can take our time to observe and discuss things."

He turned to the musicians, "Play the music! Why did you stop?"

The music resumed, and dancers gracefully entered, their alluring figures obscuring any view of each other.

Inside the banquet hall, the bright lights illuminated the gold and jewels, and also reflected the differing calculations of the people in their hearts.

Liang Yuying put down the mead she had just tasted, and taking advantage of a brief pause in the music and dance, raised her glass again, her face calm as she looked at King Ardan on the main seat.

"Your Majesty, this wine is mellow and sweet, reminiscent of the fine wines of my Zixing Jiangnan region. The products of both places have their own unique flavors. If we could exchange them, it would truly be a blessing for the people."

Her voice was steady, yet clearly reached the king's ears, "Before I left the capital, His Majesty specially ordered the selection of fine breeds and silk samples, hoping to cooperate with the Kingdom of Boyu..."

"Ah! General Liang!"

King Ardan seemed to be suddenly awakened by Liang Yuying's words, abruptly slapping his plump thigh, his blue eyes flashing with feigned realization.

"Speaking of silk, I recall that there is a piece of purple star cloud brocade in the warehouse, brought by a merchant caravan in earlier years. The pattern is truly exquisite."

He turned to a minister beside him, “Abdul, isn’t that right? Find it tomorrow and let General Liang appraise it, see if it’s different from the current one?”

The minister named Abdul quickly bowed and agreed, successfully steer the conversation back to the silk patterns of twenty years ago.

Ruan Jingshang, seated a little further away, saw this and put on a shrewd businessman's smile, interjecting at the opportune moment. His voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable warmth.

"Your Majesty, speaking of caravans, I am but a humble subject with some knowledge of trade between the North and South. The colored gemstones of Bo Yu Kingdom are highly sought after in the Central Plains, especially the fire opal. Its iridescent colors under the sunlight are so captivating that many nobles have spent fortunes to acquire it. If trade routes were smoother and tariffs were clearer, Your Majesty's treasury would be full, and grain, medicine, and fine cloth from the Central Plains would flow in continuously. Wouldn't that be a win-win situation?"

King Ardan swirled the crystal glass in his hand, gazing at the amber liquid within, as if admiring a masterpiece, and slowly said...

"Mr. Ruan is indeed an expert; he speaks eloquently about colored gemstones. However, business is about taking it slow and steady; you can't rush it. What about tariffs? How about the shipping routes? The people below are arguing, and it's hard to reach a conclusion right now. Come, Mr. Ruan, try this 'Golden Lava,' made with the finest goat's milk mixed with saffron and crushed gold leaf. It's extremely nourishing."

He enthusiastically gestured to the maid to serve Ruan Jingshang food, once again silencing him with delicious food.

The prince's attention was completely elsewhere, not on these "boring" discussions of state affairs.

His blue eyes, inherited from his father, were now brazenly fixed on Ye Bingli.

She wore a sky-blue ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) with a light blue gauze shawl over it, appearing like a handful of fresh snow amidst the room's rich colors, cool and aloof.

From the start of the banquet until now, she has barely touched her food, sitting quietly, her gaze occasionally sweeping over the dancers, but without any change in expression, as if all the surrounding noise is irrelevant to her.

This complete disregard, on the contrary, fueled the market's even stronger desire to conquer.

He picked up his wine glass and strode over to the delegation's seats, stopping precisely in front of Ye Bingli, his tall figure casting a shadow.

"Miss Ye"

The market prince's voice was loud and clear, carrying a deliberately displayed "generosity."

"Is it too boring to sit alone? Do you find the songs and dances of my Boyu Kingdom too crude and unworthy of your attention, young lady?"

He leaned forward, offering the glass of wine; the aroma of the wine mingled with the strong scent of spices emanating from him.

"How about you play a tune on your zither for us, young lady? Or... dance a dance from your Purple Star Dynasty? It would be a hundred times better than these vulgar beauties."

He glanced sideways at the dancers twirling in the arena, his tone dismissive.

Ye Bingli raised her eyelids, her gaze sweeping calmly over the market prince's face, flushed with alcohol and desire, as if he were an inanimate object. Her lips parted slightly, her voice clear and cold like shattered jade.

"will not"

Two crisp, clean words, without any explanation or embellishment, like two ice beads hitting the ground.

Prince Bazaar's face darkened. He had never been rejected so directly by a woman twice in his entire life!

Especially in public

A flash of malice crossed his blue eyes, and he was about to explode.

"Oh my! Your Highness!" a clear, lively, even slightly boisterous voice interjected.