As soon as these words were spoken, the man seated at the highest position on the left quickly stood up to express his gratitude. However, instead of immediately turning around to choose someone, he smiled and said, "The princess has just arrived in Dayan and must be feeling out of place. Why not let Father first select a few suitable companions for her to ease her transition?"
His words were smooth, seemingly considerate of the guest from afar, but in reality, he was suggesting that the Emperor should first pick those he fancied. After all, the princess would eventually enter the palace, and the Emperor could claim anyone by her side whenever he wished.
The Emperor, pleased with his son's thoughtfulness, replied, "You're quite considerate." Then, turning to Princess Zigu, he asked gently, "Xuan Lie has a point. Zigu, why don't you choose a few to stay by your side?"
At these words, the princess, who had kept her eyes downcast, finally looked up, casting a quick glance at Murong Xuan Lie before bowing to the Emperor and responding with a calm, "As Your Majesty wishes." Being born into a royal family, she was well aware of what these men were thinking.
With a sweep of his dragon-like gaze, the old Emperor selected a few girls. In that instant, Mei Lin noticed a sharp gleam in his otherwise clouded eyes, and a cold sweat broke out on her back. She silently thanked her luck for standing at the end of the line. After all, once inside the palace, getting out would not be easy.
After that, starting with Murong Xuan Lie, each of the men present selected two or three women. No one was foolish enough to be picky in front of the Emperor, especially since the beauties from Xiyan who accompanied the princess were all stunning, chosen from hundreds.
Nearly a hundred girls remained, and the Emperor instructed his close eunuch to count them and prepare to bring them back to the capital as rewards for high-ranking officials who had not been able to attend the hunt. Mei Lin was among those left behind. She looked at the girls, some genuinely pleased, others forcing smiles, all of whose fates were now sealed. A momentary confusion washed over her as she wondered what kind of person she might end up with. But this feeling didn't last long, as it was abruptly interrupted by the arrival of an unexpected person.
In her daze, Mei Lin suddenly felt a tightness around her waist and was pulled into someone's arms. At the same time, the Xiyan girl standing next to her was also swept into this person's embrace, their foreheads nearly bumping together.
Looking up, she saw the face of a young, handsome man. Before she could take in his features, he made a clicking sound and planted a heavy kiss on her face.
Startled, Mei Lin watched as he turned to kiss the other girl in his arms, unsure of how to react. She could only allow herself to be held as he walked forward, realizing that this man must hold a high rank.
Sure enough, before the man even reached the Emperor, Murong Xuan Lie's laughter rang out.
"Jing He, you're late. Could it be that General Mei has already invited you into his tent?" Although it sounded like a jest, Mei Lin keenly detected a hint of mockery in his tone. She stole a glance at the Emperor and saw his face openly displaying impatience and indifference, which left her puzzled.
But the man holding them seemed oblivious, shrugging with a helpless expression. "Elder Brother, you're teasing me. Luo Mei is not like these women..." As he spoke, his hands continued to roam over the two girls in his arms.
Scoundrel. Mei Lin could barely suppress her disgust, and just as the word formed in her mind, someone else voiced it for her.
"Worthless brat!" The furious outburst came from the man seated at the highest position.
Mei Lin felt the man holding them stiffen slightly before quickly regaining his composure. He led the two of them in a bow to the Emperor, grinning as he said, "Your son is late. Please forgive me, Father." Despite his words, there was no trace of remorse in his tone.
"Look at yourself. Get out of my sight!" The old Emperor clearly had little affection for this son, not even bothering to spend more time reprimanding him.
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