I died tragically in my previous life, and I want to be an empress in my next life

"My Lord, the Willow Branch Dance is the quintessence of the Great Zhou. Although I have learned a thing or two, I am not prepared today and I am afraid that I will make a fool of myself in front of everyone." Pei Zhiyan lowered her head slightly and spoke tactfully.

"It's just a dance. What's the point of preparing for it?" Princess Yongtai said with some disdain.

Seeing that the scene was somewhat awkward, Concubine Ning hurriedly spoke to smooth things over, "Alas, this willow branch dance is a common dance in our Great Zhou, but a solo dance is not as artistic as a group dance. If Princess Galan is interested, I will arrange for the palace singer to dance for the princess."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Princess Galan said with a smile.

"Princess, please wait a moment." Concubine Ning said, and asked the palace maid beside her to go down and have people prepare.

Pei Zhiyan calmly raised her glass to Concubine Ning to express her gratitude.

Princess Yongtai picked up the wine glass in front of her, drank it all, and glanced at Pei Zhiyan with a hint of hatred.

A moment later, a group of singers appeared on the stage. They had graceful figures and danced gracefully, like fairies descending to earth. Everyone was fascinated by them, and Princess Galan was even more amazed.

The banquet was halfway through. At this time, the prince of Xiliang had a red face, probably because he had drunk a lot. He stood up and said, "I have long heard that the Great Zhou is a country of etiquette, and its poems and songs are spread far and wide. Today I come to the Great Zhou, can you teach me something?"

There was a hint of provocation on the face of the Prince of Xiliang.

"Your Highness is too modest," the emperor said. "Although the etiquette culture of the Great Zhou has a long history, it also needs to constantly learn from other cultures in order to better pass it on."

"If you are interested, you may want to have a discussion with my great Zhou scholar."

The Xiliang prince had a look of contempt on his face. "Well, I will show you my ugliness first. Please listen to my poem, 'The spring breeze blows gently over the flowers, the autumn moon is bright in the night. The mountains and rivers are so beautiful, but life is short and long.'"

"Good poem!" The emperor smiled and praised, and everyone followed suit.

The Xiliang prince became more and more proud and snorted coldly, "The so-called country of etiquette is nothing more than this."

Everyone's face changed slightly. This Prince of Xiliang was really an arrogant person. The emperor's praise was just a polite remark, but he couldn't hear it.

Xuanyuan Che, who was originally sitting in the corner, sneered, "It's just a trifle."

In the past, Xuanyuan Che usually came for formalities in such occasions. But today, when he saw that the Prince of Xiliang actually despised the Great Zhou, he couldn't help but get angry, and a reckless attitude arose spontaneously.

After Xuanyuan Che finished speaking, the hall fell silent. The Prince of Xiliang's eyes flickered as he glanced at Xuanyuan Che, a sneer on his face, "Sixth Prince, are your poems as beautiful as mine?"

Xuanyuan Che smiled calmly and spoke slowly, "Your Highness's poems are indeed beautiful, but they are empty. The beauty of poetry lies in its conciseness and deep emotions. This beauty cannot be described by flashy words, nor can it be expressed by empty sentences."

When these words came out, everyone in the hall was shocked. No one expected that the usually unruly Sixth Prince would have such a unique insight into poetry.

The Xiliang prince's face changed slightly, and a trace of anger flashed in his eyes, "Sixth Prince, then please give me a poem!"

Xuanyuan Che smiled slightly and said softly: "The rippling green waves dance among the flowers, and the autumn frost dyes the maple leaves red. The picturesque landscape makes me intoxicated, and the various aspects of life are all in the laughter and talk."

As he chanted, a faint poetic atmosphere seemed to permeate the hall, and everyone was intoxicated by it.

The emperor also looked at Xuanyuan Che with some appreciation. This son was his biggest headache. He only knew how to stir up trouble all day long. But today in the hall, he actually crushed the Prince of Xiliang's spirit, which really made him look at him in a new light.

Pei Zhiyan glanced at Princess Galan calmly, only to see an inexplicable emotion flashing in Princess Galan's eyes as she looked at Xuanyuan Che.

But Xuanyuan Che's eyes drifted towards Pei Zhiyan.

After Xuanyuan Che finished reciting, he said to the Prince of Xiliang provocatively, "Prince, how about this poem?"

Pei Zhiyan put down the teacup in her hand and glanced at him. This guy really doesn't mind making trouble.

The Prince of Xiliang had a gloomy expression on his face, but was speechless. He was arrogant and considered himself the most talented person in Xiliang, but he did not want to be looked down upon in the Imperial Palace of the Great Zhou.

"Sixth Prince, guests are welcome and must not be rude." The emperor pretended to have a stern face and taught Xuanyuan Che a lesson.

When the Xiliang prince was about to speak again, Lord Ming gave him a calm look, then bowed and said, "Your country's poetry culture is indeed profound and extensive. We are ashamed of ourselves. I hope that the cultures of our two countries can have a deeper exchange and integration."

"Haha, the way of poetry is about communication, not competition. Let us make friends through literature and discuss philosophy through poetry." The emperor raised his glass again, defusing an awkward situation.

Halfway through the banquet, the emperor left the table and everyone in the hall started to let loose. Several civil servants pulled Lord Ming to drink. Lord Ming had a huge appetite and he was not drunk even though he was drinking five people at the same time.

Pei Zhiyan silently picked up the wine glass and quietly observed the whole scene. She saw that the second prince Xuanyuan Si had been sitting below the eldest princess. It was not cold today, but he seemed to be wearing thicker clothes than ordinary people. There seemed to be a stove next to him, and he covered his nose and coughed from time to time.

He was supposed to host today, but he kept a low profile and just politely exchanged a few words with Lord Ming and the Prince of Xiliang.

Last time at the banquet at the Princess's Mansion, Xuanyuan Si drank a lot of alcohol, but today he didn't drink at all. Could it be that his illness has relapsed?

The man from Xiliang was unrestrained and carefree. Princess Galan walked straight to Xuanyuan Che's side with ease and without any shyness. This action attracted many people's attention.

Princess Galan smiled gently, her bright eyes sparkling with a strange brilliance. She said softly, "I've heard that the Great Zhou is full of talented people. Today I see that it is indeed true. This princess admires you, the Sixth Prince, so I came here to offer you a glass of wine."

Xuanyuan Che put down the wine glass in his hand and said calmly, "I appreciate the princess' kindness, but I am already drunk and I am afraid I can't enjoy it to my heart's content."

Princess Galan was not discouraged after hearing this. She smiled and said, "Since the Sixth Prince is already drunk, please have a good rest and drink again tomorrow."

After saying that, Princess Galan turned around and left gracefully. Her back looked particularly graceful under the light, which attracted a lot of discussion. Xuanyuan Che sat quietly in his seat, as if everything had nothing to do with him.

Pei Zhiyan, who was in the corner, watched from afar and thought that Xuanyuan Che and Princess Galan were chatting and laughing. She couldn't help but sigh in her heart that these two were a perfect match.

She picked up the wine glass in front of her with a bit of disappointment and drank it all in one gulp.

All this fell into the eyes of the eldest princess.