As dusk neared, the distant sky was dyed a shade of pink, lighting up nearly half the sky.

Above the plaza of the Haoyue Tribe, large bonfires had already been lit, their bright flames reflected in the evening glow.

The people of the prairie were adept at singing and dancing. At this point, a great number of young men and women were already dancing and singing around the bonfire. From afar, one could feel the warmth of their enthusiasm.

A scene of joy and cheer!

With the arrival of Princess Baolian and Princess Nayi's party, the atmosphere here reached a crescendo.

A large number of young men and women, singing and dancing, gathered around Princess Baolian's group.

Upon the faces of Princess Baolian and Princess Nayi were happy smiles. They could not resist moving in rhythm with the music.

Pang Zhongyuan approached Chu Mo and said softly, "Join in and lighten the atmosphere. Do not let anyone see anything out of ordinary."

Chu Mo gave a bitter smile. How could he possibly know about singing and dancing? Heck, he could only blindly follow along with the crowd, tossing and turning. Since he had practiced martial arts from an early age, the rhythm and flexibility of his movements were fine. After moving a few times, it looked quite decent.

After dancing for quite a while, everyone finally stopped. On everyone's faces were rosy cheeks and wide smiles.

Even Princess Baolian and Nayi had excitement on their faces.

Chu Mo was inwardly wary, Elder Haoyue is indeed very impressive!

If Princess Baolian hadn't received the news in advance, and if he hadn't seen those people arranging arrangements in secret beforehand, he probably would have been infected by the current atmosphere. He would have mistaken this place as a grand prairie banquet.

Then, the host of this banquet announced the beginning of the outdoor feast.

People from the Haoyue Tribe began to bring out tables and chairs and neatly arranged them. After that, more people brought out food and wine.

All of it was the special food of the prairie: roasted whole lamb, and beef and mutton cooked for a long time in a large iron pot with a tantalizing aroma.

Chu Mo couldn't help but feel the temptation.

Everyone quickly found their seats. Elder Haoyue of the Haoyue Tribe raised his big bowl and laughingly said, "Tonight's banquet is to welcome my precious niece, Princess Nayi, and my nephew, Prince Lie Ge! Everyone eats, drinks, and be merry until you can drink no more!"

"Let's finish this bowl of wine!"

Following Elder Haoyue's proclamation, everyone in the audience shouted in unison, "Drink!"

Chu Mo took a sip of the wine in the bowl, and a spicy sensation came through. Although Princess Baolian had told him beforehand that Elder Haoyue wouldn't tamper with the food and wine, it was still safer to be cautious. He used jade to inspect the food and wine, and the conclusion was that they were not poisoned.

With the start of the banquet, young and beautiful girls from the Haoyue Tribe started dancing around the bonfire.

These girls were charming and their dance moves were entrancing, some were lively and youthful, others were seductive and attractive.

Watching these beautiful girls dance was truly a pleasure. Even without drinking, watching them for a while was intoxicating.Chu Mo stole a glance, and even Pang Zhongyuan couldn't help but beam, casting a few more glances in their direction.

Soon, most people had already drunk three bowls of wine. Although Chu Mo didn't drink as hastily, he had also had a bowl.

Elder Haoyue then stood up and loudly asked, "Aren't these girls lovely?"

"Beautiful!" The slightly tipsy crowd replied loudly, accompanied by some people's whistles and applause.

Elder Haoyue laughed heartily, "Do you like them?"

"We do!" The crowd's roar was like the howl of a pack of wolves.

Elder Haoyue said, "Our men and women on the prairie are so honest and straightforward! Unlike those people from the Central Plains, who are deceitful and fake, which is so annoying!"

"Hahahaha!" The crowd burst into laughter, the atmosphere of the whole banquet was at its peak.

"Then... today, do any of you young people want to confess to your beloved?" Elder Haoyue asked loudly again.

Chu Mo thought to himself: It's coming!

As expected, right after Elder Haoyue finished his sentence, there was a young voice in the crowd shouting, "Yes!"

Elder Haoyue turned his head and saw his third son, Haoyue Geshui, looking at him with excitement.

"You naughty boy ..... How come I've never seen you have a beloved before, who do you want to confess to?" Elder Haoyue asked with a smile.

Both Princess Baolian and Princess Nayi over there, although they had already known what was about to happen, at this moment, their smiles seemed a bit forced.

Haoyue Geshui immediately turned his head, looking at Nayi with a passionately and said loudly, "I... Haoyue Geshui, a fine fellow on the prairie! If I like someone... it must be the most dazzling pearl on the prairie! So, those other girls, though beautiful, in my heart, I only like Nayi!"

"Oooooh!"

At the outdoor banquet, the people of the Haoyue Tribe suddenly let out a chorus of cheers that sounded like wolf howls.

"The Third Young Master is the most handsome!"

"The Third Young Master is the most brave!"

"Only our Third Young Master is worthy of the most charming pearl of prairie!"

Sitting next to Haoyue Geshui was Haoyue Gemu, smiling. Only in that smile, there was a hint of gloom.

The most handsome? The bravest?

Haoyue Gemu stole a glance at his excited younger brother and his seemingly happy, but actually calm father. He thought to himself, we'll see when it's my day to take over the throne!

At this point, the warriors of the Haoyue Tribe at the scene started to rally, shouting in unison in Nayi's direction, "The princess should agree!"

"The princess should agree!"

"The princess agrees!"

The voice shook the heavens, echoing in all directions.

As Nayi sat there, her smiling face was somewhat stiff. At the echoes of those cries, she took a deep breath, then gently... raised her hand.

Silence fell abruptly!

Chu Mo saw a flicker of chill in Elder Haoyue's eyes as his emotion stiffened briefly.

"I have something to say." Nayi slowly rose up, standing tall and elegant. Her eyes scanned the crowd, pausing briefly on Chu Mo, then moved on quickly.

"First of all, I want to thank Brother Geshui for his deep affection toward me."

"Dear Nayi, I adore you..." With the courage from wine, Haoyue Geshui blushed and shouted out loud.

Another round of cheering resounded from the crowd.

Nayi slightly raised her hand and pressed down, "Please let me speak."

The remnant might of the royal princess still existed. Despite the upheaval in the royal court, despite Nayi being branded as a fugitive by Jin Ge and Yin Ge, her status in the hearts of the Prairie people remained incomparable. This was true even in Elder Haoyue's tribe!

Once again, the entire area was silent.

Haoyue Geshui's face contorted with embarrassment, but excitement still shone in his eyes. To him, it was clear: the most lustrous pearl of the Prairie would definitely belong to him, Haoyue Geshui. No one could take her from him!

"Here, I wish to clarify something." Nayi spoke in a gentle voice, "You must have heard about the abrupt changes in the royal court. It's not suitable to discuss them in such a festive and lively atmosphere, but since Brother Geshui has confessed his feelings, I must say a few words in response."

Elder Haoyue's face twitched slightly. His eyes twinkled but he didn't stop Nayi. However, the glance he gave Princess Baolian became icy cold.

It was clear that in his view, Nayi, at her tender age, did not have the wisdom needed in this situation.

Princess Baolian kept looking at her niece kindly, as if she hadn't noticed Elder Haoyue's gaze at all. She didn't even glance in his direction.

"Firstly, Nayi is not a criminal!"

With tearful eyes, Princess Nayi declared loudly, "Nayi's parents, your beloved king and queen, were poisoned by the treacherous beasts, Jin Ge and Yin Ge. They suffered from severe toxicity, and then Yin Ge beheaded them himself!"

"Therefore, Jin Ge and Yin Ge are the true murderers who killed the king and queen!"

"Secondly, Nayi would like to ask Uncle for his military support to take down the traitors, Jin Ge and Yin Ge!"

As Nayi stared at Elder Haoyue, she refrained from letting her tears fall.

Haoyue Geshui, somewhat drunk and excited, responded without thinking, "Dear Nayi, don't worry, as long as you become my wife, I will surely send the troops..."

Haoyue Gemu, who was standing nearby, discreetly kicked Haoyue Geshui's shin. Haoyue Geshui, who was slightly unsteady already, fell to the ground. Then, with a calm face, he looked up at the surprised crowd and laughed, "My younger brother is drunk and spouting nonsense!"

"I...I wasn't..." Haoyue Geshui got up from the ground, intending to continue his previous words. But seeing the cold expression on his father's face, he quickly mangled his words and stuttered, "He...I, I'm drunk... very drunk! I'm sorry for the disgrace... Nayi, you...you continue."

It was as if Princess Nayi hadn't noticed the exchange. Her gaze fixed on Elder Haoyue, she said, "Nayi's father and mother have just passed away. Even if Nayi wishes for it, it is not appropriate to discuss marriage at this time. Nayi hopes Uncle understands!"

"At the same time, Nayi reiterates her request for Uncle to send troops in order to assist the Prairie royal court and wipe out the rebellious Jin Ge and Yin Ge, returning peace to the Prairie and justice to all people!"

"Nayi firmly believes that Uncle understands the broader implications and will definitely assist Nayi and the Prairie royal court!"

With these words, Nayi deeply bowed before Elder Haoyue.

The entire place was silent. Even the densest amongst them could feel the tension in the air.

All eyes were turned to Elder Haoyue.

Elder Haoyue subtly smiled, placing a reassuring hand on Princess Nayi, "Your filial piety is truly commendable! Not easy at all!"

"So, Uncle agrees to Nayi's request?" Nayi asked directly.

There was a flash of cold light in Elder Haoyue's eyes before he laughed, "This matter is complicated and should not involve a child like you. But rest assured, since your parents have passed on, it's only me and your aunt who are your only relatives. We will definitely make the right decision for you!"

Chu Mo's eyes slightly narrowed, thinking to himself: This cunning old guy is starting to use kinship and seniority to suppress Nayi.

Sure enough, Elder Haoyue continued, "You are my younger relative, my favorite child! I will definitely investigate your parents' matter! Jin Ge and Yin Ge committed high treason by usurping the royal court after murdering their own parents. I will definitely send troops!"

Elder Haoyue's words were resolute.

Immediately, cheers erupted from all directions.

Chu Mo sneered, his eyes chilling, Is he going to send troops? For his own sake, I assume!

"As for the marriage, you are currently mourning your parents and it's certainly not the time to discuss wedding plans." Elder Haoyue sighed.

Haoyue Geshui's eyes widened at this. But before he could say anything, he was sharply glared at by Haoyue Gemu at his side.

At this moment, Elder Haoyue changed his tone, "But, Haoyue Geshui's heart is set on you. I believe you can't be indifferent to his feelings. While the wedding need not be rushed, the marriage... can surely be agreed upon!"

On hearing these words, Nayi's face turned pale.

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