The once joyous banquet to celebrate the anniversary has now become a sad departure of the crown prince's consort.

The hall echoed with Qi Zheng's cries and name calling of Consort Lian, who is clearly dead. Unable to handle the heavy atmosphere, Emperor Kai wave his hand to call in men to bring down the dead body.

"Being the Emperor of Kai, I abide by my words. Zheng'er, I will investigate in detail and return your consort her innocence."

Almost an immediate response, Qi Zheng cried out impatiently.

"No no... There is ... there is no point seeking for an answer since it is obvious that not many wants to believe what I have to say.... Since Lian'er had made her decision, I know that she wants peace and nothing more. Your imperial son would like to seek your permission to grieve over my beloved consort's death for the next 3 months, please pardon my absence from the court."

Processing his request silently, Emperor Kai then look up to look at the teary face of Qi Zheng.

"Since this is what you wish for, I shall grant it. Let's end the ban..."

Just before he dismisses everyone from the hall, the sudden appearance of the missing official stop the banquet from ending.

Walking into the heavy atmosphere, wearing his Xuan official outfit which garner attention, accompanied by a side aide on his left. Xuan Di walk towards the centre of the hall, neither too fast nor too slow.

"Your Imperial Majesty, Wang Xuan, the Xuan ambassador greets you with wishing of 10,000 years and eternally."

The appearance of Xuan Di creates another buzz among the people and successfully stop Emperor Kai from leaving this banquet. However, Emperor Kai is definitely not in the mood to entertain anyone after witnessing such tragedy in front of him. Yet, he cannot be rude to the official ambassador who represents the Xuan Kingdom, as they are here to show their sincerity to their alliance.

"Ah... Xuan ambassador, you are finally here. It has been a long wait."

"My apologies, I got delayed halfway through. Now, I would like to present you a sincere gift from Emperor Xuan."

Wu Er brings out a small black box and pass over to Xuan Di, while Emperor Kai signal Eunuch Zhang to bring it up to him. Opening the small box, there lies a white pearl pill with a unique fragrant smell.

"Your Imperial Majesty, Emperor Xuan had instructed me to present this pill of Longevity that symbolize the long life and everlasting friendship between two kingdoms. This longevity pill not only helps to lengthen life span, it also works as a poison cure to help your Imperial Majesty in any situation. My king had said, in this world, there are only 2 pills available. One that is in his hand, the second one will be in yours."

With a unique pill being delivered to him, Emperor Kai break into a smile and laugh with appreciation of the careful thoughts of Emperor Xuan, temporarily distracted him from the bad mood he had earlier on.

"I am very please with this gift, please return my thanks to Emperor Xuan. Everyone picks a cup of wine and offer a toast to Xuan ambassador!"

Everyone follows the order and offer a toast to Xuan Di, down them in one shot.

"I hope you can enjoy this banquet to your fullest, hopefully you won't be bored."

"No worries your Imperial Majesty, after all I did not miss a single thing." Xuan Di smirked.

As everyone seems to be in a happier mood, Qi Zheng who is carrying the dead body in his hand, furrowed his brow with anger and felt disgusted touching a dead body to remain his act. At the same time, Qi Yuan and Jae-in stood close to each other.

Jae-in is looking at this young man that has a decent look and dressed in the Xuan official outfit.

'When did Xuan kingdom has an ambassador named Wang Xuan?' She thought.

"Since everyone seems to be enjoying the night, everyone please continue the banquet while I return to my quarters."

With that being said, Emperor Kai left the banquet, leaving all officials in the hall. The dead body of Consort Lian has been carried out by the knights with Qi Zheng following behind. Returning to their seats, Qi Yuan and Jae-in both remain silent in their own thoughts.

Stealing glances at Xuan Di, Jae-in is sure that she doesn't know him. Closing her eyes to recall the people in the Xuan governing parties, none matches this face.

'Is he newly recruited? But why do I feel so strongly towards a stranger?'

That strange familiarity hits her the moment she saw him, as if she knew Wang Xuan before. So familiar yet so distant...

Being the Xuan ambassador, Xuan Di faced many officials coming up to him for a toast of wine as a form of respect. Going round the tables to create a good impression, finally he ended up at Jae-in's table.

Holding his cup, he stops in front of this lady wearing a veil that hid her face, however he knew her identity when he saw that hypnotizing brown eyes, that has been engraved inside his mind ever since that night at the alley.

"May I ask for a toast with you?" Xuan Di asked in a polite manner.

"I am just a visitor with lowly background, not worthy enough to offer a toast to a highly respected ambassador from Xuan." Jae-in rejected his request.

"In Wang Xuan's eye, there is no difference in status for all human. Therefore, Gu Niang, there is no need to lower yourself to such standards."

"Then let me be honest... I just don't want to share a toast with you."

Jae-in rudely reply to Xuan Di while Ai Le and Qi Yuan stared at her with concern. Tugging the sleeve of Jae-in, Ai Le whispered into her ears.

"Sister Jae-in, why are you reacting this way? This Xuan ambassador is politely asking for a toast and you rejected him in such a manner might not look good on your side."

As everyone is observing her, Jae-in felt irritated since tonight has been a messy night. Reluctantly, she pours the jar of wine into her cup and took in one shot, stood up abruptly facing Xuan Di.

"There you go."

Finishing the toast, Jae-in left her seat immediately with Qi Yuan and Ai Le shouting her name from behind while chasing after her. Unconcern with the attitude Jae-in gave him, he slowly pours himself a cup of wine with the same jar and drank it with a grin.

"I found you."

*

*

*

Finally, back to Qi Yuan manor, both Jae-in and Qi Yuan seem to be busy on their mind, bothered by different matters.

Instead of separating their ways, Qi Yuan follows Jae-in back to her own quarter. Unaware of this action of his as she is preoccupied with the thoughts of Wang Xuan. She enters her quarters and sit on a stool, pouring herself a cup of water. Only when Qi Yuan sat beside her, then her train of thoughts got disrupted.

"Qi Yuan?! What are you doing here?" Qi Yuan look at the distracted Jae-in before resuming the usual self.

"I just want to make sure that you are alright."

"Thanks for your concern, I am fine."

"But ... you look so distracted. What's bothering you?"

"Nothing much ... just that, I did not expect Consort Lian to commit suicide just like that."

Qi Yuan look away, staring into night sky that is visible through the open doors.

"It is not a surprise actually, after all Qi Zheng treats everyone as a pawn to reach his goals. But, it is definitely unexpected for him to secretly hint her to kill herself right in front of everyone. Sigh ... Jae-in, I am sorry that I couldn't help to charge him with the deserved punishment."

"I understand. There is little that you can do when you are being branded as a rapist towards your family member. Such an unforgivable crime and sudden accusation towards you, it is best for a stranger to step up instead of yourself.

Plus, your reputation in Kai Kingdom isn't that good, the officials and other nobles will be easily influenced by Qi Zheng. Now that the only victim had commit suicide, furthermore Qi Zheng framed himself to be a victim, even more so, with the sacrifice of Consort Lian's life. Purposely ending the investigation with the excuse of seeking peace ... ha ..." Jae-in scoffed at the thought of this weakling man.

"But, still I want to say my thanks for you standing up for me during the banquet."

"Of course, this is what friends are for!"