The incident between Madam Wei and Yu Zhu was just a minor episode in the entire Chongyang Terrace banquet. With the expulsion of Madam Wei and Yu Zhu by the guards of Chongyang Terrace, the atmosphere on the terrace quickly returned to the lively state it was in at the beginning.

I sat next to Princess Qingyang on the tall platform, looking down at the nobles and aristocrats below, feeling a slight sense of insignificance. This was perhaps the first time in my life that I had experienced the feeling of being looked up to by others. Although I was not actually in a high position, there was a hint of the chilling feeling of being elevated. It felt as if every move I made was exposed in broad daylight, under the watchful eyes of everyone. I felt somewhat at a loss, lowering my head and looking at the various pastries on the table, unsure of what to do with my hands and feet.

"Yang'er, the emperor has been sitting among these ladies for far too long today. It's time to go to the front courtyard. You should host your birthday feast properly and not lose your temper again." The person who had been sitting behind the curtain finally spoke for the first time today. Along with his voice, a eunuch lifted the curtain with a feather duster. I dared not lift my head, but I saw a pair of black boots embroidered with golden dragon patterns stop not far from me. Princess Qingyang, who was sitting beside me, seemed to respond with a sound, and immediately the owner of those boots walked towards the stage. As he stepped down from the stage, my pounding heart finally calmed down.

I followed Princess Qingyang as she got up, preparing to bow. Then I heard the Emperor say, "Please be seated. Today, just like all of you, I am here to celebrate Qingyang's birthday. Here, I am not the Emperor; I am just an ordinary father. You don't need to bow to me." I noticed a hint of kindness in his tone when he spoke these words. It really didn't seem like the Emperor who ruled over the world, but instead, he resembled an ordinary father. He did not use the customary self-reference of "朕" that emperors usually employ, but rather the word "我" (I). In that moment, I unexpectedly felt that the difference between an emperor and his subjects was not that significant. Finding the audacity somewhere within, I lifted my head and looked at the supreme Emperor of Great Yan.

I thought what I saw was either a face covered by long fringe that couldn't be seen clearly, or a face that had developed an air of arrogance from long-time high position. In my mind, I had imagined countless versions of what I believed an emperor would look like, but none of them were benevolent or gentle. When I met the gaze of those eyes with a hint of a smile, all of my imaginings were instantly shattered. I was too flustered to even think about being disrespectful, and hurriedly lowered my head.

Under the escort of a group of eunuchs, the emperor quickly approached the entrance. Just as he took a step outside, as if suddenly recalling something, he abruptly retracted his foot. My heart immediately started racing, fearing that the emperor would suddenly question my earlier impropriety. I felt a gaze scanning me back and forth, surely emanating from the emperor. I dared not lift my head, clutching tightly onto my skirt, while a few beads of cold sweat formed on my forehead.

Just as I was preparing to kneel down, a gentle laughter came from the balcony. It didn't sound like a sign of anger or annoyance at all. Following that, I heard the emperor say, "Qingyang, I have been watching you grow up, and this is the first time I see you standing up for someone. You seem to get along well with this Miss Yu. It's good, it's good. My Qingyang will finally have a close sister."

After the emperor finished speaking, and without waiting for a response from Princess Qingyang, he strode out of the Sunrise Terrace. I dared not look at the princess's expression, afraid that she would see me as a woman who sought favor from those in power. Nervously, I began to speak, "Princess, I am well aware of my lowly status and cannot stand shoulder to shoulder with you. I have no right to sit together with you on this high platform. I am willing..." Perhaps due to my excessive anxiety, my words were somewhat incoherent. Before I could finish, Princess Qingyang interrupted me, saying, "Yu Ying, since I have brought you onto this high platform, it means that you deserve it. In the future, you need not belittle yourself or concern yourself too much with others' opinions."