They struck a balance between opulence and solemnity, while also exuding a touch of sexiness.
To conceal the markings on their bodies, both my wife and Mom wore magnificent long gowns; my wife even kept her chest fully covered to hide the name bestowed upon her by the Heavens.
As Father and I knelt, the high slits of our *qipao*—extending all the way to the waist—fully revealed our long, shapely legs; those at the right angle could even catch a glimpse of our tiny undergarments.
"Heh heh! You have worked hard, Prince Longyun. This isn't our first meeting—come to think of it, you are actually my savior. Please, rise quickly!"
Emperor Shengzong said to Mother with a smile.
As we rose, we took a close look at Emperor Shengzong. We breathed a quiet sigh of relief when we saw the look of infatuation he cast upon Mother.
It seemed that Mother's entry into the imperial palace was only a matter of time. Just as I was relaxing, I suddenly sensed two gazes directed at me: one held no malice—filled only with curiosity—while the other was steeped in spite and hatred.
I stole a glance at the person glaring at me with such venom and recognized Prince Jing.
As for the person gazing at me with curiosity, it was a young girl affectionately clinging to my second younger brother's arm.
Given the resemblance between her face and Yang Bing's, I was certain she was my brother's sister—Princess Xiangle, Li Hanxiu.
I chose to ignore Prince Jing, but I offered Princess Xiangle a friendly smile.
We were seated at the very end of the row of over a dozen vassal princes, yet once the banquet began, Emperor Shengzong's attention was focused almost entirely on Mother.
No one took issue with the Emperor's behavior; beyond the weight of his authority and Mother's own formidable power, there was the undeniable fact that she was a peerless beauty.
Had they been in the Emperor's position, they would have done the same.
However, there was one person among them who was deeply displeased by the Emperor's attentiveness: Consort Pang.
Although she tried her best to conceal it, her spiteful glare did not escape my notice.
If I could sense it, Mother certainly would have noticed it as well.
Yet, Mother continued her conversation with the Emperor as if nothing were amiss. "Royal Father! It is said that the Prince of Longyun possesses martial arts skills unrivaled in the world, and the young prince has inherited his true mastery. Might we ask him to put on a demonstration for everyone's enjoyment?"
Prince Jing spoke to Emperor Shengzong with an earnest expression.
"Oh? And what sort of demonstration?"
Emperor Shengzong asked.
"I invited a martial arts expert to my estate a few days ago; let the young prince spar with him!"
Prince Jing proposed.
"Your Majesty, my son has been transformed into a woman, and his physique is far weaker than before. I beg for your mercy!"
Mother sent a quiet telepathic message to Shengzong.
Hearing Mother's message, Shengzong felt a surge of delight.
How could he possibly refuse a request from such a beauty? "Why brandish swords and spears on such a joyous occasion? Besides, what if a beauty like the Heir of Longyun were to get hurt? Let us drop the matter."
Shengzong said.
Prince Jing was taken aback by Shengzong's words.
He had not expected Shengzong—who usually granted his every request—to refuse. This meant the scheme he had prepared to humiliate me could not proceed, leaving him with no choice but to swallow his anger and remain silent.
After Shengzong spoke, Mother immediately sent a telepathic message of thanks, which filled Shengzong with immense joy.
Throughout the banquet, Shengzong frequently showed favor to Mother.
Officials from Prince Jing's faction found the sight irritating, whereas officials from the Crown Prince's faction were delighted.
If Mother could truly succeed in this, the Crown Prince's faction would firmly gain the upper hand over Prince Jing's faction. As the banquet concluded, Emperor Shengzong sighed inwardly while watching Mother's retreating figure, whereas Noble Consort Pang's eyes burned with a mixture of jealousy and unease.
After the banquet, Shengzong did not summon Noble Consort Pang to his bedchamber; instead, he encountered a palace maid whose facial features bore a resemblance to Mother's and took her back to his quarters.
Witnessing Shengzong's choice, Noble Consort Pang's face twisted with anger and anxiety, and she hurried back to her own palace.
Prince Jing, however, remained completely indifferent to these events, his mind entirely consumed by thoughts of how to exact revenge on me.
When he attempted to seek counsel from Noble Consort Pang, he found himself shut out, leaving him no choice but to return to his own estate.
********************
Upon returning to her palace, a furious Pang Pan'er drove out all the eunuchs and maids.
Haunted by the memory of the look Shengzong had given Mother, she began smashing whatever objects lay within reach.
Amidst the sounds of shattering—which made the servants outside tremble with fear—nearly all the porcelain and jade ornaments in the palace were destroyed.
Just as the final piece of jade was reduced to shards, a voice spoke close to Pang Pan'er's ear.
"My dear sister, what has got you so angry?"
Upon hearing the voice, the furious look on Pang Pan'er's face instantly vanished, replaced by a smile.
For she saw her eldest brother—the one who had dotingly cared for her since childhood and always handled everything for her. "Big Brother! When did you arrive? I've missed you so much!"
As she spoke, Pang Pan'er threw herself into Pang Tianlong's arms. Holding the alluring, mature beauty in his arms, Pang Tianlong felt a surge of heat in his groin, and his cock instantly sprang to attention.
Gazing at his younger sister—now one of the most distinguished women in the entire nation—Pang Tianlong felt a long-dormant desire to conquer a woman rise within him.