The Emperor himself stood up and applauded Leng Ruo Li ceaselessly, "General Leng, listening to this melody reminds me of my youth, fighting on the battlefield for many years to protect the people of Tian Wu Kingdom."
"Indeed! Your Majesty, our Tian Wu Kingdom needs more hot-blooded men to defend the country."
Among those present, only Jun Mo Han maintained a calm expression, though his heart was churning like a stormy sea.
The Emperor laughed heartily and said, "Reward! Reward! Reward!"
Eunuch Li immediately understood, took a notebook from the tray presented by a palace maid, quickly approached the Emperor, and listened attentively, recording as he went.
Following that, Eunuch Li's sharp voice called out, "Leng Jin Yu, Leng Ruo Li, receive the imperial decree."
Leng Jin Yu and Leng Ruo Li hurried out from their seats and knelt facing the Emperor.
"Your subject (subject's daughter) receives the decree."
"Reward: Leng Jin Yu with ten thousand taels of gold, one thousand taels of silver, and one hundred mu of fertile land."
Leng Jin Yu knelt and kowtowed, "Thank you for Your Majesty's grace!"
"Reward: Leng Ruo Li with one thousand taels of gold, five hundred taels of silver, two luminous pearls, a pair of gold-inlaid jade bracelets, a pair of silver wire double-buckle bracelets, a pair of gold bracelets inlaid with gems featuring twin dragons, a pair of sapphire jade bracelets, a pair of white jade earrings, a pair of gold-inlaid pearl earrings, a pair of gold-inlaid ruby earrings, a pair of red gold twisted pearl earrings, a pair of red jade droplet pearl earrings, a silver phoenix-head hair ornament with peacock feathers, a silver hair ornament with four butterflies, a silver hair ornament with auspicious double happiness, a gold hair ornament with blooming clouds and beautiful faces, a purple-ground gold hair ornament from Li Shui, and a gold phoenix-head hair ornament with red jade droplets..."
The people present heard of the numerous rewards bestowed upon Leng Jin Yu and Leng Ruo Li, and a wave of envy swept through them. Only Leng Ruo Shuang and her companions clenched their handkerchiefs, grinding their teeth in anger.
"Your subject's daughter thanks Your Majesty for your grace."
Leng Ruo Li secretly rejoiced, "Heh heh, so much money, so many jewels and ornaments! This transmigration is so worth it, she's going to get rich, rich!"
Next, the Emperor began rewarding the副将领 (deputy generals) and several meritorious ordinary soldiers.
After the Emperor finished bestowing rewards upon the meritorious individuals, he turned to the Empress and said, "Empress, I believe your jade ruyi should be given to the eldest daughter of the Leng family."
"Yes, yes, Your Majesty, that is precisely what I was thinking."
Although the Empress inwardly disagreed with the Emperor's suggestion, she dared not incur his displeasure.
The Empress immediately announced, "Leng Ruo Li wins first place in this performance."
"Your subject's daughter thanks the Empress!"
"Heh heh, eldest daughter of the Leng family, continue to strive for excellence in the future."
Upon hearing this, Leng Ruo Li mustered her courage, raised her eyes, and quickly scanned the Empress. The Empress was adorned in a magnificent crimson imperial robe, her collar, cuffs, and hem embroidered with exquisite gold threads forming lifelike phoenix patterns. Golden auspicious clouds adorned her skirt, accented with blue and green gemstones. Her complexion was exceptionally well-maintained, but her phoenix-like eyes held a gaze too sharp and sinister, exuding an aura of domineering authority and fierce intensity.
"Yes!" Leng Ruo Li responded obediently.
"Eldest daughter of the Leng family, can you tell me where this song, 'A Man Should Strive for Success,' came from?" the Emperor asked with a smile.
"Replying to Your Majesty, this is a song composed by your subject. I humbly present it before Your Majesty tonight to solicit criticism," Leng Ruo Li said with a slight bow, demurely. (To all seniors, I beg forgiveness, I beg forgiveness, for borrowing your song.)
"Alas, eldest daughter of the Leng family, you are too humble. Such a magnificent song, you must organize it properly and provide me with a musical score. Also, give a copy to your father. From now on, this shall be the battle hymn of our Tian Wu Kingdom's army."
"Yes, your subject understands."
"Eldest daughter of the Leng family, do you have anything else to say?"
Seeing that Leng Ruo Li showed no intention of withdrawing, the Emperor inquired.
"Your subject wishes to request one matter from Your Majesty."
"Ruo Li—" Leng Jin Yu called out to Leng Ruo Li anxiously.
Her statement immediately drew murmurs of discussion from the assembled crowd.
"This Leng Ruo Li is too presumptuous. Having received so many rewards, she still dares to make demands of the Emperor."
"Indeed, she is too greedy..."
The Emperor on the dragon throne slightly furrowed his brows upon hearing Leng Ruo Li's words, but given her outstanding performance earlier, he suppressed his displeasure.
"Eldest daughter of the Leng family, speak."
"Your subject requests that Your Majesty help me annul the engagement with Prince Qing."
"What?" The Emperor was stunned.
The entire assembly erupted into a clamor, like boiling water.
"Heavens, did I hear correctly? This ugly woman actually wants to break off her engagement with Prince Qing. It's unbelievable!"
"Hmph, with her hideous appearance, who would dare marry her after breaking off the engagement with Prince Qing?"
"..."
The crowd jabbered incessantly, criticizing Leng Ruo Li.
Leng Jin Yu's face was filled with worry. Ruo Li's boldness was too much. If she offended the Emperor, her life could be forfeit.
Prince Qing, however, wore a grim expression. "Damn ugly creature, causing him to lose face. Although he desperately wanted to break the engagement with Leng Ruo Li, it had to be proposed by him, Jun Mo Yao, or he would feel utterly humiliated."
Meanwhile, Jun Mo Han, seated in the front row, also blinked in surprise upon hearing Leng Ruo Li's words. Didn't she always adore Jun Mo Yao?
He had heard that she once disguised herself as a filthy beggar and wandered the streets of the capital begging, all in the hope of catching Jun Mo Yao's attention. Yet, even then, Jun Mo Yao had never spared her a second glance.
He had even heard that Leng Ruo Li, in her attempt to confess her love to Jun Mo Yao, had painted herself up like a peacock and performed an erotic dance in public, nearly causing the entire capital to laugh. Today, why had she suddenly proposed to break off her engagement with Jun Mo Yao?
This woman was truly inscrutable!
Was she truly the same Leng Ruo Li?
At this moment, the Emperor from above said, "Your engagement with Prince Qing was arranged by the Empress and your mother when she was alive. This matter should be handled by the Empress."
"Your Majesty, Empress, to be frank, your subject's face has been completely disfigured." With that, she boldly removed her veil, revealing her face to the Emperor and Empress, and then turned to show it to the crowd.
Many present, upon seeing Leng Ruo Li's face, which resembled that of a monstrous yasha, nearly screamed.
Jun Mo Yao's face darkened. Was this Leng Ruo Li even a woman? With such an ugly face, she dared to reveal it to everyone? Wasn't this a direct slap in his face? He had to break the engagement with her.
Madam Liu and her daughter, seeing Leng Ruo Li's disfigured face, were inwardly ecstatic. Hahahaha...
Leng Ruo Li was simply a fool to let so many people see the dark spots on her face. Where would Prince Qing's face go then? Seeing Prince Qing's expression as if he were about to devour someone, it was clear he would break off the engagement with Leng Ruo Li immediately.
At that time, she, Leng Ruo Shuang, could rightfully be with Prince Qing. She was determined to be Princess Consort Qing.
Even the Emperor on the dragon throne frowned, while the Empress found Leng Ruo Li even more repulsive. Such an ugly person truly did not deserve to be her daughter-in-law. She decided to quickly arrange for Leng Ruo Li to break off her engagement with Prince Qing.
Didn't Leng Jin Yu have another daughter? In the future, to gain the support of the Leng General's mansion, it would be just as effective for Prince Qing to marry the beautiful second daughter of the Leng family.
Leng Jin Yu's heart ached as he saw his daughter's condition. Heavens, his daughter must have suffered greatly over the past few years.
Only Jun Mo Han remained outwardly calm, his heart undisturbed. He had seen Leng Ruo Li's yasha-like face several times already. He didn't find it particularly ugly; on the contrary, he felt that Leng Ruo Li's face was far more beautiful than some people's hearts.
Jun Mo Yao: "Imperial Father, Imperial Mother, your son agrees to break the engagement with the eldest daughter of the Leng family."
The Empress's heart rejoiced. "Since the children have no objections, then let the engagement be broken. General Leng, what do you think?"
Leng Jin Yu was also more than willing, "Your subject has no objections."
The Emperor: "Since none of you have objections, I now declare that from tonight onwards, Prince Qing Jun Mo Yao and the eldest daughter of the Leng family, Leng Ruo Li, have successfully broken their engagement. Each will return their betrothal gifts, and from this day forward, they are free to marry whom they please."
As soon as the Emperor finished speaking, Leng Ruo Li quickly kowtowed to express her gratitude. Her heart was overflowing with joy; she was finally free from any ties to Jun Mo Yao.
Jun Mo Yao was also very pleased, finally rid of this ugly woman. However, he had never dreamed that their engagement would be broken so easily.
But the happiest person of all was Leng Ruo Shuang. With Prince Qing and Leng Ruo Li breaking their engagement, she could openly be with Prince Qing and no longer worry about people saying she was seducing her own brother-in-law.
"Then, Empress, tomorrow at court, I will return Prince Qing's betrothal gift to you."
"Very well, General Leng, I will trouble you with that."