Тhus in this lifеtime, Hаn Yаn mаintаinеd a threefоld wаriness towаrds beautiful things frоm thе stаrt. Аs а rеsult, Heliаn Yu’s peerless apреarаncе, аsidе frоm the initiаl mоmеnt оf аwe whеn she first saw it, soоn fеlt utterlу bland in her eуes.
Thinking this, Нan Yan саst а fаint glаnсе in that direсtiоn, cоmроsed hеr eхрression, аnd lоwerеd her head, аssuming a docilе аnd gеntle dеmeanor.
Неliаn Yu, howеvеr, stаrеd strаight in hеr direсtiоn. Thе little girl mеt his gaze, рausеd in а dаze, thеn lоwеrеd her head—уet that final glancе she gave him sеemed tо cаrrу a hint оf mockery?
He must be overthinking it, Helian Yu reflected. Seeing that Han Yan did not look up again, he let it go and turned to chat with his companions.
The atmosphere of the palace banquet was not particularly lively due to the Emperor and Empress. Although the ministers tried their best to appear cheerful, their conduct remained somewhat restrained. The Emperor and Empress also wore indifferent expressions, showing little joy.
Han Yan found it strange—why was there no festive air at this palace banquet? It was rather odd.
Still puzzled, she heard a young eunuch announce loudly: "Xuan Qing Prince, General Cheng has arrived…"
The Emperor’s face immediately broke into a smile. "Summon them!"
Two tall, upright figures strode in, bringing with them the chill of fluttering snowflakes. They reached the center of the hall and bowed in salute. "Your humble general greets Your Majesty!"
Unlike the clear and straightforward tone of this voice, the next one was cool and resonant. To Han Yan, it struck like a thunderbolt, leaving her stunned for a long time: "Your humble subject greets Your Majesty!"
"Rise, my esteemed ministers. There is no need for such formality."
Han Yan abruptly looked up and saw that slender figure standing in the center of the hall—elegant as a pine, noble and imposing. The dark cloud leopard cloak draped over his shoulders was both familiar and dazzling, carrying the damp chill of winter as it swept toward her.
The mysterious man from the plum grove was actually Xuan Qing Prince Fu Yunxi!
Han Yan stared fixedly at his back, her fists clenched tightly within her sleeves. To have become entangled with someone of such status—was this truly a blessing or a curse?
Deng Chan noticed Han Yan’s unusual behavior and saw her staring intently at Xuan Qing Prince in the hall. She leaned close to Han Yan’s ear and teased, "You were just mocking me, but now it seems you’re the one whose heart is stirred. Why are you so focused on him? Be careful—don’t let your stepmother notice, or she’ll make trouble."
Han Yan flushed but knew Deng Chan meant well. Madam Zhou was constantly watching her every move, eager to seize any mistake and blow it out of proportion. If she had been seen lost in thought just now, it would have been disastrous. She lowered her head and focused on the green tea leaves floating in her cup.
Deng Chan chuckled and nudged Han Yan. "Silly, you believe everything I say. It’s fine if you look at him a few times. All the young ladies here are staring in that direction—one more won’t make a difference."
Han Yan was taken aback. She glanced around and indeed, all the young noblewomen nearby were gazing at Xuan Qing Prince with flushed cheeks, while poor General Cheng was completely overlooked. Their infatuated gazes were no less intense than when they had looked at Helian Yu earlier—in fact, they hadn’t been this bold even then!Han Yan couldn't help but recall what Deng Chan had said: the most prominent figure in the capital. Although this Xuan Qing Prince could not match Helian Yu in appearance, Wei Rufeng in gentleness, Jiang Yulou in free-spiritedness, or Cheng Lei in bravery, he possessed a unique elegance, a natural grace that required no embellishment. If one had to describe him in a single word, it would be "peerless."
Yet even with all his merits, that icy gaze was frightening enough. How could so many women be infatuated with him? Lost in thought, Han Yan stared at his back, her heart filled with confusion.
Just then, the man slightly turned his head, a hint of meaning flashing in his dark eyes as his gaze faintly fell upon Han Yan.
Han Yan stiffened, immediately lowering her head, praying that the Xuan Qing Prince had not recognized her and that it was merely her imagination.
The Emperor's amused voice reached her ears: "General Cheng, you have now repelled the enemy, dealt a heavy blow to the Western Rong, and enhanced the prestige of our Great Dynasty. You truly deserve a great reward. I hereby grant you ten thousand taels of gold, three thousand acres of fertile land, a hundred shops, and fifty grand residences. If there is anything else you desire, just tell me, and I will grant it to you!"
This series of rewards indeed surprised everyone present. Cheng Lei, barely of age, had already been appointed as a great general, and now he received such lavish rewards, truly enviable.
Yet the Emperor felt that General Cheng was a close friend of Fu Yunxi, and his loyalty was evident. Though young, he was a rare and formidable warrior, destined for greatness in the future. However, given his youth, his official rank could not be further elevated, lest it upset the balance of power in the court. As an emperor, one must always plan and strategize. Although the rewards sounded generous, they were merely material wealth. For a military officer who spent years campaigning abroad, money was the least useful. To compensate, he accordingly offered Cheng Lei the chance to ask for anything else he might want.
Cheng Lei bowed respectfully, his voice firm and resolute: "Your humble servant thanks Your Majesty for your great favor and dares not ask for anything more."
The Emperor smiled with satisfaction and waved his hand: "Very well. You and Yunxi may take your seats at the banquet. The evening feast is about to begin. Today, all my ministers must drink a few extra cups."
The two ministers withdrew to their seats, both sitting in the foremost positions below the Emperor. To General Cheng's right sat Prince Wei, Wei Jing, whose expression was extremely unpleasant. Watching Cheng Lei sitting beside him, looking triumphant, he let out a disdainful snort.
Equally displeased were the court officials who supported Prince Wei's faction, among whom was Zhuang Shiyang. His face was cold, and his heart was filled with resentment. That Cheng Lei was nothing but a young upstart, yet he had become the Emperor's favorite. From now on, the Xuan Qing Prince's faction would grow even more arrogant, and his own career prospects would likely face difficulties.
Zhuang Hanming, observing his father's gloomy expression, seemed to understand somewhat. However, he had never been particularly close to his father. Instead, he held boundless admiration and aspiration for that great general, Shi Lei. Nowadays, his father constantly urged him to study diligently at the Imperial Academy, but who knew his heart lay elsewhere? A true man should achieve glory on the battlefield—that was what made a real hero. Lost in thought, he couldn't help but glance at General Cheng again. Seeing his upright and honorable demeanor, his actions carrying the righteous aura of a military man, he couldn't help but admire him even more.Han Yan had not dared to look up since earlier, feeling deeply conflicted in her heart. Previously, she had assumed the person in the plum grove was of noble status and guessed it might be one of the princes. But she never expected it to be the Xuan Qing Prince. This was trouble—who didn’t know that the Xuan Qing Prince and The Emperor shared a deep brotherly bond? She had entered a forbidden place and witnessed something she shouldn’t have, a matter involving royal secrets. Naturally, the Xuan Qing Prince would stand on The Emperor’s side, and she feared she was in danger!
She also thought back to her earlier hope that if she couldn’t escape, she might plead for mercy, and perhaps the other party would take pity on her as a young girl. But now, things were even worse—the Xuan Qing Prince was known to prefer men and likely despised women. And she had even committed such a disrespectful act toward him. Han Yan now felt utterly overwhelmed, experiencing for the first time since her rebirth a sense of helplessness.
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