Hаn Yаn саst а carelеss glаnce, knоwing full well with just her tоеs thаt thеsе twо were uр to no good again. Вut whаt cоuld theу роssiblу do in brоаd dауlight? Нan Yаn was quite curiоus. Тhough hеr exprеssion remаined relахеd аnd smiling, inwаrdlу shе grew warу.
Dеng Chаn nudgеd hеr arm. "Lоok!"
Наn Yan loоkеd up аnd realized shе had been sо fосused оn Zhuangshan and thе оthеr that shе hаdn’t nоtiсеd Рrincеss Yunni hаd alrеadу begun to dаncе.
А mаid behind hеr stаrtеd рlaying the zithеr. It was an extremеly lively dаnce. Рrincеss Yunni, drеssed in bright сlothing, moved with a light and graceful posture, her steps keeping time with the rhythm. Holding a tambourine in hand, she gently tapped its surface with her fair hands as she twirled and leaped.
Han Yan recognized it—Princess Yunni was actually performing the long-lost Imperial Victory Dance, a celebratory dance from the battlefield that had been missing from the royal court for many years. Many years ago, the late emperor’s mother had created and performed this dance, which was why the late emperor had fallen for her at first sight. Now, Yunni was able to perform this long-unseen Victory Dance. Not only were The Emperor and Empress astonished, but every civil and military official present was amazed and full of praise.
Han Yan stared at the dancing young girl, clearly in the prime of her youth, her face flushed with effort, lovely and charming. Most striking was the innocence and exuberance in her eyes—it was hard to imagine such a girl was actually a member of the royal family. At times she bent her waist, stepping to the beat; at other times she twirled the tambourine in her hand. Every smile and frown felt utterly natural and joyful. The golden hem of her skirt shimmered brilliantly, and the pearls, jade, and enamel ornaments on her body tinkled softly.
Han Yan noticed that, as Princess Yunni danced, her gaze drifted intentionally or unintentionally toward the men’s seating area. And in the direction she was looking sat a tall, imposing man—Cheng Lei.
Was General Cheng the one Princess Yunni had feelings for?
Han Yan discreetly observed Cheng Lei, only to see him looking utterly indifferent, showing neither joy nor affection. Glancing back at Princess Yunni’s shy expression, she understood—this was a case of unrequited love.
While Han Yan was lost in thought about Yunni and Cheng Lei, she didn’t realize her own actions had already caught someone else’s attention.
Helian Yu stared intently at Han Yan from across the banquet. "She really is someone at the palace banquet. I wonder which noble family’s daughter she is."
The man in white beside him followed Helian Yu’s gaze and said coldly, "If you’ve taken a fancy to her, go propose."
Helian Yu was startled and quickly waved his hands. "Spare me! That girl even dared to threaten your nephew. If I married her, the household would be turned upside down. Besides," he glanced disdainfully in Han Yan’s direction, "she’s just a little brat still wet behind the ears. What’s all this talk about proposing?"
A little brat still wet behind the ears? Fu Yunxi raised an eyebrow, as if hearing something laughable. That young girl’s cunning was something many grown women couldn’t match.
Seeing his friend staring unblinkingly at the women’s seating area, Helian Yu’s heart stirred, and he teased, "Could it be you’ve taken a fancy to that little brat? Tsk, tsk, come to think of it, you two are quite a match—one with a personality like ice, the other full of mischief. If you got together, who knows who would tame whom?" The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became of his own reasoning. "I just don’t know what her family background is like. If it’s a suitable match, it wouldn’t be a bad union."
Fu Yunxi listened impassively to Helian Yu’s nonsense before replying calmly, "If you want to be confined to the ancestral hall by the Left Minister for a few more days, keep talking."Helian Yu instantly fell silent, a large bead of sweat forming on his forehead. Joking aside, being confined by his own father for a few more days would be the death of him.
Having thought it through, Han Yan watched Princess Yunni's dance with great relish. The long-lost Victory Dance—seeing it was a real treat. Shu Hong attended to her nearby and noticed Li Jiaqi exchanging a glance with Zhuangshan, who then flashed a sinister smile toward Han Yan.
Princess Yunni danced gracefully, her beauty and agility captivating the entire audience. Most of the men in the male seating area showed expressions of admiration and infatuation. Han Yan also thought it was excellent. Such effort and dedication clearly stemmed from genuine joy for that person, naturally infused with deep emotion.
As the dance ended, waves of praise rose throughout the hall. The Emperor was also greatly pleased, laughing heartily and saying, "Yunni, this dance is splendid. I enjoyed watching it. It’s rare to see such sincerity. I bestow upon you one gold and one jade ruyi scepter."
Princess Yunni stepped forward gracefully and bowed. "Your daughter thanks His Majesty for the reward." When she returned to the female seating area, she stole a glance at Cheng Lei, only to see him engrossed in conversation and drinking with those around him. A flicker of disappointment immediately crossed her face.
At that moment, Zhuangshan approached Han Yan and Deng Chan with a cup of tea, saying softly, "Since we’re seated together, I feel quite guilty for not having spoken properly with Miss Deng. Let me offer you a cup of tea as a gesture of respect. I hope you won’t hold it against me."
Deng Chan was momentarily stunned. Before Han Yan could stop her, she picked up the teacup in front of her. Han Yan thought to herself, This is bad. Deng Chan, usually doted on by Minister Deng, was unaware of the dangers of human nature. Carelessly picking up the tea like this might very well play right into Zhuangshan’s hands.
Zhuangshan certainly hadn’t come over to offer tea to Deng Chan for no reason. But in front of so many young ladies from prominent families, Deng Chan couldn’t refuse. Han Yan could openly feud with Zhuangshan because she had little connection with the other young ladies present and didn’t need to worry about appearances. However, Deng Chan and Zhuangshan were meeting for the first time today. She couldn’t afford to gain a reputation for being difficult or unfriendly because of Han Yan.
In that brief moment, countless thoughts raced through Han Yan’s mind. She suddenly looked up and met Li Jiaqi’s jealous and resentful gaze. Her heart skipped a beat, and she immediately turned to look. Zhuangshan’s teacup had already tilted, and Deng Chan, taken by surprise, had no time to dodge. Just as the entire cup of tea was about to spill onto Deng Chan, Han Yan pushed her aside and blocked it with her hand. The full cup of tea instantly poured over Han Yan’s hand, even soaking the fabric at her sleeve cuff.
"Han Yan!" Deng Chan cried out in alarm. Seeing Han Yan’s face turn pale with pain, she hurriedly looked closer. The spilled tea emitted wisps of steam, and the back of Han Yan’s hand was already bright red.
It was actually a cup of scalding hot tea!
Seeing the disaster she had caused, Zhuangshan bit her lip, tears quickly welling up in her eyes. She said fearfully, "Fourth Sister, are you all right? I… I didn’t mean it. Should we call a physician to take a look?"
Her words were filled with concern and fear, and her delicate, fragile appearance made it seem as though she were the one who had been splashed with tea.
Deng Chan immediately grew furious, pointing at Zhuangshan and accusing her, "What’s wrong with you? Han Yan’s hand is scalded!"
Zhuangshan looked helplessly at Deng Chan, then at Han Yan, tears instantly falling. "I… I really didn’t mean it, Fourth Sister. Please don’t be angry with me. As long as you can calm down, I’ll do anything."Han Yan sneered inwardly. Who was Zhuangshan putting on this act for? Her words were so blatant, clearly implying that Zhuang Hanyan, as the legitimate daughter, had been throwing her weight around in the household, bullying her half-sister at will. That was why her half-sister was trembling with fear over such a minor mistake.
Seeking sympathy? Zhuangshan truly was a fool. Han Yan felt nothing but disdain, but she also knew that in front of The Emperor, she couldn’t let such a trivial matter escalate into a disaster, nor could she implicate Deng Chan. So she said, “Sister Yu Shan, you exaggerate. I get angry over many things on ordinary days, yet I’ve never seen you go to such trouble.”
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