Seeing her Young Miss standing there in a daze without speaking, Ji Lan quickly tugged at her sleeve as a reminder. Though she didn’t know the identities of the two young masters before them, the one in red was strikingly beautiful, and the one in white… well, he made one’s heart race!

Han Yan came to her senses and replied perfunctorily: “A young lady’s name shouldn’t be revealed to unknown men. If the young masters have no other business, please allow this humble girl to take her leave.”

“No…” He Lian Yu refused without thinking. What a joke—he had searched for this little girl for so long. No one had ever dared to trick him like that, and now that he had run into her, he needed an explanation. He wanted to say more but was interrupted by the person beside him: “Mm.”

Han Yan was stunned, raising her head in disbelief—was he agreeing to let her go?

Under the lamplight, she saw that handsome, cold face remained expressionless, not even glancing at her. Her heart leaped with joy, and without even bidding farewell, she grabbed Ji Lan and fled faster than a rabbit.

Watching Han Yan’s figure disappear quicker than a rabbit, He Lian Yu took a while to react: “Yun Xi! Why did you let her go? I’ve been searching for so long…”

“She’s from the palace banquet,” the man beside him cut off his complaints. “Mu Yan.”

A black-clad man suddenly appeared from behind: “Present!”

“Follow the Crown Prince. Don’t let anything happen to him.”

“Yes!” With a flash, the space where he had been was empty.

“Your guards are something. When will you give me a couple?” He Lian Yu looked at the other black-clad man, teasing.

Mu Feng couldn’t help but step aside—he didn’t want to serve a master more beautiful than women, especially one who talked so much. Being his guard would surely give him callused ears. Though his current master spoke too little—perhaps the two should find a balance.

Thinking of earlier, Mu Feng couldn’t help but get excited. His master had asked that girl her surname—his master never wasted words on matters unrelated to official business. Earlier, when the Crown Prince had left the banquet, his master had intended to follow to prevent any mishaps, but they had witnessed quite a surprising scene.

Mu Feng clicked his tongue. That little girl was truly surprising, not only returning Zhang Wei’s slap but also threatening the Crown Prince. She had employed the beauty strategy, psychological warfare, sowing discord, and other tactics that General Cheng had discussed with his master. Quite remarkable. Mu Feng wondered if his master might be interested in the girl—he had asked her surname, could he be thinking of proposing? The girl was quite pretty; judging from earlier, in a few years she would surely become an extraordinary beauty. She was also clever, as shown by her actions. She was loyal and righteous, as demonstrated by her willingness to offend the Crown Prince to protect her brother. The only flaw… Mu Feng frowned: “She’s a bit too young.” She looked only eleven or twelve, while his master was already twenty-one.

“What did you say?” He Lian Yu asked in surprise.

Mu Feng realized he had accidentally spoken his thoughts aloud and quickly shook his head, indicating he hadn’t said anything.

He Lian Yu looked at him suspiciously, then asked Fu Yun Xi: “How did you know she was from the palace banquet?”

Fu Yun Xi, unaware that his subordinate was worrying about his life’s greatest matter, only uttered two words: “A feeling.”

He Lian Yu rolled his eyes, while Mu Feng was nearly moved to tears.

Master said it was a feeling—that meant he had feelings for that girl! Wonderful, Master finally had someone he cared for! He had to share this good news with Mu Yan, so he could rejoice for Master too!

When Han Yan returned to the banquet with Ji Lan, Zhuang Han Ming had already arrived. Shu Hong sighed in relief upon seeing them. Han Yan sat down beside Deng Chan, who asked with concern: “Why were you gone so long? I was worried something might have happened.”

From across the table, Zhuang Yu Shan let out a light laugh: “The palace is vast, with beautiful scenery. It’s understandable if the sister was caught up in sightseeing.”

Li Jia Qi sneered: “Who knows if she went to meet someone in secret.”

Han Yan just smiled sweetly: “They say those who have Buddha in their hearts see Buddha in everyone.”

Li Jia Qi was stunned for a moment before realizing Han Yan was implying that she, Li Jia Qi, often engaged in such secret meetings, and thus saw everyone else in the same light.

“Fourth Sister, how could you speak to Miss Li like that?” Zhuang Yu Shan immediately expressed concern upon seeing Li Jia Qi’s displeased expression, though she couldn’t quite hide the trace of schadenfreude in her voice.

But Deng Chan suddenly spoke up: “How can Miss Zhuang say such things? All the sisters at our table were watching—Han Yan didn’t say anything wrong about Miss Li. Why does Miss Zhuang assume Han Yan was referring to Miss Li?”

Zhuang Yu Shan choked, realizing she had been too hasty. Li Jia Qi glared at her, clearly taking out her anger on her. But since the other party was from a noble family, Zhuang Yu Shan could only silently endure it, putting on a facade of sisterly love.

Han Yan didn’t want to waste words on this matter—the grudge with Li Jia Qi was already established. Nothing could change that now. What worried her was the earlier incident. She had acted impulsively then, slapping Zhang Wei and threatening the Crown Prince—it wasn’t that she was being reckless. It was just that anything involving Zhuang Han Ming made her lose her composure. Care leads to confusion, and Han Ming was her weak point.

If the Crown Prince held a grudge against her… Han Yan sighed. Though she didn’t know how the struggle for the position of Crown Prince would develop in the future, offending the current Crown Prince wasn’t good. She didn’t need to worry about Zhang Wei—she had already broken ties with Madam Zhou and her daughter, and since Grand Madam Zhou was their relative, she was naturally among Han Yan’s opponents. But… the other two people.

Han Yan turned her gaze toward the men’s section. Prince Xuan Qing and He Lian Yu had entered and taken their seats. He Lian Yu was naturally bold; Han Yan feared he might do something rash about the previous incident. She hadn’t expected to encounter him at the banquet today, but the matter with He Lian Yu was just a coincidence.

Han Yan’s gaze fell on the white-clad man beside He Lian Yu. He merely lowered his head to sip his tea, his eyes clear and cold, neither looking at those around him nor engaging with others. Though he sat there cold and aloof, he drew people to look at him repeatedly, like an immortal who had fallen into the mortal world.

Most court officials were entangled in the world of fame and fortune, inevitably tainted by some worldly air. Han Yan had once liked Wei Ru Feng because, compared to other young officials, he had seemed more upright. But whether that uprightness was genuine remained unknown. Prince Xuan Qing didn’t carry either righteousness or worldliness—he simply lacked any mortal air at all. Han Yan thought secretly that such a person seemed almost divine, too proud for anything in the world to catch his eye. It was hard to imagine that such a pure and noble person was a high official at court.

As he moved his hand to set down his teacup, Han Yan quickly lowered her head, afraid of being caught staring.