The eunuchs in the Eastern Palace also belonged to the imperial palace, uniformly managed by the palace’s Department of Ceremonies. The former Yuan Bao, after being assigned to the Eastern Palace, had always been a lowly eunuch doing cleaning work, obscure and known by almost no one. This time, after Hua Zhuyu replaced him, following the night tour of Qing Lake, Huangfu Wushuang promoted her to attending eunuch, which was considered a promotion. Though daily tasks of serving tea and water were somewhat trivial, she could still hear about court affairs at the first opportunity.

On this day, Huangfu Wushuang emerged from the imperial study with an extremely unpleasant expression. Upon Hua Zhuyu’s inquiry, she learned that Emperor Yan had specifically granted Second Prince Huangfu Wushang permission to ride horses within the palace. This was originally a privilege reserved for crown princes throughout history, but now Emperor Yan had extended this privilege to Huangfu Wushang as well. While this couldn’t necessarily be interpreted as the emperor wanting to depose the crown prince, it seemed to indicate a certain imperial inclination.

Huangfu Wushuang returned to his sleeping quarters and dismissed all the attending palace maids and eunuchs, then climbed onto the rear window sill, sitting with his face toward the back garden. He sat there for over two hours without changing position. While this wasn’t particularly difficult to accomplish, it was quite strange for Huangfu Wushuang.

Usually when encountering unpleasant matters, Huangfu Wushuang would go to the open space in the rear garden to punch sandbags, or use the little eunuchs as punching bags, creating chaos throughout the palace before he was satisfied. Today’s silent sitting without anger or tantrums made the palace maids and eunuchs who regularly attended him feel uneasy, like an overcast sky waiting for thunder to strike.

A little eunuch, unaware that Huangfu Wushuang was in a bad mood today, ran over sweating profusely with an eagle perched on his arm, saying proudly, “Your Highness, the eagle we’ve been training these past few days is truly stubborn! Your Highness, look – this one will surely rival Young Master Gao’s eagle.”

The noble young masters of the Southern Dynasty, when idle, would find their own entertainment, such as cuju ball games and eagle training…

Eagle training required not only skill but also endurance, often taking several days. Huangfu Wushuang had initially found it novel and even trained eagles personally, but after two days he couldn’t endure it and handed the task to several little eunuchs. Now, after training for several days, this little eunuch felt it was ready and came to claim credit before Huangfu Wushuang.

Hearing the little eunuch’s words, Huangfu Wushuang exhaled, turned around with difficulty, his previously dim eyes suddenly becoming sharp, identical to the eagle’s eyes on the eunuch’s arm.

“Release it,” Huangfu Wushuang jumped down from the window sill.

The little eunuch was immediately dumbfounded. After a moment of understanding, he frantically released the eagle from his arm. Gaining freedom, the eagle immediately spread its wings and soared high.

Hua Zhuyu raised her eyebrows slightly. It seemed Huangfu Wushuang would no longer live days of eagle training and dog fighting.

Huangfu Wushuang’s concerns weren’t unfounded. After just a few days, Emperor Yan indeed issued an edict, conferring the title Prince Kang upon Huangfu Wushang and granting him a residence outside the palace.

On this day, Prince Kang Huangfu Wushang hosted a banquet for all officials at his residence. Huangfu Wushuang originally disdained to attend, but as the bright moon rose, he finally couldn’t restrain himself. He summoned Hua Zhuyu and Ji Xiang, took dozens of guards, and grandly departed the Eastern Palace.

Prince Kang’s residence was located in Jinyu Ward west of the imperial city. The Hua family had also been in Jinyu Ward. After returning to Yu Capital, Hua Zhuyu had once secretly visited late one night. The entire marquis residence had been sealed, with an air of desolation and loneliness throughout. Later, fearing it would stir up heartbreak, she never went again. Tonight, Hua Zhuyu hadn’t expected to return to the marquis residence once more.

However, this was no longer the marquis residence, but Prince Kang’s residence. It was said that the prince’s residence Emperor Yan had chosen and ordered built for Prince Kang had just begun construction and would take half a year to complete, so the former marquis residence became Prince Kang’s temporary dwelling.

Standing before the residence gates, seeing the familiar vermillion doors, waves surged in her heart. Looking up, above the main gate were three bold characters “Prince Kang’s Residence” in Emperor Yan’s personal calligraphy, like the world’s sharpest blade, nearly burning Hua Zhuyu’s bright eyes. She gently closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, the clear depths were filled with cold severity.

Carriages of princes and nobles filled the area before the gates. It seemed quite a few court officials had come to attend tonight’s banquet.

As soon as Huangfu Wushuang’s carriage arrived, palace officials from Prince Kang’s residence hurriedly went in to announce his arrival. Within the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, Prince Kang Huangfu Wushang personally came to the gates to greet him.

Prince Kang was supported as he walked out. One of his legs had been severely injured in childhood and couldn’t bear weight, but now it appeared he only walked with a slight limp – obviously much improved.

“Wushang, you must be careful! With your inconvenient legs, why trouble yourself to come greet me!” Huangfu Wushuang’s lips curved upward in a smile brilliant as spring flowers, so pure and harmless. This little tyrant was obviously deliberately mentioning Prince Kang’s leg ailment in public.

Prince Kang’s face maintained a gentle smile, “With Crown Prince Brother first visiting the residence, how could Wushang be negligent? Please, come in!”

Huangfu Wushuang’s lips carried a faint smile as he walked with hands behind his back, led by palace officials, taking the lead into the residence.

The residence was decorated with lanterns and colorful banners, filled with festive atmosphere. Serving maids shuttling about wore colorful clothes and carried lotus palace lanterns, like fairies walking in celestial palaces. This night banquet was Prince Kang’s first real meeting with all officials, as he had previously been an unregarded prince who, due to his leg ailment, rarely met people.

The night banquet was set in the rear garden, which contained a pool of clear water planted throughout with white lotuses. Lakeside was a large open area with a pavilion, before which grew a large patch of crabapple and corn poppies. In the open space before this flower sea was the banquet location. Such a grand feast was naturally extraordinarily lively. The livelier it became, the more sorrowful Hua Zhuyu felt. She still remembered when she was very young, her father had also held family banquets here, which were always extremely lively.

Later, after following her father to guard the frontier, she never again witnessed such lively grand feasts. Seeing it again today – still the same place, still as lively – yet her feelings were vastly different.

This was what they meant by “things remain but people have changed.”

As Huangfu Wushuang strolled through the garden appreciating flowers and plants, he said loudly, “Who would have thought that while this residence’s front courtyard architecture isn’t particularly grand, this rear garden is built with unique style and great refinement.” Suddenly lowering his voice to Prince Kang, he said, “Wushang, this was the Hua residence where the entire family was executed. Aren’t you afraid of ghostly revenge at night living here?”

Hearing this, Prince Kang’s face paled, “Crown Prince Brother, you jest too much!”

As they spoke, they had reached Duoyan Pavilion. Palace officials announced loudly, “His Highness the Crown Prince arrives!”

Officials at the banquet, hearing of the Crown Prince’s arrival, all rose and knelt in obeisance, calling out, “Long live the Crown Prince! Long live! Long live!”

Huangfu Wushuang waved his hand, saying courteously, “Rise, everyone. Wushang’s investiture as prince is rare, and it’s wonderful that everyone has come to celebrate. This Crown Prince is merely here to join the festivities. Everyone needn’t stand on ceremony!” After speaking, he was led by palace officials to the seat of honor.

The assembled officials, seeing the Crown Prince’s arrival, felt somewhat uneasy. These officials were largely dissatisfied with Huangfu Wushuang’s arrogant tyranny, but still felt some fear upon seeing him. No one knew what this little tyrant might do, as Huangfu Wushuang never acted according to conventional patterns.

Originally, these court officials all thought Huangfu Wushuang was the future heir apparent, but recently observing the emperor’s intentions, he seemed to increasingly favor the second prince. These officials had finally mustered courage to attend Prince Kang’s banquet, assuming the Crown Prince wouldn’t attend, yet unexpectedly he had come. Moreover, he immediately spoke with veiled sarcasm, making everyone’s hearts uneasy with various concerns.

Hua Zhuyu and Ji Xiang stood behind Huangfu Wushuang. Her clear eyes swept the gathering and saw that besides officials, there were quite a few women present. She felt somewhat surprised, but after careful thought, understood.

Which of these officials wasn’t an expert at reading imperial intentions? Seeing Prince Kang gaining favor, they wanted to marry their daughters to him. Should Prince Kang ascend the throne in the future, it would mean endless wealth and honor. The Southern Dynasty’s customs were quite open, allowing women to attend banquets.

Seeing this situation, Huangfu Wushuang’s expression immediately stiffened. When he spotted a particular woman among the gathering, his handsome face grew even more gloomy, his bright, compelling eyes seeming to burn with flames.

Following Huangfu Wushuang’s gaze, Hua Zhuyu saw a woman sitting quietly among the guests – it was Wen Wan.

Tonight she wore a powder-blue top with orchid grass patterns and a light gray, airy thin skirt, elegant yet not lacking in richness. Her myriad black tresses were simply arranged in a light cloud chignon, with a butterfly jade hairpin inserted diagonally. The butterfly’s wings gently fluttered with her every movement, reflecting the garden’s lamplight in flowing brilliance of breathtaking beauty.

She sat somewhat absent-mindedly and distracted among the guests, seemingly unaware even of Huangfu Wushuang’s burning gaze, her beautiful clear eyes occasionally glancing toward outside the garden, watching something.

Huangfu Wushuang lifted his wine cup with a gloomy expression and drank deeply.

“Crown Prince Brother, Yan’er thought you wouldn’t come tonight! If I’d known, Yan’er would have come with you!” came a tender voice like a golden oriole. Hua Zhuyu looked up.

A young girl was walking toward them, with distant mountain-like dark brows and clear, beautiful eyes, appearing charming and lovely. She was smiling gently, with shallow dimples faintly visible on her snow-white cheeks. Since she called Huangfu Wushuang “Crown Prince Brother,” she must be Third Princess Huangfu Yan.

Hua Zhuyu remembered she had nearly been chosen by Emperor Yan as Huangfu Yan’s consort, so she couldn’t help but look more closely at this Third Princess, finding her quite adorable.

Huangfu Wushuang shifted his gaze from Wen Wan to focus on Huangfu Yan, “Yan’er, why are you here making trouble?”

Huangfu Yan pouted her small mouth, saying melodiously, “If Crown Prince Brother can come, why can’t Yan’er? It’s rare for Wushang Brother to be invested as Prince Kang. As his sister, can’t I come to celebrate?”

Huangfu Wushuang pursed his thin, cold lips, saying quietly, “Everyone knows your drunken man’s heart lies not in wine, but in the mountains and waters!”

Huangfu Yan’s snow-white cheeks reddened slightly as she said coquettishly, “Crown Prince Brother, what are you saying? What wine? What mountains and waters?”

Just then, palace officials from Prince Kang’s residence called loudly, “Left Prime Minister Ji Fengli, Lord Ji arrives!”

Huangfu Wushuang looked sideways with a cold smile, “See? The mountains and waters you care about have arrived!”

Hearing the announcement, Huangfu Yan had already forgotten whatever Huangfu Wushuang said, turning and craning her neck to look ahead. Wen Wan, who had been listlessly distracted, also looked up with a gentle smile toward the front.

Hua Zhuyu smiled faintly, following everyone’s gaze toward the front.

“I arrived late – please don’t blame me, everyone!” A voice came through the faint night mist.

Clear as a flowing spring, elegant as music from an ancient qin, smooth as stroking cool, silky satin.

It was this voice that coldly divorced her on their wedding night, this voice that gave the execution order on the execution platform. No matter how beautiful such a voice might be, to her it was like demonic sound, like a sharp blade ruthlessly piercing her heart, then slowly torturing it to pieces.

If possible, she would rather never hear this person’s voice again in this lifetime. She thought that day would eventually come, and her struggle with him was only just beginning.

She remembered that night on the pleasure boat when she saw his figure, her eyes had been full of hatred, actually seen through by Huangfu Wushuang. This time, she must not let anyone detect her unusual reaction, especially Ji Fengli.

Hua Zhuyu hurriedly closed her eyes, calming her spirit, only looking up after a moment.

She saw a figure slowly walking from the night ahead.

Palace lanterns swayed gracefully, lamp shadows hazy, the faint light coating him with a layer of warm, hazy color.

He wore a moon-white wide-sleeved robe, his ink-black hair bound high with a white jade hairpin. His ink-dark eyes contained gently rippling waves of laughter, carrying three parts elegance, three parts composure, and four parts naturally noble bearing, approaching step by step.

Large patches of crabapple blossomed enchantingly in the night wind as he passed through the flower groves, approaching step by step.

People usually said only women could be described as “devastating beauty,” yet this overly handsome man involuntarily brought these words to mind. However, though evoking thoughts of devastating beauty, his countenance contained not a trace of femininity.

He walked directly before Huangfu Wushuang at the seat of honor and bowed in salute. Even this salute was performed with natural elegance.

Huangfu Wushuang sat rigidly, narrowing his eyes, “Rare that Left Prime Minister could come today. Please, take the seat of honor!”

Though Huangfu Wushuang privately harbored extreme resentment toward Ji Fengli, upon meeting him in person, he didn’t reveal even a trace of those emotions. Prince Kang, sitting to one side, had already risen to greet him, and other officials also left their tables, all appearing quite respectful. Seeing this scene, Hua Zhuyu’s heart grew heavier. It seemed Ji Fengli wielded great power in court – dealing with him would likely not be easy.

Ji Fengli gracefully adjusted his robes and sat in his chair, joining the feast.

Serving maids from Prince Kang’s residence flowed like water, bringing exquisite delicacies to the tables. The grand feast thus began.

Hua Zhuyu stood behind Huangfu Wushuang throughout, her heart stormy with emotion while striving to suppress it on the surface. However, her hands within her wide sleeves had long since clenched into fists. Only when cups and dishes clinked frequently at the tables did she suppress her inner turmoil and look up to gaze calmly at Ji Fengli.

He was seated just below Grand Tutor Wen. At this moment an official was raising a wine cup to toast him. He accepted and drank, the palace lantern’s glow illuminating his handsome face, making his complexion appear jade-like, his thin lips like cinnabar, his dark pupils flowing with dazzling light.

When Hua Zhuyu’s gaze touched Ji Fengli’s countenance, it suddenly turned cold. Who would associate such a tranquil, lotus-like elegant man with a viper-hearted executioner?

Since there was a wine banquet, drinking games were inevitable. The table became boisterous as they began flower-pinning drinking games. A civil official wearing a bright red crabapple flower recited, “The miasmic land grows lush vegetation, only famous flowers suffer lonely solitude. A charming smile behind bamboo fence – peach and plum covering mountains are all vulgar. Nature surely has deep meaning, purposely placing beautiful women in empty valleys. Natural wealth emerges from heavenly beauty, not awaiting golden plates in magnificent houses.”

Everyone applauded together. After reciting, the man removed the crabapple from his hat, closed his eyes, and lightly tossed it. The bright red crabapple flower rode the night wind straight into Wen Wan’s embrace.

Seeing the flower reach Wen Wan, several younger officials immediately applauded enthusiastically.

A young man explained the drinking game rules to Wen Wan, “Whoever receives the flower must pin it in their hair, then either compose poetry, sing, or dance, then toss the flower again to complete the round.”

“It seems tonight we’ll have either auditory or visual pleasure! This official has never seen Miss Wen’s singing or dancing,” one official said quietly.

“This official once saw Miss Wen dance at His Majesty’s birthday banquet – it remains unforgettable to this day!” another official whispered.

Seeing the crabapple reach Wen Wan’s hands, Huangfu Wushuang’s previously dim eyes immediately brightened, filled with anticipation.

Hua Zhuyu had long heard of Wen Wan’s great reputation for talent and skill in both song and dance. Having this rare opportunity today, she was quite curious to see how outstanding she truly was.

Wen Wan gracefully rose from her seat, smiled gently, and said, “They say drinking game orders are like military orders. Since I received the flower, I must make a fool of myself. However, my poetry cannot compare to you distinguished lords – I dare not show off before experts. I can only embarrass myself with song and dance.”

Huangfu Yan suddenly rose and walked before Wen Wan, her rippling beautiful eyes curving as she smiled sweetly, “Sister Wan, will you sing or dance? If you’re dancing, may Yan’er provide musical accompaniment?”

Hearing Huangfu Yan’s words, Wen Wan smiled gently, “Third Princess’s qin skills are superb. Having the Princess provide accompaniment would be my great honor. Thank you for your trouble, Princess…” She paused, saying hesitantly, “However, the dance I wish to perform is ‘Weak Water.'”

Huangfu Yan was stunned. She truly didn’t know this piece “Weak Water” – she had never even heard it.

Wen Wan’s eyelashes trembled, a trace of apology flashing in her eyes, “Please forgive me, Third Princess. This piece is Prime Minister Ji’s new composition. I created a dance based on this music. ‘Weak Water’ hasn’t yet spread among the people. How about I change to ‘Revolving Response’ instead?”

Huangfu Yan’s beautiful eyes focused, the eager anticipation in them immediately turning to disappointment and dejection. However, she quickly smiled, “Sister Wan needn’t change your dance for me. Since it’s a piece composed by the Prime Minister, only the Prime Minister’s flute music could match Sister Wan’s dancing.” She secretly glanced at Ji Fengli, then withdrew with melancholy expression.

“Since it’s a piece composed by the Prime Minister, only the Prime Minister can play it! We have never heard the Prime Minister’s flute music. Could we perhaps feast our ears tonight?” said the official who had just composed poetry.

Everyone immediately voiced their flattery and agreement.

Amid the rising and falling chorus of compliments, Ji Fengli’s lips still held a gentle, elegant smile, though a complex expression flickered in his eyes – somewhat cold, somewhat proud, and with a trace of barely perceptible weariness.

He rose gracefully in the soft light, his face bearing a peerless smile as he said lightly, “Since everyone requests it, Ji can only make a fool of himself.”

He walked slowly to the cluster of crabapple flowers and stood quietly, his dark eyes hidden beneath long lashes, deep as dreams.

The night was ink-black, palace lanterns swayed gracefully – one man, one flute, man and flute as one.

The continuous flute music seemed like ethereal wind blowing from the horizon, sweeping away all worldly vanity. In the lamp-lit mysterious night, dreamlike, enchanting melodies instantly filled the air.

Wen Wan danced gracefully to the flute music. Today she wore a powder-blue dress, extremely wide and very suitable for dancing. Her dance was graceful and light, following the flute music whether slow or fast, spinning or leaning back. Pale lamplight and moonlight enveloped her, her wide skirt hem fluttering in the wind, making her appear like a fairy from the ninth heaven who had accidentally fallen to the mortal realm.

The title of foremost beauty wasn’t without foundation – watching Wen Wan dance, one could see she had indeed put considerable effort into it.

Both music and dance were exquisite. The flute player and the dancing woman were so well-matched, as if naturally meant to be a pair.

Such music and dance dazzled the eyes and enchanted the heart.

Huangfu Wushuang’s dark eyes, hidden in the night, grew deeper and deeper. He suddenly leaned sideways, asking softly in Hua Zhuyu’s ear, “Little Bao’er, can you dance?”

Hua Zhuyu didn’t understand why he asked this, stunned for a moment. She heard Huangfu Wushuang continue, “This Crown Prince wants you to take the drinking game for me later. Remember, whatever you perform, you must surpass those two.”

Huangfu Wushuang liked Wen Wan. Seeing Ji Fengli and Wen Wan so perfectly matched, he finally couldn’t sit still. However, for her to outshine them would be quite difficult. Her current identity was a eunuch, and even if she weren’t a eunuch, as long as she wore men’s clothing, she couldn’t go out to dance. Since she couldn’t dance, how could she compare to Wen Wan’s dancing?

Just as she was in difficulty, she heard a chorus of admiring voices rise – the two had finished their performance.

Ji Fengli nodded lightly, smiled as he put away his jade flute, and walked slowly back to his seat. Wen Wan bowed to everyone, “Wen Wan has made a fool of herself!” Her delicate hand reached toward the crabapple flowers, plucked a pure white crabapple, closed her eyes, and tossed it with her elegant hand.

This throw landed precisely on Huangfu Wushuang’s robes.

Huangfu Wushuang’s position was the most forward, quite close to where Wen Wan had danced. Whether this throw was intentional was unknown. Huangfu Wushuang must have anticipated Wen Wan’s flower would come to him, which was why he had arranged for Hua Zhuyu to take his place in the drinking game.

“This humble woman has offended – I didn’t expect to throw it to Your Highness. This drinking game…” Wen Wan’s lips curved in a light smile as she hurriedly bowed.

Huangfu Wushuang picked up the white crabapple, seemingly extremely excited. His dark eyes narrowed as he smiled cheerfully, “How rare that Wan’er threw the crabapple to this Crown Prince – how could I not accept it? However, this Crown Prince truly knows nothing! Compose poetry? Very difficult! Play music? I can’t do that either. What should I do?”

He held the white crabapple, constantly turning it in his hands, his face full of distress, his large, rolling eyes filled with mischief.

This was the first time Hua Zhuyu had seen Huangfu Wushuang before the ministers. He didn’t hide his incompetence at all – not only mischievous but also useless.

The ministers seemed accustomed to this, as if they had long expected Huangfu Wushuang to know nothing. An elderly minister stood up and bowed, “Your Highness needn’t worry. This singing and dancing is merely entertainment. Your Highness need not be concerned – simply throw the flower out!”

“How can that work? Wan’er just said drinking games are like military orders – how can this Crown Prince be an exception!” Huangfu Wushuang pouted in difficulty, then suddenly his dark eyes lit up, “How about this – let this Crown Prince’s eunuch Yuan Bao take this drinking game for me.”

Hearing this, people’s faces showed various expressions – truly spectacular. However, most showed disdain and contempt. What ability could a little eunuch have? Nothing but a slave who knew how to flatter his master.

Huangfu Wushuang seemed oblivious, turning to Hua Zhuyu, “Little Bao’er, you’re going in place of this Crown Prince – perform well!”

“Yes, this slave will certainly not disappoint Your Highness’s expectations,” Hua Zhuyu deeply composed herself, smiling, nodding, and bowing, her dark eyes filled with respectful compliance.

She walked slowly from behind Huangfu Wushuang to before Third Princess Huangfu Yan, bowing, “This slave has heard that Third Princess’s musical skills are exceptional. Might I request the Princess to play ‘Crane Soaring to Heaven’?”

Everyone wondered what this little eunuch would perform. Hearing him ask the Third Princess to play music for him – could he be planning to sing or dance? Everyone became somewhat curious.

Huangfu Yan was still feeling dejected, but hearing Hua Zhuyu’s words, her eyes immediately sparkled with rippling light.

“Very well, since you’re representing Crown Prince Brother, this Princess will play a piece for you,” Huangfu Yan said with a bright smile.

Hua Zhuyu walked to the red-carpeted open space, then went to the crabapple flowers and plucked a flowering branch. The branch was similar in length to a sword, with five or six white crabapples blooming magnificently, plus two buds, secretly fragrant. Holding the flowering branch, she stood in the lamplight. The light enveloped her entire body, the white crabapples reflecting against her snow-like face, incomparably beautiful. Some in the gathering couldn’t help but exclaim – this little eunuch truly possessed an ice-and-snow bearing.

Eyebrows like distant mountains in blue-black, eyes like flowing water in clarity – this was a natural, unadorned beauty that seemed only heaven and earth’s spiritual essence could create such a person. Like fresh snow, like flowing clouds…

“This little eunuch is comparable to the white crabapple on the branch,” someone in the gathering said, apparently speaking from the heart without controlling their mouth.

“No, the white crabapple can’t compare to this little eunuch’s grace!” another person refuted.

Hua Zhuyu’s cold eyes swept over them, seeing lustful gleams in the speakers’ eyes. In Yu Capital, some noble young masters favored male companionship. She hadn’t expected these two to dare openly flirt. Some others had thoughts they didn’t voice because the Crown Prince was present, but Hua Zhuyu could still read their expressions. They probably suspected she was Crown Prince Huangfu Wushuang’s male favorite!

A cold sneer suddenly pierced the air, “How innocent the white crabapple is!” This remark was subtle, but its meaning wasn’t hard to guess – that she wasn’t worthy of being compared to white crabapples!

Hua Zhuyu smiled lightly toward the speaker. She saw Ji Fengli leaning against his table, holding a wine cup, looking at her with apparent casualness, smiling rather lazily. In the dim lamplight, his phoenix eyes sparkled with rippling light.

Hua Zhuyu’s heart immediately chilled, though her face still wore a gentle, elegant smile, “Thank you all for your kind praise. How could Yuan Bao compare to white crabapples? I’m merely a weed at the bottom of the steps. This slave cannot dance, only sword dance, so I must use this flowering branch as a sword to provide some entertainment for the distinguished lords.”

As her words ended, Huangfu Yan’s qin music began, piercing through misty clouds, the piece “Crane Soaring to Heaven” floating melodiously in the air.

Hua Zhuyu raised the flowering branch in her hand. The branch seemed to instantly transform into a sharp sword as it began moving with her form.

If the flowering branch were a sharp sword, there would surely be sharp sword light flashing. Everyone couldn’t have imagined that this gentle little eunuch could perform such free and spirited swordplay.

Her dark red eunuch clothing wrapped tightly around her slender figure, with a matching jade belt at her waist. Without wide skirt hems floating or ethereal gauze as accompaniment, she still danced beautifully – beautiful without losing sharp severity, elegant without losing sonorous boldness.

This could no longer be simply defined as sword dancing, nor was it pure dance like Wen Wan’s – perhaps a combination of both was more appropriate. However, at this moment no one had leisure to analyze this, only becoming absorbed in her every movement.

Huangfu Yan’s qin skills were indeed excellent. The melodious, ethereal qin music accompanying this flowing sword technique was like colorful butterflies at play.

Suddenly, a sound like tearing silk – the qin music suddenly became sonorous. Hua Zhuyu swept the flowering branch in her hand, her form gracefully leaping up, continuously spinning in mid-air. With her spinning, countless white petals scattered gracefully.

She leaped down amid the flower rain, sword energy withdrawn at will, qin music stopping abruptly. Scattered petals fell like flower rain, swirling and dancing, landing on her shoulders and hair.

That branch full of white crabapples remained just a flowering branch, no longer showing anything special. Only the previously blooming flowers had now fallen, while the few buds had quietly bloomed during her dance.

The newly opened flowers were richly fragrant, their scent indescribable.

She smiled lightly and bowed, “This slave has made a fool of herself. Please be forgiving, distinguished lords.” After speaking, she turned and bowed to Huangfu Wushuang, “Your Highness, this slave ventures to ask – may I throw this flower for Your Highness?”

Huangfu Wushuang nodded agreement. Hua Zhuyu held the flowering branch, saying lightly, “This slave will throw this flower for Your Highness. Distinguished lords, please catch it well.” She lightly flicked, and the three newly bloomed white crabapples on the branch flew toward those who had spoken inappropriately earlier.

One flew toward Lord Li who had said she resembled white crabapples, one toward Lord Zhang who had said white crabapples didn’t compare to her, and the third flew toward Ji Fengli.

Hua Zhuyu slowly retreated behind Huangfu Wushuang, disappearing into the dim shadows, all radiance withdrawn, as if she had never appeared. In her sword dance just now, she had only used twenty percent of her internal energy. In everyone’s eyes, they didn’t feel her martial arts were particularly advanced – they would only think her sword dance was beautiful. In Yu Capital, people with such skill weren’t few.

Everyone was obviously still intoxicated by Hua Zhuyu’s sword dance, so immersed in stunned amazement that no one noticed the flowers had already been thrown from her hands.

When the first white crabapple was thrown, Lord Li reached out smiling to catch it, but unexpectedly the flower carried sharp momentum, shocking his fingers with numbing pain. His fingers suddenly released, and the white crabapple fell to the ground. His facial muscles twitched for a long time before he managed not to cry out.

When the second white crabapple floated before Lord Zhang’s eyes, he was still lost in reminiscence. The flower drifted and settled into Lord Zhang’s hair knot. The pure white flower against black hair was quite beautiful, but his expression wasn’t pleasant – the flower stem seemed to have cut his scalp, causing sharp pain.

The third flower was caught by Ji Fengli. The beautiful white crabapple rested between his slender fingers, with layer upon layer of petals and cool, rich fragrance.

“Once there was a beauty named Gongsun, whose sword dance moved all directions. Watchers were like mountains losing color, heaven and earth swayed long. Gone like Yi shooting down nine suns, graceful like emperors riding dragons. Coming like thunder gathering fury, stopping like seas condensing clear light. Excellent swordplay, excellent dance!” Ji Fengli held the flower and smiled, his ink-colored eyes not hiding his appreciation.

“Excellent qin music, excellent swordplay, excellent dance!” someone finally awakened, striking the table and speaking loudly.

Everyone then voiced their sincere agreement, one after another, deeply moved. But there were also some pure-minded people sighing inwardly: Monster, monster indeed – having such a person serving by His Highness’s side will surely be trouble sooner or later.

“Prime Minister, you and Lord Zhang both received crabapple flowers. Who will take the drinking game next?” someone finally noticed Ji Fengli and Lord Zhang each had a flower and asked with a smile.

As the words fell, the white crabapple in Ji Fengli’s hand suddenly burst open. Layer upon layer of petals immediately scattered, floating down among the gathering like snowflakes, like jade butterflies, with hidden fragrance lingering.

A beautiful flower instantly scattered and withered in his hands.

Ji Fengli was greatly shocked. This flower had obviously been infused with internal energy at the moment it was thrown, only now bursting open. To others, it seemed as if he had destroyed the flower, when actually the perpetrator was that little eunuch. These scattered petals, with two pieces brushing past his cheeks, carried blade-like sharp coldness and fragrant breeze. If he hadn’t reacted quickly and slightly tilted his head, his cheeks might have been cut.

Ji Fengli’s slender eyebrows raised slightly, a barely perceptible sharpness flashing through his narrow dark pupils. When he looked up, only an elusive smile remained on his handsome face. He looked toward the figure behind Huangfu Wushuang – the dark red hem fluttering in the night wind, that chrysanthemum-slender little eunuch like a faint shadow in the gray night.

Presumably Lords Zhang and Li who also received crabapples wouldn’t feel well either. He had just seen Lord Li’s face convulsing. Who would have thought this little eunuch was so proud, not tolerating casual slander? He had merely said “How innocent the white crabapple is!” and was thus toyed with.

Such temperament, such scheming, truly worthy of respect.

Hidden behind Huangfu Wushuang, when Hua Zhuyu saw Ji Fengli subtly tilt his head slightly to avoid those white crabapple petals, she could be certain that this Left Prime Minister who wielded power over the realm and was famous worldwide for his talent actually knew martial arts.

She had only wanted to test his martial skills. Therefore, she simultaneously threw white crabapples at the other two who had also spoken inappropriately – firstly as warning, secondly to conceal her intentions.

Seeing Ji Fengli’s white crabapple suddenly scatter, some officials familiar with him joked teasingly, “Who would have thought the Prime Minister is also one to cruelly destroy flowers, haha.”

Wen Wan sat at the gathering, her expression consistently light until Hua Zhuyu began sword dancing. Her dignified, composed jade countenance suddenly showed shock and surprise. She had already recognized this person as the young master who had once been a qin teacher at Drunken Immortal Tower. She had witnessed his qin skills. However, she hadn’t expected this qin teacher to also know sword dancing – such free-spirited yet tender dancing that she could never achieve in her lifetime. In her amazement, she felt somewhat fortunate that he was merely a eunuch.

Of the three crabapples Hua Zhuyu threw, only Lord Zhang’s remained intact in his hair knot. He stood up, his emotions still stirred, hastily composed a poem, then removed the white crabapple from his hair and threw it out.

This time, the one who received the white crabapple was a military officer in his thirties, tall and burly, with a face that seemed weathered by wind and sun, appearing somewhat dark. He picked up the crabapple that had landed on his chest, narrowed his tiger eyes, and said haltingly, “This refined poetry-making, this general doesn’t know how to do, but can sing a song!”

His speech was already somewhat slurred, obviously quite drunk. He then stood up unsteadily, picked up chopsticks from the table, and began singing while tapping the table.

“Bright moon emerges from Tianshan, amid vast sea of clouds. Long wind for thousands of li, blowing past Jade Gate Pass. Han descended White Deng road, Hu spied Qinghai bay. From ancient battlegrounds, none have returned. Border guards gaze at frontier towns, longing for home with bitter faces. In high towers on this night, sighs should not be idle.” The rough voice carried excitement, sadness, and boldness.

This was a song all border-guarding soldiers could sing. When garrison troops had leisure, lacking other entertainment, they either competed in martial arts or singing contests. Songs like “Guanshan Moon” and “Joining the Army” could be sung at will.

At this moment, this military officer singing such a song was clearly inappropriate for today’s occasion. However, this person was obviously drunk. No one bothered to argue with him, only a few officials pointed at him saying, “Liu Mo, Liu Mo, you’re truly quite drunk.”

“From ancient battlegrounds, none have returned,” the man threw out the crabapple flower, murmuring, his tiger eyes misty as he gazed toward the ruined walls by the lake.

Those were the side rooms where Hua Zhuyu’s grandmother and rear courtyard residents had lived. Prince Kang’s move-in had been hasty, so they hadn’t been cleared yet.

Hua Zhuyu’s heart suddenly stirred slightly. Though she didn’t recognize this person, her intuition told her he knew her father. Perhaps he had also once served garrison duty in Liang Prefecture.

As night deepened, the banquet gradually ended, and people began taking their leave in small groups.

Huangfu Wushuang left the banquet supported by Hua Zhuyu and Ji Xiang.

Before leaving, Hua Zhuyu casually glanced across the banquet tables and saw Ji Fengli leaning over his table, eyes slightly narrowed, concentrating on the magnificently blooming flowers in the night. Several strands of black hair fell from his forehead, gently swaying at his temples, his entire person indescribably leisurely.

Huangfu Wushuang was completely drunk. Hua Zhuyu and Ji Xiang together supported him onto the carriage. He was truly quite intoxicated, his handsome young face like rouge had been applied, bright red. His originally clear black and white eyes now seemed filled with wine, hazy and misty.

This little tyrant also had poor drinking habits – when drunk, he cried. This was exactly opposite to Xiao Yin, who laughed when drunk, laughing uncontrollably.

Thinking of Xiao Yin, Hua Zhuyu’s heart tightened. That person probably still considered her his sister. Given his devotion to his sister, with her sudden disappearance on the wedding journey, she wondered how frantically he would search for her.

“Haha, exhilarating, truly exhilarating! Good wine, good wine!” Huangfu Wushuang lay on the carriage couch, shouting drunkenly, the alcohol fumes almost suffocating Hua Zhuyu.

“Wan’er, Wan’er, why won’t you even look at me once?!” Huangfu Wushuang suddenly sat up, crying while pounding the couch beneath him, the thumping sounds filling one’s heart with sorrow.

Hua Zhuyu had never imagined that just attending such a banquet could make him drink himself into this state. His status was Crown Prince – how could he be so thoughtless? Appearing so intoxicated would truly damage his dignity if seen by others. Moreover, when drunk he spoke nonsense, revealing his private thoughts.

However, this was Huangfu Wushuang – when had he ever cared about his status?