Deng Chan disagreed: “He’s the great general who drove away the Tatars from the northwest! Father says that since the founding of Great Zong, General Cheng is the first to drive the Tatars back so thoroughly, and he’s only twenty-one years old.”
Han Yan looked thoughtfully at Deng Chan, noting how she became animated when speaking of General Cheng, and teased: “You seem to know quite a lot about him – could it be your heart is stirring?”
Deng Chan froze, her face instantly turning red. Embarrassed and angry, she pushed Han Yan: “Stop talking nonsense! Who taught you to be so bold, saying such things!”
Han Yan laughingly begged for mercy. After they joked for a while, Deng Chan continued: “Speaking of this palace banquet, we’ll get to see many important figures. General Cheng is one, but there are others.”
“Others?” Han Yan asked casually.
Zhuang Shiyang’s relationship with her was distant – forget about discussing court matters, and he barely spoke to her about daily affairs. But Deng Chan was Minister Deng’s precious daughter, and he would often share non-critical court matters with her as entertainment. Hearing Han Yan’s question, Deng Chan eagerly pulled her close: “Among the young elite in the capital, there’s Prince Xuanqing, Crown Prince Wei, Young Master He Lian, General Cheng, and the wealthy merchant Jiang Yulou.”
Hearing Wei Rufeng’s name, Han Yan’s heart skipped a beat, then she smiled bitterly. In others’ eyes, Wei Rufeng was indeed an exceptional young talent, but this talented youth had given her a cup of poisoned wine in her previous life.
Not noticing Han Yan’s expression, Deng Chan continued: “We won’t see Jiang Yulou today – being a merchant, he naturally can’t enter the palace. But we’ll get to see all the others today.”
Han Yan paused – they would see everyone, meaning she would have to face Wei Rufeng at today’s banquet. The thought made her heart chaotic.
“You know about General Cheng already, so I won’t say more. As for the He Lian family’s young master, they say his beauty could topple nations, surpassing even women’s beauty by three parts. Though his reputation… isn’t so good.”
Han Yan listened to Deng Chan’s words, remembering that beautiful man in red earlier. That bewitchingly romantic face indeed deserved to be called a national treasure-level beauty, and she couldn’t help but smile.
Seeing Han Yan smile, Deng Chan thought she was interested and grew more enthusiastic: “Then there’s Crown Prince Wei, Wei Rufeng – he’s gentle, excellent in both character and appearance. More importantly, he’s kind and modest with others, a true gentleman through and through.”
Gentleman? Han Yan silently twisted her lips, unsure what expression to show in response to Deng Chan’s words.
“But the most prominent is Prince Xuanqing!” Deng Chan’s tone changed to one of admiration: “This Prince Xuanqing went to battle at fourteen, and they say he’s even General Cheng’s master. Think about it – if General Cheng is already so formidable, wouldn’t Prince Xuanqing be even more impressive? Father says Prince Xuanqing holds such an important position in court that even His Majesty must consider his opinions. Though his looks might not match He Lian Yu’s, his bearing surpasses him. Every girl in the capital who’s seen him has fallen for him, but unfortunately…” Here, Deng Chan’s voice lowered: “They say he prefers men!”
Han Yan was startled and then burst out laughing.
Deng Chan was puzzled: “What are you laughing at?”
Han Yan shook her head: “I just think, if he’s as wonderful as you say, it’s quite a shame if he has that inclination.”
Deng Chan pouted: “Isn’t it though?”
Han Yan, however, was pondering internally. Among the capital’s most prominent figures, she had met Wei Rufeng, He Lian Yu, and Jiang Yulou, but she was quite curious about the other two.
Just then, they heard a eunuch’s high-pitched announcement: “His Majesty arrives…”
Turning instinctively, Han Yan immediately saw the noble and magnificent bright yellow dragon robe, with several officials following behind, approaching slowly.
At the Emperor’s arrival, everyone present bowed in greeting. After the Emperor signaled them to rise, he led the male officials to sit on the other side.
Two long rows of sumptuous place settings separated the men and women, with a translucent crystal peony stand creating a subtle division between them. The Emperor and Empress sat side by side on dragon thrones, followed by officials from the first rank to the fifth rank and their families in order.
As soon as the men were seated, the women’s section grew quiet. The previous lively atmosphere vanished. The noble ladies unconsciously lowered their voices in conversation, deliberately displaying their elegant side in every movement, while the young ladies blushed and lowered their heads, yet couldn’t resist glancing toward the men’s section.
Men and women were to be kept separate after the age of seven, and if not for this special palace banquet, these young ladies would never have had such an opportunity to see so many men outside their families. Those of marriageable age, understanding their mothers’ intentions, secretly observed those who might become their future husbands.
Han Yan found it all tasteless. Looking up, she saw Young Master Ming quickly winking at her from across the distant table, making her heart lighten. She immediately broke into a smile.
But just as that smile appeared on her face, she met another strange gaze. Following it, Han Yan was startled – it was him?
He Lian Yu had been extremely reluctant to attend this tedious evening banquet, but couldn’t resist his parents’ scolding. After hearing that Fu Yunxi and Cheng Lei would also attend, he finally agreed reluctantly.
However, since taking his seat, various gazes had been constantly coming from the women’s section, landing directly on him and sticking firmly. These looks were familiar to him – nothing but admiration and amazement. Those usually gentle and soft young ladies now looked at him like hungry wolves eyeing a piece of fresh meat, making him both uncomfortable and disgusted.
He turned his head away and happened to see a young girl on the women’s side smile at him, leaving him momentarily stunned.
Though the little girl’s smile was cute, he only felt annoyed, thinking she was just another one admiring his looks, and couldn’t help but return a contemptuous glance.
Han Yan was staring in amazement at that incomparably beautiful man in red, thinking He Lian Yu must have recognized her, only to see him looking at her with obvious irritation in his eyes.
Han Yan was first puzzled, then incredulous. Noticing the young ladies around her all casting subtle glances in that direction, she thought for a moment and understood somewhat. He Lian Yu must have mistaken her for one of his many admirers. But she had been smiling at Young Master Ming – he was quite full of himself!
He Lian Yu’s appearance was indeed exceptional. His beauty seemed otherworldly, and though a man, his charm came naturally, like a mix of demon and immortal, or a spirit playing in the mortal realm. Ordinary young ladies would probably lose their bearings at just one of his slight smiles. He Lian Yu must be quite experienced with women, never having failed in matters of romance, hence his self-importance.
But what he didn’t know was that Han Yan, after the lessons of her previous life, had learned a deep truth: one cannot judge by appearances. Those with beautiful faces might harbor ugly souls. Those with ugly faces might not be so frightening after all. Wei Rufeng appeared so gentle and refined, an unmatched gentleman, yet he could watch his newly wedded wife die with open eyes. In this world, what could appearances represent?