At the banquet, Princess Lin’an actually attended together with Jiang Nan, drawing everyone’s sidelong glances. If Jiang Nan had sat in a lower seat like the others, perhaps there wouldn’t be so much criticism. But he was sitting right beside the princess, very close to her, so close their skin touched and their bodies pressed together. Not only that, as if afraid others wouldn’t know their relationship, he actually leaned down to whisper a few words in her ear, and the princess suddenly laughed lightly. The guests watching kept their expressions neutral on the surface, but privately whispered among themselves.

Madam Guo shook her head: “This princess is becoming more and more outrageous.”

Li Weiyang glanced over, her expression ambiguous: “Mother, has the princess always been like this?”

Madam Guo was a very gentle and straightforward person who never gossiped about others, but regarding Princess Lin’an, she clearly had some disapproval: “Shortly after she married, she set her sights on the Prince Consort’s younger brother. The two of them openly appeared in public together around the city, and the Prince Consort didn’t dare interfere—this is all Empress Pei’s indulgence.”

Li Weiyang glanced at Princess Lin’an, looking thoughtful.

Empress Pei had three children in total: first was Crown Prince Yongwen, then Princess Lin’an, and the youngest daughter was Princess Anguo. She devoted all her attention to her son and let her daughters run wild—this wasn’t strange. But from a certain perspective, raising a dignified princess into this kind of willfully reckless character—the emperor deserved considerable credit too. Li Weiyang really wanted to know what kind of person the Yuexi Emperor was, and why, knowing full well what Empress Pei and her people were doing, he still turned a blind eye…

Madam Guo thought her daughter was interested in this news and couldn’t help sighing: “However, Princess Lin’an has no constancy. The men around her change like a revolving lantern, yet I’ve never seen her bring anyone to attend such a banquet before. This shows this person holds an extraordinary position in her heart.”

Li Weiyang smiled without speaking. Not to mention Jiang Nan was handsome and upright, his mind was also very clever, and he had a kind of cold, icy pride. Back in Dali, he was already very popular with women. No matter how cold and aloof he was, people still threw themselves at him recklessly. This probably also involved a psychology of wanting something more the more one was rejected. He constantly kept Princess Lin’an’s appetite whetted, never submitting to her until she became completely infatuated with him—his methods were quite masterful. Just thinking of that scene from earlier, Li Weiyang’s smile still added a trace of mockery. Being reduced to depending on a woman for revenge was in itself an extremely painful thing for Jiang Nan.

After what happened earlier, Princess Lin’an had specially changed her clothes. The bright red base color made her skin appear white as snow. When raising her cup to drink wine, her wide sleeves slid down her elbows, revealing a section of arm like white jade. Her already gorgeous face, having drunk wine, added three parts more color. Jiang Nan lowered his head again to joke with her a couple of times, but his eyes lightly swept across Li Weiyang’s face as if by chance.

Li Weiyang sighed inwardly. From the current situation, Jiang Nan had become twisted in this pain.

On the male guests’ side was another scene. Zhou Jing, the youngest son of Marquis Chengting Zhou Zhen, had a handsome appearance and moreover loved beauties. From the moment Princess Lin’an appeared, his eyes had been fixed on her constantly, lamenting: “That man must be Princess Lin’an’s new favorite. I don’t think he’s anything special—why is the princess devoted only to him!”

His words carried an envious tone. One should know that although Princess Lin’an had been married, because she was extremely beautiful, full of charm, and of noble status, she had always been an object of pursuit among the capital’s elite. Zhou Jing had always wanted to get close to her. However, his aunt, Consort Zhou Shu, had repeatedly warned him not to approach that romantic Princess Lin’an, much less have any thoughts of marrying her. Only then did he suppress those ideas. When Princess Lin’an was playing the field, he didn’t think much of it. But now seeing her actually abandon other favorites for some “Young Master Nan” who appeared from who knows where, Zhou Jing felt uncomfortable.

His words contained much sarcasm, and the assembled young masters all knowingly laughed. Guo Cheng smiled faintly and spoke: “One cannot judge only by appearances. I hear in the princess’s residence, many people are jealous of him. Quite a few have openly challenged him and secretly sabotaged him, yet they all died at his hands. Princess Lin’an turned a blind eye to this and even proudly told others that this Young Master Nan excels in both civil and martial arts, quite extraordinary. Though these words contain favoritism, they’re not far from the truth.”

Zhou Jing’s mouth fell open in surprise: “This fellow is really that formidable?”

Guo Cheng’s smile carried a trace of clear perception: “The princess’s residence is filled with experts, yet they all fell one by one to his hands. Moreover, not a single survivor was left. This shows how ruthless his methods are, how poisonous his heart. Of course, if Young Master Zhou doesn’t believe it, you’re welcome to test his martial arts—”

What he said was actually quite fair, without exaggeration. Men also became jealous of each other, especially to curry favor with such a great beauty and meal ticket as Princess Lin’an—naturally they would use every means to compete. Moreover, the people sheltered in Princess Lin’an’s residence, whether for literary talent or martial arts, were all true elites. Yet now they had all laid down their banners and drums, not daring to compete with Jiang Nan for supremacy. This showed this person was no mere decorative pillow but had considerable extraordinary qualities.

Guo Cheng’s gaze fell on the stern-faced Jiang Nan, and he couldn’t help recalling his investigations after confirming the man’s identity. Every word and sentence was praise for this young man’s illustrious achievements. His bravery was incomparable to ordinary people. Standing out was only natural. Moreover, from the current situation, he was still concealing the vast majority of his abilities.

From his bones, Guo Cheng looked down on such men who climbed up through connections with women. But if he were in Jiang Nan’s position, driven to desperation with nowhere to turn, he absolutely couldn’t do such a thing. Because in his very bones he had been raised with the Guo family’s education—he would rather die together with his enemies than survive in humiliation. But what he couldn’t do, Jiang Nan had done. Such a person was not without fearsome qualities.

Zhou Jing ground his teeth jealously, looking at Jiang Nan more and more displeased, yet boasted: “What’s the big deal? Next time I have the energy, I’ll have a good match with him!”

Though the Zhou family had hired countless famous masters to teach him, Zhou Jing was still just a decorative pillow—this was something everyone knew. Saying this was merely to cover up his inner envy. Everyone hid behind drinking wine while secretly laughing.

Of course, some people also noticed Li Weiyang. Among those present was Chen Xuanhua, the legitimate son of the Chen family, one of the ten great clans. The Chen family was a hereditary official family. The number of people recorded in Yuexi historical records amounted to 12 generations, over 100 people. Most Chen family members entered officialdom, spread throughout politics and the military, issuing orders from high positions, like the Guo family a century-old great clan. However, prosperity inevitably leads to decline. During the previous emperor’s reign, an unexpected disaster—the rebel uprising that swept through Jiangnan—implicated the Chen family. Combined with the previous emperor’s suspicion of the Chen clan, the Chen family rapidly declined and for a time laid low, avoiding the storm. Fortunately, under the current emperor, the Chen family first had merit in supporting his ascension, and moreover produced a Consort Chen. They quickly rejoined the ranks of first-class prestigious families.

The Chen family was a famous family of refined nobility. Their daughters were all true ladies of distinguished families, talented and beautiful. So as soon as they came of age, the Chen family’s threshold would be trampled by matchmakers. However, after much deliberation, the Chen family refused all suitors and instead proactively sent people to the Guo family to propose, marrying their eldest legitimate daughter Chen Bingbing into the Guo family—she became the wife of the Guo family’s second son, Guo Yan.

Of course, this was only the public explanation. Quite a few people knew the inside story. Chen Bingbing once accidentally went on a spring outing and fell in love at first sight with Assistant General Guo Yan on his tall horse wearing a long sword. Afterward, she couldn’t eat or sleep at home day and night, until she made herself emaciated. Finally, forced to question by the Chen family matriarch, she revealed her true feelings. The Chen family thought it over—after all, the girl had set her sights on no wastrel playboy but a young and accomplished general. They immediately found someone to make the proposal. In the end, Miss Chen happily entered the Guo family gates and became the Assistant General’s wife.

Chen Xuanhua was Chen Bingbing’s own younger brother, the legitimate son of the Chen family’s main branch, a true scion of an aristocratic family. Combined with his gentle, refined handsomeness and amiable personality, he had always had an excellent reputation among young ladies. Hearing everyone discuss Princess Lin’an, his face appeared casual, but his gaze fell on Li Weiyang. From earlier, he had noticed this daughter the Guo family had suddenly found. She sat quietly beside Madam Guo, her black and white eyes clear, the smile at the corners of her eyes very rich, like a bunch of elegant flowers beyond words. Every gesture made one’s heart move.

Ultimately, though the dazzlingly gorgeous Princess Lin’an attracted attention, not everyone liked domineering peonies. What Chen Xuanhua admired was precisely gentle beauties like Li Weiyang. Such women had a special heart-stirring power.

He quietly said to Guo Cheng: “After the banquet, could you introduce me to your sister?”

Guo Cheng glanced at him, showing some surprise: “Xuanhua, don’t tell me you’re interested in my sister.”

Chen Xuanhua’s features were very refined and handsome. Looking closely, his eyes were like clear streams, unspeakably scholarly and elegant. He just smiled shyly: “A fair maiden—a gentleman’s good match. I hope you’ll do me this favor for the sake of our two families’ friendship.”

Guo Cheng felt his head ache. He pressed his temples before saying: “This… I’m afraid I can’t make that decision. My sister is Mother’s lifeline. If she knew I brought you to meet her, she’d definitely break one of my legs. Not to mention the risk is too great—it’s simply not worth it.” He couldn’t bring himself to say his family brothers were bandits, especially Guo Dun, who wished his sister would stay home forever to make Mother happy, blocking many suitors by every means. The refined and gentle Chen Xuanhua would probably suffer broken bones before even reaching Li Weiyang. Anyone else would be fine, but the Chen and Guo families had marriage ties between them—this was difficult to handle.

However, Chen Xuanhua glanced at Li Weiyang and found her elegant smile even more captivating. He couldn’t help saying: “Just for the sake of our many years as classmates—” let me take a shortcut.

Guo Cheng shook his head: “I advise you to give up this idea. Our family has already married a Chen daughter—we certainly won’t send another to your door.”

Chen Xuanhua couldn’t help becoming anxious: “Why can’t the families become even closer through marriage?”

His words had already crossed a line. Guo Cheng could have chosen not to answer, but because Chen Xuanhua was sincere in asking and for the sake of years of friendship, Guo Cheng pondered for a moment before lowering his voice: “Xuanhua, to tell you the truth, our family has already sacrificed one Second Brother—isn’t that enough?”

Chen Xuanhua froze. Then in his handsome eyes, a trace of sorrow slowly surfaced. He stopped speaking and lowered his head to look at the fine wine in his cup.

Guo Cheng sighed. Getting to the bottom of everything was Chen Xuanhua’s nature. He was a good man, responsible with a sense of duty, moreover refined and gentle, skilled in both civil and martial arts. If he married Li Weiyang, he would certainly cherish her well. But Li Weiyang wouldn’t be willing, would she? Ha, not to mention she wasn’t truly Guo Jia—even if she were, Madam Guo would spare no effort to respect her personal wishes.

Tearing away that tender veil, for Chen Bingbing, the marriage alliance between the Guo and Chen families was naturally cause for celebration and wish fulfillment. But what about his second brother Guo Yan? He had long had a girl he liked and was just waiting to return to the capital to marry her. But the marriage alliance between the Guo and Chen families was a true alliance. Guo Cheng still remembered to this day the expressions on his parents’ faces when the Chen family sent people… They knew their son already had a woman he loved and cherished, but likewise, the Guo family needed the Chen family to jointly resist Empress Pei. Only by forming a marriage alliance could they truly form a permanent solid alliance to deter the restless Pei family. But they were different from other parents—they gave the power of choice to Guo Yan.

Guo Yan had the power of choice. He could willfully squander such power, do what he wanted to do, marry the wife he wanted. But he had grown up in the Guo family and was destined to be the Guo family’s pride. So in the end, he nodded. Guo Cheng had always pitied this second brother. He was an excellent commander, a filial son, but could never be someone who kept his promises. He ultimately married Chen Bingbing. Facing a new bride who wholeheartedly admired him, he couldn’t express his inner feelings and could only lick his wounds alone in the dark of night. Even so, Chen Bingbing had always lived very happily, because Guo Yan used his utmost strength to protect and cherish her. Because of political necessity, Guo Yan had to choose concealment, but from conscience, he had to take good care of her and make her happy. Both the Guo and Chen families had a consensus—she would be happy like this for her whole life.

But the Guo family would absolutely never have another Guo Yan. Father had said this before. One could imagine that if the Chen family proposed to marry Guo Jia, the parents would absolutely never agree.

Guo Cheng wanted to console the disappointed Chen Xuanhua with a few words, but looking up, he saw Yuan Lie glance over. He saw his eyes seeming to mock and ridicule, the corners of his lips slightly curved in a smile yet not, immediately startling his heart. However, Yuan Lie merely glanced at them once before turning his head away, as if he had never looked this way at all. Guo Cheng’s heart filled with dread. That one glance—only now did he realize the smile in those absolutely beautiful phoenix eyes was more sinister and vicious than a poisoned blade.

A trace of chill ran down his back. Prince Xu Yuan Lie, you patiently play these games with us to make that person happy to watch. But if you’re truly provoked to anger, what will you do?

Amid everyone’s laughter, Prince Xu Yuan Yu’s rippling eyes fell on Li Weiyang. He was just thinking, seeing him in the same room with Princess Lin’an earlier, had she misunderstood? The maidservant pouring wine beside him secretly looked at him, her face turning red. At this moment, the Prince Xu’s expression was completely unlike his usual indifferent ruthlessness. His normally cold, merciless thin lips were slightly pursed, as if somewhat troubled. Combined with his amber-like crystalline transparent eyes, high straight nose bridge, and fit physique, it was as if all sharp edges were hidden away, revealing a hazy, bewitching beauty.

The princess’s banquet was naturally luxurious and magnificent. Those vulgar items like abalone, sea cucumber, shark fin, and fish maw—which of these wealthy nobles hadn’t seen them? The princess’s residence used none of these, serving only the most fashionable dishes. Even Li Weiyang with her distinguished background couldn’t name three to five items.

Before long, everyone heard drumming and music rise. They saw a group of beauties file in, dancing slowly to the rhythm. Each had lotus-like delicate feet, gauze robes like cloud sleeves. Everyone suddenly felt waves of subtle fragrance—intoxicated before the wine even touched their lips. However, for Li Weiyang, these song and dance performances couldn’t arouse her interest, so she just quietly spoke with Madam Guo, her face wearing a faint smile.

Princess Lin’an saw Li Weiyang’s smile from afar. Thinking of the recent humiliation, anger rose in her heart. She threw the chopsticks in her hand to the ground with a light clatter. Though not loud, it startled quite a few people. Everyone looked at her somewhat puzzled, not knowing what the princess wanted to do. Princess Lin’an’s expression darkened: “Why always these tired old routines? Can’t we have some fresh entertainment?”

The dancers immediately knelt on the ground, all trembling. Who didn’t know the song and dance performers at the princess’s residence had the hardest time? The princess’s thoughts changed constantly and she loved novelty, actually demanding these dancers have new songs and new dances every day. If they couldn’t perform them, she would use very cruel methods to punish them… Now it seemed she was about to have another outburst.

Jiang Nan smiled: “Why should Princess be angry? The residence has just acquired an interesting person. Why not have her perform for the princess?”

Princess Lin’an glanced at him: “Really?”

Jiang Nan’s smile was perfect: “If it’s not fresh enough, the princess can have my head cut off.”

Princess Lin’an glared at him half-reproachfully, half-flirtatiously: “Then what are we waiting for? Quickly have someone come perform.”

The steward to the side had long been prepared. Hearing this, he clapped his hands and said loudly: “You may enter now.”

Hearing this, everyone became curious. They saw a beautiful, tall woman slowly walk in from outside. She wore huge gold earrings, her clothing very colorful, with gold bells hanging on her hands and feet. When she walked, she swayed back and forth, very alluring.

Everyone saw that though her appearance wasn’t bad, compared to the earlier dancers she was still slightly inferior, so they all lost interest. Li Weiyang glanced at this woman, but vaguely felt something strange in her heart. Just then, she saw four servants carrying an object covered with a large piece of red silk walk to the center of the garden and set it down. Then they bowed and slowly withdrew. Everyone was very puzzled about what this was, when they saw the woman walk before that object and suddenly whip off the red silk covering it. Then a young lady screamed: “Heavens, it’s snakes, snakes!” Only then did everyone discover in shock that the box actually contained five or six snakes of various sizes. The one in the very middle was clearly a python, hissing and flicking its red forked tongue at people.

Madam Guo’s face turned white: “What is this for!”

“Princess, this woman will perform a snake dance for everyone. All these snakes have had their fangs removed and venom extracted—they cannot harm people. Moreover, they were all raised from young, very obedient and well-behaved. Everyone needn’t be afraid and can enjoy the performance with peace of mind.”

With the steward saying this, the great weight on everyone’s hearts relaxed somewhat. Princess Lin’an laughed: “My residence is filled with experts. They’re just a few snakes—what’s there to fear? Since we’re performing, quickly begin!”

The performing woman smiled faintly, raised the flute horizontally to her lips. A string of flowing notes floated from the flute, completely different from the earlier dancers’ decadent music—the rhythm very strong, quite uplifting. At this time, servants had already opened the box. Those snakes immediately slithered out. The smaller snakes circled around the woman, their tails moving, as if dancing gracefully. Moreover, following the changes in the flute music, sometimes rapid, sometimes slow, they changed into various different postures. And that originally huge python actually climbed onto the woman’s shoulder, coiling around her neck. The woman smiled, while blowing the flute and rapidly dancing, her whole body seeming boneless. The snake also began rapidly rotating and coiling on her body. No one had ever seen such a scene—they all stared dumbfounded at this spectacle. The scene was truly too spectacular. Even those who had originally been very opposed to snake dances applauded enthusiastically!

Li Weiyang watched that huge python. It also raised its head, its tongue constantly flicking in and out of its mouth, looking very terrifying, yet so obediently coiled on the woman’s body, rising and falling with the music.

Just then, the snake suddenly tightened around the woman’s neck. The woman screamed. The flute music abruptly stopped. Under everyone’s horrified gazes, the snake dancer who had just been dancing rolled her eyes back and collapsed with a crash. The snakes that had originally surrounded her all slithered away, and moreover, they slithered in the direction of the guest seats! A maidservant screamed, dropped her tray, and fled backward. The other guests were awakened by this scream and all left their seats, searching everywhere for places to hide. In an instant, the originally splendid banquet descended into chaos.

Li Weiyang was the first to react. She pulled Madam Guo backward, but that leading python seemed to have intelligence, rapidly slithering toward her. A thought flashed through her mind. She suddenly pushed Madam Guo to Zhao Yue beside her: “Protect her well!”

Just as the python lunged toward her, Li Weiyang suddenly realized this entire performance today was staged for her! What snake dancer, what snake dance—it was simply a weapon to attack her. Princess Lin’an clearly wanted her to die on the spot!

Though the python’s body was cumbersome, its slithering speed was extremely fast. Its body coiled on the ground occupied at least five or six square meters. When it stood fully upright, it was a full half an adult’s height. It stood straight up and lunged at Li Weiyang! Madam Guo screamed: “Jia’er!”

Zhao Yue had already drawn her long sword, but one strike hit empty air. The python’s movement speed shouldn’t have been fast, but at this moment it seemed crazed. As Zhao Yue struck with her sword again and again, it became even more frenzied and whipped its tail. Before Zhao Yue could defend, the long sword was forcibly knocked away by the python’s tail. Li Weiyang had already fallen sitting on the ground. The python lunged again at her skirts, its bloody maw opening as if to swallow her whole in one gulp.

Li Weiyang hadn’t expected this python’s movement speed to be so fast, giving her no chance even to react. No matter how composed, seeing that bloody maw, smelling the fishy stench so close at hand, she couldn’t help her heart jumping. She furrowed her brow sharply, her whole body retreating backward, instinctively drawing from her waist the short dagger she had always kept hidden—

Madam Guo almost fainted. Without thinking, she rushed toward Li Weiyang, trying to shield her from this attack. Zhao Yue’s heart also sank heavily. At the critical moment, they saw the python suddenly rear up its body. The motion that was about to attack Li Weiyang abruptly stopped. Instead, it twisted violently on the ground as if in infinite agony. At this time, a pair of hands had already pulled Li Weiyang away. Still shaken, she turned her head and met Yuan Lie’s eyes.

Guo Cheng and Chen Xuanhua rushed over quickly. The python was already twisting on the ground, dead. At its vital seven-inch point was clearly a pair of ivory chopsticks, blood gurgling out. For such a non-sharp object to pierce a hole in the python’s body was simply… Guo Cheng stood there in shock, looking at Yuan Lie in disbelief.

Yuan Lie’s heart was also pounding like drums. Just now he was farthest from Li Weiyang and almost thought he wouldn’t make it in time! But Li Weiyang in his arms had already turned her beautiful eyes toward the main seat. Unexpectedly, she saw Jiang Nan’s expression—in that expression was a trace of cold smile, and more so, disappointment.

Disappointed she hadn’t died, Li Weiyang thought coldly.

Yuan Lie walked to the python’s side, carefully observing, his handsome eyes full of icy coldness: “This snake’s fangs weren’t removed at all…”

Servants had already killed those other small snakes. Only then did the people who had scattered and fled earlier regroup. Looking at this huge python, their faces showed expressions of lingering fear. Madam Guo was most furious. She rushed over and examined Li Weiyang up and down, tears already falling: “You foolish child! Why did you push Mother aside!”

Li Weiyang lightly brushed the dust from her skirt, her expression calm as she consoled her: “Mother, aren’t I perfectly fine? Don’t worry about me.” In fact, from the moment the python strangled the performing snake dancer to death, she had had a strange premonition. When she saw the python ignore everyone else and chase only after her, this premonition had come true. If she had run pulling Madam Guo along, it would only implicate the innocent woman—why would that be necessary? So without thinking, she pushed Madam Guo away.

“This snake has a problem!” Yuan Lie’s voice was ice-cold as he suddenly turned to look at Princess Lin’an.

Princess Lin’an immediately stood up, her face showing infinite surprise: “What on earth is going on?! How could such a thing happen during a perfectly good performance!”

Her expression was perfectly innocent, as if none of this was planned by her. Jiang Nan’s face was very indifferent. As early as when Princess Lin’an came up with this idea, he felt it would be very difficult to succeed, because in such a setting, to take Li Weiyang’s life, one would first have to subdue Yuan Lie and Zhao Yue! But—being able to shatter Li Weiyang’s calm composure was also an interesting thing. If they could take her life, that would be even more delightful. Unfortunately, Yuan Lie’s movements were too fast, his martial arts too high—this was beyond Jiang Nan’s expectations.

“A perfectly good performance?” Yuan Lie sneered: “Just now it was clearly stated that all the snakes had their fangs removed and venom extracted, yet its fangs are still there. Moreover, most pythons aren’t venomous, but you all take a look.” He lifted the dead snake’s head and forcibly pried open the teeth for everyone to see. “Who knows who smeared something on the python’s fangs—”

Everyone looked and saw the python had four rows of teeth in total. The outer two rows were clearly for biting, the inner two for swallowing food. However, on the outer teeth, there was clearly some light blue powder, giving off an eerie glow in the sunlight…