Chapter 21: Provocation

On the other side, the banquet was still ongoing.

Banlai was entangled with Ayang, and she simply couldn't get away to chase the General.

Ayang had a few glasses of wine, her eyes blurred but occasionally fixed on the stone archway.

She was initially a bit worried, but after reconsidering, she realized the aftermath had already been handled. Even if the General discovered something amiss, it had nothing to do with her.

Moreover, knowing the General's temperament, how could he have the patience to listen to any explanations? He was probably already 'punishing' that damned person from the Central Plains in a fit of rage!

Just... she got off easy!

Furious, Ayang downed another glass of strong liquor, without anyone forcing her.

After drinking, she subconsciously glanced at the stone archway again, and the cup in her hand fell with a 'clang' to the ground, shattering into pieces.

The noise startled others, who followed Ayang's gaze over to the scene.

And what they saw was their brave and mighty Great General, cautiously supporting a slender figure at this moment.

A dozen burly men, all drunk and red-faced, with blurry eyes.

They couldn't even clearly see what the slender figure looked like.

All they saw was a pale figure, looking so frail as if a gust of wind could blow her away.

Clicking their tongues, they assumed it must be that Little Princess from the Central Plains?

Banlai picked up his wine cup and stood shakily, "It is said, hiccup — that people from the Central Plains are the most courteous, but this Princess looks down on us Bianliao people! Hiccup — even needs, needs our General to personally invite her!"

The other men echoed.

"Exactly! Those from the Central Plains are just pretentious!"

"General, if the Great Xia Princess looks down on us, why should you treat her with courtesy?"

"If you ask me, this Ayang girl is better than the Great Xia Princess. Maybe the General should reconsider the choice for the General's wife?"

"Anyone who looks down on us Bianliao people is not fit to be our General's wife!"

Usually, Yelv Lie treated these men, who fought life and death alongside him, like brothers. They didn't understand etiquette and had no boundaries, not even avoiding openly discussing the Little Princess, who they knew was likely the Great Xia Princess, while she was in the General's arms.

They even encouraged their General to take a maid as his wife rather than the Great Xia Princess.

It could be said to be an open provocation.

Yun Chunnuan had never experienced such a scene before—a dozen sturdy, bearded men sitting there pointing fingers at her, each one seeming to look down on her...

Her steps halted, suddenly hesitant to move forward.

She felt like a lamb inexplicably falling into a wolf's den.

What awaited her, Yun Chunnuan did not know.

But the unknown was the most frightening, she had no doubt about that.

The large hand at her waist suddenly tightened, as if giving a warning.

Yun Chunnuan glowered over but saw those glazed eyes like crystal, shining as if to encourage her.

Oh, he wanted to give her courage?

Yun Chunnuan put away her angry gaze, took a deep breath, raised her pointy chin, and slowly stepped into the banquet hall.

No matter if she would stay or leave in the future, since she was using someone else's body, she couldn't lose that person's face.

I am the Seventh Princess of the Great Xia Country.

I am the Seventh Princess of the Great Xia Country.

I am the Seventh Princess of the Great Xia Country...

Saying important things three times, Yun Chunnuan repeatedly built up her psychological fortitude.

The banquet hall was essentially an open courtyard with a few tables, showcasing the straightforward and bold nature of the Bianliao people—no one thought it inappropriate; even when the King hosted a banquet, it was like this.

Yelv Lie switched to holding Yun Chunnuan's hand.

The soft, boneless small hand landing in his warm palm immediately aroused Yelv Lie's wandering thoughts.

The rough pad of his finger brushed against the delicate back of her hand, earning a roll of eyes from Yun Chunnuan.

Yelv Lie was not angry, winking at her, without any overindulgent actions.

But this scene happened to catch Ayang's eyes.

Her worry and fear instantly turned into jealousy, staring at that perfect, flawless face, Ayang tightly clenched her hands, deeply regretting not having ruined that face in her haste!

Seductress!

Can only entice men with a pretty face!

But what was even more choking for Ayang was yet to come.

She saw the man she admired leading that woman by hand, seating her in the seat of honor.

She sat in the main position, and the General casually pulled up a stool beside her.

Apparently discontent with the stool's cold hardness, he ordered thick fur be brought and laid on it...

Ayang: "!"

The dozen burly men: "!!!"

Staring at the General's actions, everyone was dumbstruck.

Where was the Great General who just said 'to hell with the Central Plains'—he was practically treating that woman like a precious gem!

"General! What do you mean by this? Are you insulting us?"

"The seat of honor should only accommodate our own beneath!"

"Has General heard the tale of the Destructive Demoness from the Central Plains?"

Everyone stood up, voicing their dissatisfaction.

A person from the Central Plains, and a woman at that, sitting in their place of honor, was purely an insult!

Yun Chunnuan had no idea a seat could hold so much significance, and her just-built confidence started to waver.

Yelv Lie however, gave her a light pat on her hand, indicating with his eyes for her not to move.

He was never one to nit-pick over trifles nor interested in managing the inner household, but now, someone dared blatantly trespass into his room, targeting his woman!

This enraged Yelv Lie incredibly.

He was scared for a moment, as should there still be a 'next time,' she didn't even have the ability to protect herself, wouldn't she be killed easily?

Yelv Lie's gaze pierced through the crowd, falling on the woman beside Banlai.

The jealousy in Ayang's eyes hadn't yet been concealed, and he saw it all clearly.

Yelv Lie curled his lips, but the smile did not reach his eyes, "What is your name?"

Having lowered her head, Ayang quickly raised her eyes.

Because her mother was the General's wet nurse, in the General Mansion she had the run of the place like a young lady of wealth, even punishing the General's concubines at will, without any scolding.

So Ayang didn't think the General would blame her because of a woman from the Central Plains.

She just felt a bit sad that the General didn't remember her name.

But it didn't matter, now noticing her wasn't too late!

"General, I am called Ayang, I used to often play with you when I was little, you even held me."

She shyly lowered her head, hands clasped in front, twisting her clothes bashfully.

This bold statement, anyone with eyes could see, Ayang had feelings for the Great General, feelings of a man and a woman.

Yet, the man Ayang most wanted to know was utterly composed.

"Come over."

His tone was even, as calm as water.

Ayang lifted her head to sneak a glance at Yelv Lie, and the Central Plains woman beside him, who listened to her words yet remained unmoved.

Ayang was somewhat perplexed but still took small steps forward.

"General..."

Just as she opened her mouth, a clump of grass roots covered in soil was thrown at her head.

"This thing, is it yours?"