Injury at the Banquet

The attendees of the banquet were divided into two factions, seated apart on either side. Xianyue, as a princess, occupied the prominent position on the left, beneath her sat Bai Ao, the current head of the most powerful family in the State of Chu, and beside him, Bai Zhanfeng sat stiffly, his demeanor impeccably formal. 

Opposite Xianyue was Lan Yixuan, flanked by Lei Yun and Lei An on either side. To his left sat Hua Chuxue, who playfully teased the small creature in her hands, eagerly greeting Lan Yixuan with a certain coyness. Her exquisite beauty, accentuated by deep dimples that appeared as she smiled and mesmerizing fox-like eyes, captivated nearly all the young men present, leaving the other young ladies to silently simmer in resentment, powerless to alter their circumstances. 

In terms of looks, they were worlds apart; in terms of status, they were similarly eclipsed. Once overshadowed, there was little choice but to accept fate. 

Xianyue glanced at the King of Chu seated at the center of the hall. In his forties, he exuded an air of scholarly elegance, with a gentle demeanor reminiscent of a warm-hearted scholar. His slightly smiling visage radiated a sense of familiarity and comfort, while the conspicuous mole at the corner of his eye stood out, lending him an unspoken authority that commanded respect—his years of rulership had bestowed upon him a gravitas unmatched by ordinary folk. 

Beside him were two chairs. To his right sat a woman in resplendent attire, appearing to be in her twenties and bearing a striking resemblance to Hua Chuxue. She was presumably Hua Chuxue's mother, the queen of the State of Chu. Her face wore a tender smile, radiating warmth; when she laughed, shallow dimples would grace her cheeks, and her beautiful eyes held a charm that was undeniably captivating. It seemed that Hua Chuxue's remarkable beauty was an inheritance from her mother. 

The seat on the left side was originally reserved for Hua Chuxue, yet she insisted on sitting beside Lan Yixuan. Unable to refuse, the king permitted an extra seat to be added to Lan Yixuan's left. 

"Brother Xuan, look how well-behaved the ball is!" 

Hua Chuxue held the ball facing Lan Yixuan, yet she never fully entrusted it to his embrace. 

Xianyue busied herself with her food and drink, occasionally locking eyes with Lan Yixuan. She simply smiled, pursing her lips and casting a disgruntled glance at the ball. If that ball were in her arms, she would surely place it in his, eager to witness his laughter falter. 

She found it amusing that Hua Chuxue, who clearly despised animals, feigned affection for the creature. Xianyue regarded her with a hint of contemplation; surely, Hua Chuxue could not be entirely oblivious. 

"The princess of the Phoenix Kingdom has arrived in Chu and was not personally welcomed; what a slight!" 

The King of Chu's tone was marked by a semblance of respect, which did not surprise Xianyue. Among all the states, Chu was the weakest, not only because of its small territory but also due to its lackluster military strength. The region was well-suited for human habitation, and perhaps due to the gentle nature of the environment, the people here were equally mild-mannered. The border soldiers selected for military service could not hold a candle to those of Xuanyuan or the Phoenix Kingdom; indeed, they ranked as the weakest of all nations. 

As Xianyue was called upon, the king treated her with the courtesy befitting a princess. Naturally, she could not disregard such decorum. Lifting her goblet, she rose to her feet: "I apologize for the intrusion." 

While she uttered those words, her gaze flickered toward Lan Yixuan seated nearby. It was an intrusion, indeed, but the target of her annoyance was not the king. 

Upon finishing her statement, she raised her goblet and drained it in one swift motion. The king lauded her forthright nature, proclaiming her a paragon among women, and other courtiers chimed in with flattery. Xianyue merely listened, pondering how much of their praise was sincere and how much was mere sycophancy. In the hearts of those present, a silent competition brewed. Moreover, as a princess, she had long since mastered the art of ignoring trivial remarks, allowing them to flow in one ear and out the other. 

Whenever someone approached to toast her, Xianyue would not decline, leading to further praises. Once the rounds of toasts had circulated, she observed the same individuals preparing to come forth again and smiled, "Master Chen, if you continue to come in such succession, even if I possess a boundless capacity, I would surely become inebriated." 

She blinked, her alabaster skin tinged with a subtle blush under the light, which rendered her appearance crystalline and ethereal. Her sparkling eyes, while not overtly enchanting, possessed a depth that seemed boundless; a mere glance felt casual, yet prolonged gazes would ensnare one's very soul. 

Master Chen felt slightly embarrassed; being a fellow lover of wine, he had noted how Xianyue remained steadfast and composed. Curious about her drinking capacity, he found her words somewhat daunting, offering an awkward smile as he retreated. 

"Xianyue, my dear sister." 

Just as Master Chen withdrew, Xianyue turned to the quietly seated Hua Chuxue, who held the ball tenderly in one hand while raising her goblet with the other. 

With a heart-shaped face that was daintily small, her large, luminous fox-like eyes sparkled. If she let her glossy black hair cascade over her shoulders, she would resemble a flawlessly crafted doll. 

Xianyue, holding a wine jug in one hand and a goblet in the other, raised an eyebrow at Hua Chuxue. 

"I offer you a toast." 

Pouring herself a full glass, she tilted her head back and drank it all. 

Naturally, she relished fine wine, and having accepted toasts from numerous guests, she had no qualms, particularly with the princess of Chu standing beside her. 

She wondered whether her heart truly reflected her name, pure and untainted. After all, it was just a cup of wine; as long as she refrained from harboring ill thoughts, Xianyue chose not to delve too deeply into the matter. 

Upon witnessing Xianyue down her drink, Hua Chuxue gasped in surprise. Xianyue placed her goblet on the table, only to see Hua Chuxue cover her mouth, her brow furrowed in distress. Once again, she had to concede that true beauty could be captivating in any form. 

Xianyue maintained a slight bow, setting her goblet down on the table, her gaze rising to meet Hua Chuxue's. Her clear eyes revealed nothing beyond the concealed expectations and mockery deep within. 

One must harbor no malicious intent, yet remain cautious of others. As long as no harm was intended toward her or her brother, she could easily overlook a great many things. However, no one, not even her father, Feng Xuanling, could earn her unwavering trust, much less Hua Chuxue, whom she had encountered only once. 

Excess, in any form, could be detrimental. Whether Hua Chuxue was genuinely innocent or simply feigning such innocence mattered little to Xianyue; she had long since resolved to view her as an adversary, and thus, all strangers warranted wariness. 

Hua Chuxue gradually released her grip on her mouth, her eyes wide with astonishment. That expression, paired with her delicate features, could stir anyone's protective instincts, yet Xianyue stood impassively, casting a subtle glance at her, saying nothing. 

Pouting, Hua Chuxue turned to gaze at the King of Chu, blinking innocently. Xianyue suspected that with but a flicker of her beautiful Danfeng eyes, a torrent of tears could ensue. "Father!" 

She called out, her youthful voice laden with a hint of childlike vulnerability that could easily soften hearts. 

Her gaze lingered on Xianyue, holding the ball close to her chest and presenting it toward Xianyue. "The ball wants to cry." 

Such a sudden leap in logic made Xianyue smile; she yearned to remark that her eyes were reddened not from empathy but because Hua Chuxue had been preoccupied with her own melodrama, pinching too tightly. 

Xianyue simply offered a nonchalant "Hmm" and said no more; after all, her words would alter nothing. 

Observing the scene, Hua Chuxue's pout deepened, her voice trembling with a hint of tears. "I envy my sister so much; Father says that only coarse women drink wine, and he won't allow me to. I don't even know how to drink. May I use water instead?" 

"Xue'er."

"Your Highness, Princess Huasnow," the King of Chu called out heavily, laced with a hint of displeasure. Huasnow shrank her neck and weakly replied, "Father." 

Xianyue released her grip on the cup and sat down, her initial thought being that she had been played. Observing the expectant faces of the others, it seemed as though failing to comply would mark her as the villain. An irresistible urge to laugh bubbled within her; was it possible that in Chu, gentleness and tears served as the best camouflage? 

"Princess, you see—" 

Clearly distressed by his daughter's pitiful demeanor, the King of Chu disregarded the potential slight to Xianyue. 

"Then let us substitute tea for wine." 

Xianyue gestured toward a palace maid approaching to pour tea for Huasnow, saying, "No need for you to bother." 

"Leiyun, you ought to know Princess Huasnow's preferences; prepare her a cup of tea." 

Designating Leiyun, Xianyue faced no hesitation as he bowed and withdrew, returning with a cup of tea that he directly offered to Huasnow before stepping back behind Lan Yixuan. 

Huasnow, fixated on Xianyue, lifted the lid, gently blew on the tea, and brought it to her lips, not anticipating its scalding temperature, which left her tongue numb. She hurriedly retracted her tongue, but her heart felt ablaze as she glanced down at Lan Yixuan, who similarly bowed his head, seemingly savoring the fine wine in his hand. 

Xianyue too toyed with her wine cup, entirely ignoring Huasnow's woeful appearance. It wasn't until Huasnow averted her gaze in frustration that Xianyue raised her head, her eyes sweeping over the King and Huasnow, settling on the King with a slight smile. "In our Fengtian Kingdom, our numbers are scarce; within the royal family, it's just my brother and me. When I was very young, my brother told me that the weight of Fengtian's burdens would inevitably fall upon our shoulders. His health is frail, preventing him from drinking, so naturally, I must drink on his behalf." 

"My brother also said that men tend to favor delicate, gentle women, but in times of chaos, the ones standing beside them will not be those who easily shed tears. A wise woman will create a world for her man in his absence, alleviating his worries. Drinking and socializing are skills men possess, and women must acquire at least a semblance of them." 

Xianyue's voice was not loud, yet during her speech, no one dared to interrupt. When she finished, a profound silence enveloped the Qinghuan Hall. 

Perhaps her words were too extraordinary, or perhaps some were simply moved by her declaration. The bond between the Crown Prince of Fengtian and Princess Xihe was well known across the realm, and it was understood that the Crown Prince was born weak and frail. Educating his sister this way was not amiss; in a chaotic world, one of them had to bear the weight of their kingdom. They gazed at Xianyue with admiration and certainty, poised and calm. While she did not differ greatly in stature from the women of Chu, she bore burdens heavier than any of them. 

"I favor women who can hold their liquor." 

White Zhanfeng, seated below Bai Ao, suddenly interjected, locking eyes with the King of Chu. "All those from the rivers and lakes can drink with abandon; it's straightforward and forthright. Unlike some, who fumble and feign elegance—what is a mere cup of wine? Do they truly fear drunkenness?" 

While White Zhanfeng did not name anyone explicitly, his words were pointed, aimed squarely at the fragile Princess Huasnow. After all, it was merely a cup of wine; if one were to become intoxicated, they could simply retire to their chambers. If one genuinely did not wish to drink, stating so would suffice—there was no need for such theatrics. 

"Brother Feng." 

Huasnow clutched her ball tightly, her voice tinged with a quiver, nearly on the verge of tears. 

"I am not familiar with you; do not try that with me." 

White Zhanfeng shot a cold glance at Huasnow, effectively cutting her off. Xianyue regarded White Zhanfeng, taking pleasure in Huasnow's discomfort. It would be disingenuous to say she felt no satisfaction; though Zhanfeng could be verbose, he was straightforward. Engaging with him meant playful banter, devoid of ulterior motives. While she would not easily trust anyone, one thing she could be certain of with Zhanfeng was that he would not harm her. 

"Feng'er." 

Old Master Bai's voice boomed, his breath coming out in a fiery huff, clearly incensed. 

"I speak the truth." 

Having been raised in the tumultuous world of the rivers and lakes, he understood the machinations of deception but preferred to remain detached, especially now that Xianyue was the one being wronged. 

In truth, Huasnow's call for help was not unwarranted; the Bai family had produced several queens of Chu, after all, and there was an undeniable familial connection. 

Old Master Bai's eyebrows rose, his eyes narrowing; White Zhanfeng promptly fell silent, muttering, "Understood, I won't speak any further." 

"Master Bai is not mistaken; Snow has indeed been spoiled by me." 

In Chu, the Bai family held no official titles, yet their influence permeated every corner of the court. Even the emperor offered them a measure of respect. In this moment, every citizen of Chu referred to Bai Ao as Old Master Bai, while White Zhanfeng was regarded as Young Master Bai. 

"Princess, please do not take offense." 

The Queen, who had remained quietly seated, suddenly spoke. Her voice was gentle, each word akin to a spring breeze. 

"Snow has spent so long in the palace without encountering the outside world; her actions are often impulsive and rash." 

"I would not," Xianyue replied generously, waving her hand dismissively. "It was my fault, certainly, but I have already retaliated. Moreover, Leiyun and White Zhanfeng have stood up for me; if I were to hold a grudge, it would only be self-inflicted suffering." 

"Xuan'er." 

The queen's gaze shifted to Lan Yixuan. "You and Xue'er are no longer children." 

She merely made a casual remark, yet Xianyue grasped its underlying meaning. 

On the surface, Lan Yixuan appeared approachable, but in truth, he was even more aloof than Jun Pinyu. The smile adorning his face exuded grace and elegance, yet it served as a barrier, repelling those who sought to draw near. From their first acquaintance, he had taken her to his various villas, never mentioning any close friends. Perhaps he had some, but they were merely one-sided affections. His reference to "Xuan'er" revealed the extraordinary bond between Lan Yixuan and the Chu royal family; it was no wonder he could afford to use brocade as a cushion for his carriage. 

This comment was subtle, yet each person present understood its implications with remarkable clarity. The queen was indirectly informing Lan Yixuan that both he and Hua Chuxue had reached marriageable age, urging him to propose to the Chu royal family. 

Soon, the guests recalled how Lan Yixuan had held Xianyue's hand moments ago. Almost simultaneously, their gazes turned toward Xianyue—filled with sympathy, pity, or perhaps amusement. 

"Lan Gongzi, so you've been preparing to play both sides all along?" 

Lan Yixuan lifted his gaze, locking eyes with Xianyue, searching for something in her depths, only to discover that what he sought was absent. 

"Do you wish to be the major player or the minor one?" 

His tone was nonchalant, and the smile playing on his lips held a hint of mischief, but to Xianyue, his voice felt cold, like ice forming in the depths of winter. 

"Both roles belong to me alone. Is that acceptable?" 

Xianyue tilted her head, appearing playful yet deeply earnest. 

Hua Chuxue, gazing at Lan Yixuan beside her, suddenly shrieked as her pet ball, which had been quietly nestled in her arms, bolted toward Xianyue, its claws aimed at her face—long and white, sharp as blades. If it managed to catch her, it would surely tear her skin, marring her delicate features. 

"Watch out!" 

Bai Zhanyun sprang to his feet, shouting, but was interrupted by Bai Ao's commanding voice. "Feng'er." 

That single word held an unprecedented severity, prompting Bai Zhanyun to turn and meet Bai Ao's warning glare. 

Xianyue's attention was fixed on the approaching ball; it was just a cat, after all. No matter how sharp its claws, it could never transform into a tiger. Yet, she was unprepared for the lightning speed with which it lunged. 

She raised her head, springing up, but suddenly someone forcefully pushed the stool beneath her, striking her shins. Xianyue grimaced at the intense force—no ordinary person could wield such swift strength. She had been pouring her own drinks, and to avoid any tricks, she had sent away the palace maids and eunuchs who usually surrounded her. Bai Ao's bodyguards were unlikely to possess such speed. 

Startled, Xianyue staggered slightly from the unexpected force, instinctively bracing herself against the table as the crazed feline came perilously close, its claws threatening to pierce her eye. 

"Miss Xianyue!" 

Leian and Lei Yun both cried out in alarm, and Lan Yixuan stood up from the table. 

In that instant, Xianyue furrowed her brows, leaning back and raising her hands to shield her face. The ball's speed was astonishing, and altering its course seemed impossible as it soared past her head, its sharp claws tearing through her garment and leaving several vivid red marks on her snow-white hand. 

The ball landed on a nearby tree, its sapphire-blue eyes glimmering ominously. Those dark feline eyes narrowed as it prepared to charge at Xianyue once more. However, she appeared unperturbed by the wound on her hand, instinctively turning to face the ball, her expression cold and unyielding as it approached. She raised her hand and struck out at its fragile head with decisive force. The once-vibrant ball collapsed to the ground, nearly spilling its innards, but Xianyue knew it was not dead. She had exercised restraint, incapacitating it without causing fatal harm. 

"Ah!" 

Hua Chuxue screamed upon seeing her bloodied pet, rushing past Xianyue. Xianyue smiled, stretching out her wounded hand, and another scream escaped Hua Chuxue as she stumbled to the ground. 

"Someone help the princess up!" 

The Chu king, furious, barked at the dazed palace maids and eunuchs. 

Xianyue looked down at the deep wounds on her hand, blood beginning to flow. Yet to her, it was hardly a grave injury. 

Gazing at the trickling marks on her palm, a smile blossomed on Xianyue's face. She believed she knew how to extricate herself from the situation. 

Bending down, she saw Hua Chuxue weeping softly at her feet, and directly before her lay the injured ball. She was far from willing to let the matter rest.