Were you looking for me?

(This chapter is long.)

The hall remained silent, waiting for his response.

Jiang Lei took another slow, measured breath.

His pride told him to ignore it. To refuse. To walk away.

But the growing pressure from the audience—the whispering nobles, the amused scholars, the judgmental glances from those who knew better—left him with no choice.

His jaw tightened.

His hands curled into fists beneath his sleeves.

And yet—

And yet—

Just when Jiang Lei was about to succumb to the pressure, his lips parting, ready to force the words out—

A smooth, melodic voice sliced through the air.

"Oh my, what is this?"

Chen Li's voice was honeyed, laced with the kind of elegance only years of practice could perfect.

Jiang Lei shut his mouth instantly, the weight of expectation lifting from his shoulders as though he had been granted an unexpected reprieve.

Saved.

He was saved.