Chapter 14: The Banquet Arrives

Chapter 14: The Banquet Arrives (Part 1)

Night fell swiftly. When I emerged in the modified palace gown, the jaws of everyone around me practically hit the floor. Aunt Zhang grabbed my arm, frantic. "Miss! How can you wear this? This banquet is to receive the Crown Prince of Chu! This attire... It's utterly indecent!"

I glanced in the mirror. She wasn't wrong. The gown was indecent. Forget the scandalously low neckline that plunged just enough to hint at cleavage, drawing every eye downward with an invitation to explore its secrets. Forget the waist cinched so tight it pushed my breasts higher, narrowed my waist, and elongated my legs into a nosebleed-inducing silhouette that showcased every advantage. Just the daring slit running up to my knees, revealing pale calves, was enough to make anyone rub their eyes in disbelief.

A light laugh escaped me. This is nothing. If ancient sensibilities weren't so damn prudish, I'd have turned this skirt into a minidress.

I patted Aunt Zhang's tense shoulder. "Don't worry. Seeing me like this might please Shangguan Mochen immensely!"

I strode out of the palace. The palanquin Shangguan Mochen sent was already waiting. The eunuchs carrying it gaped, utterly stunned – clearly unused to an Empress devoid of any "motherly virtue." Inside, the palanquin was surprisingly plush, the cushions soft. Just like those historical dramas.

We arrived at Shangguan Mochen's private palace, Hui Long Dian. Before I could step out, his voice sliced through the air: "Has the Empress arrived?"

Before the eunuchs could answer, I pushed the curtain aside and stepped out boldly. "Asking if I'm here while I'm still in the palanquin? Eager to see me, Your Majesty?"

"Hmph. Zhen eager to see you—" Shangguan Mochen's icy scoff cut off abruptly as his gaze landed on me. Shock, fury, and undeniable fascination warred on his face. "You! How dare you appear dressed like this! Have you forgotten everything Zhen commanded you?"

I mentally scoffed. Hypocrite. His expression screamed he was dazzled, that he liked what he saw, yet he clung to this righteous fury act. Perfect match for Liu Rumei's brand of fake.

I sighed dramatically. "Your Majesty, is this considered a private gathering?"

His face darkened. "Obviously."

"And a private gathering requires... a relaxed atmosphere, yes?"

"Naturally."

"And a relaxed atmosphere depends on the attendees' moods, correct?"

"...Obviously."

"And the attendees' moods... are influenced by their surroundings, wouldn't you say?"

"... ... ... What is your point?!" he finally exploded, veins bulging on his forehead. His handsome face, twisted with fury like an avenging god, only amplified its imposing aura.

Seeing him like this, I summoned my most innocent, bunny-like smile. "My point? Isn't it obvious? Think about it. If everyone showed up in stiff suits—" I caught myself, "—I mean, rigidly formal attire, for a private party, would it feel relaxed? It would feel like a diplomatic negotiation, not a reception for Duanmu Yeting! This Empress wore this... sacrifice... purely to foster a relaxed atmosphere! Doesn't such selfless dedication deserve... a reward?" I tilted my head, radiating faux innocence.

"You! You! You—!" Shangguan Mochen stared daggers at me, looking ready to skin me alive. I met his gaze coolly, my eyes flashing a clear challenge: You know I'm baiting you. What are you gonna do about it?

We stood locked in a silent battle. Sparks flew between our locked gazes, so intense they felt capable of incinerating everything within a fifty-meter radius. Only seen this kind of rivalry between Sakuragi and Rukawa, I mused. The surrounding eunuchs and maids visibly trembled, frozen by the palpable tension, afraid to even breathe.

The standoff shattered with the booming voice of a eunuch.

Chapter 14: The Banquet Arrives (Part 2) 

"Your Majesty!" The eunuch announced with surprising volume, cutting through the charged air. "Vice Minister of Revenue, Ye Mingyang, requests an audience!"

This guy has a death wish. Anyone with sense would be scrambling away from the furnace blast of fury between Shangguan Mochen and me. Yet here he was, braving the heat. Either incredibly brave, or this Ye Mingyang was someone very important.

Shangguan Mochen reacted instantly. He shot me one last venomous glare before turning, reluctance heavy in his voice. "Admit him!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" The eunuch bowed and began to turn, but before he could move—

"Your Majesty needn't trouble Eunuch Kong!" A young man's voice, laced with playful mockery, rang out. "This humble servant will present himself!"

The moment I heard that voice, the blood drained from my face. That voice. I'd know it anywhere. Even in a dream. Even amidst a cacophony of thousands.

Because the voice belonging to this Ye Mingyang… was identical to the voice of the man who had assaulted me.

My heart seized. My entire body began to tremble uncontrollably. I lifted my gaze as the figure approached, the lantern light from the nearby palace filtering through the trees. The face that swam into view was achingly familiar, the one I'd loved most in this life. Yet now, it filled me with profound revulsion and strangeness.

He drew closer. His eyes found me standing behind Shangguan Mochen, and a strange light flickered within them. In that instant, I hated myself with startling intensity. Hated this revealing gown. Hated that my most beautiful, cherished form was exposed to his gaze.

He seemed to sense my disgust, his step faltering slightly. Shangguan Mochen, oblivious, threw an arm around his shoulders in a brotherly gesture. "Formalities? With Zhen? We grew up together! What's yours is mine!"

Right. Best buddies. Sharing everything. Disgust churned in my stomach. Even wives, apparently. What kind of friend ignores his wife's humiliation? Though honestly, I didn't expect Shangguan Mochen's protection. My contempt was reserved solely for Ye Mingyang. How dare he violate me and then stand here, arm-in-arm with my husband?

I couldn't stomach the display. "Ahem!" I cleared my throat loudly. "Duanmu Yeting? Or is this party just the three of us?"

My voice snapped them back to reality. Both Shangguan Mochen and Ye Mingyang turned. Shangguan Mochen radiated irritation. Ye Mingyang simply watched me, his amber-colored eyes holding that strange, unsettling light, making him seem almost ethereal.

The dappled lantern light fell upon him. Long, dark lashes fluttered like fragile butterfly wings, casting faint shadows beneath his eyes. His lips, forming a perfect curve, were pressed into a subtle line. He seemed bathed in a soft, golden aura, his beauty otherworldly, like a celestial being.

I stared, transfixed, as a wave of crushing sorrow washed over me. That face... superimposed perfectly over the memory of him. But he had been my greatest love. This man, before me, was the source of my deepest pain.

He's not Jiang Chenhao. He's not. The rational thought was drowned by the tidal wave of grief. Yet I couldn't look away. I searched his features desperately for familiar echoes. Under my intense scrutiny, his gaze grew distant too, a dazed, almost haunted expression settling over him. In the flickering light, his face seemed etched with faint sorrow, a trace of regret... and something like pain.

That look... it was so Jiang Chenhao. How else could this stranger wear such emotions? But our charged stare-down drew immediate protest. A sharp cough shattered the moment, jolting me back to reality. Horrified, I yanked my gaze away.

Turning, I met Shangguan Mochen's face – thunderous once more. His fiery eyes held a dangerous, almost seductive allure, currently fueled by pure rage. A mocking smile touched his lips as he looked at me. "Has the Empress suffered a relapse of her... pre-marital affliction? Though if you must chase men," his voice turned icy, "choose anyone else. Mingyang is Zhen's sworn brother. You will not lay a finger on him."

At these words, Ye Mingyang flushed faintly, turning his head away with a light cough. Predictable. Shangguan Mochen never opened his mouth without spewing venom. Arguing was pointless. I shot him a withering look. "Psycho!" I spat, then turned on my heel and marched towards Hui Long Dian's main hall.

Imagining Shangguan Mochen's face probably resembled a wrathful deity by now, a burst of laughter escaped me. Still chuckling, I pushed open the grand doors and stepped inside the hall.

My laughter died instantly, strangled by sound.

A melody of piercing clarity washed over me. Notes pure as crystal, achingly beautiful, wove through the air. It ensnared my senses completely, pulling me under its spell until all thought, all defiance, dissolved into pure, helpless immersion.