At the same time, in the side hall.
A stark contrast to the lively scene in the main hall, the side hall was desolate, illuminated only by the lonely glow of the crescent moon.
Feng Ying sat quietly by the tea table. Hearing footsteps, she turned with delight: "Ninth Brother, you've come?"
Prince Qin saw her but did not take a seat. "Speak your mind if you have something to say."
A wounded expression flashed across Feng Ying's face. "Ninth Brother, you were never so impatient with me before. Have you truly grown to despise me now?"
Seeing her like this, his mind involuntarily conjured the image of Chu Ruoyin.
Despite her delicate and fragile appearance, she never voiced her grievances, only gazing at him with those sorrowful yet resolute eyes...
Born into the imperial family, he had seen his share of flattery, but he had always been drawn to women of unyielding spirit.
He once thought Feng Ying was one of them, but now he realized it was merely a facade...
"Ah Ying, I’ve made myself clear. In the past, I was the one who pursued you. From now on, if you’re willing, I can still regard you as a sister..."
"A sister?" Feng Ying let out a bitter laugh but said no more. Instead, she picked up a cup of wine. "Ninth Brother, I was immature before. Let me offer this as an apology."
She downed the cup in one go, then handed another to Prince Qin.
With a sigh, Prince Qin accepted it. "Very well. Let this wine mark the end of our past. I wish you an early union with a worthy husband."
He raised his sleeve and drank. Feng Ying’s eyes gleamed with triumph.
It worked!
Indeed, the moment the wine touched his lips, Prince Qin felt his head grow heavy. He staggered back two steps.
Feng Ying immediately rushed to support him. "Ninth Brother!"
The moment her hand touched him, a shudder ran through his body. "You—you drugged the wine?"
"Yes, Ninth Brother." Feng Ying cupped his face and leaned in for a kiss, but Prince Qin turned away. "Get lost!!"
Feng Ying grabbed his chin and slapped him hard. "Murong Jin! Stop pretending! The drug I gave you today is a hundred times stronger than the drunken flower you once fell for. Today, whether you’re willing or not, you’ll submit!"
"You... how dare you—" His eyes burned with fury.
Feng Ying sneered. "What, you’re shocked I dared to hit you? Let me make it clear—this drug will also make you forget everything afterward. You’ll only remember forcing yourself on me. Once Yan Chengwu arrives, the position of Princess Qin will be mine!"
A profound disappointment flickered in Prince Qin’s eyes. "Ah Ying, you weren’t like this before..."
"Before? What was I like before? Just putting on an act to fool you." Feng Ying removed her outer robe, her face twisted in disdain. "And did you really think I ever wanted you? Murong Jin, you’re a prince with military power, yet you cower before your mother and elder brother! How can you compare to Yan Zheng? He killed the Marquis of Pingjing without hesitation, and even the Princess’s life was at his mercy. Next to him, you’re nothing but a worthless coward. If I had any other choice, do you think I’d stoop to this?"
Each word was laced with venom.
Prince Qin trembled with rage, yet disbelief lingered. "You... your heart belongs to the Chief Minister?"
"Of course! Since you won’t remember anyway, I might as well tell you. When I first returned to the capital, I approached Chu Ruoyin. I told her that if she helped me enter the Yan household, I’d step aside for you two. But alas, she refused to cooperate. Don’t blame me for targeting her then." As she spoke, she untied the last ribbon of her garment and leaned over him. "Don’t worry, it’ll be quick. Even I find this repulsive—"
Before she could finish, a powerful force threw her aside.
"If it’s repulsive, then spare us both!" Prince Qin stood, straightening his robes, his gaze icy and sharp—no trace of intoxication in sight.
Feng Ying paled. "You... you didn’t drink it?"
He smirked, shaking out his sleeve to reveal the wine soaked into the fabric. "Ah Ying, you’ve sorely underestimated me. Did you think I’d fall for the same trick twice? But thanks to this, I’ve finally seen your true colors. Since you hold me in such contempt, there’s no need for you to suffer further. However, let me warn you—stay away from Yan Zheng. Otherwise, not just you, but your entire Zhenbei General’s Manor will meet a fate worse than death!"
With that, he turned to leave.
Feng Ying panicked, scrambling to clutch his leg. "Ninth Brother! Ninth Brother! I was possessed just now! I was wrong! Please forgive me!"
Her reversal was swifter than flipping a page. Which eye had he been blind with to ever think her as noble as winter plum blossoms?
"Let go!"
"No—Ninth Brother! Ah Ying was wrong, truly wrong! Please, for the sake of our childhood bond, give me one more chance!" She clung desperately, refusing to release him.
Prince Qin looked down at her with deep weariness. "Ah Ying, the act is over. In the past, your schemes worked not because they were clever, but because I was a fool who cared for you. Now, even if you perform more convincingly than an opera singer, it’s all in vain."
With that, he kicked her away.
Feng Ying let out a cry as she crashed to the floor. She tried to crawl after him, but a voice colder than ice cut through the air.
"Miss Feng, let’s preserve some dignity for both our sakes."
She froze. The man strode out of the side hall without a backward glance.
Miss Feng... He had never called her that before...
Did this mean he was severing all ties between them?
"No—AAAAAH!!!"
Feng Ying clutched her head and screamed, unable to comprehend how the man who once hung on her every whim had suddenly awakened.
Outside the hall, a timid maid called out, "M-Miss..."
Feng Ying’s face was ghastly, like a vengeful spirit. "Has Yan Chengwu arrived?"
If so, she might still salvage this by settling for that fool!
But the maid fell to her knees, trembling. "N-No... The note I gave him was intercepted by his mother..."
Feng Ying’s face twisted in fury. "WHAT?!"
Even that last fool had slipped from her grasp. What was she to do now?
The maid didn’t dare answer, only kowtowed repeatedly in fear.
Feng Ying dug her nails into her thigh until blood nearly seeped out. After a long silence, she forced out through gritted teeth, "Let’s go—back to the banquet!"
No matter what, she had to secure a marriage tonight. If her grandfather rebelled, she’d be left with no way out!
As the banquet reached its third round, the atmosphere grew lively.
Chu Ruoyan exchanged idle chatter with a few noblewomen, her gaze flickering to the corridor where Prince Qin hurriedly reappeared.
Though slightly disheveled, his robes were at least intact—meaning Feng Ying had failed.
She exhaled softly in relief.
"What, worrying about your second sister again?" A familiar voice murmured by her ear, and she knew Yan Zheng had returned.
The noblewomen hastily excused themselves, and the man took the seat beside her.
Though he had drunk much tonight, his eyes remained as sharp and clear as ever.
Chu Ruoyan smiled wryly. "Not entirely. If Feng Ying had succeeded and become Princess Qin, wouldn’t that mean more trouble for us? After all..." She cast a meaningful glance at him. "The one she truly desires is my husband."
