Yan Zheng frowned and wrapped his arm around her waist. "Must you bring up such an unlucky matter during the New Year?"
He had no idea how he’d gotten tangled in this mess. Had he known, he wouldn’t have acted when Feng Ying was present.
Chu Ruoyan chuckled and leaned in to whisper by his ear, "It’s not me bringing it up—this ‘unluckiness’ is rushing to us on its own!"
As she spoke, General Zhenbei arrived with Feng Ying in tow.
Somehow, the girl had coaxed her father into personally escorting her over. "Grand Secretary, County Princess Changle," Feng Huan began, his face flushed. "My daughter was blinded by foolishness and disrespected the County Princess. Now, with three humble cups of wine, she seeks your forgiveness. I beg the Grand Secretary and the County Princess to be magnanimous and overlook her ignorance."
After speaking, Feng Huan downed three cups in quick succession, his already red face turning as scarlet as boiled shrimp.
Chu Ruoyan privately pitied the man—such was the heart of a parent—but she didn’t accept the wine. Instead, she said, "If Miss Feng wishes to apologize, she should do it herself. Why delegate the task to her elderly father?"
Beside her, Yan Zheng also drank three cups, returning Feng Huan’s gesture.
The battle-hardened general’s face flushed further. "Ying’er, come here at once!"
The commotion drew the attention of the surrounding guests, many of whom turned to watch.
Feng Ying stepped forward, head bowed, and timidly raised her cup. "Grand Secretary, County Princess Changle, Feng Ying has offended you greatly. I hope you can—ah!"
Mid-sentence, she suddenly stumbled, lurching straight toward Yan Zheng.
Yes, Yan Zheng!
At this grand New Year’s banquet, under the watchful eyes of everyone, if he so much as reached out to steady her—even for a fleeting moment—her reputation would be ruined.
Her father would surely beg the Grand Secretary to take responsibility, and even as a concubine, she’d finally enter the Yan household. As for Chu Ruoyan… well, there’d be plenty of time to deal with her later!
Just as she was reveling in her imminent triumph, Yan Zheng’s brows snapped together. He wrapped an arm around Chu Ruoyan’s waist and swiftly leaped aside, landing behind Feng Ying.
Gasps erupted around them.
"Heavens!"
"Watch out!"
"Don’t let her ruin her face!"
With no one to catch her, Feng Ying hurtled toward the banquet table.
At the critical moment, a large hand shot out and caught her around the waist. Simultaneously, someone else grabbed her wrist, urgently calling, "Miss Feng, be careful!"
A stunned silence fell over the crowd, broken only by sharp intakes of breath.
Feng Ying, thinking she’d succeeded, lifted her head in delight—only to find herself in the arms of the Heir of the Duke of Zou, that notorious wastrel who’d been rendered impotent. To her horror, Yan Chengwu was gripping her right wrist, his face full of concern.
Boom!
Feng Ying felt as if the sky had collapsed. Whispers spread like wildfire.
"Isn’t that General Zhenbei’s daughter?"
"How did two unrelated men end up catching her at once?"
"Her reputation is ruined—but which family is responsible? The Duke of Zou’s heir, or the Yan family’s second branch?"
Humiliation burned through her. She wished she could die on the spot.
Feng Huan roared, "Let go of her at once!"
The Heir of the Duke of Zou reluctantly released her, though not without lingering reluctance. After all, since that wretched Yao Qing had emasculated him, no noble family in the capital would wed their daughters to him. Marrying the daughter of General Zhenbei would be an unexpected windfall.
Yan Chengwu, however, refused to let go. Instead, he asked with feigned concern, "Miss Feng, are your legs alright? How did you suddenly fall forward?"
His words only made the situation worse.
The guests, all seasoned foxes, saw right through her ploy. She’d clearly aimed for the Grand Secretary, only for him to evade her with his agility.
Feng Ying trembled with rage—as did Lady Xue.
The woman stormed forward and slapped Feng Ying across the face. "You shameless wretch! Since Prince Qin rejected you, you’re now throwing yourself at my son? How dare you pull such a disgraceful stunt in public? Have you no shame?"
The brutal scolding left no room for face-saving.
Feng Ying covered her cheek, sobbing pitifully. Yan Chengwu opened his mouth to speak, but Lady Xue turned and slapped him too. "Are you an idiot? An absolute fool! How could you save a woman like this? Let go and come with me this instant!"
Without another word, she dragged her son away. The Duchess of Zou likewise led her heir off.
The banquet table was now eerily quiet, leaving only Feng Huan clutching his daughter in dismay.
Then, Yin Shun, the Emperor’s attendant, arrived with a mocking smile. "My, what a spectacle! General Feng, His Majesty has a message for you: If the New Year’s banquet displeases you so, there’s no need to attend. Your presence here only brings discomfort—to yourself and everyone else."
Feng Huan paled and dropped to his knees. "Your Majesty, spare us! Your Majesty, forgive us!"
Yin Shun didn’t bother responding. A mere glance at the imperial guards was enough.
They seized the Feng father-daughter pair and dragged them from the banquet without ceremony—no explanations permitted. The Emperor’s fury was unmistakable.
The officials and their families trembled, uncertain of the Emperor’s mood. Only Grand Secretary Yan stepped forward with his wife and said, "Please inform His Majesty that this humble official failed to handle the matter properly. I beg His Majesty to calm his anger."
Yin Shun’s frosty expression instantly melted into a smile. "The Grand Secretary is too modest. His Majesty also said that since you were nearly tainted by such filth, you may leave early if you feel unwell."
A murmur of shock rippled through the crowd.
Never before had a subject been permitted to depart the Emperor’s New Year’s banquet early. Such favor was unprecedented!
Yet Yan Zheng merely clasped his hands. "This humble official thanks His Majesty for his boundless grace. But now that the filth has been removed, I am well. Let the festivities continue."
Yin Shun nodded approvingly, thinking the Grand Secretary was indeed shrewd—knowing better than to actually take the offered privilege.
After all, some things could be granted by those above, but accepting them outright was another matter entirely.
Meanwhile, Prince Qin, who had witnessed everything from a distance, clenched his fists.
After a long silence, he muttered woodenly, "Am I truly such a fool?"
The woman he’d cherished like pearls and jade for years turned out to be a brazen hussy who’d throw herself at men in public!
Behind him, Changhua’s lips twitched. How was he supposed to answer that?
Admit that His Highness was indeed a fool?
"Your Highness is too harsh on yourself. You were merely… nostalgic."
"Nostalgic?" Prince Qin sneered. "For the sake of sentimentality, I nearly dragged the entire imperial family into disgrace! I’m a pig-brained imbecile, too stupid to realize my own stupidity!"
Had he actually married Feng Ying, who knew what disasters might have followed?
Gritting his teeth, Prince Qin wasn’t sure whether he hated her or himself more. Finally, he flung his sleeve in disgust. "Let’s go."
"Where to?"
"After the banquet, we’re leaving the palace—for the Duke of Chu's Mansion!"
Even if he couldn’t see Ruoyin, he owed the Chu family his thanks.
Elsewhere, the number of guests coming to toast Yan Zheng had doubled yet again.
Chu Ruoyan tugged his sleeve, signaling him not to overindulge. With a faint smile, he said, "Gentlemen, your kindness is appreciated, but I have official documents to review later…"
The well-wishers immediately assured him that duty came first—water would suffice in place of wine.
After downing several cups of water, the crowd dispersed.
Chu Ruoyan eyed him worriedly. "Are you really alright? Should I fetch some sobering tea?"
Yan Zheng shook his head, but before he could speak, a voice suddenly interrupted, "Chief Grand Secretary Yan, this Dowager wishes to speak privately with County Princess Changle for a moment..."
