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A few days later...

As a guest from the Great Palace, it was only proper etiquette to hold a farewell banquet for Liu momo. If the person who visited included a prince or princess, it would be a huge banquet.

But since it was a trusted aide of the Empress, the feast was relatively small. Junwang only invited close generals, local officials and their wives.

If not for Long Tang's persuasion, his Highness wouldn't let her enter the banquet hall. She was the only lady who wasn't of age yet.

The event was rather intimate and these people were familiar with the Junzhu.

"This servant sees that wangye is still busy." Liu momo was seated near Long Sangyu.

Junwang held his wine cup. "Wangye had to go to Jiu the other day to attend to some matters. This prince was assigned to accommodate momo. Should I slight you, you can always complain to wangye."

"This servant won't dare. Your Highness already gave me the honor of this banquet. It's this servant's fortune."

It was easily seen how Junwang held Wan Li Wang in high regard. Even though they were siblings, he never called the King familiarly in public.

Liu momo's smile was kind and had an elderly charm. Only she knew that she wanted to scold Junwang for telling her to complain to Wan Li Wang. She shuddered as she remembered Wan Li's last visit to the Great Palace.

Armor reeking blood even though it looked clean and sword chipped with cutting thousands of men. Under the helmet, the eyes seemed to glow.

Bowing to the Empress and the Emperor but Wan Li seemed looking down on them.

This old woman didn't want to suffer a heart attack while seeing Wan Li Wang again. Wherever the Highness went, just stay there and don't see this old servant!

Meanwhile, the beauties were sitting among themselves and being admired from afar by the madams. Indeed, people raised in the palace were different.

Every move was refined and disciplined. Too bad they were all sent here in this wangfu.

In the capital, Wan Li Wang's name was synonymous with being lecherous. Here in Suliang, wangye was a god among men. A terrible demon god. Unforgiving, merciless, and omnipotent. If these beauties made a wrong move, only the worst of death awaited them.

The time for toasting wine came and a servant went to Feng Yanyan's table. At this point, our Beauty Feng was racking his little brain on how to approach Junwang.

He didn't expect that a chance would be delivered right to his table.

"Young Master Feng is called by his Highness to pour wine for Liu momo."

When he heard this, his face blossomed into a cheeky smile.

"This one obeys." Sweeping his gaze to his peers triumphantly, he almost flew to where the momo sat.

Everyone saw a young man wearing peach-colored hanfu. The bottom piece was pleated and embroidered with a single branch and flower. The overcoat had the character Yan on its sleeve.

It was an odd color to be worn by a man. And yet it looked pleasing to the eye.

His hair which was thick and lustrous was bound by a cream-colored jade coronet. And hanging from behind his left ear was a strand braided down to his shoulders. A unique sight indeed.

Feng Yanyan was known in the capital for having his own style and setting trends. This hairstyle of his was proven famous for stealing hearts. And so, some unconventional young masters also followed it.

But none could wear it better than Young Master Feng.

Hailing from a military family, Feng Yanyan remembered being beaten by his brother and cousins for being different. Only when he entered the palace did he gain praise for his eccentricities.

After his long nightmare when he was a kid, he was scared and everything around him seemed intimidating. It was good that even though he was a shu child, he was still a son. And so, he received education just like his brother.

When he learned of the dynasty he was in and some key names, only then did seeds of doubts sprout. The first thing he searched for was Zhang Yunlei.

The young Feng Yanyan snuck outside just to go to the Zhang jia. And confirmed if their youngest di son was named Yunlei.

>家 - jiā - home/family<

He got a beating that day too but he didn't mind. He had the answer he needed. Zhang Yunlei was indeed there.

At the same time, he confirmed his identity as a supporting character Feng Yanyan. Thinking about those days, he was getting emotional.

Today was his first step to getting what he wanted. To not be bullied, one must stand at the top!

Lips hooked up in a casual smile, he lifted the heated porcelain pitcher of rice wine and skillfully filled two cups. He offered one to his Highness and one to the momo.

Long Sangyu only felt the wine today was much tastier when poured by a peerless beauty. But he also knew of the poison that came with it.

With a subtle sneer, he said some casual words and downed the cup.

He wanted to see who would be poisoned in the end. Him or the ones sent by the Empress? This was a long game.

Ping Junwang looked as though he was looking at a chess board. But it wasn't his to play.

The face of the person he respected the most flashed in his mind. His Da Jie. He would gladly move the pawns for her.

Feng Yanyan stood behind Liu momo. With his head bowed, he could see from the corner of his eyes that Junwang seemed to be looking at him. Of course ah!

He had the prettiest face here. Only he was worthy of attention.

When the visitors all left, Liu momo was surprised to see Junwang stayed.

He was standing on the threshold with the setting sunlight pouring down on him. Looking valiant and approachable.

Long Sangyu's eyes sparkled and landed on Feng Yanyan. "Even if Liu momo doesn't say it, this prince can see Beauty Feng's exceptional qualities."

Feng Yanyan was already partying inside his mind. Today's mission seemed to be a success.

Ping Junwang yelled for the reward and his closest eunuch stepped forward. "Young master Feng will receive his own courtyard on the northeastern side of the palace. With one first-ranked palace maid, two second-ranked servant girls, four third-ranked eunuchs, and other servants."

His steps light, Feng Yanyan bowed to accept the reward.

All the while, the other beauties gnashed their teeth in silence. This Feng Yanyan was one lucky bastard.

But Long Sangyu wasn't done. "Who would forget Beauty Zhang's heroic deeds? Are your injuries alright?"

He showed faint familiarity with Zhang Yunlei as opposed to the distant admiring he expressed for Feng Yanyan earlier.

As courteous as always, Zhang Yunlei saluted. "Answering his Highness, the injuries are mostly healed. Thanks to Highness' care."

These words were ambiguous. They were all raised in the palace and understood the underlying meaning.

Ping Junwang seemed to have personally cared for Brother Zhang's wounds?!

Even if Feng Yanyan was weak in the brain department, he also caught the hidden meaning.

When the duck did this Zhang Yunlei made his move? Ah, he was so angry!

Some plot movements happened while he didn't know. But what could he do? He barely remembered the small details of the novel. And it was always the small details that counted.

Long Sangyu called for rewards again.

The same eunuch announced, "Beauty Zhang will also be given a courtyard of his own. With two second-ranked maidservants, three fourth-ranked eunuchs and others. His Highness personally named the courtyard Gangqiang Ju."

>剛 - gāng - firm; 強 - qiáng - strong; 居 - jū - bedroom/residence; different and smaller from 院 - yuàn - courtyard<

Several minds began to turn.

It was true Feng Yanyan was praised well and the rewards given to him seemed to be more generous. But it was clear who was more favored.

To have a residence personally named by Junwang. Wasn't it a measure of his thoughts?

Wasn't it said that the one who liked men was Wan Li Wang? Now, it seemed the brother's likes weren't too different. But who could blame Junwang?

Zhang Yunlei was truly excellent. He was someone you could freely confide in. As a brother, as a friend, or even a lover.

Several faces flushed at the thought. The sunny Ping Junwang and the gentleman Zhang.

It was enough to cause a nosebleed!

Only one person was unhappy with this development. How in the world did Zhang Yunlei seduce the prince?

Feng Yanyan did his best to flirt with his eyes. It wasn't enough?

What else should he do? Go straight to the snusnu???

>ahem... I don't have to explain what snusnu is yeah?<

He wasn't ready ah!

One should also protect their chastity even if it was just pretending. Feng Yanyan should strive to be a virtuous person through and through.

But Zhang Yunlei's techniques were pushing him to be a vixen.

If that was the only way... Feng Yanyan's eyes flashed. So be it.

But for now, he wanted to find other solutions first. If he could afford it, he wanted to protect his chrysanthemum until the end.

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A/N: Yes, our MC is wild >.>

Edited: Feb. 10, 2023