Great Qian Empire, Imperial Palace, Eastern Palace.
As the residence of the Crown Prince, this place was naturally magnificent beyond compare—pavilions, terraces, intricately carved beams and painted rafters, resembling a miniature imperial palace.
Today, a grand banquet was held here to celebrate the birthday of the Crown Princess, Su Youwei.
The hall was already filled with people, most of them young nobles of the capital.
The older generation of princes and ministers had tacitly chosen to avoid attending. After all, getting too close to the Crown Prince could easily invite accusations of forming factions.
Aside from the various young masters and ladies, the Crown Prince’s brothers were, of course, all present today.
“The Eldest Prince has arrived!”
With a sharp announcement from the eunuch, a tall, broad-shouldered young man strode in with the bearing of a dragon and tiger. His eyes shone brightly, and a fierce martial aura radiated from him, making the air around him feel heavier.
This was the Eldest Prince, Lu Ming. He was obsessed with martial arts, exceptionally talented, and had apprenticed under a Great Grandmaster Realm expert. Unfortunately, his mother’s humble origins meant that, despite being the eldest son, he had no chance at the throne.
“The Third Prince has arrived!”
Soon after, Lu Feng entered with a smile, followed by the refined man with the deep, unfathomable aura.
Not long after, another figure walked in. He wore luxurious robes and carried a somewhat carefree, playboy-like demeanor. Yet his eyes were filled with a sinister chill that made others uneasy.
The Fourth Prince, Lu Ling.
The moment he appeared, the hall fell silent for a brief instant. Many people subconsciously lowered their gazes, not daring to meet his eyes.
This Fourth Prince was infamous for his unpredictable temper and ruthless nature. In the capital, everyone knew his reputation—if displeased, he would wipe out an entire family without hesitation.
His arrogance stemmed from his background. His mother was the younger sister of the Sect Master of Taiyi Sect.
Taiyi Sect was one of the top three among the ten great sects of the Great Qian Empire.
Its Sect Master—Lu Ling’s uncle—was a top expert who had already stepped into the Profound Comprehension Realm.
As for the old Sect Master, Lu Ling’s grandfather, he was a martial giant who had been renowned for decades, his cultivation unfathomable.
With such backing, even the emperor turned a blind eye to Lu Ling’s actions.
Lu Ling casually swept his gaze around, lazily cupped his hands toward the Eldest and Third Princes, then sat down on his own.
“So my elder brothers have all arrived early!”
A bright, carefree voice came from outside the hall. A young man in white walked in, his demeanor elegant yet unrestrained, carrying himself with natural grace despite being alone.
This was the Fifth Prince, Lu Chen.
Though the youngest, he was proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. He was a disciple of the greatest scholar in the empire and enjoyed immense prestige in the capital. Countless noble young ladies dreamed of him.
At last, with another announcement, everyone in the hall rose to their feet.
The current Crown Prince, the Second Prince Lu Yuan, entered slowly, holding the hand of the Crown Princess, Su Youwei.
“Greetings to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess!” Everyone bowed.
“Eldest Brother, Third Brother, Fourth Brother, Fifth Brother—you’ve all come.” Lu Yuan smiled warmly. “It’s been a long time since we brothers gathered like this. Today, we must drink until we’re satisfied!”
“Today is Second Sister-in-law’s birthday. As younger brothers, it is only right that we offer our congratulations.”
Lu Feng stood first, taking a brocade box from a servant. Smiling, he said, “This jade Guanyin statue is my gift to the Crown Princess. May you and the Crown Prince soon bear a child and give our empire its first imperial grandson.”
Su Youwei maintained a graceful smile and gave a slight bow. “Thank you, Third Prince.”
For a brief moment, Lu Yuan’s smile stiffened, a faint shadow passing through his eyes.
Soon after, others presented their gifts one by one, and the atmosphere in the hall became lively again.
However, Lu Feng clearly had no intention of letting the matter end there. His gaze shifted to an empty seat as he asked deliberately, “Didn’t Second Brother also invite the Heir Apparent of the Northern Suppression King’s Manor? Why hasn’t he shown up yet? Could it be… he doesn’t take the Crown Prince and Crown Princess seriously?”
With that single sentence, the lively chatter came to an abrupt halt.
Lu Yuan frowned slightly.
Just as he was about to smooth things over, a teasing, cold voice came from outside the hall.
“Third Prince, you’re quite concerned about me.”
Before the words even finished, Chu Feng appeared at the entrance, standing side by side with Xiao Nihuang in her military attire.
The two had met at the entrance of the Eastern Palace and entered together.
Seeing them arrive together—especially how close Xiao Nihuang stood to Chu Feng—Lu Feng’s expression darkened instantly.
In that moment, all eyes in the hall turned toward the pair. Curiosity, jealousy, disdain—every kind of emotion flickered across the crowd.
The moment Su Youwei saw Chu Feng, her heart tightened. But when her gaze shifted to Xiao Nihuang beside him, seeing that heroic beauty that rivaled her own, an inexplicable trace of bitterness surfaced within her.
Lu Yuan did not notice his wife’s reaction. He laughed and stood to greet them. “Heir Apparent Chu, General Xiao, you’ve finally arrived!”
“Greetings to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess,” Chu Feng and Xiao Nihuang said together, bowing calmly.
“No need for formalities, please take your seats!” Lu Yuan said warmly.
Xiao Nihuang stepped forward and presented a gift. “Crown Princess, a small token. Happy birthday.”
“Thank you, General Xiao,” Su Youwei replied softly as she accepted it.
At that moment, Lu Feng’s ill-timed voice sounded again. “I wonder what kind of extraordinary gift Heir Apparent Chu has prepared for the Crown Princess? Could you let us have a look as well?”
Seeing this, Lu Feng immediately seized the opportunity and sneered, “Hah, attending the Crown Princess’s birthday banquet empty-handed. Heir Apparent Chu, it seems you don’t take the Crown Prince and Crown Princess seriously at all.”
Just as the atmosphere began to stiffen again and Lu Yuan prepared to intervene—
Chu Feng suddenly smiled.
His gaze fixed on Su Youwei, his eyes burning with a teasing light, and a faintly wicked smile curved his lips. “The Crown Princess’s gift… I already had it delivered a few days ago. I believe… the Crown Princess should be quite satisfied with it?”
The moment those words fell, Su Youwei’s delicate body trembled slightly, and her cheeks flushed bright red.
That absurd night’s memories surged into her mind. That bastard—he actually dared to bring it up here!
“Hm?” Lu Yuan looked puzzled, turning to her. “Youwei, when did Heir Apparent Chu send you a gift? Why do I not know of this?”
“Y-Your Highness…” Su Youwei was both flustered and embarrassed. Facing Chu Feng’s playful gaze, she forced herself to explain, “When I sent someone to invite the Heir Apparent, he had already prepared the gift and delivered it. I’ve been busy with the banquet these past few days and… forgot about it. Please forgive me, Heir Apparent Chu.”
As she spoke, she shot him a quick glare, her eyes filled with embarrassment and anger—enough to kill.
Chu Feng only smiled lightly.
This subtle exchange did not escape Xiao Nihuang’s notice.
Her cool gaze shifted between Chu Feng and Su Youwei, a thoughtful look appearing in her eyes.
Seeing this, Chu Feng inwardly cursed. His fiancée’s instincts were far too sharp.
“Princess Taiping has arrived!”
At that moment, another sharp announcement rang out.
A young girl in luxurious palace attire strode in proudly. She looked around seventeen or eighteen, her expression full of the arrogance and pride of royalty.
“Princess Taiping?” Chu Feng glanced over instinctively. His gaze casually swept across her chest, and he couldn’t help but grin inwardly.
The name truly suited her—completely flat.
“Little sister, you’ve come as well!” Lu Yuan greeted her with a smile.
The newcomer was the emperor’s only daughter, Princess Taiping, Lu Li.
“Lu Li greets Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law,” she said, bowing before offering her congratulations. “Happy birthday, Second Sister-in-law.”
Then, as her gaze shifted, she suddenly spotted Chu Feng.
In an instant, her beautiful phoenix eyes narrowed sharply, erupting with undisguised killing intent—as if she wanted to tear him apart on the spot.