Chapter 573

First Volume, Chapter 573: Reunion with Xie Yun'er

Inside the private quarters of the villa, Li Qian, changing his robes, heard the lively chatter outside the courtyard, and a hint of smugness flickered in his eyes.

Although the motive behind this Birthday Banquet was no secret.

Still, people from all walks of life in Jingzhong came flocking.

The more lively the Birthday Banquet, the greater the likelihood of securing the Crown Prince position.

All these years of patient cultivation were finally about to yield their due value.

As the saying goes: one minute on stage, ten years of practice offstage.

Just as Li Qian was secretly smug, a light voice came from outside the door.

"His Highness, Qin Feng is causing trouble outside the courtyard."

"Under the pretext of 'a servant defying his superior,' he vows to execute the lute girl on the spot."

At these words, the faint smile on Li Qian's face instantly turned cold.

Fortunately, Li Qian still had the composure to hold his temper.

"What's the current situation?"

The servant outside the door answered cautiously: "It was just a false alarm—Qin Feng has taken his seat already."

"But… the lute girl and the White Clothes guest were humiliated—Your Highness's dignity…"

Before the servant could finish, Li Qian cut him off coldly: "My dignity is none of your concern, you lowly servant."

"Get out!"

The servant outside trembled in voice.

"Your humble servant is guilty—I take my leave."

The maid assisting Li Qian in dressing turned pale as paper, her body trembling with fear.

Li Qian's eyes were sharp—he saw her terror and let out a soft snort.

"No need to fear—I am not like the Chang Princess; I do not delight in killing the innocent."

"Do your duty, and don't emulate Qin Feng! Otherwise, you won't even know how you died."

The maid softly murmured "Mm," daring not to speak, and carefully continued dressing Li Qian.

Li Qian's gaze grew even colder.

"Qin Feng, today is my great joy—yet it shall be the Qin Family's day of great sorrow!"

"You've always wanted to clear Li Lang's name? Then follow him to the Yin!"

…

At this moment, the Birthday Banquet had already begun.

The entire courtyard buzzed with noise—boasts and toasts rose in waves, one louder than the next.

This banquet would last a full day and night.

As Li Qian held a noble status, he need not appear at the start; he would emerge only at Nightfall to offer toasts and receive guests' congratulations.

The entire banquet was divided into two venues: Inner and Outer.

Guests in the Inner Venue were all high-ranking officials and nobles of great prestige.

Guests in the Outer Venue were officials below Fifth Rank, merchants, and renowned literati.

All professions were represented.

At the wine table near the northwest corner of the Outer Venue, Qin Feng leaned back in his chair.

He held his Tea Cup in hand, sipping idly while scanning the crowd with his eyes.

He had intended to find Xie Yun'er's figure—but instead discovered.

Li Qian's Birthday Banquet was truly extraordinary!

By custom, men and women should be seated separately.

Here, though separated, they shared the same courtyard but occupied opposite halves.

Qin Feng did not find Xie Yun'er, but he did spot several young ladies gathered together, whispering among themselves.

They occasionally glanced his way.

Then came a chorus of giggles.

Qin Feng instantly perked up, lifted his head high, and deliberately raised his Wine Cup, pretending to down it in one gulp.

He shook his hair vigorously, radiating arrogance, drawing soft gasps from the young ladies.

"Wow, that's Lord Qin! I've heard so much about him—I finally see the real person!"

"Much younger than I imagined—he's truly a brilliant young talent."

"Not just that! Lord Qin's current power rivals that of any Powerful Clan in Nan Jing!"

"What?! No way! Lord Qin is so young—how could he already wield such overwhelming authority?"

"In a few more years, wouldn't he be on the verge of being enfeoffed as a prince or appointed as chancellor?"

"Too bad—Lord Qin is already taken."

"So what? For a brilliant young talent like Lord Qin, Three Wives and Four Concubines is perfectly reasonable."

"Oh? Look at you, little flirt—so eager to become Lord Qin's concubine?"

"Hey, you're the flirt! Women shouldn't speak such vulgar words!"

"Besides—who said I want to be his concubine? If I marry him, I'll be his principal wife!"

"Heh—then what about Xie Yun'er?"

Just as the young ladies chattered on in a flutter of giggles,

A shout suddenly rang out from outside the mansion.

"Daughter of the Duke of Ning, Xie Yun'er, comes to offer congratulations."

At these words, every gaze in the hall turned toward the Gate.

The Young Masters present tilted their heads high, gazing eagerly, faces alight with excitement.

"Xie Yun'er came? Wonderful!"

"Hahaha, Xie Yun'er was once the most famous she-tiger in Jingdu—now she's completely changed."

"Xie Yun'er was always strikingly beautiful; in all of Jingdu, she ranked among the top two."

"But she used to be too violent—who dared provoke her? I heard that since the National War began, Xie Yun'er hasn't stepped beyond her Door or inner Gate."

"Now she's a proper lady of refinement."

"Even back then, Miss Xie made me deeply admire her—now I'm even more captivated."

"Give up that hope—Xie Yun'er was long ago promised to Qin Feng."

"Damn! Why is it always Qin Feng? All the good fortune in the world seems to belong to him alone!"

The Young Masters present kept rolling their eyes at Qin Feng, their hearts brimming with envy.

The noble ladies on the other side were equally jealous.

A chorus of sarcastic murmurs rose and fell.

"Xie Yun'er came too? Perfect! I want to see just how beautiful this so-called Xie Yun'er really is!"

"What? You've never seen Xie Yun'er before?"

"Jingdu City is so large, and I stay home all day—how could I ever have a chance to meet her?"

"True! As noble daughters like us, how could we roam the streets like those filthy men?"

"Lord Qin is the undisputed top Young Master of Jingdu—any woman worthy of him must be a beauty of unparalleled grace."

"Heh, unparalleled beauty? By any measure, she's not even in the running—certainly not Xie Yun'er!"

Qin Feng had already withdrawn his gaze from the ladies' wine table and looked up toward the Gate.

A slender red figure appeared slowly in his line of sight.

A long red robe, ink-black hair coiled into a bun, arched moon-browed, sleepy-phoenix eyes—every detail exquisitely refined.

The once spoiled, arrogant tomboy was gone.

In her place stood a poised, elegant lady.

Even Qin Feng couldn't help but stare, stunned.

It's true that girls change greatly with age—but Qin Feng hadn't been away from Jingdu long; how could Xie Yun'er have changed so much?

As Qin Feng stood frozen, Xie Yun'er spotted him—she froze for a moment, then her cheeks flushed crimson, and she walked straight toward him.

Every gaze in the hall shifted with Xie Yun'er's swaying figure, finally converging on Qin Feng and Xie Yun'er.

Qin Feng rose to his feet, eyes gleaming, barely concealing his excitement.

"Yun'er... I'm back..."