Chapter 38 (1/2)

Chapter 38: A Prideful Peony

Before Nan Xun could respond, Qi Chen found his way over here. He frowned at Nan Xun before turning to Jun Huang. “I’ve been looking for you. Didn’t expect you to be here.”

“I saw Prince Nan and came to greet him,” answered Jun Huang.

Qi Chen nodded, giving Nan Xun a bemused glance. “I didn’t expect you of all people to attend today, Nan Xun. You never have.”

Nan Xun took a sip of his tea. “I have never attended before. It’s said that this year’s banquet is especially impressive, which made me curious. You, on the other hand, seem to come every year.”

Qi Chen pursed his lips and didn’t respond. He didn’t want to continue this conversation, so he went elsewhere with Jun Huang in tow, waiting for the young women from rich families to perform.

The first one on stage was Shangguan Yue, the daughter of the grand chancellor1. She had bright eyes as if they were painted by artists. Her slim body was cladded in thin silk. It was difficult to look away from her.

The light-colored silk bellowed in the wind, dancing with her black hair. Her makeup accentuated her eyes and every minute change of her expression was alluring. Her steps were light and graceful, like a pond full of lotuses blooming one after another.

How could you not fall for a woman like her? She got everyone’s attention, but if that affected her in any way, it didn’t show on her face. She only had eyes for Nan Xun.

The incense smoke wavered in the air like a veil. Shangguan Yue leaned in a little, looking up at Nan Xun, then she lowered her eyes. She was adoring. She was shy. But her faint smile was proper. She was shy for the one she was in love with; proper for the others present here.

“This lady is Shangguan Yue, the daughter of the grand chancellor. I will perform a dance number for you today. Hopefully I would not embarra.s.s myself.” With her red lips opened, she uttered every word like a sigh. Her gaze at Nan Xun was filled with pa.s.sion.

Nan Xun looked on with steely eyes, his face as impa.s.sive and cold as ever.

Not far from him, Jun Huang looked at Nan Xun with curiosity, supporting her chin with a hand. She looked not unlike a roguish womanizer. Qi Chen drank to her every once in a while, while a woman glared at Jun Huang as if she had robbed her of a husband.

The lute player performed a relaxed melody. Shangguan Yue lightly put her thumb and middle finger together, making the shape of an orchid. Her eyes were cool like the winter. She danced to the music on the stage, as lively as a prideful peony.

Jun Huang watched the performance with calm eyes, but for some, she looked adoring. Qi Chen chuckled close to her ear. Jun Huang turned to look at him with a frown. “What is Your Highness laughing about?”

Qi Chen c.o.c.ked his head at her, resting his chin on his palm. He laughed a little harder. “I didn’t expect brother Feng to have such good taste. You settled on the famous Shangguan Yue, first beauty of Northern Qi, at the first glance. What a shame.”

“A shame?”

Qi Chen jutted his chin at Nan Xun’s direction. “Everyone knows that Shangguan Yue is in love with Nan Xun. She hopes every year that Nan Xun will come to the banquet, but Nan Xun is not someone who knows how to be gentle with women. Every year Shangguan Yue was left heartbroken.” He lowered his voice. “Shangguan Yue originally wanted her father to ask the emperor to arrange their marriage. The grand chancellor, of course, was more than happy to do that. Before Royal Father could bring it up, however, Nan Xun already said no.”

Jun Huang scoffed inwardly. She knew the emperor of Northern Qi was wary of Nan Xun. If Shangguan Yue really got married to Nan Xun, he would attain formidable force at his hands. Someone as untrusting as the emperor would never let that happen.

As for Nan Xun’s denial, if it had nothing to do with the emperor, then well, sometimes the river did not reciprocate the flower’s love.2

Nan Xun’s teasing words came to her mind, which upset her a little. She took another sip of her wine, trying to suppress her agitation.

Shangguan Yue’s performance was almost over. Her face was red like cherry blossom. She walked up to Nan Xun. They were separated only by a stool. She looked down at him and smiled. “Would I have the honor to share the last dance with Your Highness?”

Everyone around them was hollering, waiting for the icy prince to get up for the lady’s smile. Nan Xun, however, was a general after all. He was unfamiliar with matters of the heart and showed no gentleness to women.

He had always been cold. For one person alone would he melt, would he smile, would he be tender.

“Sorry. The lady would have to ask someone else.” Nan Xun said politely, paying no mind to the onlookers and Shangguan Yue’s feelings.