Chapter 86 My Lord, Stop Showing Off
Chunyu Han's voice was deep and resonant, his thin lips slightly parted, carrying an undeniable tone.
"go."
This single word is the answer to Yu Nian.
"Are you really going?"
Yu Nian clearly didn't expect Chunyu Han to agree to her so readily; in her memory, Chunyu Han and the Prime Minister didn't seem to have a very good relationship.
"If you invite me, why shouldn't I go?"
As Chunyu Han spoke, he stood up, turned to face Yu Nian, and concealed the cunning in his eyes.
"You go back first, I'll be there soon."
Watching Chunyu Han's departing figure, Yu Nian was somewhat puzzled, but her puzzlement soon turned into deep regret.
...
It had been a long time since the Prime Minister's residence had hosted such a grand reception for distinguished guests. Normally, Yu Huaifeng's social engagements were all outside, and he did not want to bring the flattery and hypocrisy of the court home. This was a habit left over from when Madam Yu was still alive, and even though Madam Yu had passed away many years ago, this habit was still preserved.
It is said that the highest-level banquet is a family dinner. When Prime Minister Yu asked Yu Nianchunyu Han what he liked to eat, Yu Nian named a few of his favorite dishes.
Anyway, Chunyu Han doesn't eat after noon, so at most he'll just drink some soup when he comes over, and that amount is less than what Yu Huaifeng raises for his birds.
"Dad, why do I feel like you're a little nervous?"
Yu Nian sat comfortably in her chair, peeling pine nuts. Looking at Yu Huaifeng, who seemed restless, she realized that the only person who could make the Prime Minister so nervous was probably Chunyu Han, besides the current Emperor.
"Why should I be nervous! He's the prospective son-in-law visiting his family; he should be the one who's nervous!"
Yu Huaifeng put his hands behind his back, raised his chin in a very arrogant arc, and put on the airs of a future father-in-law.
Yu Nian didn't expose him, but glanced at the door. Judging by the time, Chunyu Han should be here by now.
Yu Nian popped a pistachio into her mouth and her heart sank. Chunyu Han had agreed so readily, was he just going to stand her up?
But then she thought, it's better if he doesn't come. With Chunyu Han gone, Yu Nian eats even better.
Just as I was pondering this, the steward came to report that the Regent had arrived.
Upon hearing Chunyu Han's name, Yu Nian, who was slouching in her chair just a second ago, straightened her back reflexively the next second.
"I apologize for being late."
Chunyu Han cupped his hands and spoke, unusually not wearing his official robes today.
He wore a round-necked long gown with ink-wash painting style, and bamboo patterns were embroidered on the sleeves. He looked elegant and graceful. His dark hair was tied up high and adorned with only a sandalwood hairpin with a cloud-shaped design.
Unlike his usual arrogant and domineering demeanor with the golden python coiled around his shoulders, today he stood tall and independent like a high mountain, making people forget his identity and think of him as a refined young master from some family.
Chunyu Han had already walked up to Yu Nian's side without her noticing, and whispered something in her ear.
"Stop acting silly, cooperate properly, and don't arouse your father's suspicion."
The clear, familiar voice instantly brought Yu Nian, whose rationality had temporarily vanished, back to her senses.
She secretly pinched herself under her sleeve and sighed inwardly that beauty can lead to trouble.
Their image as a devoted and unwavering couple in the eyes of outsiders has been deeply ingrained in people's minds, and they certainly can't let their established personas crumble.
No wonder Chunyu Han put in so much effort; it turns out he was just putting on a show to gain the Prime Minister's trust.
How could she not cooperate? In her father's eyes, Chunyu Han was the man she was willing to die for to marry. Even if Chunyu Han didn't say anything, she still had to make a good impression today.
Yu Nian and Chunyu Han exchanged a smile, but beneath this harmonious and intimate atmosphere, they each harbored their own ulterior motives.
"Come on in, why bring anything? The Prime Minister's residence has plenty of these."
Yu Huaifeng was quite surprised that the aloof and cold Chunyu Han was so worldly-wise, bringing "four boxes" of gifts to show respect to his future father-in-law.
"The Prime Minister's residence is certainly not lacking, but etiquette cannot be neglected. This represents my feelings for Niannian."
Chunyu Han gave a standard answer, which satisfied Yu Huaifeng.
But it made Yu Nian's teeth ache from the sourness, and she kept calling out to him, quite skillfully.
"Since you're here, please wash your hands and take a seat. Butler, please give the order to begin the meal."
Five people sat around a round table. The servants served the dishes and then left. On the surface, it really looked like a happy family.
"Originally, Yu Nian's second and third brothers were also supposed to come, but the third brother had some trouble on the way and will be two days late arriving home. As for the second brother, that unfilial son... let's not mention him."
"Come, let me toast you first. Yu Ning was in grave danger this time, and it's all thanks to you."
Yu Huaifeng raised his cup first and drank it all in one gulp.
"From now on, we'll all be family, so whatever you think about is my concern."
After Chunyu Han finished speaking, he looked at Yu Nian with deep affection. Yu Nian lowered her eyes and looked shy.
Yu Nian was already starting to regret it. Would this person ever stop?
From the moment they entered, they were constantly interacting and showing affection. Even if it was a performance, there was no need to be so meticulous.
Yu Nian really wanted to say, "Sir, stop showing off! Just be respectful to each other; there's no need to act like you're inseparable."
Yu Nian lowered her eyes, glanced at the empty wine glass in front of Chunyu Han, and her mind started to wander. She whispered a question in Chunyu Han's ear.
"How much alcohol do you drink, sir?"
Chunyu Han thought Yu Nian was worried that he would make mistakes if he drank too much, so he replied.
"generally."
But Chunyu Han soon discovered that Yu Nian had begun to openly and secretly urge her two older brothers to toast him.
"Brother, won't you offer Lord Chunyu a cup of wine as a token of your gratitude? To thank him for not holding a grudge."
Yu Ning was a straightforward person who always drank from a bowl, and he poured a large bowl for Chunyu Han without any hesitation.
"My lord, I am a straightforward person and I don't beat around the bush. It's one thing for you to have been kind to me, but it's another thing for you to have been good to my fifth sister. If you treat her badly in the future, no matter if it's her fault or not, I will not let it go."
Yu Ning stood ramrod straight, speaking with a strong voice, every word resonating deeply with Yu Nian.
Having someone who will stand behind you no matter whether you're right or wrong is enough to provide that sense of security.
Yu Nian had no other requests, only a sincere hope that Yu Ning would return safely from his mission to guard the border.
"Now that I have decided to marry her, I will never let her down."
Chunyu Han also stood up, looked at Yu Nian with deep affection, spoke firmly, picked up the wine bowl and drank it all in one gulp.
Yu Nian looked at Chunyu Han with seemingly sincere eyes, but actually, she was suppressing her anger.
"Your words are truly embarrassing..."
Yu Nian called out to Chunyu Han in a sweet voice, then turned her face away shyly, pretending not to see the warning look in Chunyu Han's eyes.
After Chunyu Han sat down, he used his chopsticks to pick up a quail egg for Yu Nian and put it in her bowl.
He scoffed inwardly. Yu Nian actually knows how to be embarrassed? At this level, there's no way she'd be shy.
Yu Nian saw the extra quail eggs in the bowl and realized that Chunyu Han wanted her to behave.
He wanted her to behave, but she wouldn't.
It's no fun to let Chunyu Han show off all the time; Yu Nian should also show off a bit.
She was also thinking that tonight would be a good opportunity to test Chunyu Han's alcohol tolerance.
Yu Nian pretended not to understand Chunyu Han's meaning, called out Yu Jing, and gave him a wink.
Only Chunyu Han and Yu Nian knew about Yu Jing's matter.
Yu Jing had been wanting to express his gratitude, but he had been too busy with Lu Mingzhu's illness to have the opportunity.
"Lord Chunyu, everything is understood without words."
Yu Jing's toast was much more refined, and his every move was pleasing to the eye.
"You're too kind, Fourth Young Master."
They toasted each other like this for several rounds, and Yu Nian continued to urge them on, always finding a clever reason to get Chunyu Han to drink.
Chunyu Han practically scooped half a plate of quail eggs onto Yu Nian's plate, but she didn't seem to be inclined to shut up.
Chunyu Han narrowed his long, narrow eyes slightly and pursed his thin lips.
Yu Nian, that little fox, is deliberately playing dumb to get him drunk, isn't she? I haven't disciplined her for just a few days, and she's already causing trouble.
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