Since that unpleasant parting, Chu Changning had been recuperating in the backyard. On the day of the family banquet, he followed Yan Beimo back to the ancestral home.
The Yan family wields immense power, controlling the court. The current head of the Yan family once served as tutor to three emperors, and his disciples are found throughout the land. The family is also known for producing many talented individuals.
For example, the third son of the second branch of the Yan family's main lineage held the military power of 100,000 men in Jiangdong.
Whenever there is a family banquet, regardless of whether it is the direct or collateral branch, they will gather at the ancestral home for a feast.
The banquet hall was filled with the sounds of traditional Chinese string and wind instruments, wine glasses were overflowing, and the atmosphere was lively and festive.
Chu Changning sat in the corner, and could faintly hear the mocking laughter of the noble ladies. She remained calm and continued eating.
After she had eaten and drunk her fill, she looked up and gazed in Yan Beimo's direction.
A young man in white stood gracefully before the banquet, pouring wine. His snow-white clothes and jet-black hair were bathed in moonlight streaming through the open window, revealing a silhouette that resembled wisps of smoke.
Chu Changning scoffed inwardly. His gentle and polite demeanor was nothing but a deceptive facade; in private, he was an absolute madman.
This aristocratic family has many rules and strictly adheres to etiquette. She was really tired of sitting, and seeing that no one was paying attention to her, she quietly slipped out through the back door.
The weather was cold, crows were cawing, and a full moon peeked through the gaps in the fish-scale-like clouds, casting its light into the courtyard, where the surrounding leaves cast faint outlines.
Chu Changning walked to the long corridor not far away, gazed at the moon in the sky, and was lost in thought for half a day.
"Why is the princess out here?"
Suddenly, a flippant voice came from behind.
Chu Changning turned around and saw a figure in azure blue walking towards her.
Under the moonlight, one could vaguely make out the man's features: a handsome face and a slightly thin build, clearly indicating that he had been sexually exploited by women.
Yan Liangyu!
He kept staring at her during the banquet, with ill intentions.
She took a few steps back without making a sound and said calmly.
"Brother, is something the matter?"
Yan Liangyu stopped in front of her, looked at her carefully for a few moments, and praised her with a smile.
"My sister-in-law is indeed a beauty of unparalleled grace."
Chu Changning felt nauseous from the scent of his cosmetics.
Yan Liangyu keenly noticed her expression, and a gloomy look flashed in his eyes.
He had long heard of the reputation of this princess of the Southern Dynasty, a big-breasted, brainless fool who was completely at his mercy.
He concealed the meaning in his eyes, smiled, and leaned closer to her.
Chu Changning instinctively tried to back away, but he grabbed her hand.
"I heard that my good brother gave you three bone-breaking nails a few days ago. The princess is indeed able to remain calm and did not complain at all."
"Brother, please speak frankly what you want to say."
She leaned back slightly, avoiding his touch.
Yan Liangyu clicked his tongue and said, "Let's not beat around the bush. Your sister-in-law must also hate Yan Beimo to the core. I'll help you take his life, how about it?"
This good-for-nothing princess dared not disobey orders. Yan Bei Mo disliked her and would not protect her. If she dared to disobey him, he would make sure she could not survive in Yandu.
"Um?"
A gust of wind blew, and dark clouds obscured the full moon overhead, making the weather gloomy.
Chu Changning glanced at him sideways, unable to hide the sarcasm in her heart.
Is this really the eldest son whom the Yan family head has devoted all his efforts to raising?
So stupid!
"What, doesn't your sister-in-law want revenge?"
Yes, of course she wanted to.
She wished she could kill Yan Beimo.
But who is Yan Beimo? In this era of war, he is known as the God of War in a chaotic world.
Despite being from a prominent family, he maintained close ties with various kings from different regions.
He achieved remarkable military exploits even in his youth.
They attacked the northern barbarians in the south, repelled the western regions in the north, captured Taiyuan in the east, annexed the northern deserts in the west, seized Chaoge, and built the Xin Palace. In recent years, they have continued to advance southward, becoming the strongest opponent of the capital dynasty.
She has no power or influence, how could she kill him?
As for Yan Liangyu's offer to help her, she could only listen and forget about it. Regardless of whether it would work out, she wouldn't be willing to work with a tiger and court death.
She would only dare to kill Yan Beimo if she had a chance to strike him dead.
"Brother, you're joking. My husband and I have just had a misunderstanding. If there's nothing else, I'll head back now."
The sky was gloomy, with piled-up dark clouds rolling in. The autumn wind was bleak, and the flowers and trees in the garden were blown about.
Yan Liangyu stared venomously at the person who was about to leave, and a knife suddenly appeared in her hand.
Suddenly, a sound came from the archway in front.
"Changning".
The two looked in the direction of the sound and saw a tall, elegant young man in white standing under the moon, his expression indifferent.
Chu Changning was taken aback and descended the stone steps.
Upon seeing him, Yan Liangyu reluctantly withdrew his hidden weapon and questioned him.
"How did you end up here, second brother?"
Yan Beimo asked calmly, "What are you doing here, elder brother?"
"My sister-in-law is not only beautiful, but also very talented. We had a very pleasant chat here."
If word gets out that his empress is indulging in romantic escapades with other men, where will he, the legitimate son of a noble family, put his face?
"My second brother has come at an inopportune time today. We can enjoy the music together another day."
Chu Changning's heart stirred slightly upon hearing these deliberately offensive words directed at Yan Beimo.
Yan Beimo remained calm and unmoved, standing there with an air of integrity as bright as the moon in the sky.
"Thank you for your kind words, Brother. It's nothing, so we'll head back now."
After saying that, he grabbed Chu Changning's hand and turned to walk out.
He walked quickly, and she was almost being pulled along by him, stumbling and falling.
After leaving the Yan family's main residence and getting into the carriage, Chu Changning rubbed her wrist, which was aching from his grip, and offered a few words of explanation in a low voice.
But the person beside her didn't pay any attention to her at all, quietly leaning against the small couch with their eyes slightly closed.
He appeared gentle and indifferent, but she always felt a chill emanating from him, as if he would take their lives at any moment.
Chu Changning thought to herself, wanting to explain, but seeing the barely concealed hostility emanating from him, she decided not to make a fool of herself and leaned against the car wall for a short rest.
The sky outside was overcast, a cold wind blew, and in the blink of an eye, a sudden downpour roared.
The carriage stopped at the Marquis's residence, and a guard held an umbrella over Yan Beimo's head as they entered the residence together.
Chu Changning, her tall figure nestled on the carriage shaft, watched the departing figure with an umbrella, and pursed her lips.
Legend has it that Yan Ersheng of Lanling, the capital of Yan, possessed the beauty of a jade mountain and had a gentle and upright temperament.
Who would have thought that he was such an uncouth man in private?
Who would be so unlucky as to marry him?
She muttered a few words of displeasure to herself, looked at the rain that was falling harder and harder, sighed, lifted her skirt and got off the carriage.
Rain splashed as she waded through the water towards the mansion, her slender body instantly soaked.
When we got back to the main courtyard, our clothes were soaked through.
Yan Beimo had just changed his clothes and was walking on the covered walkway.
Chu Changning didn't see him and ran straight into him.
"Hiss~" It was hard and painful, making her forehead hurt.
She quickly took a few steps back and looked up.
"My Lord".
Their eyes met in mid-air.
Yan Beimo glanced at the large wet patch on his newly changed robe, his expression neither sad nor happy.
Chu Changning turned aside and walked towards the backyard.
A pale blue skirt, carrying a faint fragrance, swept past her side.
Yan Beimo glanced back at the departing person, his eyes darkening slightly. Once the figure disappeared, he turned and went into his study.
When Zhongyuan saw him enter, he stood up and bowed.
Yan Beimo walked to the shelf and took off his wet outer robe.
"My lord, taking action now might arouse the suspicion of the family head."
He looked up. "Sir, is there anything amiss?"
"We should proceed according to the original plan to ensure nothing goes wrong."
Yan Beimo didn't speak, but walked to the main seat and sat down.
Zhongyuan continued, "My lord has acted rashly."
"Even though it was inappropriate, it was still done."
Yan Beimo leaned back in his chair, toying with two black beads in his hand.
Zhong Yuan looked at him, his brows furrowed.
Why did you suddenly change your plans, my lord?
A faint smile suddenly appeared on Yan Beimo's gentle face.
"I suddenly want to see how heartbroken the old man will be when he learns that his beloved son has been ruined."
His voice was light and airy, yet carried an undisguised malice.
Zhong Yuan disagreed, "If our lord wants to take action against him, why not wait until the patriarch leaves before making a move? That way, there will be no chance of failure."
Upon returning, he heard Hexing say that the lord had sent someone to the eldest son's residence, and that such impulsive action was not in the lord's style.
The sound of the two black jade beads colliding was particularly jarring in the quiet study.
His voice sounded sinister and cold. "Doesn't he like listening to music? I'll let him listen to as much as he wants."
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