When the Retired Emperor's figure materialised from the void and sat on the host throne, the entire hall silently trembled once more, everyone bowing in reverence.
Though many had guessed, seeing the Empire's strongest personally preside still felt unreal.
The Retired Emperor – dragon that showed head but never tail – appearing meant this banquet carried unprecedented weight in the Imperial Family's eyes.
And the one who forced such weight… was undoubtedly that man.
Countless gazes slid toward Lan An. He remained perfectly calm.
The Retired Emperor swept the hall, spoke a few polite words, then declared the banquet open. Everyone relaxed – wine flowed, laughter rose.
A troupe of performers entered, heavenly music filling the air. Young men and women left their seats, pairing up to dance in the centre.
Whether coincidence or design, both Duong and Vu clan heiresses invited Bing Dung to dance. The other princes turned green. Bing Dung inwardly rejoiced – the annihilation of Lan Clan had clearly pushed the two great clans closer to him.
He worshipped his brother-in-law to the heavens.
Lan An, however, was bored stiff. He hated formal gatherings. He sat drinking, eating fruits, letting Bing Lin'er massage his shoulders.
Bing Lan Xi peeled spirit fruits for him with gentle care.
"Fifth Princess, may I have this dance?"
Lan An heard that line so many times he wanted to yawn. Over ten noble youths had invited Bing Feifei – all gracefully rejected.
As for Bing Lan Xi – iceberg reputation + holding Lan An's hand = suicide to even try.
Suddenly, the proud peacock Bing Feifei stood, lifted her gown, and spoke sweetly to the Retired Emperor:
"On this joyous national day, Feifei wishes to dance for Your Majesty and all honoured guests!"
"Excellent! This old man has been waiting to see our little Feifei shine!" The Retired Emperor laughed heartily.
Music swelled.
Bing Feifei spun mid-air like a black phoenix, then descended into the hall. Every movement flawless – waist swaying, jade arms flowing, gown fluttering, face breathtaking.
Every male soul was stolen. Many felt the entire banquet worth it just to watch her.
Bing Feifei didn't care about them. She saw Lan An watching – pride flashed in her eyes. Let's see you resist this princess's charm…
Suddenly, her graceful body glided past Bing Lan Xi, heel lightly stopping. She lifted her skirt, smiled shyly yet sweetly at Lan An:
"Young Master Lan, Feifei has long admired your deeds. Would you lower yourself to dance one song with me?"
She glanced provocatively at Bing Lan Xi: "I'm sure Third Sister won't mind…"
Lan An blinked, stunned. Then looked at her with deep meaning.
The hall froze.
She had refused everyone – then suddenly invited Lan An?
Up close, he heard her heart hammering – a princess proactively inviting a man was already rare. Rejection would be humiliating.
Normally, beautiful woman inviting? Lan An would accept. But tonight he had Lan Xi and Lin'er beside him – he had to respect their feelings.
He was about to refuse…
"Dance with Fifth Sister, darling. I'll play for you both."
Bing Lan Xi's gentle voice rang, smiling encouragingly.
Lan An: "???" Woman, what are you plotting?
Bing Feifei also glanced confusedly at Bing Lan Xi, but seized the chance. Her soft hand extended, eyes sparkling with expectation.
"If Young Master Lan doesn't wish to dance with the princess, no need to force it. This one is always ready to follow her steps…" Liu Feng appeared beside her, voice sincere, eyes burning with infatuation.
He had served Bing Feifei long, never seen her this radiant. Jealousy exploded seeing his goddess invite another man.
Crowd stunned again.
Bing Feifei inwardly cursed – trying to ruin my plan?
Panic flashed in her eyes – what if Lan An used Liu Feng as excuse to refuse, even after Third Sister agreed?
"Sorry, she asked first."
Lan An smiled faintly at Liu Feng, stood, took Bing Feifei's soft hand, pulled her almost against his chest, one arm around her slender waist, and stepped into the centre.
Bing Feifei startled by his swift dominance, took a deep breath, then proudly lifted her chin like a peacock spreading tail feathers:
"Third Sister, please play for us!"
Everyone stared at Bing Lan Xi, waiting for jealousy or anger.
Instead she smiled calmly, a transparent ice zither – Ice Profound Zither – floated before her.
Space violently trembled at its appearance.
The Retired Emperor and Bing Changkong's pupils shrank. Many old monsters turned pale.
"Mid-grade Spirit treasure Ice Profound Zither my husband gifted me. Tonight it shall accompany you both."
Bing Lan Xi's fingers touched the strings.
"Mid-grade Spirit treasure?!"
Bing Feifei paled. The entire hall fell dead silent.
Ting… tang…
Heavenly music poured forth – cool, refreshing, piercing the soul.
Bing Lan Xi – celestial fairy – jade fingers dancing across strings. It was no longer mere music, but immortal melody.
"Don't waste Third Sister's effort…"
Bing Feifei whispered, began the first steps.
Lan An smirked. He knew zero dancing – but as a powerhouse, learning simple things was instant. He had watched others – easy.
And so, under envious and jealous gazes:
Lan Xi played. Feifei danced. Lan An immersed.
His technique raw – hers flawless. He simply followed her lead.
Yet no one dared look down on him – only admiration and envy.
Dancing required contact. Bing Feifei nestled into his broad chest like a little bird. Four eyes locked, faces inches apart.
Staring into his black-and-white eyes, Bing Feifei felt dizzy. She had investigated him – knew his tragic past, knew how terrifyingly fast he rose.
What made him achieve this? He was an abyss of secrets – she couldn't help wanting to explore.
Curiosity – woman's greatest nature.
The entire hall seemed frozen – only music and the dancing pair existed. Everyone felt like background props.
Liu Feng's eyes blood-red, powerless to the core. He had done so much for her – always superior and subordinate. Now watching her in another man's arms – not going mad was already saintly.
Bing Changkong inhaled deeply, closed eyes. Both daughters openly courting one man. Thinking of Lan An's identity – he could only sigh silently, fist unconsciously clenched.
The Empress gently held his hand – his face softened, comforted.
Bing Feifei's sweet breath tickled Lan An's nose. He inhaled comfortably, left hand gripping hers tighter, right arm pulling her waist closer, admiring her with his eyes, sound-transmitting:
"You're very beautiful…"
Bing Feifei startled – first time he initiated contact. Excitedly replied: "Can't say it out loud? Afraid Third Sister gets jealous?"
"Haha, don't want to ruin her perfect music!"
"Am I beautiful? Compared to Third Sister – who's prettier?"
"Lan Xi. Because she's my woman."
"Hmph!" Bing Feifei huffed, competitive fire blazing: "One day, I'll make you change that answer!"
"Haha, mind telling me why you invited me?"
"You already guessed, haven't you?"
Lan An didn't deny, voice low: "Princesses born in imperial families truly have it hard. But we barely know each other – am I worth your honey trap?"
"At least I don't hate you. That's enough."
Her words carried loneliness.
Lan An fell silent, arm tightening around her. They melted into the dance.
Bing Lan Xi played while watching – tiny joy in her eyes.
Feifei saw her as rival. But deep down, Lan Xi only saw a little sister – even sympathised.
Both daughters of emperors – understood from childhood that lifetime happiness rarely belonged to themselves.
Without Lan An, without Chen Jiang's schemes – if Second or First Prince won the throne, Bing Lan Xi would have been married to Lan Khanh. The Empire needed Lan Clan's loyalty – she was the perfect gift.
Marrying scum like Lan Khanh? Worse than death.
Bing Feifei would be no exception – loser becomes marriage tool, sent anywhere for maximum profit.
That's why Lan Xi fought for Bing Dung. That's why Feifei – a woman – dared step onto the Crown Prince stage. Even in defeat, no regrets for daring to fight.
So when she realised Feifei wanted to seduce her man – Bing Lan Xi wasn't angry. As long as Lan An liked it, she didn't mind matchmaking.
Of course – she couldn't show it openly. She still claimed ownership loudly – letting Feifei know seniority, never daring to act superior.
Tang…
Final note rang. Hall fell silent again.
Lan An and Bing Feifei stopped, eyes locked…
"Afraid I've become every man in the Empire's enemy tonight."
"Giggle – Young Master, you've been every man in the world's enemy for a long time!"
Bing Feifei smiled brightly, gently pushed him away, turned to Bing Lan Xi:
"Thank you for the immortal music, Third Sister!"
Bing Lan Xi glanced at them, stored the zither.
Then – thunderous applause!
The Retired Emperor laughed: "Good! Good! Good!"
Eyes deep, he looked at Lan An:
"Truly a splendid dance and zither performance. Even these old bones want to move. The banquet has reached its climax.
May this Emperor ask – What is the purpose of the Lord of Rear Palace's visit to our Ice Profound Empire?"
The moment he spoke – every spine straightened.
All eyes locked on Lan An once more.
They knew…
The event that would shake the entire Empire's future was about to begin…
…