Chapter 106: The Tenth Birthday Banquet

Chapter 106: The Tenth Birthday Banquet

Shen Yuan and Dian Shan were twins, but few would believe it except for their family, for most twins resemble each other like mirrors. However, they looked strikingly different.

Shen Yuan was like a delicate white porcelain vase filled with green bamboo leaf tea, elegant yet fragile; whereas Dian Shan resembled a piece of black jade, solid yet gentle.

Ironically, the fragile vase was mischievous by nature, leaping about unchecked, while the jade-like figure remained indoors all day, surrounded by a crowd.

At the Tenth Birthday Banquet, Shen Yuan felt somewhat apprehensive.

Seated beside him was Ji Shu, the father of the Nine Dragon Sons and the leader of the dragon clan. Ji Shu would occasionally pluck a piece of tender meat from the feast and place it in Shen Yuan's bowl, smiling "affectionately" as he patted his head, encouraging him to eat more for growth.

Unbeknownst to Ji Shu, his heavy-handed pats made Shen Yuan's head throb. Besides, Ji Shu had an odor reminiscent of a stinky salted fish that came from the sea monster clan. He seemed aware of this smell and attempted to mask it with perfumes and powders, creating a nauseating mix of fishy stench and floral fragrance that made Shen Yuan's stomach churn. However, given the public setting, he couldn't excuse himself to relieve the discomfort.

Ji Shu wouldn't randomly show concern or proximity without reason, so Shen Yuan could only pray inwardly that it wasn't directed at him.

Unfortunately, fate had other plans.

Bathed in this scent for a while, he felt as if he was being watched. His heart pounded with anxiety, forcing him to lower his head to avoid that gaze, fearing...

"Ayuan, come here," Dian Chan called out.

Upon hearing this, Shen Yuan trembled, hesitated for a moment, but still obediently stepped forward and knelt down.

"Today, there are two great announcements to make. As we all know, the world holds treasures, the Lyre of Radiance, Lu Huadi, and the Flute of Splendor, Shen Yuan. They are respectively guarded by Heng Yao and Jiu Li."

Dian Chan's words sparked an uproar among the crowd.

"The Lyre and the Flute are national treasures. This must be the announcement of the next ruler of Jiu Li!"

Dian Chan continued, "The second piece of news is that the Dragon Clan will form an alliance through marriage with Jiu Li."

The commotion intensified.

"No wonder there's a procession of red dowry stretching for ten miles outside the palace gates, with five types of precious metals offered as gifts."

"What grandeur indeed—"

"What's the point of making a grand show? Isn't it obvious that they're trying to push one aside in favor of the other?"

"But Dian Shan has no reason to be wary. Could it be the other party?"

"Shen Yuan? Who is he involved with?"

"The ninth child of the Dragon Clan - Ji Yuanshi. It's said their marriage was arranged since birth."

"The Dragons are a beast tribe, aren't they? Just look at their leader, all brawn and no brains."

"Hold on!" Ji Shu abruptly stood up and declared, "Empress Dian, you have misunderstood my intentions."

Dian Chan asked, "In what way?"

Ji Shu replied, "We were wrong to cling to these two children as our saviors. Is Shen Yuan truly a suitable match for my youngest, Ji Nine? Anyone with eyes can see that's not the case. Ah— I've suddenly come to realize that their life decisions should be left to them—"

Upon hearing this, Dian Chan lowered her gaze and exchanged a subtle look with He Jingfeng. She then nodded and smiled at Ji Shu, saying, "You have a point. Come forward, let us nullify this matter with a written agreement."

At this, the corners of Shen Yuan's mouth lifted slightly, revealing a faint smile. It was true that he was the one betrothed to the Dragon Clan, but he had no intention of marrying into their clan. Dian Chan's words aligned with his own thoughts.

"Excellent! Exactly what I had in mind!" JI Shu's face lit up with joy. Without a second thought, he moved towards Dian Chan.

Unexpectedly, the next moment, the sound of jingling hairpins filled the air as Dian Chan swiftly turned her hand and struck JI Shu's neck with a knife-like blow, swift and fierce.

Before JI Shu could register any pain, darkness overwhelmed his vision, and he stumbled forward.

With a thud, Dian Chan lifted her foot, stepping on JI Shu's back, pinning him to the table. Her other two hands pulled his arms behind his back, holding them tightly at his waist.

Dian Chan was dressed in opulence, wearing a rich, scarlet robe adorned with golden embroidery of a phoenix. The entire bird spread across her back. Her golden hairpin, despite her movements, remained perfectly in place, and the golden phoenix on her robe seemed to be in the act of spreading its wings.

He Jingfeng watched, his eyes filled with admiration for her.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, JI Shu panicked, "I am the leader of the Eastern Sea Dragon Clan. As the ruler of this land, not only have you gone back on your word, but you also dare to treat me like this in public. Don't you fear that today's events will become a laughingstock when they spread?"

Dian Chan sneered, "The Beast Clan is renowned for their bravery. How could a weak woman like me possibly subdue you?"

"I...I wasn't prepared."

"Me?"

JI Shu promptly corrected himself, "I... I was completely unprepared."

It was clear that this person was not JI Shu.

"Dian Chan, do you know who arranged this marriage? How dare you meddle with it!" With that, she exerted her foot, causing the wooden table to thud loudly.

The table split in half and collapsed.

"Cough! Cough, cough!..." The fake JI Shu, dazed from the pressure, coughed relentlessly.

"Hold on, hold on, Empress Dian Chan, please hold your horses!"

The voice echoed from behind the clouds, prompting everyone to look up at the sky.

The day was overcast, with thick clouds shrouding the heavens. Through the haze, they could make out a colossal Azure Dragon soaring downward.

"It's that demonic dragon, Yu Yuan!" someone cried in panic.

"Yu Yuan, the Green Dragon, was long tamed by Lady Jiaomiao. She is the true leader of the Dragon Clan. If he hears your words, you might just be signing your own death warrant."

"Why?"

"Because Yu Yuan, that Azure Dragon, has implicated his entire clan and been nailed to the bottom of the East Sea."

"Enough. Just hearing the name Yu Yuan brings bad luck."

As the conversation ceased, the real Ji Shu had already landed in front of Dian Chan. He exclaimed anxiously, "He's our little Jiu—"

Upon hearing this, Dian Chan hastily released her foot and gestured for two servants to help him up.

"You...!" As Ji Shu rushed to confront Ji Yuanshi, he raised his hand as if to strike him, but it lingered in the air without landing.

In the end, he only berated Ji Yuanshi sternly, "Disgraceful!", and the matter was considered settled.

After the scolding, he lifted his hand to touch Ji Yuanshi's forehead. His finger brushed along the hairline, and with a ripping sound, a piece of skin was torn away.

"How can Ji Yuanshi be a girl?" Dian Chan was surprised, but she maintained her composure as a ruler.

It was clear that Ji Yuanshi was, in fact, a young maiden! Her features were delicate, and despite no cosmetics on her face, she resembled a vibrant red rose. From her actions that day, she seemed to be one with thorns.

At the thought of this, JI Shu harrumphed in frustration, casting the parchment away with a scowl as he reprimanded, "Disgraceful!"

Ji Yuanshi remained silent, standing quietly in place.

Dian Chan barked, "Speak up!"

"I thought that if I said I was a boy, this marriage would be called off," Ji Yuanshi said calmly, his tone devoid of any remorse for his misdeed. However, his eyes dared not meet Dian Chan's, darting around nervously.

This uncertainty colored his words.

Dian Chan narrowed her eyes.

Seeing this, JI Shu hurriedly intervened, "Little Nine is right, he's right... The blame for Jiu Li's deception should fall on me. I allowed Little Nine to lie about their gender."

"Dropped," Dian Chan sighed. "You're just overly concerned for your daughter."

Upon hearing this, Ji Yuanshi exclaimed joyfully, "The marriage is really off?!"

"Off? How is it off?" Dian Chan scoffed and whispered, "Do you think we were the ones pushing for this marriage?"

Frustrated, Ji Yuanshi glared at Dian Chan and swiftly rushed to Shen Yuan's side, pulling him up from his kneeling position. He declared loudly, "You all know full well what he is. On what grounds?!"

Having knelt for some time, Shen Yuan's knees had gone numb. He stumbled as he tried to stand up.

Seeing this, Dian Chan leaped over and quickly moved to Shen Yuan's side, grabbing his wrist to steady him before letting go.

"Mother, why did she scold me?" Shen Yuan had never been criticized since he was young. He could do whatever he wanted; no one dared to restrain him, let alone insult him directly.

"It's because she's unhappy."

"Did I do something wrong to upset her?"

"No. Sometimes, when someone takes their anger out on you, it's not necessarily your fault. It's just that they're in a bad mood and need someone to vent their frustration on. In such situations, anything you do, be it good or bad, will make them displeased and unhappy." Dian Chan bent down and spoke softly, "I told you to practice more. Can't even kneel for a short while? On the day of ascension, you'll have to kneel for an entire day." As she spoke, she gently flicked Shen Yuan's nose.

The light touch made Shen Yuan's nose tickle, causing him to scrunch it up and chuckle. "It's no big deal. I'll prepare a cushion for my knees beforehand and be ready for that day."

Dian Chan replied, "I knew you'd try to take shortcuts. On that day, I'll definitely confiscate your cushion."

Dian Chan's affection for Shen Yuan was deep, seemingly oblivious to Ji Yuanshi's presence. Irritated, she stomped her foot and exclaimed, "Hey! Stop putting on a show, it's disgusting! It's uncertain if Shen Yuan will even survive until the day of ascension…"

A sharp slap echoed through the air.

Ji Shu had already walked behind Ji Yuanshi and struck him without hesitation, sternly reprimanding, "Disrespectful brute! Know your place!"

Ji Yuanshi's cheek burned with pain. Dazed, he stared at his father, tears welling up in his eyes.

Dian Chan gently placed her hand on his shoulder. With a seasoned tone, she advised, "In this world of millions, you have never mattered much, and no one will accommodate you. As rulers, you belong to yourselves and yet not entirely, even I included."

The Tenth Birthday Banquet was a turning point — a watershed.

Before it, they lived carefree; after it, worries, both distant and near, would pepper their paths, unseen companions that would eventually arrive.

That night...

Thump, thump, thump! — Outside the long corridor, footsteps sounded, quick and lively.

Shen Yuan knew at once that it couldn't be a servant. Which servant would be so impudent as to run and jump around the Jiu Li Imperial Palace?

With a swish, the palace doors were flung open.

In the blink of an eye, a bundled shape rushed into Shen Yuan's bed with the chill from outside, "I'm freezing to death, freezing to death—" As it spoke, the bundle wriggled its way straight into Shen Yuan's embrace.

Suddenly, it felt as if an ice block had been inserted between Shen Yuan's calves. The cold was shocking; he gasped and kicked away the icy foot with his own.

"Uncle—" The voice was high-pitched and innocent.

Lowering his gaze, Shen Yuan looked into the blanket and saw a pair of round, grape-like eyes staring at him, bright and glistening with moisture.

It was the little tag-along, He Mengfang.

Shen Yuan didn't particularly like this nephew, finding him too delicate and overly pampered.

Ever since he could remember, Shen Yuan had mistaken him for a girl during their first encounter.

Despite being born half a year earlier than Shen Yuan, he was shorter by a head, couldn't climb trees without fear of falling, and was terrified of insects… His timidity always dampened Shen Yuan's fun.

Yet, he persistently clung to Shen Yuan, insisting on playing together.

They were of the same age, and since today was Shen Yuan's tenth birthday celebration, He Mengfang's was included in it as well.

"Nephew, I heard from the servants that the dragons have come for a betrothal ceremony today. What is a betrothal ceremony?" He Mengfang asked, nestled in the covers, preparing to slip his icy cold hands under Shen Yuan's clothing.

Shen Yuan had a vague understanding of marriage customs. Gazing at the canopy above his bed, he pondered for a moment, about to speak when He Mengfang's hands suddenly clasped around his waist. "I'm freezing!" He sat up abruptly.

"Nephew—" He Mengfang called out again, his tone soft and coquettish.

Shen Yuan wasn't amused. "Who told you to warm your hands on me? I didn't invite you here!"

"Oh—then what exactly is a betrothal ceremony?"

"Well…" Shen Yuan's eyes rolled around in thought before he said, "Imagine this: Your father emperor takes a liking to your mother empress but worries someone else might snatch her away. So, he brings gifts to discuss with her family. That process is the betrothal."

"So it's like putting down a deposit when buying something." He Mengfang still didn't fully grasp the concept, but one thing was clear to him. "I've never seen my mother's family come visit the emperor. If the dragons are proposing to you, does that mean after today, you'll be going to the dragon clan? Will I not be able to play with you anymore?"

"I'm not going anywhere near the dragon clan! Even if Ji Yuanshi is a girl, it's completely impossible!"

"Does it have to be a boy and a girl only?" He Mengfang asked, his voice melting like honey.

"Yes, indeed!"

In a back-and-forth exchange, Shen Yuan and He Mengfang were engaging in a naive conversation about things that even adults couldn't comprehend.

Lying on the bed, Shen Yuan stared fixedly at the entrance, thinking to himself that talking to He Mengfang was utterly uninteresting.

As he grew bored, he dozed off into a half-asleep state.

In this drowsy realm between wakefulness and sleep, Shen Yuan's fingers twitched. Suddenly, he touched something peculiar—cold and seemingly scaly.

How strange.

Assuming it was He Mengfang's hand moving about, Shen Yuan said, "Nephew, settle down and stop fidgeting with your hands—"

"I'm not," He Mengfang replied, poking his head out from under the covers and waving his hand in front of Shen Yuan's face. "Look for yourself."

Still groggy, Shen Yuan squinted to see through his hazy vision and mumbled, "Oh—yes—"

However, the object in his palm continued to crawl, and as he pinched it, he felt a series of elongated entities that could move and wrap around his fingers, leaving a stinging sensation in its wake.

Pain!

Something felt off to Shen Yuan, and he abruptly threw off his covers.

"Wen, why did you throw off the blanket? Aren't you cold?" It was winter, and a chill crept in as He Mengfang looked at Shen Yuan.

In that instant, whether it was due to the cold or a sense of disgust and fear, he was covered in goosebumps. "Ah-!!" He couldn't help but scream.

When the servants rushed in, all they saw was Shen Yuan throwing a centipede at He Mengfang.

"On that night, I knelt before Father and Mother's palace for the entire evening. They asked me, 'Why would summer venomous creatures appear in the depths of winter?' I didn't know either; I had no answer... I tried to explain, but no matter how much I explained, it seemed like I was in the wrong. They simply didn't believe me... I still don't know why I was punished..."

With half-lidded eyes, Shen Yuan's long eyelashes fluttered slightly.

Wang Pan watched this scene unfold and, to his own disbelief, formed an unexpected realization—he actually felt a bit of pity for Shen Yuan!

Shen Yuan continued, "The next morning, Dian Shan and his guard Ruan Yong greeted Father and Mother. After Dian Shan entered the palace, Ruan Yong started mocking me. Later, when Dian Shan came out, I saw him holding Lu Huadi's lacquered box. All of a sudden, my anger flared up. I tried to snatch it, and in the end, the box slipped from my grasp, causing Lu Huadi to shatter into two pieces... As punishment for breaking Lu Huadi, I was locked up in a dark and damp room. There were constant rustling sounds around me. I was terrified, huddled in the corner near the door. That spot gave me a sense of security, at least there was a solid wall behind me and support on one side. There, I cried and begged Mother to let me out, acknowledging my mistake and promising never to do it again. But Mother was determined to punish me; she said coldly through the door, 'From now on, address us as Father and Mother, not Emperor and Empress Mother.'"

After a moment of contemplation, Wang Pan said softly, "They feared you like a tiger, and even the slightest disturbance could throw them into chaos. They were wary of you..." His words were followed by a soft snicker.

—It was a self-deprecating laugh.

Mocking Shen Yuan for still being trapped in his nightmare, yet he was the one eager to explain and console; mocking himself for knowing Shen Yuan's identity yet succumbing to temptation...

With a thud, Shen Yuan fell backward.

Wang Pan's heart skipped a beat in alarm. Instinctively, he reached out to pull Shen Yuan up but ended up being dragged down into the soft bedding instead.

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