Chapter 152

A dark shadow flashed by, dragging a person into the flower bushes before swiftly disappearing.

Outside the palace, the melodious sounds of music drifted softly.

“Eat.”

Su Hua placed the exquisite dishes she had snatched from the palace maid onto the table.

“I know you’re hungry.”

Wei Jue glanced at her with amusement—it was probably her who was hungry.

After just a few bites, a knock sounded at the door.

“Lord Song, it’s your turn to perform.”

“Understood.”

Wei Jue responded and was about to stand when Su Hua pressed him back down.

He looked at her in confusion.

“I didn’t follow you here just to watch you perform for those idiots.”

Wei Jue was momentarily stunned.

Though he didn’t know what “idiots” meant, he could guess it wasn’t a compliment.

“My wings aren’t yet strong enough. I still need to play along with them.”

Just knowing she cared for him was enough.

Su Hua stared at him.

“That was before you had me. Now sit down and finish your meal.”

Wei Jue had no choice but to relent—for her.

As for the people outside, at worst, things would become a little harder for them later.

But he could endure it.

The eunuch outside, still waiting, called again.

“What’s all the noise? Wait.”

The young eunuch froze—why was there a woman’s voice?

He wasn’t the same eunuch from earlier, so he didn’t know Su Hua had come along.

Hurriedly, he rushed to the front hall to report.

Only after Su Hua had finished eating to her satisfaction did she casually pick up the guqin.

When she opened the door, she was met with the young eunuch and a group of guards.

“You—”

“Me what? Move aside. Don’t block the way—my lord is going to play the qin. Do you dare delay the Crown Prince’s banquet?”

Though furious, the eunuch knew better than to argue and quickly stepped aside.

Su Hua took Wei Jue’s hand and led him toward the front hall.

The hall was resplendent—amber wine, jade cups, golden goblets, emerald plates.

Wine flowed like a spring, and the music never ceased.

A massive luminous pearl hung from the ceiling, shining as brightly as the moon.

The imperial relatives, high-ranking officials, and the most powerful figures of the Great Qian were all gathered here.

Su Hua wondered—what would happen if she threw a bomb in here?

“Host, you can’t! The worldline would collapse!”

The male and female leads (and supporting characters) were all here. If they died, the entire plane would fall apart.

As expected, its host had gone rogue.

Amidst the clinking of cups, the dancers in the center of the hall finished their performance.

Prince Jing was the first to speak.

“I heard His Highness also invited Lord Song Jue to play the qin for entertainment. Is this true?”

“Naturally.”

Song Jue had injured the Prime Minister’s son.

By all accounts, the Crown Prince had to teach him a lesson.

A gentle smile graced the Crown Prince’s lips.

“Lord Song’s qin skills are unparalleled. It’s been a long time since I last heard him play. Compared to his artistry, other musicians’ performances are simply unbearable.”

Everyone present understood the implication.

A prince sent as a hostage was already humiliating enough.

Now, being summoned to entertain? How was he any different from those dancers?

Comparing him to mere musicians was another insult—implying that this prince was nothing special, with only his qin-playing worth mentioning.

Then, as if casually, the Crown Prince added, “Though, Lord Song is the younger brother of Emperor Song. Surely His Majesty doesn’t mind?”

“For my fifth brother to have the honor of celebrating Your Highness’ occasion is his good fortune.”

Song Qimo wore an identical smile, though fury raged inside him.

His anger wasn’t for Wei Jue’s sake—only because Wei Jue had embarrassed him.

But under another’s roof, one had no choice but to lower their head.

Mu Chengxue, seated near Song Qimo due to their closeness, was also curious.

She had heard of Song Jue, the prince sent as a hostage years ago, and was eager to see him.

Outside the hall.

The eunuch received his orders: “Lord Song, it’s your turn.”

Wei Jue looked at Su Hua.

The qin was still in her hands.

“Let’s go in together.”

“But, Miss—”

Before the eunuch could finish, Su Hua pulled Wei Jue into the hall.

Their entrance drew the gazes of everyone inside.

A few, upon seeing Su Hua, felt fury surge into their throats—their expressions practically screaming a desire to devour her alive.

Mu Chengxue turned and saw a man in white and a woman in red walking hand in hand.

She had thought that, having traveled to the past, she’d seen plenty of handsome men.

But when she saw Song Jue, she couldn’t help but be stunned.

Though his features bore some resemblance to Song Qimo’s, Song Jue was far more exquisitely beautiful.

Next to him, most would pale in comparison.

Yet the woman in red didn’t fade into his shadow—instead, his brilliance dimmed slightly beside hers.

Peerless elegance, beauty to topple cities, outshining all in the palace.

The original host was already quite beautiful, but now, seeing this woman in red, Mu Chengxue realized she had been a frog at the bottom of a well.

The red robes were bold, her demeanor even bolder.

She carried the heavy guqin effortlessly, her steps light, yet she held a man’s hand openly before the crowd.

“Miss Qi.”

The Crown Prince clearly recognized her.

“What are you doing here?”

Su Hua’s lips curled, bright as blooming flowers.

Many in the hall felt their hearts tremble at that smile.

“Certainly not to congratulate you.”

The Crown Prince stiffened—he hadn’t expected such a reply.

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

“Miss Qi, what do you mean by that?”

The Crown Prince’s smile remained gentle.

Su Hua grinned back.

“Just that you’re not worthy, of course.”

Her tone was light, almost cheerful—as if she were discussing something pleasant.

“How dare you!” The eunuch beside the Crown Prince immediately scolded.

“To insult His Highness—kneel and apologize at once!”

Mu Chengxue watched in stunned silence.

Seeing the woman’s arrogance, an inexplicable jealousy stirred in her heart.

She was beautiful, from a prestigious family, possessed a cheat-like spatial ability, and was even a transmigrator from the modern era—yet she still had to tread carefully here.

Meanwhile, this woman acted with reckless audacity, uncaring of consequences, drawing the eyes of every man present.

Mu Chengxue stole a glance at Song Qimo beside her, hoping for comfort, only to find the man who had shown interest in her just days ago now staring at the woman with burning intensity, as if his eyes might fall out.

Gritting her teeth, Mu Chengxue seethed.

Men are all the same—especially emperors.

How laughable that she had once hoped he would stay devoted to her alone.

Her thoughts lasted only a moment before the woman’s clear, icy voice rang out again.

“Apologize?”

Su Hua’s lips curled mockingly.

“Who does he think he is?”

With that, she flung the guqin onto the table at the center of the hall.

The guards immediately drew their swords, eyeing her warily.

But Su Hua ignored them, leading Wei Jue to the table.

“You wanted to hear the qin? I’ll play a tune.”

Without waiting for a response, she sat gracefully on the floor.