As proud as any other person holding a high official rank, Yun Canglan walked into Juxian Palace as if nobody was there. Yun Qin and Yun Qi, still dressed up as servant girls, followed her inside. They did not give the impression of ordinary servant girls but looked as lofty as their mistress.
Yun Canglan didn't salut Huo Yang and Huo Liuyun. In fact, she did not give them a sidelong glance, let alone greet them. She entered the palace and went straight to where the top officials were seated. She stopped before Yun Yajun and Lin Wan'er and bent her knees slightly.
"How are you, Mother and Father?" she asked in a loud and crisp voice. All the people gaped at her in shock when they heard her words. A collected gasp could be heard.
Huo Liuyun hastily rose, his body frozen, his eyes filled with wonder and undisguised pain. Trembling slightly, it was difficult for him to stand.
Huo Yang looked ghastly pale. His eyes filled with fear as if he was looking at a ghost. But he kept sitting in his seat, trying to maintain the dignity of an Emperor.
Yan Cangyue was so surprised that he knocked over the wine glass that was resting at his elbow. Once the surprise subsided, he felt frightened and resentful.
Xi Zhiyao was drinking. His hand paused midway to his mouth, but just for a second. He looked away slightly, took a deep breath, and regained his composure.
Shui Minghan squinted his steely eyes. He gave Yun Canglan an impenetrable look and his fists clenched tighter.
Yang Gezhi stared at Yun Canglan's back as if under a spell. His eyes were full of palpable excitement and enthusiasm.
All the officials had their mouths open, but not a sound could be heard. They looked at the beautiful woman as if they were seeing a ghost.
Yun Canglan looked sideways at everyone's reaction. A cold sneer formed at the corner of her sensual mouth.
'Are you surprised, Your Majesty? I come to revenge.'
'I'm back, Huo Liuyun. Remember what I had said? You will be my slave. I am Yun Canglan and I am back. You must double what you owe me, My Crown Prince. How about giving your Can kingdom as a collateral?'
Everybody knew that Huguo General Yun Yajun had only one daughter. He had followed Fearless Armor's suggestion and had raised her as a boy till she turned fourteen. Three years ago, she was betrothed to Huo Liuyun, the Crown Prince of Can Kingdom. But a day later, she had died in order to save him.
Huo Liuyun had snubbed all dissent and buried Yun Canglan, his fiancee, in the imperial mausoleum of Can Kingdom. Huguo General Yun Yajun had lost all interest in politics after the death of his beloved daughter. He handed in most of his military power. From then on, he stayed far away from the court, unless there was a war.
Now, after all these years, all of a sudden, his daughter was back. This scared everyone!
On reflection, however, some officials had guessed that the real owner of the Fengyun Firm was the adopted daughter of the Huguo General. Almost all officials had seen Yun Yajun's daughter as an unruly and unworthy person. She was known as the biggest idiot in the world and had very ordinary looks.
As for Feng Yun'er, her brilliance, her adamancy, demeanor and her ordinary features were incomparable to Yun Canglan's.
Lin Wan'er looked at Canglan with tears in her eyes. It seemed that everything was self-evident to her and Yun Canglan. Yun Yajun was embarras
ed opposite him.
Prince Xiaoyao drank his wine, and his lazy manner fitted his name. The dancers in the palace attracted his attention, but from time to time, he would glance sideways to look at Yun Canglan.
Yan Cangyue looked straight ahead. His eyes were filled with greed when he looked at the graceful dancers. But as Yun Canglan was seated beside him, he could not decide if he should look at the beautiful woman next to him or appreciate the dancers first.
The third indispensable of the banquet: Chatting and socializing.
After trying to appreciate the dancers for some time, Yan Cangyue finally decided to chat with the beauty next to him. After all, she was more beautiful than all the dancers combined.
"Miss Feng, I admire you. May I offer you a toast?" he said offering a glass of wine to Yun Canglan. As his eyes and hands moved, he let out a faint, ambiguous sigh.
Yun Canglan smiled. "You flatter me, Third Prince. You're the dragon among men and indescribably beautiful and striking. It's my honor to drink this wine, " she said, taking the glass from him.
Yan Cangyue was one of her feathers. But as he was damaged goods, he could only be her slave.
She covered her mouth with her wide sleeves, and drank the hot wine.
"You're so forthright, Miss Feng, " Yan Cangyue admiringly said. She could see the desire in his amorous eyes.
It was said that Yan Cangyue, the Third Prince of Chi Kingdom, was the most romantic man around. One could see that in his eyes now as he looked upon Yun Canglan.
"Miss Feng, you're so beautiful, I wonder if you are engaged? Are you interested in my Chi Kingdom? Why don't you visit my imperial palace some day?" he said. The delicate beauty was more beautiful than any woman he had ever seen. He itched to take the association further, but for some reason, when he looked into her charming eyes, he felt a bit afraid.
"Sure. I've enjoyed traveling around the world since I was a child, but I haven't been to Chi Kingdom yet. Maybe I would visit it some day, " she replied. Her simple smile had a thrilling attraction.
Yan Cangyue rolled his amorous eyes and gave her an enchanted smiled, "I would love to introduce you to the wonders of my country." Saying this, he let his seductive eyes linger upon her.