Chapter 67: Fanning the Flames

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  The appearance of Huajing made all the men in the hall infatuated. In Shuiguo Hall, there were already two rare beauties, but they could not cover her radiance.

  If we say that Naya's beauty is an iceberg lotus, high and unattainable; Shuiling'er's beauty is a secluded valley orchid, warm and quiet; then Huajing's beauty is the world's peony, directly giving people a strong visual shock. That mature and charming temperament can most provoke a man's fantasy.

  Liuyun never thought that Huajing would be so beautiful after dressing up. He also didn't expect to see Huajing here.

  "The Romanov family's tears of joy. I present to you, His Imperial Highness the Prince and Her Imperial Highness the Princess." Tears of Joy bowed to Shiyan and Naya, then turned to the people in the hall, "It is an honor to meet all of you."

  A burst of astonished voices suddenly erupted from the seats. Many people had already heard about Huajing's tears, but they didn't expect to see this proud beauty.

  After everyone stood up and returned the courtesy, Shi Yan said: "Miss Hua Die's name has spread throughout the continent, and I have heard of it for a long time. Everyone present must be like me, deeply honored to meet Miss today!"

  "Haven't we met at Eagle Academy before?" Liú Yún was taken aback by the question and looked at Shì Yán with confusion.

  "Your Highness, you're being too serious. Hong Xuelei is just a weak woman, who has been struggling in the business world for many years, and every step she takes is extremely difficult. Please, Your Highness and everyone else, please give her more support." In an instant, Hua Hongxuelei suddenly transformed into a fragile and helpless woman, making everyone feel the urge to protect her.

  "Your wrist is really amazing. A woman who can kill people with her charm." Liu Yun sighed. He thought that the Hua Xiang he knew was just a naughty girl, but today he saw the strong side of her.

  "Please take a seat, miss. Within my power, I will definitely help you out. The Imperial Military has purchased a large quantity of the General's Tears that you provided, and even my father, the Emperor, has praised this wine."

  The hall was already full, with only one seat left on the right side of Liú Yún. As Huā Jiè walked towards Liú Yún's side, Shì Yán's expression became very strange.

  "It's not that I wanted to harm you, and I didn't know you would bring Ling'er along."

  On his left was Shuǐ Líng'ér and on his right was Huā Qiànlèi, and the crowd couldn't help but cast admiring glances at him.

  "Look at you, staring and drooling! Do you think I'm comfortable sitting here?" Flowing Cloud cursed in her heart.

  Having a beautiful companion is certainly a good thing, but if there are two beauties, things can sometimes become awkward.

  So after the banquet started, Liuyun lowered his head to eat. It was Huajing and Shuiling who had already known each other and began chatting, giving Liuyun a sense of being left out.

  Shi Yan looked at Liu Yun's awkward appearance and couldn't help but smile wryly. According to the Emperor's intention, he was supposed to use this banquet to stir up trouble, lure Liu Yun into a trap, and pull him into the military. However, he wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to do Liu Yun a favor, so he invited Hua Xianglian, hinting to everyone that he supported the development of the Roman family's business.

  "The net has been cast, and there's no going back now!" thought Shiyan.

  "Didn't you eat anything before going to the banquet today, young master?"

  Huā jiàng lèi fù dào liú yún ěr biān dī shēng yī jù, chà diǎn méi ràng zhèng wǎng zuǐ lǐ sài jī kuài de liú yún gě gè bàn sǐ. Shuǐ líng ér wén yán yě xiào le qǐlái, yīn wèi liú yún de chī xiàng, què shí yǒu xiē bù yǎ.

  "That's it, if we don't eat it, it'll be a waste, and the boss of Tianranju will get it for free." Liuyun said hastily.

  "Do I still want these leftovers? At most, they can be given to others or fed to pigs." Huajing said tearfully.

  "You see my memory... I mean, the natural dwelling things taste good, it's a waste not to eat them all up." Liú Yún scratched his head and said with embarrassment. "I was pointing at the monk and scolding the bald donkey, what a bother."

  "Oh, well, young master shouldn't eat too much either. I'll talk to the pig feeder later, and we can leave these leftovers for you today, okay?" After entering the hall, seeing Shuiling sitting next to Liuyun, Huajing's mood wasn't good, so she spoke mockingly.

  Liu Yun thought that between two women, pretending to be deaf and dumb was the wisest choice. "Even if you say I'm fighting with a pig for food, I'll admit it..."

  As most of the people at the banquet came from a military background, the topic of conversation soon shifted to military affairs. When Shiyan asked Naya about the Battle of Hansheng, everyone fell silent and listened intently.

  There are three points of concern in the Battle of Cold City. Firstly, the mysterious Black Eagle Mercenary Group and War Eagle. Secondly, the princess led the army to fight against the enemy. Thirdly, the Battle of Cold City resulted in a large number of officials falling from power.

  Naya slowly told the crowd about the beginning and end of the Battle of Cold City, and then said with a heavy heart: "This battle is the most tragic one I have encountered since entering the military. Many young soldiers sacrificed themselves to save me, not because I am a princess, but because I am a woman. Many ordinary people rushed to help the soldiers defend the city on the edge of death, just to protect their homes. And the mysterious Black Eagle Mercenary Corps is an existence that I have never seen before."

  "If I had arrived a little earlier back then, perhaps the casualties in City of Frost wouldn't have been so severe." Flowing Cloud sighed softly to herself.

  After hearing Naya's words, Hua Fei looked at Liu Yun with tears in her eyes, as if saying: "Hero, how does it feel to hear others praise you?"

  "Jieliu, your advertisement is quite impressive! The emperor and the crown prince are even doing promotion for you in person." Liuyun said with a light smile, avoiding her gaze.

  "Nowhere, others have just sold you a favor. It seems that you owe more to others, and in the future, you won't be able to avoid being exploited by others." Huajing replied tearfully.

  "Human feelings? It seems that today's banquet is indeed quite interesting." Liu Yun smiled and said.

  The Battle of Cold City, although the death toll was heavy, but it gave birth to an imperial hero and a legendary mercenary group, making it a pride for the empire. Princess Naya's words were not yet finished when the two of them whispered and laughed, naturally drawing dissatisfaction from the crowd.

  "Doesn't it seem that Liuyun Gongzi doesn't think much of this battle?" No one expected that Nalan, who was usually gentle and elegant, would suddenly attack Liuyun.

  "Where, where." Dry laughter, Liu Yun thought, "That one war was originally a Black Eagle training exercise, how could it be blown up to be so divine?"

  The smile on Huajing's face grew thicker: "Shameless guy, you can pretend slowly. I don't know how many people will be killed by this tiger pretending to be a pig."

  "What does he know of war? He's just a brawler and a womanizer." Hughes sneered coldly.

  "I'll even make people run naked, believe it or not?" Liu Yun said with a sly smile.

  The room suddenly erupted in a burst of laughter, making Hughes wish he could find a hole to crawl into.

  Although it is said that one should not hit a person in the face, Flowing Cloud now has not a shred of good feeling towards this young master of the prime minister. Under his dazzling exterior, he is nothing but a spoiled son of a wealthy family, living off the glory of his ancestors.

  "Is such a person worthy of being Third Brother's rival?"

  "Alright, let's not worry about the small things anymore." Seeing that the atmosphere was a bit tense, Shiyan hastily intervened to smooth things over, "Let's continue discussing military matters instead."

  The clouds have drifted away, and he has fallen silent; he is uninterested in such discussions.

  At this time, Princess Naya left her seat and walked straight towards Liuyun.

  "What does this woman want?" Seeing Naya walking over, Liuyun felt a bit tense.

  Before he arrived, a faint and enchanting fragrance had already wafted over.

  "Cloud Junior, Naya offers you a toast." Naya gazed at Cloud with a thoughtful expression, "First of all, thank you for opening my eyes to see many things in the world."

  She took a light sip of wine, glanced at Huatian and continued: "Secondly, I'd like to congratulate you on having such a beautiful fiancée in Ling'er. I hope we can soon drink to your wedding."

  Hua Die's face turned pale, and her eyes were instantly covered with a layer of mist. Before Liu Yun could speak, Hua Die saw Shui Ling'er lower her head with a red face, and her heart was finally desperate.

  Emotions are really a strange thing.

  Some feelings, the more you want to cherish and have them, the faster they disappear, the farther away they are from you.

  The dream of Huajing tears suddenly woke up. She smiled miserably and also raised her wine glass to Liuyun.

  "Liú yún gōng zǐ, wǒ yě zhù fú nǐ!"

  Translation: "Liu Yun Gongzi, I also wish you happiness!"

  Silver teeth bit through lips, wine and blood swallowed together. But can those memories of the past be forgotten just like that?

  Liu Yun looked at Hua Die and felt a strong sense of guilt and unease in her heart.

  How many times she helped him with all her might.

  How many times she silently comforted him.

  But it was just a heartbreak, a desperation.

  Plants and trees have feelings, let alone humans? The tears of the flower were a testament to his emotions, which he was well aware of. He too had been moved many times by the woman in front of him.

  A sentence between myself and the princess was originally meant to vent my anger, but I didn't expect retribution to come so quickly.

  "Thank you." Liuyun raised his cup and drank it all in one gulp. Shuiling was right beside him, and Liuyun didn't even have a chance to explain. "Even if I could explain, what would I say?"

  Naya looked at Hua Dieyan with tears in her eyes, and her heart was also filled with sorrow. She couldn't understand what method this Flowing Cloud had used to enthrall Hua Dieyan. Although it was common for imperial nobles to have three wives and four concubines, she didn't want such an extraordinary woman like Hua Dieyan to fall into Flowing Cloud's trap. In her opinion, a proud woman like Hua Dieyan would never humiliate herself by becoming someone's minor concubine.

  But was her heart really for Hua Xiangyue?

  Finding a thread of anger and helplessness in Liu Yun's eyes, Naya felt very relieved.

  "I also thank you, for giving me a most beautiful dream, and then personally shattering it."

  Naya left, and Hua Qian cried silently for a long time before finally whispering to Liuyun's ear.