Su Tang, though married in plain white clothes, was dressed in a joyous manner for the Duchess's birthday banquet. Her water-red brocade jacket and skirt, the hem of her skirt embroidered with gold thread, shimmered subtly in the sunlight. This red attire transformed the former ice beauty into an eye-catching phoenix. Yet, her noble demeanor prevented any disrespect.
Shao Yang rarely dressed so brightly, and instantly became the center of attention. She faced it calmly, stepping forward to exchange greetings with the Duchess.
Her words were nothing more than birthday wishes.
The Duchess, with a kind smile and eyes, was old enough to be Su Tang's grandmother. She was exceptionally generous to her juniors. "Shao Yang, why are you dressed so brightly today?" she asked.
"Your birthday banquet should be celebrated with vibrancy. I hope you don't mind me stealing your thunder, Madam," Su Tang replied.
The Duchess laughed heartily. "I like children like you, honest and straightforward."
It was the Duchess's banquet, so it was impossible for her to chat with Su Tang endlessly. Soon, she was engaged in conversation with other noblewomen. Su Tang, finally at peace, was about to find a quiet spot when a bright-eyed young boy appeared before her.
"Lady Shao Yang! I didn't expect you to come!" the boy exclaimed, his eyes shining.
After a moment of hesitation, Su Tang, aided by the system, lowered her voice, "Lu Zilan?"
Lu Zilan was thrilled. He truly found Lady Shao Yang beautiful. In the past, she seemed like an unapproachable celestial being, but now, he felt that the description of a cold, ethereal beauty was not enough. The Lady was ever-changing!
But no matter how she changed, her beauty remained unique.
"You remember me!"
Su Tang chuckled. "Of course, I remember." She paused, then asked with a smile, "So you came to me because you want to ask how I made this dress?"
Instead of feeling embarrassed, Lu Zilan felt like he had met a kindred spirit. "My Lady… My Lady, you understand me so well. Actually… I'm concerned about you. We're friends, and I heard from others that Wei Que just returned and he… he abused you? Are you alright?"
Su Tang was confused. "Abused?"
"Yes, I heard he tore down the wall of the restaurant. I even heard he broke your legs."
Su Tang listened for a while, then twitched her lips slightly, sighing at the power of rumors. "Do I look like someone who would suffer in silence?"
Lu Zilan looked her up and down, then let out a sigh of relief. "No, you don't."
With a friend this beautiful, if Wei Que could bring himself to hurt her, he would be less than human.
It wouldn't be appropriate for them to continue chatting there, so he invited her to the pavilion. "I've prepared some refreshments over there. Would you care to join me, My Lady?"
Having been hungry all morning, Su Tang's eyes lit up at the mention of food. As she approached the pavilion, she discovered a thoughtfully prepared heater. In this freezing weather, she was wearing very little to maintain her fairy-like image.
She decided then and there: Lu Zilan was a friend worth keeping!
Cupping the warm tea in her hands and occasionally taking a bite of the delicate pastries on the table, Su Tang looked utterly content, like a satisfied kitten.
Seeing her so at ease, Lu Zilan's smile deepened. He had heard that Lady Shao Yang was a picky eater; there were even rumors that she grew up drinking morning dew. Her willingness to eat his food was a tremendous honor.
"If you like them, My Lady, I can have someone pack some for you to take home."
Su Tang fought back the urge and declined with a nonchalant smile. "No need. Even the most delicious food becomes tiresome in excess."
Lu Zilan didn't think much of it and continued chatting with her about the hairpin in her hair and the pearl-embroidered shoes on her feet. Su Tang found him quite adorable, so she took off the hairpin. "Since you like it so much, I'll gift it to you."
Lu Zilan was stunned, his face lighting up with joy. But in the next second, he refused. "No, I can't. If it were to be known by those with ulterior motives, it might harm your reputation, My Lady."
Su Tang countered, "Let outsiders say what they will. We have clear consciences, what is there to fear?"
Her words reminded Lu Zilan of Lady Shao Yang's reputation. Outsiders called her unruly, yet she never bothered to explain. How strong must she be to be so fearless of the world's judgment?
Su Tang had spoken casually, after all, she might have to abandon the Shao Yang persona soon. She had plenty of debts, but Lu Zilan had clearly misunderstood.
He looked at her with sudden admiration, the feeling akin to a fan meeting their idol. "You are a role model for us all, My Lady!" He would be as strong as her in the future, doing what he wanted without fearing the world's gaze.
Su Tang was baffled, but seeing Lu Zilan accept the hairpin, she said excitedly, "Since you've accepted such a precious gift from me, if you don't mind, I'd like to trade something else with you."
"There's no need." Su Tang spoke indifferently, her eyes flickering as she continued, "If you insist on thanking me, then gift me two boxes of pastries."
She was brilliant! This way, she could enjoy more delicious treats.
Lu Zilan felt that the Lady was truly kind-hearted. She had just refused the pastries, but to ease his burden, she changed her mind.
However, the banquet was about to begin, and men and women were seated separately. Su Tang took the two boxes of pastries and rose to excuse herself.
After she left, Lu Zilan didn't rush away. He studied the hairpin in his hand, his joy growing with each passing moment. Just as he was about to treasure it away, a figure appeared before him.
"Hand it over."
He looked up, meeting the other person's gaze. They were a pair of cold, dark eyes, sharp and indifferent, devoid of any warmth.
Though it was the middle of winter, Lu Zilan broke out in a cold sweat. However, he was the young master of the Duke's manor, and this was his home. How could he be threatened like this? Just as he was about to retort, the other party took the hairpin without asking.
Wei Que toyed with the hairpin, a jade plum blossom hairpin, exquisitely crafted, complementing Su Tang's water-red brocade dress perfectly.
"Marquis Wei…" Lu Zilan started, but the other man's cold gaze silenced him. His throat felt constricted, unable to utter a sound, and inexplicably cold.
That gaze, as if looking at an ant, was accompanied by a careless, cold, and indifferent smile that instilled fear deep within him.
"Young Master Lu, don't touch what doesn't belong to you. Otherwise, next time, it will be the pain of a severed hand."
At that moment, Lu Zilan felt as if he were trapped in an ice cellar, his body trembling uncontrollably. He couldn't even utter a word in protest. By the time he came to his senses, the Marquis of Yongchang was long gone.