A banquet was, by its very nature, meant to be both enjoyable and loud, filled with laughter alongside noise.

The scene that unfolded before Ilaide was exactly that. Within the increasingly heated atmosphere of the banquet, people, thanks to the alcohol they had moderately consumed, had become quite amiable.

The sharp resonance of string instruments harmonized, repeatedly striking the chandelier overhead and falling to the floor.

Sounds from all directions accumulated layer by layer, descending upon Ilaide. She wished she could cover her ears and return to the Empress’s palace right then.

Libel had not yet arrived. Perhaps he intended not to attend at all. Maybe Claudius hadn’t even invited him.

Quietly closing her eyes, Ilaide gently brought the glass she held to her lips. The glass had long since lost its chill.

In the distance, Claudius and Celina, who seemed to be in a rather good mood, were visible. Despite it being a formal banquet, he had not spared Ilaide a glance since the beginning.

“Tsk, tsk, to show such favoritism so openly.”

“The Empress looks pitiable.”

“It’s a pity. The person is like a statue, isn’t he? Not a warm spot to be found even if you searched with washed eyes. I noticed since the time I was the Crown Princess.”

“That’s the daughter of Keira Lowen Melpiram, famous for her toughness.”

Whispers among the banquet attendees reached Ilaide’s ears.

Let them talk all they want. Ilaide’s gaze narrowed. She was not so weak as to be swayed by a few ignorant words.

Most of the attendees were high-ranking officers and their wives or families.

Dressed in neat uniforms, they paired off to dance, their movements creating a dazzling spectacle, clustering in the center and then dispersing. A glamorous atmosphere, unattainable for the humble, filled the banquet hall.

Claudius, with a satisfied expression, patted Cailum’s shoulder beside him. The term “bloodless conquest” popped up here and there among the gathered crowds.

But was a conquest without a single drop of blood possible? Even in this invasion, there were certainly victims on the empire’s side. Does the blood of the few mean nothing?

The current tranquility was nothing but a postponement for the blood to be paid in the future.

“Anyway, it’s about time he arrived.”

“Your Majesty, could it be……”

“The guest of honor intentionally delayed his arrival. Is there a problem? He played a major role in the war, so it’s time to celebrate and encourage him.”

As Claudius spoke slowly, emptying his glass, one side of the banquet hall began to stir. People’s gazes uniformly shifted in that direction.

Hundreds of eyes moved towards a figure with a hint of azure. Ilaide, who had been sitting in the Empress’s seat, stood up involuntarily and headed towards Libel.

“You’re quite late. I thought you weren’t invited.”

Upon seeing his face, her tension immediately dissipated. Had it not been a banquet, she might have joyfully grabbed his hand first. Ilaide barely calmed her fluttering heart.

“Did you come alone? What about the other members…”

“They’re enjoying themselves separately. These kinds of occasions seem uncomfortable for them.”

“Finally, the long-awaited hero has arrived.”

Claudius approached where Ilaide and Libel faced each other. Celina, still beside him, looked at Libel warily, but it had no effect on him.

“Everyone, look here. This is the leader of the Ricus Mercenary Group, who entered enemy lines alone and captured Duke Lerogen.”

Claudius, perhaps slightly intoxicated, casually draped an arm over Libel’s shoulder. A posture commonly adopted among close acquaintances, but it dripped with awkwardness. Libel, motionless, focused his gaze intently in one direction.
Ilaide detected his subtle gaze. Ignoring the numerous people in the banquet hall, Libel was looking only at her.

“Would you raise your glass? I will toast in your honor.”

“It’s an honor.”

Libel’s voice was so dry that it lacked any hint of emotion.

Claudius slightly furrowed his brows at his indifferent attitude but added no further words. The attendees in the banquet hall followed Claudius’s lead in toasting Libel’s name and clinking their glasses.

Was there some ulterior motive? Ilaide glanced sideways at Claudius, who was sticking close by her side. Had he gotten carried away by the atmosphere and become drunk? His reason for inviting Libel here did not seem purely innocent.

People in the banquet hall began to gather around Libel, their approach more akin to beasts rushing at new prey than mere curiosity.

“This is the man who didn’t kill the Duke, right? Lerogen, such an insolent fellow. I wonder if it’s because he’s recently touched some money, or maybe he’s been mixing with people of strange ideologies. What confidence he had to betray the grace of the Empire!”

“Exactly. They should have immediately beheaded them and hung them on the city walls.”

Male lead is a clingy little husband

One-line summary: The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.

Introduction:

One day, Lu Yuner’s soul transmigrates into a female-dominant world. She enters the Imperial Academy and takes up the position of a doctoral instructor, teaching classes and grading schoolwork.

One day, she encounters the young prince Su Qingwan secretly skipping class from the male academy.

As a result, Su Qingwan is punished.

From then on, Su Qingwan sees Lu Yuner as a “thorn in his side”.

But before long, this “thorn” becomes the person he cherishes most, and he goes to great lengths to win Lu Yuner’s affection.

Mini scene 1:

One day, the sun is high in the sky but Su Qingwan still hasn’t gotten up for class.

Servant Xiaoyuan: “Young prince, it’s time for class. You’ll be late otherwise.”

Su Qingwan says arrogantly: “I’m not going. I am the esteemed prince, my status is so noble, why should I suffer this hardship? Besides, isn’t learning all this just to please women? Hmph, they’re not worthy!”

Mini scene 2:

After Su Qingwan falls for someone, he completely changes. He no longer skips class and diligently learns how to be a good husband and father. But he discovers that Sister Yuner is always surrounded by admirers.

Drunk and overcome with jealousy one day, he clings to Lu Yuner, crying beautifully like a pear blossom in the rain.

Su Qingwan: “Qingwan likes Sister Yuner.”

Lu Yuner: “Young prince, you’re drunk.”

Su Qingwan: “Qingwan isn’t drunk. Qingwan likes Sister Yuner, likes you so much, likes you to bits…” Before he can finish, Lu Yuner’s eyes flash with emotion and she leans in closer.

[Reading Guide]

1. The female lead is gentle, gracious, humble and polite but not weak. The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.

2. 1v1, a bit torturous in the beginning but definitely sweet later on.

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