When Lord Yeqi and Han Yan entered the hall, they attracted a lot of attention. All kinds of inquiring eyes were intertwined around them, like a fine net trapping them in it. Those nobles just felt that Han Yan looked very strange, and whispered about his origins, wanting to know when such a beautiful male insect appeared in the imperial capital.
Lord Yechi still remembered the Insect Emperor's instructions. He led Han Yan to the dance floor and stopped. Then he bowed to him and said, "Sir, the banquet has begun. I wish you a pleasant evening. If you need anything, please tell the waiter."
Han Yan didn't see anything unexpected, and nodded slightly and said, "Thank you."
Lord Yechi was filled with emotion again. It was just a collision accident, but the eldest son of the Admon family had changed so much that it was no exaggeration to say that he had been reborn. He noticed that many female soldiers were staring at Han Yan with the eyes of finding prey. He was startled for no reason and immediately said goodbye to Han Yan, turned around and quickly went upstairs to find the Insect Emperor.
Insect God, Your Majesty, it is not a wise decision to leave such a high-quality single male insect down there. If the marriage is not finalized, this piece of fat meat will soon be divided up by those hungry female insects!
Military females are the largest group of insects on this planet. In addition, today is the military celebration banquet, and there are countless female insects present, and most of them are single. Their sharp eyes quickly discovered Han Yan's presence, and they all hovered around him inconspicuously, trying to attract his attention.
Female insects need to be reserved, and it would be inappropriate to approach and chat with them rashly. Besides, male insects are not the kind that can remain calm under the influence of a beautiful woman, so they have reason to believe that Han Yan will definitely go along with it.
However, Han Yan remained indifferent. He just looked around and found a seat in the sofa lounge area in the corner. He neither looked for a dance partner nor chatted with the female insects. The hustle and bustle around him did not seem to disturb him at all.
Finally, a female insect couldn't help but approach and said, "Sir, may I have the honor of inviting you to dance with me?"
Han Yan declined calmly: "Sorry, I don't really like dancing."
They are the real top nobles in this world.
Tonight is an exception, because there are many pairs of eyes in the dark quietly watching him.
He paused and added, "Bring Gain to me, and bring the male insect with him."
Upon hearing this, the Insect Emperor slowly turned the gem ring on his hand, not knowing what he was thinking. Finally, he spoke: "I think this marriage can be settled. Go tell Gain the news..."
The Fifth Prince frowned and asked, "Didn't they say Ashya was stupid, ugly, and a fool? How come he doesn't look like one at all?"
Han Yan thought about this, put on his gold-rimmed glasses again, and looked up at the place above the second floor. His sight became clear from nothingness, and he could also see the emperor and several princes standing there—
months ago,
Male insect.
The female insect who asked the question had to retreat in disappointment.
Several royal members of the Gonghedra family were standing high up on the second floor. As Han Yan raised his head, they could see his face clearly. They looked at each other, and saw surprise in each other's eyes.
"I have seen him once before. He had black hair and black eyes. He was very special..."
"If it wasn't special, it wouldn't have appeared in the Solitia Forest. That's a forbidden place that even gods don't dare to set foot in."
"The Eighth Prince is so pitiful. They are both crown princes, but why is there such a big difference between him and the Seventh Prince? I heard that he is likely to marry that idiot Ashya..."
At that time, Han Yan was sitting on the sofa listening to the nobles talking about the recent rumors in the imperial capital. In addition to the fact that the Eighth Prince Gain was suspected of being paired with the fool from the Admon family, the Seventh Prince Justu picked up a male insect from the Soritia forest a few months ago, which also occupied a large part of the topic.
Black hair and black eyes,
He was telling the truth. Ninety-nine percent of the lame people in the world don't like to dance.
"Your Highness the Seventh Prince is so lucky that he can pick up a male insect every time he patrols the jungle. I just don't know if it looks pretty or not."
Because of the huge temperature difference at night, a thin layer of mist has appeared on Han Yan's glasses since he entered the warm palace. He raised his hand to take off his glasses, lowered his eyes and wiped them carefully with flannel. The bright crystal light above his head cast a shadow on his handsome face. His expression was indifferent, and even though he was ruthless, he was still moving.
Later, several more female insects came forward to invite him, but without exception they returned empty-handed.
Such occasions are often a good opportunity to expand one's network of contacts. If it were an ordinary day, Han Yan would probably not refuse to join in, because that would bring him a steady stream of business and money.
Lord Yechi obviously didn't know what was going on, so he could only answer carefully: "Perhaps because of the aircraft collision some time ago, Lord Ashya's brain has been healed. Lord Admon said that except for his amnesia and inability to remember the past, everything else is normal."
Han Yan selectively ignored the last comment. He keenly caught these key words from their conversation. He remembered something and slowly opened his eyes. A dark light flashed quietly in his eyes behind the lenses, and he noticed the place that the guest mentioned over and over again.
The Solitia Forest...
Han Yan always felt that there was something strange about this place, but before he could figure it out, he saw Lord Yechi suddenly come down from upstairs and bowed to him respectfully, "Sir, please follow me. His Majesty invites you."
Han Yan paused for a moment after hearing this, then stood up from the sofa and followed him to the second floor. He asked casually, "Does His Majesty have any instructions?"
Lord Yeqi shook his head and pointed upstairs inconspicuously. A thin figure appeared behind the Insect Emperor. He said meaningfully, "Your Majesty just wants to see you."
Most of the descendants of the Gonghedra family had silver hair and red eyes. When several princes with similar faces stood together, Gain was probably the least likable one. He stood behind the Insect Emperor without saying a word, his slightly long silver hair covering his eyes, his face pale and gloomy, as quiet as a pool of stagnant water, without the slightest ripple.
In the gorgeous light and shadow in the hall, he was like a stroke of black and white on a painting, particularly abrupt and different.
Han Yan felt a long-lost familiarity with this dead silence. He walked slowly up the spiral staircase, his eyes accurately falling on the taciturn female insect. There was a small red mole under the corner of the other's eye, which was enough for Han Yan to distinguish him from the other princes.
His gaze lingered for a moment, showing some interest, and then he withdrew his gaze indifferently.
Han Yan lowered his eyes and walked up the stairs. He stopped three steps away from the Insect Emperor. This was a perfect distance, neither too distant nor too offensive. He bowed slightly and gave the king a noble salute. His voice was low and clear: "Greetings, Your Majesty."
Han Yan's face was really outstanding. The bright crystal light above his head fell softly, casting a fragmented light and shadow on his shoulders, and even his eyes behind the gold-rimmed lenses were a little blurry. He nodded and smiled, as if even time had slowed down, gentle and elegant, bewitching.
There was a moment of silence all around, and you could hear a pin drop.
Everyone felt a little surprised and exchanged glances in the air without leaving a trace. It was really difficult to connect Han Yan with the foolish fool he used to be.
Gain, who had been keeping his eyes down and silent, seemed to have noticed something unusual. He finally looked in the direction of Han Yan, only to see a handsome young man talking to the Insect Emperor. His attitude was calm and gentle, like the breeze.
Neither ugly nor stupid.
Gain paused for a moment, not knowing what he was thinking. Then he came to his senses and returned to his previous silent state.
The Insect Emperor was obviously very satisfied with Han Yan's current changes, and couldn't help asking a few more questions: "I heard that you were injured and hospitalized, how is your health?"
Han Yan nodded slightly, his eyes were very disciplined, and he didn't look around: "Thank you for your concern, my injuries have healed, but I don't remember much about the past."
The Insect Emperor glanced at Gain beside him, then looked at Han Yan and suddenly asked, "Then you probably have no impression of Wenjuedun Palace. There is a Moonlight Lake in the back garden with beautiful scenery. Do you remember it?"
Han Yan shook his head and said with a smile: "Sorry, I don't quite remember."
"In that case..." The Insect Emperor was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Gain, take Lord Ashya to the back garden. He has lost his memory and probably doesn't remember the route. Any guest who comes to Wenjueton Palace should not miss such a beautiful view."
Any discerning insect could see that the Insect Emperor was deliberately creating an opportunity for Han Yan and Jia Yin to be alone, and they would tactfully lend their support.
"The moonlight tonight is beautiful, and the Moonlight Lake must be very beautiful." "Sir Ashya, it would be a pity if you missed it. After all, Wengerton Palace only holds banquets a few times a year, and it is not easy to see it normally."
Han Yan ignored the chaotic voices around him and looked at the Eighth Prince Gain who had remained silent. He stared at him with his gray-blue eyes and asked in a low voice: "Your Highness, are you honored?"
Han Yan's tone was extremely gentle, with neither disdain nor contempt. He did not neglect Gain just because he was a cripple, and showed him full respect.
Hearing this, Jia Yin subconsciously looked at Han Yan, obviously not understanding why the other party accepted the invitation, because once they visited the garden together, it meant that the marriage was finalized. Han Yan was neither stupid nor foolish now, there were plenty of female insects to choose from outside, there was really no need for him to marry a cripple.
Or maybe the other party simply doesn't want to offend the Insect Emperor...
Gain slowly lowered his eyes, with heavy shadows under his eyes. For some reason, he did not speak.
The Fifth Prince in the back couldn't help but feel anxious when he saw this, and secretly pushed him: "Gain, what are you doing standing there? Hurry up and take Lord Ashya to the back garden for a walk."
Jia Yin was pushed out by the fifth prince unexpectedly. He staggered for a moment, and he almost lost his balance due to his leg disease. He was like a broken porcelain, which would shatter to the ground with the slightest bump. But in the end, he was firmly grasped by Han Yan's fingertips.
Han Yan supported Jia Yin in time to prevent him from stumbling and falling. He waited for Jia Yin to stand firmly, then withdrew his hand without leaving a trace, and asked patiently: "Your Highness, do you mind taking me to the back garden?"
Obviously, Gain had no room for refusal. Hearing this, he pursed his lips slightly, and finally made a gesture of invitation to the people downstairs, and said in a hoarse voice: "I am happy to serve you."
After Gain finished speaking, he turned around and went downstairs first. He limped as he walked, and although he tried his best to hide it, it was still easy to notice the old injury in his right leg, but his back was very straight.
Han Yan stared at Gain's back quietly. He was absent-minded for a moment, then touched his right leg unconsciously. Then he took a step forward and followed him, walking beside him inconspicuously, blocking the strange looks from downstairs.
Han Yan did not offer a hand to help. He just slowed down his pace and followed Gain's pace, keeping a distance from him, making sure he could catch him in time if he fell.
Jia Yin ignored the strange looks from downstairs, obviously he had already gotten used to it. He led Han Yan out of the magnificent hall and walked along the gravel path towards the garden. Although there were street lights on both sides, the view was still dim.
This gravel road was not easy to walk on. Han Yan heard Jia Yin stumble several times in the dark. He said nothing and remained silent for a moment. Finally, he stretched out his hand and said, "This road is too dark."
Jia Yin felt a hand holding him in the darkness, dry and warm, completely different from his own cold fingertips. He froze, and then shook off Han Yan's hand as if he had been electrocuted, and whispered without looking back: "This road is always dark."
His personality is indeed as eccentric as the rumors say.
Han Yan raised his eyebrows slightly when he saw this, then retracted his hand to adjust his glasses, and followed his steps slowly: "Really?"
The garden was huge, and Gain's pace slowed down significantly. His leg disease obviously did not allow him to walk for such a long time. Gain slowly stopped and said in the dark, "If you don't want to marry a cripple, you'd better go to the Insect Emperor and talk it over now."
Han Yan said: "The back garden is very beautiful."
Gain's voice was even, "After tomorrow, even if you want to regret it, His Majesty will not agree."
Han Yan: "How far is Moonlight Lake?"
Gain: "This is your last chance."
Han Yan: "Let's go to the pavilion next door and sit for a while."
Gain, who was walking in front, finally stopped and looked back at Han Yan. Under the cold moonlight, the man still looked calm and composed, as if nothing could disturb him.
Jia Yin stared at Han Yan expressionlessly, with an ever-present gloom in his eyes, which made him look like a wandering ghost on a rainy night, listless and sickly.
Gain said in a low voice: "Didn't you understand what I said?"
Han Yan: “What?”
Jia Yin did not speak, but took a step forward, his body aura cold and damp. He was very close to Han Yan, his pale and thin fingertips slowly slid down the man's collar, his eyes were a dangerous dark red in the night, and his voice was hoarse: "If you don't want to marry a cripple, you'd better go to the Insect Emperor and talk it over now..."
His fingertips were cold, like an unsharpened knife, and when they scratched across the skin through the clothes, it was like a poisonous snake crawling on the skin.
Han Yan looked at Jia Yin quietly and asked in an ambiguous tone, "Cripple? Who? You?"
He suddenly smiled, and his slender white fingertips gently fell on Gain's face, and his fingertips slowly stroked the red mole under the other's eye. His expression was focused and serious, as if he was evaluating a perfect product, or admiring a treasure that he was about to get.
Jia Yin did not expect Han Yan's action. His pupils shrank slightly for a moment. He subconsciously stepped back to avoid it, but the gentle and elegant man in front of him pushed him against the stone pillar of the pavilion silently, leaving him with no way to escape.
Han Yan is a businessman. In his eyes, everything has a price. The difference is that some things can be bought with money, while some things are priceless.
This marriage with the royal family is a sure win. The only thing he needs to confirm is whether the female insect can satisfy him.
Han Yan was dressed in a suit and looked gentle and refined, but at the moment he was doing something that was extremely inconsistent with his appearance. His gray-blue eyes behind the lenses were free of any emotion, and his slender white fingertips slowly stroked Gain's beautiful face, lingering for a moment on his red lips, and finally slowly moved down. When Gain's legs weakened and he fell to the ground, he held the female insect's thin right ankle and slipped into her trouser leg.
Jia Yin's body went limp, and he couldn't help trembling for a moment. He thought Han Yan wanted to do something here, so he held down the other's dishonest hand with red eyes. His breathing was disordered, but he didn't stop him. Instead, he raised his eyes lazily and said, "Sir, if you touch me here, you will really be responsible."
He smiled strangely and said in a low voice: "If you don't take responsibility, I will kill you..."
The royal females are not so easy to get rid of.
Han Yan said nothing, his eyes behind the lenses focused and serious. He ignored Gain's obstruction and used a little strength to break free from the other's hand. His warm fingertips silently stroked the other's calf, slowly rubbing the hideous scar on the knee.
Like a doctor examining an injury, or a businessman finding a satisfactory collection and can’t let it go…
Gain did not hide anymore, but stared at Han Yan with a numb and dead look, motionless, like a corpse. Han Yan finally stopped moving, he lowered his eyes slightly, and noticed Gain's fingertips. He didn't know when the other party's hands were clenched into fists, leaving a bloody mark on his palms.
Han Yan smiled. Without saying a word, he took out his handkerchief and carefully wiped the blood off Gain's palm. Finally, he slowly held his cold fingertips and asked in a low voice, "So, when do you think it would be a good date to get married?"
Gain looked up at him, his expression unable to hide his surprise.
Han Yan was very satisfied with the female insect in front of him. He even had a hunch that this would be the most cost-effective deal he had ever made in his life. Now, all he needed to do was to sign the contract as soon as possible and finalize the transaction.
Han Yan exerted a little force and directly pulled Gain up from the ground. He hugged the thin and disabled female insect in front of him, and was particularly fond of the red mole under her eye. He rubbed it repeatedly with his fingertips, lingering on it, and finally dropped a dragonfly kiss on it.
"… "
Gain's body stiffened, and his eyelashes trembled violently for a moment.
Han Yan's embrace of Jia Yin was not tight, with a sense of control. There was a faint scent of cedar hidden on his collar, cold and distant, and finally quietly melted into the sigh-like murmur: "Forget it, let His Majesty make the decision..."
(End of this chapter)