21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHp2Rjtg6Yq
The girl’s gaze lingered shyly on Du Cheng’s handsome face, waiting expectantly for his response.
Du Cheng felt deeply embarrassed, though he maintained a charming smile. “I'm very sorry, but I ate a lot of garlic tonight—it wouldn’t be polite to get too close.”
The girl lowered her head even further, whispering softly, “I don’t mind.”
You don't mind, but I certainly do! Du Cheng nearly cursed out loud. This girl was practically forcing him into becoming a eunuch!
“You may not mind, but I cannot forgive myself,” Du Cheng insisted gently, taking a small step backward. “Please accept my sincere apology; I truly ate too much garlic. Dancing with you in such a condition would be very disrespectful.”
With a polite nod, he retreated into a quiet corner.
The girl stood disappointedly in place but forced a smile. “I understand now, Mr. Francis—you’re truly a gentleman. By the way, my name is—”
“No, beautiful lady!” Du Cheng quickly interrupted, stepping back gracefully with a half-bow. “A good deed needs no reward. Otherwise, I'd be unworthy of being a descendant of the titled Dou-Shen!”
In truth, Du Cheng dared not learn the girl’s name. Her eyes already betrayed an intense curiosity about him, clearly interested in the young hero who had saved her.
Relieved when the girl didn’t pursue further, Du Cheng stayed in his corner, thanking his lucky stars that he hadn’t made a mistake tonight.
But just then—
A group of noble girls suddenly surrounded him, enthusiastically calling out, “Francis, you're really interesting! Some call you the disgrace of Saint-Cain, while others call you the Virtue of Saint John City! And tonight, you've proven yourself to be a true gentleman. How intriguing!”
Master Grape, you crazy old fool! Du Cheng cursed silently. The crowd was too much for him, and he adopted a deliberately cold expression, avoiding conversation altogether.
The banquet continued, and Du Cheng’s cold demeanor gradually kept the young ladies at bay. Instead, more noblemen began gathering around him.
Engaging with the nobles, Du Cheng drew upon his experience from his previous life, forming many friendships. Of course, there were rivals as well. Noble society was complex: today’s friends could be tomorrow’s political allies or adversaries. Perhaps someday people would recall how the discord between an imperial prime minister and finance minister began at a youthful banquet like this.
The hours passed until a chime from the clockbird announced midnight.
Princess Yuna officially declared the party concluded, and Du Cheng breathed a sigh of relief as he left the grand hall alone amidst couples strolling out together.
Princess Yuna greeted each solitary guest warmly at the exit. When Du Cheng approached, she smiled gently, "Francis, thank you for your smile tonight."
Du Cheng paused, puzzled. "Does a simple smile really deserve thanks?"
Yuna nodded graciously. "Indeed. Tonight, you smiled only at two women—the two most beautiful girls at the banquet. That's the best compliment."
Indeed, Du Cheng had smiled only twice at female guests: once at Yuna, and once at the girl he saved.
After bidding farewell to Yuna, his two brothers approached. Steve still had two enchanting girls in tow, laughing heartily, “Ah, my dear brother, looks like you'll be keeping your lonely bed company tonight! But your performance tonight was astonishing—smiling only at the two most beautiful girls…remarkable!”
He turned playfully to his companions, saying, "Do you know what they're calling my brother now?"
The two girls chimed sweetly, "One smile from Francis makes a beauty worthwhile!"
Du Cheng smiled awkwardly, his inner pain hidden beneath the polite façade.
“Oh, heavens! My brother just smiled at you two! That means you're as lovely as Princess Yuna herself!” Steve dramatically declared, tightening his embrace on the girls.
Laughing joyously, Steve escorted his dates onto his carriage and called out to his stern-faced brother, Charlie. “Dear second brother, my carriage is full. I must embark on my delightful journey. Please take Francis home!”
With exaggerated laughter, Steve’s carriage vanished toward the north side, famed for its inns.
Du Cheng shrugged uncomfortably toward Charlie, reluctant to converse with his icy second brother. “Shall we head home, second brother?”
Charlie’s driver approached with the carriage, but Charlie merely pointed coldly at him, saying, “Francis, this is my personal guard. You're the disgrace of Saint-Cain—you're not worthy of being driven home by a Dou-Shen!”
He climbed into the carriage and left Du Cheng standing alone.
“Who wants your carriage anyway!?” Du Cheng scoffed softly as Charlie disappeared from sight, gently touching two small parcels in his coat. A warm smile spread across his face.
They contained fine pastries he had secretly taken from the banquet—delicacies from the royal kitchen that old Fuye and Ariza had never tasted.
Carriages passed Du Cheng until the grand square stood empty. After asking the guards for directions, Du Cheng began walking home alone.
Unnoticed by him, a dark carriage stopped quietly at a street corner. Inside sat Carman, heir of the Chrison family, who smiled sinisterly. “Praise the ancestors! Francis is going home alone? Dear father, I won’t need your ‘legitimate’ opportunity after all—young Frith will help me nicely!”
He scribbled quickly on a note, passing it to the coachman. “Find a beggar to deliver this to Frith. And remember—don't say who sent it!”
…
Saint John’s Seventh District lay between the poor South Quarter and the wealthy Eastern District. A messy mix of commoners and minor nobles lived here, and the area was notorious for crime. Late at night, few dared venture through its tangled streets.
As Du Cheng passed through the area, he felt his head grow dizzy from the strong wine.
Hidden in a shadowy alley, Frith gripped a note tightly. It had been handed to him by a beggar moments before, informing him that Francis was returning home alone. Frith's excitement surged as he spotted Du Cheng stumbling closer.
From afar, Carman laughed gleefully at his clever trap.
Frith silently transformed his artifact into a short metallic wand, pointing it at Du Cheng and whispering, "Water Beam!"
A blue arrow of water flew swiftly toward Du Cheng.
Du Cheng had indeed drunk too much—the Empire’s potent spirits finally overwhelmed him. He muttered groggily, “Damn it… women… Master, you really got me into trouble!”
Just then, his Lotus Sutra energy sprang to life without warning, swiftly enveloping his neck in a protective barrier.
“Heh, what’s this Lotus energy up to now?” Du Cheng chuckled drunkenly.
At that exact moment, the water arrow struck his protected neck.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡir6hudxxN5
