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As he took a few steps, he overheard some maids and servants whispering to each other.
"Hey, he looks decent, but he can't possibly bear the title of a beauty that brings disaster to the nation. Why is there so much talk about him outside?"
"Yeah, he’s not even as good-looking as Miss Lin from the Linghou Mansion. Why would Young Master Pei be interested in him?"
"Who knows? They’re even engaged now. I heard it was Young Master Pei himself who asked our prince to help propose. Do you think there’s something going on behind this?"
"…"
Could you all keep your voices down? I can hear you, you know?
Seeing Ye Chen remain silent with his head down, Pei Guanjing assumed he was upset. He immediately turned around and strode over to the whispering group, his expression darkening as he scolded, "What’s this? Have you forgotten the rules of the royal household in just a year since I left? How dare you speak of noble people like this? Do you want to lose your tongues?"
Pei Guanjing's voice was low and authoritative, carrying an intimidating presence that made the servants feel breathless.
In an instant, the servants knelt on the ground, trembling as they said, "We were wrong, it was our foolish words. Please forgive us, Young Master."
"You all will apologize to Young Master Liu right now. If he forgives you, then I won’t hold this against you," Pei Guanjing said, suddenly shifting his focus to Ye Chen.
Ye Chen paused for a moment, and the group immediately changed direction, kneeling before Ye Chen and crying out, "Please forgive us, Young Master Liu! We won't dare do it again!"
Ye Chen was momentarily taken aback by the mention of "Liu," but quickly realized that King Huai'an's name was Liu Jin, so his son would naturally carry the Liu surname. Therefore, now that he had entered the capital, he would be called Liu Chen.
If this had happened in the twenty-first century, he would have shouted "Rise!" to these people kneeling and wailing before him. However, not wanting to die or attract too much trouble at the moment, he raised his hand and said, "Um, you may rise..."
"Well, look who has returned, our big brother!"
At that moment, several figures suddenly appeared around the bend of the rocky path. The newcomers were dressed in fine garments, exuding an air of nobility; they were clearly a group of young lords.
Big brother?
The man in red, leading the group, approached Pei Guanjing and cast a glance at Ye Chen beside him. He smirked and said, "So this is the son of King Huai'an that you sought to marry from Father? He doesn’t seem as... stunning as the rumors suggested!"
After he spoke, the other young men behind him began to chime in: "Yeah, big brother, how is it that after being away for a year, you ended up with a sister-in-law?"
Their words were frivolous, clearly probing into the relationship between him and Pei Guanjing. Their lewd banter suggested that they had not been on good terms with Pei Guanjing previously.
With their arrival, Pei Guanjing couldn't be bothered with those lackeys; he simply waved his sleeve and dismissed them before taking Ye Chen's hand and leaving.
As Pei Guanjing walked away, still tightly holding Ye Chen's hand, the leading man in red revealed a wicked smile of interest at the corner of his eye.
Pei Guanjing, so you too have a day when you bow your head for love.
The scene of the family banquet was starkly different from what Ye Chen had imagined—a few people gathered around a table for a meal.
The banquet was held within the royal residence, and its grandeur was astonishing to Ye Chen.
If he were well-versed in such matters, he would undoubtedly be unable to resist mocking it. This Regent truly was a "local emperor" in every sense—powerful and untouchable.
A family banquet rivaled even that of a palace feast.
Within the royal residence, there were artificial mountains and flowing water, winding streams for drinking games, courtyards and pavilions arranged harmoniously, with flowers blooming everywhere—it was like a paradise on earth.
At a family banquet, the number of maids delivering dishes exceeded a hundred, and each dish was unique and exquisitely crafted, leaving everyone in awe. If Chef Wang and Brother Fu Gui were to see these dishes, their eyes would surely be dazzled, unable to fathom that such beautiful culinary creations existed in the world.
Ye Chen, having come from the twenty-first century, had encountered many delicacies and utensils, but he had never seen cutlery made of pure silver that felt so heavy in his hands.
Though he had been well-fed by Pei Guanjing earlier, at that moment, looking at the table full of delicacies, Ye Chen inexplicably felt hungry again.
Ignoring the strange looks from others, Ye Chen picked up his chopsticks and began to fill his plate with food.
Pei Guanjing watched all of this unfold without intervening; instead, a slight smile appeared at the corners of his eyes, filled with affection.
He gently waved his sleeve to conceal his drinking gesture and leisurely sat beside Ye Chen, thoughtfully serving him food, carefully selecting dishes that he had taken more than three bites of.
In the distance, those observing Pei Guanjing's actions were momentarily stunned. Was this really the Pei Guanjing they knew?
Where had the cold-blooded and ruthless Pei Guanjing gone? The person before them, acting so tenderly, could not possibly be that same man!
Of course, Ye Chen's somewhat crude actions also drew some quiet laughter from onlookers.
However, Ye Chen did not care how others viewed him. What mattered was filling his own stomach.
Just as Ye Chen was enjoying his meal, a palace servant suddenly shouted loudly from afar, "The Regent has arrived!"
Upon hearing this, everyone quickly stood up and left their seats in haste.
Experiencing this scene for the first time, Ye Chen hurriedly followed Pei Guanjing's lead and imitated him in performing a kneeling salute.
As he bowed, he couldn't help but wonder if he had watched too many palace drama series with his sister. He recalled that the three kneelings and nine prostrations were reserved for emperors; why was everyone giving such a grand salute to the Regent?
Suddenly, a shadow blocked the light in front of Ye Chen, who curiously looked up.
Before him stood a tall middle-aged man, wearing a golden crown and a long robe embroidered with dragon patterns. The man exuded an imposing presence, resembling a towering mountain standing before him. He lowered his head and quietly gazed at Ye Chen, saying nothing, his eyes seemingly able to see through Ye Chen's thoughts at that moment.
A myriad of thoughts raced through Ye Chen's mind, leaving him momentarily at a loss for words.
Noticing Ye Chen's actions, Pei Guanjing quickly propped himself up, clasped his hands in respect, and said to the Regent, "Adoptive father, A Chen has just entered the capital and has yet to be taught the proper etiquette. I hope you will not hold it against him."
With Pei Guanjing's reminder, Ye Chen instantly realized that staring at the Regent had been a grave disrespect. He hurriedly lowered his head, pressed his hands against the ground, and nervously stammered, "Ye... ah no, Liu Chen pays respects to the Regent. May the Regent enjoy eternal peace and prosperity."
Upon hearing this, the Regent's lips curled into a meaningful smile. He walked past Ye Chen and Pei Guanjing with steady steps, then waved his hand and spoke in a deep yet authoritative voice, "Everyone may rise."
At these words, everyone stood up and returned to their seats in order.
Once the Regent had moved away from him, Ye Chen finally felt he could breathe easily again.
Was this overwhelming pressure that left one nearly breathless truly the legendary imperial might?
Before Ye Chen could catch his breath properly after sitting down, the Regent spoke again from his high seat.
"Guanjing, this young man—aren't you going to introduce him to everyone?"
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