New Year’s Eve Banquet, Peaceful Songs and Dances in the Palace

Su Rou can dance in public, but Yara cannot. Their statuses are a chasm apart—Yara is the golden princess of the Lyndarian royal family, while Su Rou is merely a Su clan daughter.

Forget that the Su clan is a third-rate family built on women’s connections—Su Rou herself is merely an unfavored concubine’s daughter, low in status. If she dances in public, at worst she’ll draw a few whispers. But for Yara...

If Yara were to dance in public—especially for the emperor of another nation—it would humiliate her royal house. But if she refuses, she risks offending Eastlyn beyond repair.

What do I do? What do I do?

A chill runs through Yara’s body. Her fists clench tight as she keeps telling herself: stay calm, stay calm, think of a plan—but the more she repeats it, the less calm she becomes. Her body trembles uncontrollably.

She knows Prince Nathan of Southlyn is doing this deliberately—he’s targeting her on purpose.

Princess Yara feels ice-cold. Suddenly, in this vast banquet hall, she realizes there isn’t a single person who will help her. She looks up at Prince Adrian, but finds him—like everyone else—watching her expectantly, hoping she’ll stand and dance.

Heh—Yara manages a bitter smile, suddenly realizing how pathetic and alone her life has become.

The Emperor, seeing Yara motionless for so long, speaks up: "Princess Yara, would you be willing to dance for the friendship between Eastlyn and Lyndaria?"

The Emperor is even more relentless than Su Rou, wielding the promise of peace between nations as a weapon against Yara...

While Yara is being cornered by Prince Nathan of Southlyn and the Eastlyn Emperor, a major incident explodes in the Westlyn Imperial Palace.

Compared to the knife-edge tension at Eastlyn’s New Year’s Eve banquet, Westlyn’s gala seems peaceful—everyone, except the Princess Royal and Master Ian Reed’s family, puts on a cheerful front, strictly following the Emperor’s speech, feasting, and performances. But when it comes time for the dance, something unexpected happens.

A palace dancer glides up to the Westlyn Emperor, offering him wine. Just as he reaches for the cup, his pregnant favorite consort suddenly screams in agony and collapses to the floor.

"It hurts, Your Majesty, it hurts so much!" The consort clutches her belly, crying out as fresh blood pours between her legs.

"Beloved, are you all right?" The Westlyn Emperor kicks the dancer away, kneels before his consort, and lifts her into his arms. "Someone, hurry! Summon the imperial physicians—now!"

"Your Majesty, it hurts, it hurts so much! My child, Your Majesty, my child..." The consort sobs in the Emperor’s arms, her beautiful eyes brimming with tears. Even in agony, she is heartbreakingly lovely.

"Don’t worry, my love. As long as I’m here, nothing will happen to you." The Emperor grips her hand tightly, comforting her over and over.

Looking closely, the Emperor’s beloved consort faintly resembles Serena Feng—or perhaps her mother.

Rumor has it, the Westlyn Emperor’s fondness for Lu Yimo is genuine.

Blood keeps flowing, but the imperial physicians are slow to arrive. Anyone with experience knows—the Emperor’s beloved consort has lost her child.

Finally, after endless waiting, the imperial physicians arrive. The Emperor accompanies his consort back to her quarters.

"Empress, I leave this to you." Ignoring the gathered ministers, the Emperor departs in haste—showing just how much he valued the lost child.

"I accept, Your Majesty." The Empress kneels, her face expressionless. Only after the Emperor leaves does she rise, her phoenix eyes lifting to reveal full imperial authority. She glances coldly at Noble Consort Yvonne—a flash of ice quickly vanishes from her gaze.

The Empress steps forward, announcing the abrupt end of the New Year’s Eve banquet and ordering everyone to leave.

After such an incident, no one dares remain. The ministers, unexpectedly anxious, file out in haste. Even the royal kin leave under the Empress’s firm insistence.

Crown Prince Terrence Valen stands with a dark expression, worriedly glancing toward the inner harem. He senses something is wrong, but even as heir, he cannot enter. He leaves, burdened by deep unease.

The Empress stands firm, watching everyone leave—or rather, watching Master Ian Reed’s family depart. Once they’re gone, her eyes lose all warmth. She coldly orders the arrest of the dancer who offered wine, along with all maids and eunuchs present. She commands the back palace be sealed, forbidding anyone from entering or leaving.

With these actions, the Empress signals a serious investigation into the imperial consort’s miscarriage.

Noble Consort Yvonne watches the Empress’s cold, proud back, feeling a sudden, inexplicable anxiety.

It will take time for news from Westlyn Palace to reach Eastlyn, but events at Eastlyn Palace can be reported the same day.

During the New Year’s Eve banquet, Nolan quietly slips away without alarming anyone and arrives at Feng Manor.

Learning from the daytime lesson, Nolan doesn’t barge in. He has his dark-guards and maids announce his arrival, waiting outside for Serena.

The cold wind tosses his black hair; under lamplight, he seems haloed with a faint glow. Just standing there, Nolan turns the whole scene into his backdrop. When Serena comes out, she immediately sees him shining in the dark.

"Nolan, why are you here?" Serena asks, surprised—the palace banquet shouldn’t be over yet.

"I’ve come to keep the New Year’s vigil with you," Nolan says, approaching Serena. Standing face to face, he looks into her eyes and suddenly says, "I’m sorry."

"Huh?" Serena looks up, unable to believe what she’s heard. "What did you say?"

Is Nolan really apologizing to her? Is something wrong with her ears, or has the world gone mad?

"You heard right—I said 'I’m sorry.'" Nolan thinks to himself that saying 'I’m sorry' isn’t so difficult after all.

"Uh…" Serena is truly stunned. She rubs her ear. "Am I dreaming?"

Nolan actually came to apologize for what happened earlier today. It’s amazing!

Snap—Nolan flicks Serena’s forehead, making her cry out in pain.

"Does it hurt?" Nolan asks knowingly. Serena grits her teeth. "It hurts a lot."

"If it hurts, you’re not dreaming," Nolan says seriously. Serena can only roll her eyes, but since Nolan apologized, she feels she should respond.

"It’s fine. I was partly at fault earlier, too. You’re right—saving lives comes first, but I’ll try to be more careful about boundaries." Serena mutters softly.

She’s no hero—she can’t change the world, so she adapts to it. But with Nolan’s attitude improving, maybe she can change him, even if she can’t change everything else.

Nolan just smiles lightly, offering no comment.

That scene earlier today had truly shocked him—he lost control because he was unprepared. But he doesn’t tell Serena this.

Seeing Serena grin, Nolan mischievously adds, "That 'I’m sorry' was also from Prince Adrian. He asked me to apologize for making things difficult for you over Yara’s miscarriage."

...