After Breaking the Marriage Contract, I Became the Strongest State-Stabilizing Duke! - Chapter 15:

Chapter 15: New Love and Old Flame

Hearing Lu Yunxue’s words, a trace of barely noticeable anger flashed across Pei Jianzhi’s face, but he quickly forced a casual smile. “I disdain associating with those who rely on their fathers’ influence. Only achievements gained by my own abilities are worthy of praise.”

“Just watch, Xue’er. I, Pei Jianzhi, will definitely trample him underfoot. Tonight is our stage, and we must not let him steal the spotlight.”

With that, the two of them walked side by side into the palace.

Inside the palace, music filled the air, and court officials arrived in an endless stream. Civil and military officials sat on either side, laughing and chatting as if they were lifelong friends, as though all the backstabbing and political strife had never happened. Everyone was enjoying themselves immensely.

Tonight’s celebration banquet was held in the Hall of Righteous Virtue. Countless women in luxurious palace gowns busied themselves inside, while Mu Zian curiously observed the surroundings. Through the thin veils, many women threw flirtatious glances at him. After all, tonight Mu Zian truly embodied the saying: “A gentleman like jade, unparalleled under heaven.”

Some officials whispered among themselves.

“Didn’t expect the State-Stabilizing Duke to show up tonight.”

“I heard he was invited by the Heroine Marquis and Pei Jianzhi. There’s bound to be a good show.”

“I wonder how the Duke feels seeing his once-beloved woman with another man.”

Many officials cast sympathetic glances toward Mu Zian. After all, they had witnessed how crazy Mu Zian had once been for love. They didn’t believe he could sever ties with Lu Yunxue so decisively. In their eyes, Mu Zian must have come tonight to win her back.

Mu Zian sat silently, drinking wine, his mind elsewhere. His sharp gaze swept across the hall—among these ministers, there must be those plotting against him.

Just then, Lu Yunxue and Pei Jianzhi entered the grand hall hand in hand. The moment they appeared, the once lively hall instantly fell silent.

Seeing Mu Zian seated at the head seat, Pei Jianzhi felt displeased and walked forward provocatively. “Greetings, State-Stabilizing Duke. I am Pei Jianzhi.”

A mocking smile played on Pei Jianzhi’s lips, as if to say, “So what if you’re the Duke? The woman you loved is now easily mine.”

However, Mu Zian responded with only one cold word.

“Scram.”

Though his voice wasn’t loud, everyone in the hall heard it clearly.

Pei Jianzhi hadn’t expected Mu Zian to give him no face at all, and his face turned bright red.

“What does the State-Stabilizing Duke mean by this? Have I offended you somehow?”

Mu Zian held his wine cup and gave Pei Jianzhi a once-over before sneering, “A good dog doesn’t block the way.”

Hearing this, Lu Yunxue frowned.

“Mu Zian, this is a court banquet. How can you be so rude?”

Mu Zian looked at the two with disdain. “I’ve always been rude. What can you do about it?”

Arrogance and domineering attitude were the perfect portrayal of Mu Zian at that moment.

“You—”

Lu Yunxue wanted to speak further, but Pei Jianzhi pulled her back. Though furious, he knew it wasn’t the time to turn hostile.

“Since the Duke is in a bad mood, we won’t disturb you.”

The two retreated, though Lu Yunxue was visibly unwilling.

Pei Jianzhi whispered, “Endure for now, Xue’er. Don’t forget we have important matters tonight. Let him be arrogant for a while.”

Lu Yunxue gritted her teeth and nodded.

Pei Jianzhi grabbed a young eunuch and asked, “Where are our seats?”

The eunuch sized them up and smiled. “Please, follow me.”

Soon after, they were led to seats nearly at the outermost edge. Pei Jianzhi was furious!

“Why are our seats so far back? Did you make a mistake?”

The eunuch chuckled. “No mistake. These are the seats for the Heroine Marquis and General Pei. Personally arranged by the palace stewards.”

Lu Yunxue’s brows furrowed.

She was seated at the back, while Mu Zian sat at the head seat—a difference as vast as heaven and earth.

Just as Lu Yunxue was about to get angry, a sharp voice called from outside the palace gate.

“Her Highness, the Ninth Princess, has arrived!”

Moments later, Xiao Xiuning, dressed in splendid royal robes, walked gracefully into the hall.

Startled, Lu Yunxue and Pei Jianzhi hurriedly bowed.

“We greet Your Highness.”

Xiao Xiuning glanced at them coldly and asked, “I recall the Heroine Marquis is already betrothed. Why are you entering the palace hand in hand with another man today? Have you forgotten propriety and shame?”

At these words, Lu Yunxue trembled slightly. Pei Jianzhi quickly replied, “Reporting to Your Highness, the Heroine Marquis has already severed ties with Mu Zian.”

Xiao Xiuning snorted coldly. “Did I ask you? Are all members of the Pei family this rude? If so, I’ll have to question your patriach about how he educates his juniors.”

A wave of imperial pressure swept over them, and Pei Jianzhi immediately dropped to his knees in fear.

“Please forgive us, Your Highness!”

All eyes in the hall turned to them.

Being reprimanded by the Ninth Princess in public, Lu Yunxue and Pei Jianzhi’s faces were burning with humiliation.

Mu Zian, curious, looked over and met Xiao Xiuning’s gaze.

She gave him a playful look, as if to say, “See, I helped you vent your anger.”

This sudden contrast left Mu Zian slightly distracted.

In terms of beauty, the Ninth Princess was even more stunning than Lu Yunxue. Especially her innate nobility—something no one else could replicate.

Ignoring Lu Yunxue and Pei Jianzhi still kneeling on the ground, Xiao Xiuning walked straight to the main seat of the Hall of Righteous Virtue.

“Today, the Emperor is unwell. I will preside over the banquet on His Majesty’s behalf.”

The officials whispered among themselves.

Tonight’s celebration banquet was indeed strange. Originally, Lu Yunxue, as the first female marquis of Great Li, should have been the undisputed star. Yet now she was relegated to the outermost seat, and the Emperor himself hadn’t even shown up, sending the Ninth Princess instead.

Without the Emperor’s presence, the banquet’s status was significantly diminished.

Moreover, even the Prime Minister and the Grand General were absent, as if it had been coordinated in advance.

What was supposed to be a grand banquet now seemed oddly subdued.

The sound of a drumbeat echoed—marking the official start of the night’s banquet.