Chapter 87 -

Chapter 87: Chapter

Before An Yulan could even try to run away, a loud, crashing thud echoed from the middle of the hall.

Everyone turned to look. Wenjiang had completely pushed past Bai Kang, swinging his arms wildly. He stumbled right into the center of the room, his face bright red, his eyes glossy, and his mouth slurring out words nobody could understand.

"Where... where is the wine?!" Wenjiang shouted at the top of his lungs, hiccuping loudly as he nearly knocked over a tall flower vase. "This banquet has no good drinks! Bring me more of that Fire-Wine!"

The whole hall went completely dead silent.

An Yulan gasped in utter horror, her heart dropping. "Wenjiang, no!"

But it was too late. Wenjiang stumbled forward, completely lost his balance, and fell flat on his face right in front of the Prime Minister’s table. He let out a loud, drunken groan, splattering dark wine stains across the clean floor.

The Prime Minister stood up, his face turning dark with pure rage. "Guards! Throw this drunk fool out of my estate this instant!"

Heavy guards rushed in, grabbing Wenjiang by his arms and dragging him away as he kicked and babbled like an idiot. Madame Chen almost passed out on the spot, while Madame Zhang quickly backed away, trying to act like she didn’t even know him.

Turning her cold eyes toward Madame Bai, the Prime Minister’s wife frowned deeply. "Madame Bai, how could you let the other ladies of the Bai family commit such disgraceful acts in public? First rotten swamp tea, then fake glass jewelry, and now a drunk fool ruining my daughter’s engagement?"

Madame Bai stepped forward gracefully, lowering her head in a polite, calm bow. "Please forgive us, Madame. I apologize on their behalf for the disturbance caused today."

Seeing his mother’s rising anger, Xiao Jun knew it was his time to step in. He stood up smoothly, adjusting his violet sleeves, and offered his mother a soothing smile.

"Mother, please calm yourself," Xiao Jun said, his voice smooth and clear. "Although the banquet was briefly interrupted by these foolish actions, today is still a very happy day for my sister. In fact, I have prepared something special for her engagement."

The guests listened closely as Xiao Jun continued. "I managed to find someone extremely talented to prepare delicious, high-quality tea for everyone here today."

Xiao Jun raised his hand and gave a slight signal. The lead servant bowed and quickly left the room.

A few minutes later, the grand doors opened once more.

Walking in at the front of a line of maids was An Yimei! She looked radiant and calm, leading the servants who carried golden trays filled with steaming porcelain teapots and fine cups to serve each table.

Madame Bai, Madame Zhang, Madame Zhao, Madame Chen, and Madame Liu, every single member of the Bai family, froze in absolute shock, their eyes wide as they stared at Yimei!

An Yulan’s jaw dropped in pure shock as she stared at the front of the room. "Yimei... what is she doing there?!" she gasped out loud, completely forgetting to keep her voice down.

Madame Liu gripped her silk fan so tightly the wood nearly cracked. "Is she insane?! She is a daughter-in-law of the Bai family, not a common servant girl!"

"How shameless!" Madame Chen spat under her breath, her face twisting in disgust. "She ran away from the manor early just to serve tea to strangers? She is throwing away the entire family’s dignity!"

Madame Zhang sneered, shaking her head. "I always knew the First Branch had no class, but sending their own daughter-in-law to act like a tea maid? Absolutely ridiculous!"

While the rival branches muttered in ugly disbelief, Yimei walked forward with absolute grace and calm confidence. She didn’t look at them once. Her posture was straight, her smile was soft and elegant, and every move she made looked like that of a noble lady.

She stopped right before the main table, bowing respectfully to the Prime Minister’s wife and the newly engaged couple.

"Young Madame An Yimei of the Bai family’s First Branch greets the Prime Minister, his wife, and the honored guests," Yimei said, her clear voice carrying smoothly across the silent room. "To celebrate this grand occasion, I have prepared a special, fresh ginger-herbal tea to warm everyone’s spirits."

With quick, flawless movements, Yimei poured a steaming cup and presented it with two hands to the Prime Minister’s wife.

The rich, sweet, and soothing aroma of fresh ginger and honey instantly wafted through the hall, completely washing away the leftover foul stink of the rotted leaves from earlier.

The Prime Minister’s wife took a small sip. Her eyes widened in genuine delight, and a warm smile spread across her face. "Ah... marvelous! This tea is incredibly refreshing and soothing! It warms the throat instantly!"

"It truly is wonderful!" the Count chimed in after taking a sip, nodding in heavy approval. "It clears the mind right away!"

Hearing the highest nobles in the capital shower Yimei with praise, Madame Liu and Madame Chen felt as if they had been slapped across the face. They stood there frozen, their faces turning bright red with pure envy.

Over at the head table, Xiao Jun caught Yimei’s eye and offered her a subtle, approving nod, his fan tapping lightly against his palm.

Near the side pillars, Zhengyu sat tall in his wheelchair, resting his chin on his hand. As he watched his wife completely steal the spotlight and turn the entire room in her favor, a dark, thoroughly satisfied smirk played on his lips.

Yet Zhengyu’s calm expression suddenly darkened as he caught the subtle glance exchanged between Yimei and Xiao Jun.

She was acquainted with him all along.

For some reason, that realization did not sit well with him at all. A strange, sharp irritation flickered deep in his chest, though he couldn’t quite find the right words to describe the feeling.

[ Zhengyu’s favorability points +5 congrats host! ]