With such an opening, the crowd's initial wishful thinking was dashed. Indeed, whenever Grand Marshal Shen and Xiao Zhuo were together, there was absolutely no peace.

Having been publicly slighted, Xiao Zhuo still showed no anger, continuing to drink and chat cheerfully with the ministers as if nothing had happened. No matter who was watching, they would feel that his attitude towards Shen Ke was truly humble and deferential to the extreme.

The more gentle and modest he acted, the more arrogant Shen Ke appeared in the eyes of others. Over time, the hearts of those in the imperial court would inevitably lean towards Xiao Zhuo.

This was his excellent method of winning people's hearts.

The atmosphere was tense for only a moment before it livened up again. Everyone tacitly skipped over what had just happened, and after a change of topic, the conversation returned to the alliance between Yan and Qin.

This palace banquet also had a celebratory air for the great victory on the front lines. Xiao Zhuo's gaze swept across the crowd and finally landed on the Heir sent by Old Qin.

When the alliance was first formed, he knew very well that this Heir, while ostensibly an envoy for friendly relations, was in reality just a hostage used for leverage. The relationships between states were inherently complicated; allies who shared weal and woe one second could become mortal enemies the next.

Once things came to a head, the first to suffer would be the hostage prince.

Therefore, Xiao Zhuo was somewhat surprised when Old Qin sent the nation's Heir.

Although this Heir was not particularly favored, he had been granted the title of Heir only because he was the Old Qin monarch's sole legitimate son. But to send him to Yanling as a hostage, did that mean the Old Qin Royal Family didn't care much whether he lived or died?

A smile spread in Xiao Zhuo's eyes.

An unpopular Heir, unfavored, treated with disdain, and even sent away to a foreign country a thousand li away.

—How familiar.

A trace of condescending pity flashed across his face before he returned to normal, smiling as he raised his wine cup. "Heir, it has been a long time since we last met in Xiangjing. Let us drink as friends. I shall have a cup with you."

Chu Jin stood up, bowed from a distance, and then drained the wine in his cup.

He had been standing against the light, and had also been intentionally concealing his presence, so it was difficult for Xiao Zhuo to notice him. Now that he stood up, the candlelight from the bright platform illuminated his face, casting a perfect layer of radiance upon it. Like a pearl suddenly revealed from a clam, he almost forcefully broke into everyone's line of sight.

Xiao Zhuo's eyes also lit up uncontrollably. He finally studied him carefully and remarked with emotion, "I have heard that the Heir has the reputation of being the 'Pearl of the Nine Provinces'. It is truly so."

Chu Jin smiled, though not very sincerely. "It's just a set of skin and bones, passable to look at."

These light words fell on everyone's ears, no different than hearing Shen Ke claim he was from a minor household or Qi Jue say his family business was mediocre. Although it was humble, it sounded all the more grating.

Xiao Zhuo's expression remained unchanged as he smiled and said, "The Heir certainly knows how to joke. Your royal uncle and elder brother are both fighting on the front lines. A while ago, the monarch of Old Qin even asked me about your recent situation. He must be quite concerned about you."

Chu Jin subtly raised an eyebrow, noncommittal about the 'quite concerned' he mentioned. He gave a polite smile. "Thank you for informing me, Your Majesty. This subject... has also been concerned about them."

Lying without batting an eye was second nature to him, but acting so sickeningly sentimental inevitably made him feel nauseous. Chu Jin smiled and sat back down, downing several cups of wine to suppress the feeling of disgust.

He hadn't missed the fleeting pity on Xiao Zhuo's face earlier. He didn't know what the Prince of Yanling had heard, or what he had imagined, to make him tell such a pleasant lie to comfort him.

Perhaps Xiao Zhuo had become too engrossed in playing the part of a considerate and understanding person, hoping to win his favor this way.

Unfortunately, he was mistaken about the relationship between Chu Jin and the Old Qin Royal Family.

Who decreed that an unfavored son must strive to win favor? Who said that a despised person must humbly curry favor with others?

He was not some dog wagging its tail and begging for scraps in their eyes.

The smile on Chu Jin's lips turned cold. His gaze fell upon the clear wine in his cup, which reflected a heartless face like a clear mirror.

The air in the banquet hall was intoxicating and made one drowsy. He decided to go out for some fresh air.

Within the Yanling Palace, there was a vast Yishan Lake. The wind was cool and refreshing, and falling leaves rustled. It was a good place to sober up.

When Chu Jin arrived, a figure was already there.

He was stunned for a moment, then recognized the other person. "Grand Marshal Shen."

Shen Ke seemed to be waiting for someone; when he looked over, his tightly furrowed brows had not yet relaxed. His gaze fell on Chu Jin, and his expression reverted to its usual cold indifference as he gave a slight nod. "Heir."

Few people could make Chu Jin feel pressured, but this Grand Marshal Shen was one of them. This strange, inexplicable feeling became even clearer, especially when they were alone.

The two stared at each other for a good while. Chu Jin sighed silently, not expecting the other to speak first, and so he asked, "Is the Grand Marshal waiting for someone?"

"In a way," Shen Ke said. "I was waiting for you."

This statement was rather frightening, especially since the other person had a cold face and looked as if he were seeking revenge.

Chu Jin's smile froze, and he didn't recover for a long moment. "Waiting for me?"

He quickly considered the possibility that he had offended the Grand Marshal, but couldn't think of anything. Just as he was utterly bewildered, he heard Shen Ke say faintly, "I'm joking."

Chu Jin: "..."

Shen Ke probably didn't know that he had no talent for joking. Everything he said sounded true.

However, this exchange considerably eased the atmosphere between them. Chu Jin's tense nerves relaxed, and he smiled. "Grand Marshal Shen doesn't seem to be very good at joking."

"Is that so?" It was likely the first time Shen Ke had heard such an assessment that wasn't born of fear or flattery, which made him feel it was quite rare. He couldn't help but take a few more glances at the Heir. "You're the second person to say that."

Chu Jin's interest was piqued. "Then who was the first?"

If there was a second, there must have been a first. It seemed this legendary stern, cold, and emotionless Grand Marshal Shen actually joked with others often in private?

Shen Ke said, "My son."

"Oh," Chu Jin understood. "So it was General Yanchao."

Shen Ke didn't nod, nor did he speak. His response was replaced by a long silence, which seemed like a tacit admission.

"I've heard that General Yanchao is a very unique person," Chu Jin found this father-son pair more and more interesting. "Seemingly the complete opposite of the Grand Marshal's personality."

Perhaps because it had been too long since he had spoken so ordinarily with someone, Shen Ke's voice softened considerably. "Yunyan's personality takes after his mother."

"Madam Shen?" Chu Jin recalled Shen Ke's reaction when Xiao Zhuo had mentioned Madam Shen at the banquet earlier, and he couldn't help but repeat the name.

However, Shen Ke had no intention of explaining. He just paused and skipped over the topic. "Sometimes it's a good thing that he's more like his mother. A bit more cheerful, a bit more lively. He won't be silent all day, and I still have to cheer him up."

As it turned out, after a few attempts, his younger son had told him very seriously, 'Father, you really aren't very good at joking.'

Of course, Shen Ke knew he wasn't cut out for it. He was a military general who only knew how to fight and kill on the battlefield, but he didn't know how to express his emotions, so he could only practice clumsily.

"It's really difficult," Shen Ke said slowly.

Perhaps because he had drunk too much wine, he had uncharacteristically said so much. And to an Heir from a foreign country, a young man he had only met twice but had heard about many times in letters from Heshan.

Chu Jin imagined Grand Marshal Shen, after court each day, putting on a stiff face and awkwardly trying all sorts of ways to make his son laugh, and he couldn't help but reveal a slight smile.

"The Grand Marshal seems to be trying his best to be a good father," he said. "I think your son, he surely understands."

Shen Ke's gaze fell upon him. After a moment, he opened his mouth to speak. "Heir, you..."

Before he could finish, his expression suddenly changed, and his tone sharpened. "Duck!"

The sound of something slicing through the air came suddenly from behind. Chu Jin reacted the instant Shen Ke spoke, bending backward almost at the same time, only to see a white blade sweep past, grazing his cheek.

His expression changed slightly as he abruptly retreated, then looked towards Shen Ke. "Grand Marshal Shen!"

This was a palace banquet; ministers were not allowed to carry weapons, so both men were empty-handed. Seeing the white blade stab towards Shen Ke again, Chu Jin's gaze hardened, but he did not move.

Shen Ke dodged while retreating towards the lake. Seeing the swordplay grow more vicious and about to strike, his eyes flashed. His footwork suddenly shifted, and he appeared behind the assassin. Before the other could react, Shen Ke, with a cold face, kicked the person into the lake.

The winter lake water was bone-chillingly cold, and a thin layer of ice had formed on the surface. When the person fell, they smashed a hole in the ice, creating a large commotion that instantly attracted the patrolling guards.

While the guards went to fish the person out, Shen Ke walked over to Chu Jin and asked, "Is the Heir unharmed?"

Chu Jin was still frowning, his gaze heavy as he looked into the distance, his line of sight extending all the way to the cold bottom of the lake.

"Grand Marshal Shen," he said, "who do you think was that assassin's target?"

After testing him, the assailant didn't engage him further, instead pressing Shen Ke relentlessly. It was truly strange.

Shen Ke's expression was very calm. "It was me."

Chu Jin looked up and glanced at him.

"If that's the case, isn't it too reckless to send only one assassin?"

As if to prove his words, almost as soon as he finished speaking, a cold glint suddenly flashed in the distant woods, and several arrows were fired at once!

This move came without any warning, happening at the very moment everyone's attention was drawn to the assassin in the lake and their guard was down.

Chu Jin's pupils constricted. The coldly glinting arrows magnified rapidly in his vision. He didn't even have time to warn anyone else, only managing to grab the nearest person, Shen Ke, and leap violently into the lake.

Even so, it was still too slow.

Just as an arrow was about to hit him, Chu Jin subconsciously braced himself. However, Shen Ke suddenly pulled him into a mid-air flip. Before he could see the situation clearly, both of them plummeted into the lake.

Icy water flooded into his mouth and nose.

The author has something to say:

How does Grand Marshal Shen cheer up his son? ^^

Shen Ke (seriously): Actually, you were an eggplant when you were little.

Shen Mengzhi: ...

Shen Ke: It's true, your elder brother saw it. (Shen Yunyan frantically nods while holding back laughter).

Shen Mengzhi (seriously): ...Father, you really aren't suited for joking.