Tian Yao's heart skipped a beat.
[Such an eye - catching dress. Is he going to take me as a concubine?]
She had already thought of the plot in the TV dramas she had watched before, and countless cheesy scenes came flooding in.
She asked cautiously, "My lord, this dress is so precious. I'm just a maid. It's against the rules."
He Ci Yuan finally looked up at her. His eyes were like ice - tipped hooks. "My rules are the rules."
He paused for a moment, a cold smile curving his lips. "At the birthday banquet, you must stay by my side all the time. If you dress too shabbily, it will disgrace me."
[Can't I just not go? This dress is so gorgeous. Is it something a maid should wear? I even think it's too exaggerated to wear it out.]
Tian Yao grumbled in her heart, but on the surface, she could only force a look of gratitude and obediently reply, "Yes, thank you, my lord, for the reward."
She had no reason to refuse because she simply didn't have the right.
Not knowing what they had been talking about, Tian Yao turned around and went back to her room to change clothes.
As soon as she changed into the dress, it instantly caught the eyes of the two of them. The water - red dress set off her snow - white skin, and her waist was so slender that it seemed one could hold it with a single hand. She was radiant, like a peony in full bloom.
He Ci Yuan's eyes lingered on her for a moment, and a fleeting look of satisfaction flashed across his eyes.
"Come here," he beckoned to her.
Tian Yao obediently walked to his wheelchair.
Suddenly, the man reached out his hand. His cold fingertips pinched her chin, forcing her to look up.
His breath brushed against her cheek, carrying a hint of dangerous aggression.
"Scared?"
"Scared," Tian Yao bit her lip, her voice trembling.
We honest people don't understand all these intrigues!
I just hope for true feelings in return!
"Being scared is just right," He Ci Yuan chuckled, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. "There will be a lot of people at the banquet, and it's easy to have unexpected situations. Swords and knives are merciless. If you can't protect me well, you'll have to be my scapegoat."
Tian Yao's face instantly fell and turned deathly pale. Her watery eyes were filled with panic, like a rabbit targeted by an eagle.
Looking at her like this, the ice in He Ci Yuan's eyes seemed to melt a little. He actually found it quite interesting.
"I'm just joking."
[I won't believe you! You capitalists are capable of squeezing every last drop of blood from your employees!]
His tone suddenly turned serious. "On the day of the birthday banquet, you just need to follow me closely and don't care about anything else."
"Yes."
"When the wine cup falls, danger is coming."
Tian Yao knew that this banquet was probably going to be a critical situation, and there was no time for more words.
This was not only an order but also a life - and - death test.
A man with such a strong sense of crisis must have long realized that something would go wrong at this banquet, or he would never have said such a thing.
"I'll remember, my lord," she took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.
He Ci Yuan added, "In addition, keep an eye on someone for me, Granny Zhang beside the Marquise. Note down everyone she talks to, meets, and everything she takes. Record every detail."
Tian Yao shuddered and immediately understood.
This was a smoke - screen and another test.
On the day of the birthday banquet, as the lanterns were just lit.
Tian Yao, in full regalia, quietly pushed He Ci Yuan's wheelchair and appeared in the main hall of the birthday banquet.
As soon as she showed up, she was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, instantly causing a huge stir.
All the pearls and jewels in the hall seemed to pale in comparison to her water - red dress.
Countless looks - of amazement, jealousy, contempt, and curiosity - were all directed at her.
How could a maid dress so beautifully?
Unless she had really become a mistress, but if she was just a concubine maid, it would be even more useless.
Tian Yao lowered her eyes, blocking out all the gazes and only focusing on the back of the man in front of her.
She could feel a venomous gaze almost burning through her back. Without even thinking, she knew it was Bi Xi.
"Elder brother has quite a grand show today. Tian Yao looks truly stunning with just a little dressing up," a flippant voice sounded. He Cheng Yu walked over, fanning himself. His peach - blossom eyes openly lingered on Tian Yao's body, full of lewdness and possessiveness.
He had been beaten up by He Ci Yuan's men last time and had taken a long time to recover. He had remembered all the humiliation in his heart.
Tian Yao felt a chill run down her spine and instinctively shrank behind He Ci Yuan.
He Ci Yuan didn't even lift his eyelids. He just calmly picked up the wine cup in front of him. "It seems that third brother's legs are fully recovered, but his eyesight still seems a bit poor."
His voice was not loud, but it instantly silenced the surroundings.
"One should know what to look at and what not to look at. It seems the last lesson wasn't profound enough."
He Cheng Yu's face instantly turned as red as a pig's liver, and the veins on his hand holding the fan bulged.
"He Ci Yuan, we are brothers. You are so confrontational. Do you think I have other intentions towards you?"
"He Cheng Yu!" the Marquise on the upper seat scolded sharply.
He Ci Yuan smiled. He slowly turned his wheelchair to face He Cheng Yu and raised the wine cup in his hand.
"Have a cup of wine to cool down your temper."
The old lady looked embarrassed. "Today is just a family banquet. There are many people watching from outside. Do you want them to laugh at us?"
The guests were outside. If something really happened, it would have a great impact on them. Didn't these people understand this problem deeply?
Making such a fuss time and time again would surely make outsiders laugh, and no one wanted that.
"Grandmother, it's my fault. I've prepared a lot of birthday gifts for you."
After a series of tedious procedures, Tian Yao also felt quite exhausted.
He Cheng Yu occasionally glanced at He Ci Yuan and found that he was also looking at him. His eyes were calm, but it seemed as if he could see through him.
He Cheng Yu felt guilty, as if all his shady schemes were exposed under those eyes.
The banquet continued, with singing, dancing, and toasting.
Tian Yao's heart was in her throat. Her full attention was focused on He Ci Yuan's hand on the table edge and the white jade wine cup.
She could even hear her own heart pounding like a drum.
[It's coming... It's coming...]
Just as a dance ended and everyone was raising their wine cups, He Ci Yuan's finger gently tapped on the cup.
Once, twice.
Tian Yao's breath suddenly stopped.
"Clang - clang -"
The white jade wine cup fell to the ground and shattered into pieces on the smooth floor!
The clear sound of shattering was like a thunderbolt exploding in Tian Yao's ear.
"Something's wrong! There are assassins!!!"
Someone suddenly let out a scream. The guests at the scene were so scared that they fled in all directions and didn't dare to stay.
The old lady was also panicked. Supported by the maids, she quickly tried to leave and called for the guards.