Chapter 41: Banquet (5)
"What if I don't agree?"
Zhou Cheng's words drew a cold stare from Yin Yin, who then turned aside: "This is my business. Whether you agree or not, I don't need your permission to see anyone or go anywhere, right? Do I, a person who has nothing to do with government affairs, need your approval to do anything?"
Sure enough, Zhou Cheng's bad premonition came true. Yin Yin's attitude and tone were full of coldness towards him. She was no longer the same as she was before yesterday. The change in just one night would be so great. Zhou Cheng never dreamed that Yin Yin had promised him that she would not ask others about the past, but why did she have such an attitude that it was obvious that she knew something? Did she ask someone about the past?
"Yin Yin, did someone say something to you? Or did you——"
What did you remember? Zhou Cheng didn't dare to say it directly, because he didn't believe Yin Yin would break the agreement between them.
"No, I just occasionally heard about Prince Jing's deeds, so I really wanted to meet him. Since he can't attend the imperial banquet, is it not okay for me to visit him as his adopted sister?"
Every word Yinyin said was like a knife piercing Zhou Cheng's heart. What happened to Yinyin? Why did she insist on seeing Zhou Yan? Did she want to kill Zhou Yan? Impossible. Zhou Cheng didn't sense any killing intent from Yinyin. So why? Or was Yinyin's memory confused? Did she have a certain degree of difference in her memory of Zhou Yan and developed a good impression of him?
"I'm very curious, why would you let me stay in the [Prime Minister's Mansion] for a whole day? Just to host a banquet and not have time to take care of me, but let me meet my parents in the [Prime Minister's Mansion]? Or is there something you don't want me to see ?"
Yin Yin's words stunned Zhou Cheng. He couldn't believe that in just one night, Yin Yin had changed so much, so much that he couldn't accept it for a while. If possible, he would rather Yin Yin still be like she was before yesterday, with complete amnesia and only having feelings for him. This cold and distant attitude made Zhou Cheng's heart feel like it was on fire.
"You don't believe me anymore? Do you?"
"No, I trust you more than anyone else, because I believe in you, the only one who has taken such good care of me since I woke up. I can't see a trace of deception in your eyes. I believe you, and I also believe in the love you expressed to me, so I still believe in you. However, from now on, I want to decide my own affairs by myself, and I don't want outsiders to interfere. I will recover my memories by myself. You don't need to tell me only the good things about the past, and from now on, you don't need to show me your gentlemanly side anymore—"
The cold wind piercing words made Zhou Cheng clearly feel the coldness coming from the bottom of his heart. Is this the retribution for what he had concealed and done? Yin Yin's words were without a trace of warmth. Even if the words were nice, Zhou Cheng no longer felt anything.
"So, what should I do?"
"I want to see Prince Jing!"
Hearing Yinyin's words, Zhou Cheng clenched his fists. How could he let Yinyin go to see someone who had hurt her so deeply and almost killed her? But at this moment, did he have the right to choose? Should he use his power to bind Yinyin to him for the rest of her life?
"Okay, I promise you, but I absolutely will not allow you to meet alone!"
"Yin Yin thanks the emperor!"
What a distant conversation. Zhou Cheng felt numb. He couldn't stand Yin Yin's attitude towards him. This attitude was much more painful and chilling than the feeling a long time ago when he kept Yin Yin, who suddenly appeared in the palace, by his side. However, he would not give up just because of this, because he was the one who gave up Yin Yin in the first place. If he wanted to redeem her now, he should bear all this. Even if it was sarcasm, all he could do was to endure it...
——That night——
Zhou Cheng hosted a banquet mainly for the envoys of Zhao State, but suddenly an envoy of Wu State came to visit, so they hosted a banquet together. Zhou Yan also attended the banquet under Zhou Cheng's arrangement. What Zhou Cheng did not expect was that the envoy of Wu State was Feng Qinghan? All the people attending the banquet were high-ranking officials, including Zhang Ren and Master Jiang.
On the stage in the middle of the banquet, dancers were performing, while Zhou Cheng was receiving guests nearby...
"I was really shocked. I didn't expect that Mr. Feng would be the envoy of Wu. I hope you will forgive me for my impoliteness before..."
"Your Majesty, your words are too polite. I only blame myself for not expressing my opinion before. I wanted to wait until the King of Wu's gift arrived before expressing my opinion. Now that the gift has arrived, of course I can't wait to present it to Your Majesty, the King of Zhou. I didn't expect that the King of Zhou would be so kind as to invite me to stay and attend the banquet—"
Zhao Ziheng, who was standing aside, watched the conversation between the two without saying a word. He was just drinking alone. He was not surprised at the appearance of Feng Qinghan. Perhaps he should have guessed that Feng Qinghan's character was beyond his understanding. So it didn't matter what he did, when he showed up, or where he showed up. If he was surprised every time, it would really be something he couldn't stop thinking about.
Zhou Yan was also drinking alone with an unhappy look on his face. He didn't know the reason why Zhou Cheng invited him to the table this time, but he was a little interested in seeing Zhao Ziheng. He had just finished an operation and was recuperating these days, and was also investigating Zhao Ziheng. Now it was good that he could meet him face to face. Although he wanted to go up and talk to him, he didn't know how much Zhao Ziheng knew, so he could only stay put for the time being. He also knew Yin Yin's words and whereabouts, but he kept silent for the time being. The better thing to do was to wait until he found out Zhao Ziheng's intentions. After all, the only people who knew the purpose of Zhao Ziheng's visit were Zhou Cheng and Shan Zhen, and they didn't seem like people who would talk, so they could only observe secretly.
Speaking of which, the number of people who knew Zhao Ziheng's identity was limited. After all, they hadn't seen each other for several years, and Zhao Ziheng's appearance had changed a little over the years. Moreover, Zhou Cheng also ordered those who knew his identity to keep their mouths shut so that it would not be revealed. For this, Zhao Ziheng could only be grateful to Zhou Cheng. Even though Zhou Yan and Feng Qinghan were not under Zhou Cheng's control, they didn't say anything.
The banquet mainly entertained the envoys of the two countries. Prime Minister Zhou would not ignore it, and the ministers would also follow suit. The scale and occasion were in line with the style of a great country. Fine wine and delicious food, dancers, and musicians all showed the dignity of a great country!
Time passed little by little, and the banquet was gradually coming to an end. Many people were already drunk, and some were already dizzy. Some had already left the table. As a gracious host, Zhou Cheng could not leave easily, but it seemed that this was not the case...
A familiar tune caused a stir at the banquet that was coming to an end. Zhao Ziheng, Zhou Yan and Feng Qinghan were all shaken by this. Zhou Cheng was unmoved. In fact, Zhou Cheng once ordered that this tune was strictly prohibited at banquets in the palace, so when this tune was sounded at this time, many ministers were also moved. Why did the dance music that had been strictly prohibited appear at this time?
A dancer with half her face covered by a scarf came on stage. Her appearance immediately attracted the attention of Zhao Ziheng and Zhou Yan. Even Feng Qinghan felt that the last dancer to come on stage gave him a different feeling...
As the dancer performed, everyone present was deeply attracted by her dancing posture. This unique and beautiful dance posture was unforgettable...
Zhao Ziheng was stunned.
Zhou Yan was also stunned.
Feng Qinghan watched intently.
Zhou Cheng couldn't help but admire her deeply. Even if a person has lost his memory, he can still dance to the rhythm of the music as long as he hears it. He can forget what he has learned in his mind, but his body can still dance flexibly without any mistakes. Yin Yin's talent really amazed Zhou Cheng...
That’s right, the person dancing in front of everyone was Yin Yin.
The banquet was originally held only to show hospitality to Zhao Ziheng and to respond to the conditions Zhao Ziheng had mentioned. Yin Yin's intervention prevented him from making another reply, but he could not refuse the banquet that had already been booked, which led to the current situation.
