Reborn Spoiled Girl Tames the Regent

Chapter 68 How is the fifth sister's use?

Seeing that she was angry, Li Zhijing looked up at the stage.

Just then, the music ended.

Wen Qian lightly rolled up her sleeves; her thin gauze dress must have been especially cold at this time of year, and her slender figure trembled slightly on the stage.

However, the guests in the audience were still in high spirits and began to chant, "One more song! One more song!"

Shouts rose and fell, and some even clapped loudly and urged her on, treating her like an ordinary actress.

Wen Qian's face, hidden beneath her veil, had turned pale. She stood alone and helpless on the stage, caught in a dilemma. She clutched the corner of her sleeve and timidly looked down.

The elders of the Wen family at the main table remained indifferent, chatting and laughing as if it were none of their business, and casually raising their wine glasses.

Duke Wen glanced at the stage, his eyes revealing disdain.

Seeing her standing there motionless, Wen Yin walked over to her and whispered in her ear, "Fifth Sister, if you want the antidote, you'd better behave. In public, I have plenty of ways to embarrass you. For example, I'll tear off your veil and let everyone see your face properly, how about that?"

As she spoke, she reached out as if to remove her veil, but Wen Qian quickly responded, her face even paler: "No. I, I'll jump..."

Wen Yin gave her a mocking look, then returned to her seat and whispered to Wen Guogong, "Uncle, Fifth Sister insists on dancing, saying that Prince Li likes to watch it, and I can't persuade her otherwise."

"The young master?" Duke Wen curled his lip and said unhappily, "If she wants to embarrass herself and show off, then let's not interfere."

Below the stage, Wen Ziyuan swirled his wine glass, his hand on Li Zhijing's shoulder, and said in a flirtatious tone, "Your Highness, how is my delicate fifth sister? Doesn't she feel great?"

Li Zhijing shook off his hand and glanced at him coldly: "Can't these drinks shut you up?"

Wen Ziyuan scoffed and sat down awkwardly.

Li Zhijing's gaze shifted back to the stage, his brows furrowed, and his fists clenched quietly.

If he were to step forward now, he would be revealing to everyone that the dancer on stage was the heir apparent of the Marquis's household. But if he ignored her, Wen Qian feared she would be bullied to an unknown degree.

Just as the music was about to start again, after thinking it over, he couldn't help but stand up and take a step.

However, at the same time, the commotion of the guests abruptly stopped, and the banquet suddenly fell silent.

Everyone looked towards the doorway.

Jiang Mian slightly raised her eyes and followed the gaze of the crowd. She saw a calm and refined figure slowly enter, wearing a dark blue cloak and elegant clothes, with a straight posture.

He was elegant and refined, with a smile on his face. His every move was unassuming, yet he silenced everyone and made them dare not offend him.

Upon recognizing the visitor, Duke Wen quickly stepped forward and greeted him in a low voice, "It's the Grand Tutor! Please have a seat."

As soon as these words were spoken, the guests began to whisper among themselves.

"So this is the Grand Tutor, so young..."

"The Wen family can even invite the Grand Tutor; if we could establish some connections with them..."

"The Grand Tutor has never come before, why is he suddenly willing to come?"

A few words reached Duan Zhi'an's ears, and he nodded slightly: "I was just passing through this place and stopped by to take a look. I wonder if I have bothered the Duke?"

"Grand Tutor, you are too kind. It would be wonderful if you could come. There are many people in my mansion who will never see you in their lifetime."

What he said was true. Duan Zhi'an rarely left the palace. Even high-ranking officials in the court had to communicate with him through several walls before they dared to bow their heads and pass by.

His blatant appearance in front of everyone today will likely become the subject of gossip for a long time to come.

As he spoke, Wen Ziyuan, slightly drunk, took a few steps forward and said with a hint of arrogance and sarcasm, "Hmph, you only got the title of Grand Tutor because of your family background. Do you really think you're so great?"

Duke Wen's face immediately darkened, and he hissed, "Nonsense! Get out of here now!"

A maidservant came forward to help Wen Ziyuan. As he passed Wen Qian, he lifted her chin and gave her a wicked smile: "Don't go back today. Come to your brother's room, and your brother will dance with you."

Duke Wen closed his eyes and waved his hand urging, "Take him away quickly!"

Then he said to Duan Zhi'an, "My son at home has been drinking and talking nonsense. Please don't take it to heart, Grand Tutor."

Duan Zhian said leisurely, "It's alright. General Wen is a soldier, and it's a good thing that he has a fiery temper. Otherwise, how would he dare to go into battle and kill the enemy?"

At this moment, Wen Qian stood on the stage trembling, not daring to look up as she listened to his voice. She silently prayed that he would not discover her, otherwise she would be in such an embarrassing situation every time they met, which would be truly shameful.

However, Duan Zhian's gaze swept over the crowd and finally landed on her slender figure.

But after only one glance, he said to Duke Wen, "I just heard someone say 'one more song,' but I don't know what that means?"

"It was my daughter who performed a dance to entertain the guests at the banquet."

After he finished speaking, he turned to Wen Qian and said, "Why don't you come over and serve tea to the Grand Tutor?"

Wen Qian bowed awkwardly and reservedly, then approached Duan Zhi'an with a teacup in hand.

However, Wen Yin, standing behind her, subtly stepped on her skirt.

Wen Qian stumbled forward, but Duan Zhi'an reacted quickly and caught her steadily, though tea still spilled on his clothes.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, it was my fault!" Wen Qian's face was pale, and she hurriedly wiped his face with her sleeve.

"That's pretty careless..." he smiled faintly, "not even watching where he was standing."

As he spoke, he untied his cloak and draped it over her, then poured her another cup of warm tea and handed it to her: "Have a sip to warm yourself up."

His actions were natural and fluid, and his words were full of indulgence, which surprised everyone.

The dignified Grand Tutor actually personally poured tea and draped clothes for people.

Duke Wen's expression turned suspicious, and whispers arose from the audience.

Wen Qian stared blankly at him, her heart filled with a thousand words, yet she dared not utter a sound.

Duan Zhi'an suddenly smiled and gently removed her veil: "Did you think I wouldn't recognize you, Qianqian?"

Although his voice wasn't loud, his words still struck like a thunderbolt.

Even Jiang Wan's eyes widened in surprise. Qianqian?!

When did Duan Zhian and Wen Qian become so familiar?

Many people in the audience widened their eyes the moment Wen Qian's veil fell, and some who recognized her even said it directly—

"That dancer looks like the heir apparent of the Marquis of Pingnan's household!"

"Could she have some kind of private relationship with the Grand Tutor?"

Wen Qian lowered her head slightly, trying her best to hide her discomfort and panic.

"Grand Tutor and my daughter, are you old acquaintances?" Duke Wen couldn't help but ask.

Duan Zhian smiled calmly and said gently, "Qianqian, aren't you going to introduce me to everyone?"

Wen Qian glanced at him, her heart pounding with trepidation, and stammered, "Father, the Grand Tutor is... the younger brother of my mother's sworn sister when she was in Chuzhou."

After a moment of thought, Duke Wen remembered that Wen Qian’s mother had indeed mentioned having a sworn brother, but he never expected it to be the Duan family.

He was about to speak when he heard Duan Zhian speak again.

"anything else?"

"besides......"

Seeing her hesitate, he clicked his tongue and chuckled, "If I'm so unpresentable, why don't you mention your other identity?"

Everyone was curious: Did he have another identity?

Everyone looked around, waiting for Wen Qian to speak.