Chapter Two: A Night of Madness (Part Two)

After an utterly depressing Chinese meal, no words could describe how frustrated Kuangchi felt. No matter what he said, Phoebe remained silent, barely touching her food before sitting motionless and unresponsive. The meal seemed to turn into an exhibition of rare animals; everyone simply watched Kuangchi and Phoebe, with people constantly entering the restaurant yet none leaving. By the time the two finished eating, the place was packed to the brim.

Kuangchi, his face twisted in anger, was the first to pay the bill and leave the hotel. No sooner had he stepped outside than a middle-aged man blocked his way, nearly earning himself a beating from the already infuriated Kuangchi.

It wasn't until the man declared himself the third steward of the Karachi family that Kuangchi halted his raised fist. Seeing him pause, the steward quickly said, "Young Master Kuangchi, our master requests your presence this evening at our family's Night Banquet Garden to attend a feast being held there."

Kuangchi snorted coldly and walked straight to a nearby private airship without looking back. Youxin hurriedly accepted the already somewhat tattered red invitation from the now battered third steward of the Karachi family.

Back at his Imperial Academy residence, Kuangchi went straight to his room and did not emerge until dusk, when Youxin called him out.

As soon as Kuangchi opened his door, Youxin said, "Young master, the Karachi family banquet is about to begin."

Without a word, Kuangchi left his room, not even stopping when he saw Zixia sitting in the hall. He boarded the luxurious airship parked at the entrance without a glance back, leaving Zixia to sit in the hall, her face full of silent resentment.

The Karachi family's Guest Banquet Garden was famous throughout the Carlo Empire’s capital. Built atop a skyscraper several hundred meters tall, it towered above all other buildings. The scenery was magnificent, filled with rare and exotic flowers, and sprawling in size. Only the family's most important, highest-level banquets were held in the Night Banquet Garden.

As night fell, under a sky scattered with stars and surrounded by fragrant, natural blossoms, with masterful landscaping, the Night Banquet Garden, if not quite a fairyland, was certainly a true paradise.

By the time Kuangchi entered the garden, many guests had already arrived. The three elders of the Kuang family who resided in the capital, as well as Kuangchi's father, were already present.

When Kuangchi disembarked from the airship, his face icy, he was met by Kuangbao and the three elders, as well as the current head of the Karachi family—Phoebe's grandfather—and her parents.

Although Kuangbao was Kuangchi’s father, Kuangchi was the heir and currently the only successor of the Kuang family, so etiquette dictated that Kuangbao must greet his son personally.

Seeing Kuangchi descend with a sullen expression, everyone wore a strange look. The events at the academy today were already well known among the well-informed nobility. Seeing Kuangchi's dark mood, even a fool could guess the cause.

Kuangchi merely glanced coldly at those before him, showing no intention of offering formal greetings. Kuangbao could not abide his son's lack of manners; though Kuangchi was the heir, he was still his child and in need of proper guidance. He said, “Chi, aren’t you going to pay your respects to your elders?”

Phoebe's grandfather quickly intervened, “There’s no need for that. If Chi is in a bad mood, it’s partly due to our own failure in guidance. I hope Chi can be understanding toward us old folks.”

Kuangchi replied politely, “Grandfather, you're too kind.”

Phoebe’s grandfather laughed heartily and said, “We old folks really can’t meddle in the affairs of the young, and we certainly can’t control Phoebe. However, I’ve already discussed your wedding date with your father. In three months, you three will be married. I’ll announce it to all the guests shortly. From tomorrow, Phoebe will be a member of your family, and her upbringing will be your family’s responsibility.”

Kuangchi was taken aback, glancing at his father, who only smiled without a word. “Grandfather, I’m not sure this is appropriate. There’s something I feel compelled to say.”

After a brief pause, he continued, “Miss Phoebe does not love me, so I feel it’s improper for me to marry her. I have never been one to force anyone against their will.”

At this, not only the Kuang and Karachi families were stunned, but all who overheard were shocked, with some even exclaiming in surprise. No one expected Kuangchi to be so blunt as to refuse in public. The expressions on the Karachi family's faces grew even more peculiar, and everyone stared openly at Kuangchi.

After a moment, Kuangchi gave a cold smile. “Phoebe doesn’t love me. I may not be a good man, but I have no interest in forcibly marrying a woman who doesn’t love me.”

He was about to say more, but Kuangbao, regaining his composure, would not allow it. He quickly pulled Kuangchi behind him, apologizing profusely to the Karachi family and others. “Uncle, please don’t mind him. This boy always speaks nonsense. The marriage is settled—three months from now, they will be wed.”

Without waiting for Phoebe’s grandfather to reply, Kuangbao dragged Kuangchi to a secluded spot.

Once alone, Kuangbao growled, “Are you out of your mind, you fool? Do you know where you are? This isn’t the Kuang family’s home. How can you say such things? Do you want the other imperial families to laugh at us? Isn’t it enough that the Hyde family already mocks us?”

Kuangchi roared back, caring little that this was his father, “What joke? If I really married Phoebe, that would be the greatest joke of all! Why should I marry her? Do you even know what I saw today?”

Seeing that Kuangchi's voice was rising, Kuangbao quickly clamped a hand over his mouth, hissing, “You brat, keep your voice down! This isn’t the Kuang family estate.”

Kuangchi pulled his father’s hand away and growled, “No matter what you do, I will not marry Phoebe.”

Kuangbao saw the look in his son's eyes and, having raised him from childhood, knew his determination. He was well aware that his son, who usually seemed easygoing, could be astonishingly stubborn.

Good heavens, I truly didn’t expect so many readers would be displeased with my writing here. Yet I think this is a good thing—if everything goes too smoothly, the story loses its flavor, doesn’t it? I just wanted to write a little about my own views on love, and I hope you all can understand. As writers, we must keep the plot tangled and unpredictable to keep readers interested; otherwise, if you can all guess what will happen next, how dull would that be?

Give your votes with even more passion! Today is a double update in response to everyone’s requests, and I’ll do my best to keep it up.