The Underdog Romance of the Scholar and the Beauty

The victory banquet was set in the largest dining hall of the temple, brilliantly lit and bustling with excitement.

General Du Que sat in the center, with Zhang Sheng, as the hero who contributed the most, arranged in the seat of honor beside him. Everyone repeatedly toasted them, offering various praises and compliments.

Although Zhang Sheng responded to everyone's enthusiasm, he couldn't help feeling uneasy inside.

The banquet had been going on for so long, yet no one from the Cui family had appeared except for a servant sent to express thanks. Especially Yingying—he had been eagerly hoping to see her, to share this joy with her, but until now, he hadn't caught even a glimpse of her.

An ominous premonition spread through his heart.

Just then, a commotion arose at the entrance to the dining hall.

Everyone turned to look and saw Lady Cui leading Cui Huanlang, slowly entering with several maidservants in attendance.

Zhang Sheng's heart leaped with joy, and he immediately stood up to welcome her.

"Lady Cui," he bowed respectfully.

Lady Cui nodded expressionlessly, barely acknowledging him. She walked to the center of the hall, curtsied to General Du Que, offered some perfunctory words of gratitude, and then took her seat at another position at the main table.

Throughout, she never once looked directly at Zhang Sheng.

Zhang Sheng's uneasiness grew heavier. He looked around but still saw no sign of Yingying or Hong Niang.

The banquet continued, but the atmosphere became somewhat awkward. Lady Cui's cold attitude made many people sense that something was amiss.

After several rounds of drinks, Lady Cui suddenly stood up. She raised a cup toward Zhang Sheng, forcing a stiff smile on her face.

"Young Master Zhang," she began, her voice not loud but enough to silence the entire gathering, "today's victory is entirely thanks to your brilliant strategy. I hereby toast to you."

Zhang Sheng was flattered and quickly raised his cup: "Lady Cui, you honor me too much. This student dares not accept such praise."

He drained his cup in one gulp.

Lady Cui also drank her wine, then set down her cup, cleared her throat, and slowly said: "Young Master Zhang, you are a talented youth with a promising future. My daughter Yingying, a delicate girl from a sheltered home, owes her virtue to your protection. I've been thinking, wondering how to repay you properly."

Hearing this, everyone held their breath, thinking she was about to publicly announce the marriage.

Zhang Sheng's heart rose to his throat, and an expectant smile involuntarily appeared on his face.

However, Lady Cui's next words caused his smile to freeze instantly.

"I have discussed with Yingying," Lady Cui said deliberately, "she deeply appreciates your great kindness and wishes to recognize you as her honorary brother. From now on, our two families will address each other as siblings and visit frequently. Huanlang, come quickly, meet your honorary brother!"

She pushed her young son Cui Huanlang forward.

"Honorary brother?!"

These two words struck like bolts of lightning in Zhang Sheng's ears!

The entire dining hall instantly fell silent. Everyone stared dumbfounded at Lady Cui, then at Zhang Sheng, whose face had turned deathly pale.

What kind of maneuver was this?

What happened to the promise of offering her daughter's hand in marriage? How did it suddenly transform into recognizing him as an honorary brother?

This change of face happened far too quickly!

Zhang Sheng's mind went blank with a "buzz." He couldn't believe his ears. Looking at Lady Cui's cold face and seeing the sympathetic, mocking, and amused gazes of those around him, he felt a tremendous sense of humiliation washing over him like a tidal wave.

For whom had he strategized so brilliantly, risking his life?

For whom had he waited here anxiously, hoping for reinforcements to arrive?

In the end, one casual utterance of "honorary brother" had erased all his achievements, all his feelings, all his hopes, completely and utterly!

He felt like the biggest joke in the world.

"Lady Cui..." his voice trembled, almost squeezed through clenched teeth, "You promised in the hall, before all the gods and everyone in the temple, with your own mouth..."

"Oh my, Young Master Zhang, have you had too much to drink?" Lady Cui interrupted him with a smile before he could finish. "Those words spoken in the chaos of war—how could they be taken seriously? It was merely an expedient measure. Besides, letting Yingying recognize you as her brother is already elevating your status. For a common scholar like you, having a connection to the Prime Minister's household is a blessing many seek but cannot obtain!"

These words were shameless to the extreme!

"You!" Zhang Sheng felt a surge of blood rushing to his head, his vision blurring.

He wanted to lash out, to question her, to smash his wine cup violently to the ground. But his remaining rationality told him he couldn't.

This was a victory banquet, with General Du Que present. If he made a scene, he would only make himself appear more pathetic, more ridiculous.

He clenched his fists tightly, his fingernails digging into his palms, using the pain to maintain his final shred of clarity.

His lips trembled, unable to utter a single word.

The glory he had earned by heroically saving the beauty shattered completely in this moment, transformed into a sharp dagger piercing his heart.