Eleanor wiped the wine off Melisa's skin and prepared to take her to the back hall to change. Suddenly, a man's jacket was draped over Melisa's shoulders.
Melisa blinked in surprise and looked up. She saw Bernard, wearing only a white shirt after taking off his jacket, gently lowering his gaze and adjusting her collar.
"Sir?" The coat brought warmth all over her. Melisa's eyes trembled slightly as if she could not believe what was happening.
Eleanor glanced at Bernard. "You're only coming over now? I thought you were watching the drama unfold like everyone else."
Eleanor had returned to the country ten years ago and had become well acquainted with Miguel. Though Bernard had different interests, he and Eleanor had been friends for the past decade. He knew she was fiercely protective.
So he was not angry at her comment. He only smiled at her, helped Melisa adjust the jacket properly, and gently patted her shoulder with a soothing voice.
"Go change your clothes. If you're feeling unwell, just go rest in your room. You don't need to come back."
Melisa's hands gripped the coat tightly without realizing it. Bernard's scent lingered in the coat, wrapping around her. All the previous shame seemed to melt away, replaced by warmth and gratitude.
"Th-thank you, sir." Her words were overly formal, but they carried deep admiration and thankfulness.
Bernard smiled softly. He did not think anything was out of place. He instructed a server to escort Melisa out.
Melisa gently squeezed Eleanor's hand, signaling she was fine. Then she followed the server out of the hall to change.
Inside the hall, the guests who had seen Bernard's gesture fell silent. Especially those who had spoken poorly of Melisa earlier.
The woman in the drenched cheongsam stood awkwardly to the side. Bernard moved the wine glass in his hand slightly. Several servers came forward and bowed respectfully to her.
"Miss, please come with us to the back to change."
The woman's face, still full of embarrassment, lit up slightly. She looked at Bernard with a trace of hope.
But the server beside her spoke. "Miss, our young master asked me to tell you this: your appearance is beautiful, but your thoughts have tainted that beauty."
The woman froze. Her face turned red, then pale, completely humiliated.
The server continued, still respectful but not polite. "Please follow us backstage to change. This is the last act of gentlemanly courtesy from our young master."
The woman gave the server a sharp glare. But with all eyes in the hall on her, she had no choice but to clench her fists and quickly follow the servers out.
That brief episode came to an end. Eleanor picked up another glass of wine and sat down.
Bernard sat next to her. "I didn't think you'd come. Don't you usually hate this kind of event? Miguel disappeared early this morning when he heard the news."
Eleanor took a sip of red wine. "I was bored. Just wandered over."
"Do as you wish." Bernard gave her a warm smile. Seeing she wasn't in a chatty mood, he said no more. He simply raised his glass to hers and clinked them together, then had a servant wait on her while he went to talk with other literary guests.
More guests continued to fill the hall.
Half an hour later, the poetry gathering officially began.
In this era, the topics scholars discussed were no longer just about romance and beauty.
The Republic period had lasted too long. Years of political turmoil had caused widespread chaos. Not only did common people suffer, but even the aristocrats at the top were affected.
Bernard had read widely from an early age, across both Chinese and foreign literature. His intellectual depth far surpassed that of ordinary scholars. Although the Bernard family had withdrawn from politics, they still participated in cultural and political discussions.
Unlike other wealthy young men who sought only luxury and pleasure, Bernard paid attention to literature and had his own unique views on governance through culture.
Perhaps due to his gentle nature, Bernard held no political position, much like Gabriel. But he occasionally wrote essays advocating for benevolent rule. His writings always left readers with a warm and peaceful feeling.
His ideology aligned with that of the Marshal's Office. So although the Bernard family had left the political stage, they were still seen as leaning toward the Marshal's side.
The Republic era had become known as a second period of "a hundred schools of thought." With Bernard and others supporting benevolence, there were also people who advocated for strong military rule.
Just as Bernard finished speaking, an unpleasant voice came from the hall entrance.
"Master Bernard, born into wealth yet so clueless about the real world. Human nature is good? But it's ever-changing. People can be kind or wicked. I heard you once saved a butcher, only for him to almost threaten you later. Ha. With your soft heart and indecision, you hurt not only yourself but others too. No wonder Lily gave up on you and chose to get engaged to Rex."
As the words echoed, the banquet hall fell into complete silence.
Eleanor frowned slightly on the couch. She looked toward Bernard, who had stiffened, then turned her gaze to the group striding into the hall.
For Bernard to lose composure like that, the words must have struck a deep chord.
The 'Lily' mentioned was the woman Bernard had secretly loved for more than ten years.
The newcomers wore military uniforms and carried a brash, domineering air. Leading them was the military commander of Anhai City, Alex, along with his subordinates.
Alex entered the hall and downed several glasses of champagne. He glanced mockingly at Bernard, who had frozen at his words, and smirked.
Alex was crude and bold but a skilled general.
Whenever unrest broke out in the north or south, he was always first to charge. Politically, he supported military governance and disliked Bernard. A man so frail and sickly, yet somehow able to influence military strategies with just a few words.
Today, he came just to make things difficult for Bernard.
Bernard had loved Lily for years. Even after taking a concubine near the age of thirty, he never changed his heart. Outsiders didn't know this, but Alex, as Lily's cousin, knew everything clearly.
Sure enough, as soon as Alex finished speaking, Bernard ignored the guests asking him literary questions. He simply stared at Alex, his thin figure growing even more pale.
Alex downed another drink and slammed the glass down. Then he raised his voice to the crowd.
"I'm here today on behalf of my cousin Lily to announce her engagement to Rex, the eldest son of the Liu family. The engagement party is today. Since they're abroad and can't greet you in person, I've come to pass along the news. I hope everyone shares in the joy and sends their blessings."
The guests all began offering their congratulations.
Among the cheers and laughter, Bernard stood silently, like an outsider among the celebration.
After a long pause, Bernard finally raised his hand slowly and gestured toward Alex. Then he tilted back his glass and drank it all in one gulp. He opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to speak.
His body couldn't handle the chill of the wine. As soon as he finished, he clutched his throat and bent over, coughing violently.
Alex watched and a mocking glint flashed in his eyes. He clapped loudly and had the server bring another full glass. He patted Bernard on the shoulder and said,
"Master Bernard doesn't seem as weak as the rumors say. Come on, drink up. Let's toast to my cousin finding the right man."
The servant behind Bernard wanted to step forward to decline, but Bernard stopped him. He held back the cough in his chest, took the glass from Alex, and drank it all in one gulp again.
Alex clapped even louder. The cheers from the guests grew even more enthusiastic.
Just like that, whether by design or not, Alex continued to offer glass after glass, and Bernard kept drinking them down.
The maid behind Eleanor looked at Bernard's flushed face with concern. "Madam, should we tell the Bernard matriarch? Master Bernard is…"
Eleanor did not respond immediately. She stared at Bernard's pain-ridden face, lost in thought. When she forced Gabriel to marry her back then, had he looked this miserable too?
She gave a bitter, self-mocking smile. What use was it to think about that now?
"Don't bother. This is the Bernard household. What could possibly happen to the Bernard heir?"
Eleanor stood up, intending to go to the back hall's window for some air.
But just as she stepped out, a letter drifted from above and landed in her hand.
She looked up. Aside from the ornate lighting, there was not a single shadow overhead.
She scanned the area quickly, then lowered her gaze to the envelope and opened it.
Inside were just a few short lines.
Eleanor narrowed her eyes and read the handwriting:
How does it feel to steal Servant Lian's marriage? Is it painful? If Gabriel finds out what happened back then, how much would he hate you? Tomorrow at 2 a.m. Under the locust tree pavilion by the Qin River. Come alone.