The Villains Must Win-Chapter 45: Han Feng

"This princess has prepared something special as a token of gratitude for all the kindness and hospitality you have shown me. I hope Your Majesty will look forward to it."

Her voice carried the confidence of a woman who believed herself indispensable, as if she were offering him a gift he would be unable to refuse.

Yet, Han Feng merely regarded her with the same disinterest he had always shown.

"Is that so?" he said, his tone impassive, his expression bored.

He did not ask what it was, nor did he offer even the smallest hint of anticipation. It was clear he did not care.

But just as Rui Hua’s smile began to falter, Han Feng turned toward Xue Li, his entire being softening in an instant. The cold sharpness in his face melted away, replaced by a warmth so rare that even the servants found themselves holding their breaths.

His lips curved into a slow, genuine smile, his gaze filled with quiet adoration. "And what will my dear little Xue Li prepare for me?"

Xue Li, caught off guard by his sudden attention, felt the warmth in her cheeks deepen. She looked down, hesitating as she fidgeted with the edge of her sleeve.

"Uhm . . . X-Xue Li . . ." she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "Xue Li will do anything for Han Feng that day."

The moment the words left her lips, Han Feng’s brows lifted slightly, amusement flickering in his dark eyes.

"Anything?" he mused, a teasing edge creeping into his tone.

Xue Li’s face burned even redder, and she quickly looked away, realizing too late the implications of her words.

The servants, witnessing their Emperor’s rare display of playfulness, flushed at the implications and shyly averted their gazes. Some giggled behind their sleeves, while others exchanged knowing glances.

Rui Hua, however, stood frozen in place, her hands clenching at her sides.

She had been completely forgotten.

The Emperor, who had not even spared her a second glance, now walked away with Xue Li, the two lost in their own world, as if no one else existed.

Rui Hua bit her lip, a surge of indignation rising within her.

It was always like this. No matter how much she tried, no matter what she did, Han Feng’s eyes were only for Xue Li.

And Rui Hua hated it.

In the original story, Rui Hua’s bold and spirited nature—her defiance of customs, her unrestrained laughter, and her refusal to be bound by tradition—was precisely what had captivated Han Feng.

She was a woman unlike any he had ever encountered, a tempest that swept through the rigid halls of the palace, breaking the silence with her radiant energy. It was this very fire that had drawn him to her, making him waver in ways he never had before.

And from that moment, everything changed.

Han Feng, the cold and ruthless Emperor of Han, had slowly but inevitably fallen for her. He had refused to return her to Liang Wei, igniting a war between the two territories. His obsession had led him to defy reason, to cast aside diplomacy, all because he could not bear to part with Rui Hua.

But now—

Now, that same fire, that same unrelenting energy, was the very thing that repulsed him.

Every time she spoke out of turn, her voice rang too loud in his ears. Every time she inserted herself into matters where she was not wanted, his patience wore thinner.

The lack of restraint, the absence of reverence—everything that once would have intrigued him now grated on his nerves like a blade against stone.

How had things changed so drastically?

Han Feng did not need a woman who challenged his every word, who sought attention with reckless abandon. He did not want someone who stormed through the palace as if it were hers to command. No, what he desired now—what he craved—was the quiet strength of Xue Li.

Unlike Rui Hua, Xue Li understood her place in his world. She did not demand, nor did she seek to impose herself upon him. Instead, she was simply there—a presence both soft and unwavering, a steady flame that warmed without burning. She brought peace where there was once chaos, serenity where there had been only turmoil.

In her silence, he found comfort. In her obedience, he found devotion.

She did not need to shout to be heard. She did not need to challenge him to earn his respect. She existed in harmony with him, not in opposition.

And now, Han Feng could not wait to rid himself of the Princess of Liang.

He had no intention of keeping her in his palace any longer than necessary. The moment the storm cleared, Rui Hua would be sent back to Liang Wei, and with her, all traces of the path that Han Feng had once taken in another life—a life he had no desire to repeat.

=== 🖤 ===

The Emperor of Han’s birthday was not celebrated with the usual excess of opulence that past rulers indulged in. There were no golden halls overflowing with lavish displays of wealth, no unnecessary extravagance meant to flaunt imperial power.

Instead, the grand festivities were held in a refined and dignified manner, reflecting the restraint and wisdom of the current reign.

The vast sum that might have been spent on an ostentatious spectacle was instead directed toward the betterment of the empire. Under the Empress’s careful guidance, the funds were allocated to advancements in agriculture, the refinement of irrigation systems, and the development of new farming tools to ensure a prosperous future for the people.

It was Xue Li’s doing, of course—her influence shaping Han Feng’s rule in subtle yet profound ways. And because of this, though the celebrations remained grand, they did not stray into the realm of excess.

The grand imperial gardens had been chosen as the site of the banquet, their beauty heightened by the season’s blossoms, their winding paths illuminated by soft lantern light. The air was rich with the scent of flowering winter trees, the delicate fragrance weaving through the murmurs of conversation and the gentle strains of music played by court musicians.