Chu Feiyan's palms were slick with sweat.
Her heart pounded, threatening to burst from her chest.
For a young lady to propose marriage, though she hadn't spoken the words herself, now that she was before Prince Xuan, it no longer mattered who had said it.
What mattered was that she had truly thrown caution to the wind, waiting for Prince Xuan's word.
What if... what if Brother Ye Xuan refused her outright?
Why had Brother Ye Xuan remained silent for so long? Was he truly going to refuse?
Chu Feiyan was so nervous she felt she might faint. Yet, Feng Ye Xuan merely sipped his tea, his demeanor somewhat arrogant.
Anyone else, let alone Chu Feiyan, even Chu Minghao, would have already stormed off in a huff.
But he was not anyone else; he was the most influential Prince Xuan in the entire Beiming Kingdom.
Chu Feiyan had to wait, even if it meant waiting until she died.
Chu Minghao also possessed sufficient patience, waiting.
After an unknown period, Feng Ye Xuan finally set down his cup, his long eyelashes lifting.
His gaze remained fixed solely on Chu Minghao.
"Young Master Hao, in our Beiming Kingdom, there have only been two instances of a woman proposing marriage. One failed, and one succeeded."
"So, can Prince Xuan consider initiating a third case?" Chu Minghao immediately seized the opportunity to press.
The previous two instances were: first, the Empress of Longteng Kingdom came to propose, meaning Chu Qianli sought to marry Prince Xuan.
This event caused a stir, but it was also quite peculiar.
Just when everyone thought Prince Xuan would surely end up with Chu Qianli, Chu Qianli inexplicably became engaged to Prince He.
That woman was truly...
Her actions and demeanor were utterly unfathomable.
The second instance occurred not long ago, when Long Xinghe, the Prince of Dingbei in Longteng Kingdom, proposed to Prince Xiaoyao of Beiming.
It was heard that this proposal was successful.
Prince Dingbei, impatient, had already taken Prince Xiaoyao away.
The large entourage had departed yesterday evening, but those in the know understood that the main couple had left much earlier.
The women of Longteng Kingdom were also quite eccentric in their dealings; each one was somewhat extraordinary.
"Your Highness, my Feiyan..."
"Even the Empress of Longteng Kingdom failed in her proposal. Does Young Master Hao believe that your esteemed Princess Feiyan is more noble than the Empress of Longteng?"
What did these words mean?
The Chu siblings' expressions faltered, and a wave of awkwardness washed over them.
Prince Xuan's manner of speaking was utterly without regard for their feelings.
After Chu Feiyan recovered, she almost wept, tears welling up in her eyes.
She had imagined a thousand ways Feng Ye Xuan might refuse her, but she had never envisioned being refused in such a manner.
It was too humiliating!
Although her status indeed could not compare to the Empress of Longteng Kingdom, her father would soon become the Emperor of Nanming, and she would soon be a true princess!
The most favored princess of a kingdom was also very noble. Had Brother Ye Xuan not considered this?
Chu Minghao's expression gradually turned grim.
While Feng Ye Xuan spoke the truth, his tone sounded utterly dismissive.
Dismissing Chu Feiyan also meant dismissing their Nanming Kingdom.
But he was comparing an Empress to a郡主 (junzhu - county princess). They were not on the same level, so how could they be compared?
"I understand what Your Highness means. Since that is the case..."
"I will not accept proposals from any woman."
Feng Ye Xuan's expression was now devoid of emotion. His face, eternally frozen, held nothing but cold indifference.
"If I were to marry a princess consort, I would personally go and propose. I would not have a young lady come to my door seeking marriage! I have no such inclination."
Chu Feiyan and Chu Minghao both froze.
What did this mean?