The expressions of the crowd were varied.
It was already a strange occurrence for a legitimate imperial prince to personally visit without an invitation, let alone for a child's birthday.
What did His Highness, the newly titled Prince Lian, truly want?
Su Qingtian remained composed. "My daughter is young, and her small birthday is not worth mentioning. Thank you for your concern, Your Highness."
These were polite words, clearly indicating a lack of welcome.
Ye Jingcheng was not angered. He simply walked to Su Yunmo and took out an exquisite comb from his sleeve, offering it to her. "This is this prince's congratulatory gift. Does Mo Mo like it?"
As the comb was revealed, everyone's expression, including Su Qingtian's, changed.
For something like a comb, it was generally considered a token of affection when a man gave it to a woman.
It symbolized the act of styling long hair, implying sleeping together.
His presenting such an item to Su Yunmo in broad daylight clearly indicated his intention to seek marriage with the Marquis's estate.
However, Ye Jingcheng had already been betrothed by the Emperor to Lin Yuning of the Marquis's estate. If Su Yunmo were to truly enter the estate in the future, she could only be a concubine.
Su Yunmo's killing intent was palpable.
Zhou Wanyou shielded Su Yunmo behind her. "Prince Lian's gift is too extravagant. This child is afraid she cannot accept it. Your Highness is of noble status; how can you casually give away something you cherish?"
This was a clear refusal, reminding him to be mindful of his status.
Ye Jingcheng curved his lips. "It's merely a small item, meant as a toy for the child. If Madam won't allow her to accept such a small comb, does it mean you find this prince's gift too meager?"
When a prince with a proper title gave a gift to a subordinate, how could the subordinate possibly find fault with it?
With his words put that way, if Su Yunmo refused to accept it, it would be equivalent to the entire General's estate showing him disrespect.
In front of all the guests, the accusation of disrespecting the royal family would be firmly placed upon the Su family.
Su Qingtian clenched his fists, feeling a desire to strike someone.
Ye Jingcheng then placed the comb before Su Yunmo. "Madam, it would be best to let Mo Mo choose for herself."
A glint flashed in Su Yunmo's eyes.
She could not choose; accepting or refusing was a mistake.
"Since it's a small gift, Imperial Brother should have prepared more. Children are fickle, and even toys are chosen with great discernment."
A figure appeared at the entrance.
As the servants announced, "His Highness Prince Yu has arrived," Ye Jingyu stepped through the doorway.
Another one?
Everyone turned to look, all struck with amazement and shock.
He removed the mask from his face, revealing a stunningly beautiful countenance. His eyes were piercingly bright, like lightning illuminating a rocky cliff.
He wore a brocade robe of black and red, with a golden sash at his waist, making him appear grand and proud.
The youth's face was like the moon on the fifteenth night, his beauty like flowers in the spring dawn. His temples were as if cut by a blade, his brows like ink paintings, and the subtle brilliance in his eyes made one dare not underestimate him.
Su Yunmo raised her eyebrows in admiration.
The crowd was stunned into silence, and the hall fell quiet.
Finally, Zhang Lingyin was the first to utter two words, a curse: "Holy cow!"
This person was Prince Yu? Was he crazy!
Hadn't they said he was disfigured, ugly, resembling a devil, and acted viciously, being the epitome of fiends and monsters?
Where was the disfigurement?
If such unparalleled, heavenly beauty was called hideous, then all men under the heavens would be pigs!
The guests glanced at her. Although they found her vulgarity in public regrettable, their thoughts at that moment were the same.
Prince Yu truly knew how to surprise people.
Ye Jingcheng narrowed his eyes dangerously, his fingers clutching the comb tightening.
Su Qingtian frowned and looked at Ye Jingyu warily, cupping his hands. "Your Highness Prince Yu, has your visit today also been for my daughter's birthday?"
When did this little girl become acquainted with two imperial princes?
It would be one thing if it were other princes, but these two were currently highly influential in court.
Ye Jingyu smiled, as if a hundred flowers had bloomed and ten thousand glaciers had melted.
"This prince has few friends. I was fortunate to meet Mo Mo at the academy. As it is her birthday, I naturally must come to offer my congratulations."
Ye Jingcheng sneered. "Then that is truly a coincidence. Third Imperial Brother and I have rarely thought along the same lines."
These words carried a sting.
The gazes of the crowd shifted between the two, and the atmosphere in the hall became tense.
A small figure suddenly pushed through the crowd and bumped into Ye Jingyu.
Su Yunmo hugged him and looked up at the youth, her eyes sparkling. "Does Brother Yu have a gift for Mo Mo? Mo Mo wants toys and yummy treats."
She acted affectionately, like a spoiled child.
The crowd understood; it seemed this child indeed had private dealings with Prince Yu.
The smile in Ye Jingyu's eyes deepened. He loved hearing her call him 'Brother Yu'; she was much cuter than when she opposed him.
The youth reached out and placed his hand on Su Yunmo's head, ruffling it dotingly. "Of course, I do."
Qian Xue entered carrying a box.
Su Qingtian's eyebrows shot up.
If this brat pulled out another comb or hairpin and spoke nonsense, he would punch both of them out!
The box was opened.
There was indeed a comb inside, but it was no ordinary comb. It was pink, small, and had a button at the tail. When pressed, it revealed a small ruler.
It was nothing novel, just a toy for children playing house. Truly a toy.
In addition, there were many other intricate and clever little toys.
This served to neutralize the intention behind Ye Jingcheng's gift of the comb.
Su Qingtian breathed a sigh of relief, his good impression of Ye Jingyu increasing considerably.
Ye Jingcheng rose and looked at Ye Jingyu, their cold eyes meeting. "Third Imperial Brother has prepared many items, but they do not seem to be things worth being picky about."
Ye Jingyu lowered his brow and remained silent.
Qian Xue scoffed inwardly.
His Highness came fully prepared today.
She pulled open a layer at the bottom of the box, revealing a hidden compartment. This layer was filled with a full layer of at least a hundred luminous pearls.
These luminous pearls were all plump and round, the size of a man's thumbprint, truly priceless. They instantly outshone all other gifts.
Ye Jingyu casually picked up a luminous pearl and placed it in Su Yunmo's hand. "Take this to play marbles with."
Good heavens! Using luminous pearls as marbles!
Only royalty could utter such words.
The crowd was filled with envy and jealousy.
Ye Jingcheng's expression darkened instantly!
Meanwhile, Zhang Lingyin bit her handkerchief. "If I had known Prince Yu was such a marvelous person, I wish I had been born a few years later. I would have been willing to be his concubine."
Nothing else mattered; he was simply too handsome.
Xie Zhengping, holding his wine cup nearby, felt his eyelids twitch and cast a lingering glance at Ye Jingyu.
Was this young prince perhaps a little too dazzling?
Zhou Wanyou shook her head with amusement, her gaze resting on Ye Jingyu, her eyes showing a hint of contemplation.
Su Yunmo played with the luminous pearl, childishly showing it to the adults. "Daddy, Daddy, Mo Mo's marbles."
Su Qingtian was reluctant to let her accept such a precious item, but seeing her smile so happily, he could not refuse her. "Hurry and thank His Highness Prince Yu."
Su Yunmo obediently expressed her gratitude.
This meant the gift had been accepted.
The crowd, with or without intention, cast their gazes towards Ye Jingcheng.
Ye Jingcheng was not giving up. "Since you are taking gifts to the storeroom, why not take this prince's along as well."
Ye Jingyu's expression turned cold.
Qian Xue also frowned.
This Prince Lian was truly persistent. This young lady would be His Highness's future princess consort!
Su Yunmo turned to look at Ye Jingcheng, spreading her hands and pouting. "Daddy said good children shouldn't casually accept things from strangers."
Upon hearing this, the crowd couldn't help but chuckle.
Su Qingtian also wanted to pick up the clever little girl and kiss her soundly.
It wasn't that she looked down on him, but rather that they were not familiar with each other.
That was a sharp stab!