Everyone finally understood.
It turned out His Majesty wanted the officials to associate with Prince Yun Yi so that the County Princess could make more friends.
Ye Ning Yuan's gaze swept over the children of the officials who had arrived, "Imperial Uncle dotes on Yuan'er, Yuan'er knows. Yuan'er actually has a friend she wants to make."
Emperor Ye Yao became interested, "Oh? Then I'd like to know who this child is."
Yuan'er had been staying in the palace for the past few days since arriving in the capital, and she hadn't fully familiarized herself with the people in the palace. When did she get to know the children of the officials?
"That person is the fourth daughter of General Su."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's gaze fell on Su Yun Mo.
Su Yun Mo's eyes instantly darkened.
She hadn't felt it wrong; Ye Ning Yuan was indeed a bit strange.
Ye Jing Yu, seated among the princes, also had a deep gaze. He glanced at Ye Ning Yuan, deep in thought.
"Good, good, our Yuan'er has good taste. I also think this little one from Minister Su's family is good. Since you want to be friends with her, why don't you sit with her?"
Emperor Ye Yao was very happy to see the two children playing together.
After a pause, he added, "It's not convenient for me to be the chief guest. Why don't you all sit with my princes?"
Su Qing Tian was startled and stood up, cupping his hands, "Your Majesty, this might not be in accordance with the rules."
It was fine for Mo Mo to play with the County Princess, but the main concern was those princes. He didn't want his daughter to get too close to them, especially Prince Yu!
Emperor Ye Yao waved his hand, "It's alright. Yuan'er is a cousin to those young ones, and Mo Mo is young, so there are no rules to speak of."
Since the Emperor had already said so, Su Qing Tian could only swallow his words.
Eunuch Jiao instructed people to bring two more seats and place them next to the princes.
Ye Ning Yuan then stood up and walked to Su Yun Mo, extending her hand and smiling kindly, "Mo Mo, come with me."
Su Yun Mo looked at her for a while, sighing inwardly, and reached out to take her hand.
She hadn't had a peaceful meal at this palace banquet.
It seemed royalty was targeting her!
As Su Yun Mo was led over, Ye Jing Ge instinctively leaned away, lowering his head and focusing on his nose.
Ye Jing Guang, however, was delighted, "Mo Mo, Mo Mo, come to me."
Ye Jing Yu glanced at him, his expression somewhat stern.
Ye Jing Ge, seeing his third brother's expression change, hesitantly tugged at Ye Jing Guang, trying to remind him.
Ye Jing Guang was confused, "What's wrong? Oh, I see, you also want to play with Mo Mo. Then come to Fourth Brother, it's closer."
Ye Jing Ge was helpless.
Maids in vibrant colorful robes entered the hall, and the music and dance performance began.
Everyone was immersed in the joy, drowning out the sounds from their side.
Ye Ning Yuan pulled Su Yun Mo to sit beside her, smiling, "I didn't realize Mo Mo was so popular. All the princes seem to have a close relationship with you."
Su Yun Mo couldn't figure out what this person was trying to do, "Why do you want to be friends with me?"
Ye Ning Yuan rested one hand on the table and pinched her cheek, "Because you're cute. I heard that cute children have good fortune, and I want to share some of that fortune."
Su Yun Mo pursed her lips.
The person who had just been enfeoffed as a County Princess said she wanted to share someone else's fortune?
"People with fortune also have luck," Ye Ning Yuan spoke to herself, pouring a cup of tea and offering it to Su Yun Mo's mouth.
Su Yun Mo didn't open her mouth, just stared at her.
Ye Ning Yuan helplessly put the cup back, then suddenly leaned closer, changing her tone, "But does Mo Mo know that luck can be stolen?"
Su Yun Mo's body stiffened, and she almost uncontrollably pushed the person away. In that instant, she felt as if something had invaded her body.
"Hahaha..." Ye Ning Yuan suddenly laughed, covering her stomach, and looked at her askance, "Mo Mo is really too cute."
She rubbed the little dumpling's face with both hands, "I'm just joking, you don't actually believe it, do you? Are all children afraid of ghost stories?"
"..." Su Yun Mo gritted her teeth.
What was wrong with this person!
"Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore." Ye Ning Yuan laughed heartily, her tender face full of playful mischief.
She poked the little dumpling's face, "But the way Mo Mo asked just now was very strange. Children shouldn't be so impolite, how can you address someone so much older than you so casually? You should call me 'sister'."
Su Yun Mo not only didn't want to call her that, but she also wanted to pick up the plate of pastries on the table and smash it at this person's face.
She was a child, not a fool. This person was clearly deliberately toying with her.
"Come on, call me Ning Yuan sister, and I'll be happy. If you don't, sister will have to punish you." She rested one hand on her chin, propped on the table.
Su Yun Mo was contemplating how to use her abilities to throw this person out without attracting too much attention.
Ye Ning Yuan sighed, "Since Mo Mo doesn't want to call me, there's nothing I can do. I'm going to perform a program on stage later, Mo Mo, come with me. You dance beautifully."
"..."
Su Yun Mo's mouth twitched. After a moment of thought, she grinned, revealing six small white teeth, "Ning Yuan sister~"
"Mo Mo is so good." Ye Ning Yuan affectionately cupped her face and kissed her.
Su Yun Mo's hair stood on end, feeling like a sheep being kissed by a wolf.
"County Princess, you should go change your clothes." A maid came to remind her of the time.
Ye Ning Yuan released the little dumpling and patted her on the head, looking very doting, "Mo Mo, just watch from here. This is sister's见面礼 (jiànmiànlǐ - gift for the first meeting)."
Ye Ning Yuan got up and went into the back hall to change.
Su Yun Mo rubbed her temples, feeling a headache.
In her more than ten years of life, she had never encountered such a difficult person.
Ye Ning Yuan's actions and style were completely unpredictable, making it impossible for her to discern whether she was friend or foe.
"Shh! Shh!" An uncouth voice came from behind.
Su Yun Mo rolled her eyes and turned around, "If you need to pee, go to the outhouse."
Ye Jing Guang's face immediately turned bright red, "Why are you speaking so crudely, you little girl?"
He had been trying to kindly get her attention.
Su Yun Mo raised an eyebrow, "Is there something?"
Ye Jing Guang looked around, and seeing that no one was paying attention to them, he moved from his seat and came closer, "That day I told you to get along with Ye Ning Yuan, and you hit me. Why are you so proactive in befriending her today?"
"Which eye saw me being proactive?" Su Yun Mo was helpless. Clearly, that person had approached her first.
Ye Jing Guang widened his eyes, "Both eyes saw it."
Su Yun Mo's eyelids twitched. She was too lazy to argue with him and reached for a pastry, "You're too noisy, go back to your seat."
"No, I want to sit here." Ye Jing Guang whimpered a couple of times.
Why could others play with her, but he couldn't?
"Whatever you want." Su Yun Mo chewed with puffed-out cheeks, her eyes lighting up.
The pastries at this palace banquet must be freshly made; they tasted good.
She popped another one into her mouth, then held one in each hand, chewing diligently.
Ye Jing Guang watched from the side. Seeing her puffed-out cheeks, he felt a sense of familiarity.
He had raised a hamster before, and it looked like this when it ate.
But Mo Mo was different from the hamster; her face looked soft and easy to pinch.
Ye Jing Guang's gaze fell on the lipstick mark on the little dumpling's face. He swallowed and cautiously leaned closer, "Mo Mo, can I kiss you?"