Nangong Mo ignored Ouyang Wan'er. He looked at the receding carriage, his mind replaying Ouyang Qinglin's words: "You little thing... every part of you fascinates this Prince!" And Gu Qianying's question, "Does Your Highness Third Prince agree?"
The two were so intimate, even their teasing was in perfect sync.
Damn it!
Beneath his sleeve, his palm clenched, veins bulging on the back of his hand.
Just then, Ouyang Wan'er was still asking, "Mo Bai, you said it's very similar to what? Are you talking about me?"
A sharp, cold gaze fixed on her.
Ouyang Wan'er was startled into silence, only to hear Nangong Mo say coldly, "I'll accompany you to the palace banquet."
Upon hearing this, Ouyang Wan'er was overjoyed. "Yes, okay."
She no longer pursued her earlier question.
Even though Mo Bai's gaze was cold, as long as he stayed by her side, his cold demeanor didn't matter.
At the banquet,
Those who were expected had arrived one after another.
The Emperor of Xia and the new Empress Chen occupied the main seat.
Beside them were several imperial concubines, and below them sat Ouyang Wan'er and Nangong Mo, along with Ouyang Qinglin and Gu Qianying, two people on each side.
Further out were the wives of several court ministers and the daughters of various noble families, as well as some handsome young gentlemen.
In the imperial garden, birds sang and flowers bloomed, a hundred flowers vying for beauty.
During the event, the young ladies from various noble families showcased their talents to gain favor with the noble young gentlemen present.
Among the young gentlemen present, although there were no princes, there were many princes, generals, and unmarried civil officials. Marrying any of them would be excellent.
Especially since many of the women kept glancing towards Ouyang Qinglin and Nangong Mo.
One was the Third Prince, second only to the Emperor, and the other was Mo Bai, an outsider favored by the Princess.
Both were exceptionally handsome, rare in the world. If either of them took a liking to them, it would be the best outcome.
Although Mo Bai was merely a consort, without real power, his appearance alone was enough to drive the ladies of noble families, who lived lives of wealth and luxury and prioritized love, into a frenzy!
At this moment,
Gu Qianying, who was admiring the performances of the noble ladies, suddenly had her view blocked.
"Gu Qianying, step out here. I want to see you dance."
"I can't."
Gu Qianying's tone was indifferent.
"Then play a tune for me."
"I can't either."
"Ha!"
Ouyang Wan'er looked at her as if she were an idiot. "You can't? Hmph, since you can't, it's easy. How about this: you kneel down in front of everyone today and sincerely offer me a cup of tea. Then, I won't make things difficult for you, how about it?"
Seeing Ouyang Wan'er's arrogant, overbearing, and willful demeanor,
Gu Qianying suddenly thought of Nangong Xuanning. The only difference was that Nangong Xuan, though willful, was not foolish. But this Princess Changping before her was truly... utterly foolish!
As she pondered, she wondered how Nangong Xuanning was faring in the palace.
Given the current situation in the Eastern Victory District, with Crown Prince Nangong Qi about to ascend the throne, her arranged people should have been in place and hidden.
However, the unexpected event in all her plans was the appearance of Nangong Mo, who was forced to become the Third Prince's consort, and the new Empress Chen, whom she recognized.
Everything that happened here was too sudden, catching her off guard. But fortunately, one of her people had returned.
Lost in thought, she glanced into the distance at a palace maid in a pink dress, hiding in a corner and peeking over.
A faint smile touched her lips. She withdrew her gaze and looked at the new Empress Chen again, offering her a smile.
The new Empress Chen also noticed Gu Qianying's sincere smile. She returned a smile, but did not speak to her. However, she knew that between her and Gu Qianying, some things didn't need to be said; they both understood.
"Gu Qianying, what do you mean? Are you listening to me?"
Ouyang Wan'er was still chattering beside her.
"Clink!"
The sound of a wine cup being placed down interrupted Ouyang Wan'er.
Ouyang Wan'er followed the sound and met Ouyang Qinglin's cold, sinister eyes. She instinctively took a few steps back.
"Wan'er, she is your Ninth Imperial Aunt. How can you be so ill-mannered? Do you wish to be punished?"
"I..." Ouyang Wan'er was speechless. Very unwillingly, she curtsied to Gu Qianying and asked, "May I know what talents Ninth Imperial Aunt possesses?"
"I don't have any."
Gu Qianying couldn't be bothered with Ouyang Wan'er's nonsense, let alone showcase any talent.
By saying this, she indirectly admitted that she was Ouyang Qinglin's consort.
Nangong Mo, seated on the opposite side, glanced over. His eyes were as cold as ice, and the anger in his heart fermented. Yet, looking at the pretty face that had appeared countless times in his mind, he forced himself to restrain it.
Publicly asking Gu Qianying to perform, rather than it being voluntary, was a form of provocation in her words.
Before Gu Qianying could speak, Ouyang Qinglin beside her spoke with a sinister smile, "Offer tea!"
Ouyang Wan'er looked at him, puffed out her chest, and raised her chin high, thinking proudly, "Yes, offer me tea!"
At this moment,
The crowd turned their attention towards Ouyang Qinglin.
No one had expected Ouyang Qinglin to turn around and humiliate his consort in front of everyone.
Scoffs and laughter erupted from the crowd.
"Third Prince is truly a wise man. Why would he oppose our Princess Changping for a woman of unknown origin?"
"Exactly. I don't think that woman named Gu Qianying is that beautiful. Our Third Prince naturally wouldn't like her too much."
"Why do you think this woman of unknown origin was brought back by the Third Prince?"
"Could it be that she is pregnant with the Third Prince's child, which is why the Third Prince had to bring her back and bestow upon her the title of Third Princess? Only then can her child smoothly become the heir apparent? In that case, the Third Prince is only interested in the child in her belly."
"What you said seems to have some truth to it. If it were a woman he truly loved, why would he humiliate her in front of everyone?"
"Indeed, indeed."
Among the crowd, some imaginative women began to rationalize. From Ouyang Qinglin's apparent dislike for Gu Qianying, they fabricated stories, even speculating about Gu Qianying being pregnant. These people were truly masters of conjecture.
And because some people heard these rumors, those who wished to marry Ouyang Qinglin began to stir.
The new Empress Chen put down her pastry and glanced at her personal maid, signaling her to go and assist.
She did not want Gu Qianying to suffer any disadvantage.
Nangong Mo stood up and looked over again, his gaze chilling. He raised his hand slightly.
Ouyang Qinglin, that scumbag! How dare he not protect his girl? He's courting death!
"Wan'er, offer your Ninth Imperial Aunt tea!"
The sinister voice boomed like thunder, exploding in the crowd.
Everyone exchanged glances, and the murmurs quieted down.
The personal maid of the new Empress Chen, who had been halfway there, was recalled by the new Empress Chen.
Nangong Mo retracted his hand and sat back in his original position, but the anger in his heart only grew.
Ninth Imperial Aunt! Ninth Imperial Aunt!
This title was truly unpleasant, extremely unpleasant!
His gaze quickly swept over Gu Qianying. She seemed to be enjoying this title. She picked up her wine cup and took a large gulp, her chest heaving.
At this moment,
Ouyang Wan'er looked at Ouyang Qinglin incredulously, pointing at Gu Qianying and saying, "Third Imperial Uncle, you... you want me to offer her tea?"