Chu Qingge glanced dismissively at the ladies craning their necks. "The Crown Prince is already married, and he even has a consort. Yet, some still eagerly wish to become a concubine."
Xiao Man said nothing. The Crown Prince was the heir apparent. Even being a concubine by his side was, in many people's eyes, better than being the main consort to an unfavored prince. This was why so many women desperately tried to get into the Crown Prince's mansion.
Moreover, as the heir, the Crown Prince was the most qualified to ascend the throne. When he became Emperor, they would also become Imperial Consorts, their status and prestige soaring, a meteoric rise. Any woman with ambition would have her eyes on the Crown Prince.
Clad in a golden python robe, the Crown Prince was handsome and refined, a rare beauty. He walked slowly, bathed in sunlight, as if a god descending from heaven, drawing gasps and squeals from the assembled young ladies.
The Crown Prince walked in with a broad smile, followed by another figure. The latter immediately looked around upon entering. With sharp eyes, he spotted Xiao Man and made his way towards the female guests.
"Xue Kun, where are you going?" the Crown Prince called out when he saw Xue Kun heading in another direction.
Xue Kun chuckled awkwardly. "I saw an old acquaintance and wanted to say hello."
"That's the ladies' seating area. It's not convenient for you to go there." The Crown Prince knew exactly what he was up to, but this was the Prime Minister's mansion, and he couldn't be so presumptuous.
Though Xue Kun was arrogant, he was very loyal to the Crown Prince. He immediately retracted his steps, shot Xiao Man a fierce glare, and then followed the Crown Prince to the men's seating area.
Wen Mohan glanced towards the ladies' seating area. He saw Xiao Man say something to Chu Qingge, her gentle smile blooming like a red lotus in the wind, exceptionally captivating.
The Crown Prince took a few steps and noticed Wen Mohan hadn't followed. He followed Wen Mohan's gaze and immediately understood. However, Xiao Man was not someone anyone could simply marry. The Prime Minister's mansion held high rank and prestige but lacked real power. The General's mansion, however, was deeply favored by the Emperor and held military authority. An alliance between these two families would surely make the Emperor restless.
"Let's go."
Wen Mohan withdrew his gaze and led the Crown Prince towards the men's seating area, a proper smile on his face, as if he hadn't just been mesmerized by a beauty.
"Prince Qin has arrived."
Chu Qingge quickly tugged Xiao Man's arm. "Sister Xiao, Prince Qin has arrived."
Xiao Man looked towards the entrance. It was indeed Prince Qin, still dressed in plain white, exuding an air of aloofness that kept people at a distance. This only accentuated his handsome, immortal-like features, making him appear even more peerless.
The young ladies present, upon seeing Prince Qin, were not as enthusiastic as they had been for the Crown Prince. They dared not make a sound, maintaining an unusual quiet.
Wen Moyu walked beside Prince Qin. Today, she was also dressed in white. Walking alongside Prince Qin, they appeared as a perfect match. Coupled with Wen Moyu's own outstanding beauty and her reputation as a talented woman, she was indeed worthy of Prince Qin.
Prince Qin paused at a fork in the road, his gaze sweeping across the ladies' seating area. He accurately located Xiao Man's position before resolutely heading towards the men's seating area.
Wen Mohan hurried to meet him, instructing Wen Moyu to entertain the ladies while he himself would escort Prince Qin to the men's seats.
"Fourth Brother, this is the first time I've seen you attend such a banquet."
"Just came to take a look." Nan Gongyu replied indifferently, his face devoid of any expression beyond coldness.
The Crown Prince knew Prince Qin disliked socializing and rarely attended banquets. He hadn't planned to come to this small gathering, but he came upon hearing Prince Qin would be attending.
"I heard Fourth Brother narrowly escaped injury from assassins a few days ago. Those assassins were truly audacious. Have the perpetrators been identified?"
"Not yet." Nan Gongyu's tone remained indifferent.
"I heard it was the young lady from the Protector General's mansion who saved Fourth Brother. Otherwise, Fourth Brother would have been injured." the Crown Prince probed.
"It's none of your business. I can handle it." Nan Gongyu's tone and expression remained unchanged.
The Crown Prince's heart stirred. "Fourth Brother, you are already over twenty. When I was your age, my eldest son was already two years old. Do you have someone in mind now?"
"No."
Hearing this, the Crown Prince rubbed his forehead with a headache. "There are quite a few young ladies present today. Perhaps you can take a look later and see if there's anyone you fancy. If there is, just tell your elder brother, and I will ask Father to grant your wish."
"Alright."
The Crown Prince had prepared to be rejected by Nan Gongyu. To his surprise, Nan Gongyu agreed, leaving him stunned for a moment.
He then realized that his fourth brother, who seemed oblivious to romance, might finally be ready to experience it.
On the ladies' side, Wen Moyu was adept at conversing with everyone. Despite not liking Xiao Man, she smiled gracefully and greeted her. "Miss Xiao, your third sister is also here. Have you seen her?" Su Dan Novel Network
Xiao Man's gaze swept across the hall. She saw a group of people walking from a corridor not far away, and her third sister was among them, accompanied by a young lady from the Minister of Rites' mansion.
"Third Miss Xiao, Miss Yan, over here." Wen Moyu beckoned them over.
As the group approached, the Yan lady clearly took a disliking to Xiao Man, letting out a snort from her nostrils. Xiao Ling then stepped forward to bow. "Eldest Sister."
"Third Sister, when do you plan to return to the General's mansion?"
"When does Ling'er return to the General's mansion? What business is it of yours?" The Yan family's daughter, Yan Mengyao, immediately retorted sarcastically, "Old Madam Xiao has already agreed for Sister Ling'er to stay at the Minister's mansion. Eldest Miss certainly puts on airs, ordering Ling'er to return to the mansion."
Xiao Man's expression remained unchanged, her tone still gentle. "Third Sister, you are, after all, a young lady of the General's mansion. It is improper to reside in someone else's home for an extended period. Those who know will understand that Madam Yan dotes on her granddaughter. Those who don't might think Mother was cast out and took you to the Yan family's residence."
"Who are you calling an outsider..."
Xiao Ling quickly pulled Yan Mengyao's sleeve, her smile forced. "I will return to the mansion with Eldest Sister after the banquet today. My maternal grandmother is fond of me and wanted me to stay a few more days at the Minister's mansion. I didn't expect it to displease Eldest Sister. It is my fault. I hope Eldest Sister will not be angry with me."
"You only bully Ling'er. I've forgotten that Eldest Miss Xiao's mother died young, and she has no maternal clan to support her. Are you perhaps jealous that Ling'er has a maternal family to go to?" Yan Mengyao mocked. "Eldest Miss is now also under my aunt's care. The Yan family can also be considered your maternal family. You can also call Grandfather and Grandmother along with cousin Ling'er."
Xiao Man's eyes flickered. Her smile grew even gentler. Chu Qingge was about to retort, but Xiao Man pinched her, making her swallow the words that were on the tip of her tongue.
"I lost my mother at a young age, which is why Father poured all his love onto me. He pities that my mother passed away early and I had no maternal support. Miss Yan, rest assured, I have Father's wholehearted affection and have no need to be jealous of anyone."