Note: I will Try to update everyday so I hope you support the story on Patreon.com/flokixy
Su Li and the two others were chatting in the garden when they saw Ji Huaizhou approaching, leading Jun Mo and Wei Yuanling.
Jun Mo stepped forward and took Su Li's hand, finding it cold to the touch. Frowning, he looked at Si Qin and said, "How are you looking after Miss? Where's her cloak?"
Su Li glanced around, noticing quite a few people secretly watching them. Her face flushed, but she didn't pull her hand back. She just whispered, "Don't blame Si Qin. I found the cloak bothersome, and I have a hand warmer."
Si Qin curtsied, "The cloak is in the carriage. Your servant will fetch it at once!" With that, she turned and left.
Wei Yuanyao and Qu Zhirou exchanged a knowing smile.
Su Li's face grew even redder, and she tried to withdraw her hand. Jun Mo held her hand firmly. Since they were engaged, what was there to fear in holding hands?
"Even with a hand warmer, you're so cold." He finished speaking and led her towards the veranda.
Wei Yuanyao laughed, "That's what they call skin of ice and bones of jade."
Ji Huaizhou chuckled, realizing that's what 'skin of ice and bones of jade' truly meant.
Soon, the cloak was brought. Jun Mo personally draped it over her, tied the fasteners, and gently smoothed her hair. That attentive and thoughtful demeanor made Wei Yuanling and Ji Huaizhou stare wide-eyed. Just a while ago, he was still seeking their advice, yet in such a short time, he's become so tender and affectionate. This is too fast! They heard that Prince Jing visited the Minister's Estate daily, almost as if he were a live-in son-in-law already. It seemed the rumor was true.
Ji Huaizhou pulled Jun Mo's arm and said, "Your Highness, I'd like to ask you something."
Jun Mo was pulled aside by him, not understanding why. "What do you want to ask?"
Ji Huaizhou tilted his head, glanced at Wei Yuanyao, then turned back and asked, "How did you win over Princess Changning?"
Jun Mo tilted his head back, "Let nature take its course, and success will follow naturally."
Ji Huaizhou looked at him skeptically, clearly not believing him. It wasn't like this when he saw Princess Changning before. Back then, she not only didn't blush but even her smiles carried a faint detachment. Now, the sweetness between the two of them made everyone's hearts feel sweet too.
"Your relationship developed so smoothly, you must have done or said something. Ziyan, don't keep secrets!"
Jun Mo glanced at Ji Huaizhou and said, "What, you want to learn from me? Miss Wei isn't Miss Su, so you can't use my methods."
Behind the two, Wei Yuanling quietly approached, straining his ears to eavesdrop. "Oh, really! Ji Huaizhou, don't you dare use your 'attraction methods' on my sister! Otherwise, you'll get a taste of the Martial Arts Champion's fists!"
Ji Huaizhou rolled his eyes. Jun Mo's methods might genuinely not suit him; after all, Princess Changning doesn't have an annoying older brother.
Jun Mo patted his shoulder and said, "Nothing more, only a true heart." After saying that, he walked towards Su Li.
Their sweet demeanor, seen by everyone, made them sigh in admiration that this was truly a match made in heaven.
Behind the trees, Jun Hui snapped a nearby branch, his cold gaze fixed on the man and woman chatting on the veranda.
"Jun Mo, you've ruined my years of planning. We've set a deathmatch."
"The world, I want it!"
"Su Li, I want her too!"
Yu Banxia looked at Jun Hui, then at the two on the veranda. This couldn't be some melodramatic dog-blood drama about two princes falling for the same woman, could it? Even if it were, shouldn't she, Yu Banxia, be that woman? Did she get the wrong script? She could even get her father promoted and sent back to the capital, which proved she truly should be the chosen one.
"Sixth Prince, do you... like Princess Changning?"
Jun Hui turned around, looking at the woman who had appeared behind him without him noticing. He said coldly, "Miss Yu, be careful what you say!"
Yu Banxia awkwardly replied, "My apologies, Sixth Prince, I was just speaking casually. But you're unmarried and she's unwed, there's nothing wrong with pursuing someone you like, right? If you like someone, go for it!"
Jun Hui glanced around, only sighing in relief when he saw no one was paying attention to them. Does this woman even know what she's saying!
Ye Bai also looked at her in shock. Is something wrong with this woman's head? Some things can be done, but they shouldn't be openly discussed. Fearing she might say something even more shocking, Jun Hui said coldly, "Don't follow this prince anymore!" With that, he strode away.
Yu Banxia glanced at his departing back, then at Su Li. This Princess Changning really has good fortune; everyone who likes her is so handsome. But she believed that her, Yu Banxia's, future fortune would be even better!
As Su Li and the others chatted on the veranda, they saw a graceful young gentleman approaching. Ji Huaizhou called out to him, "Big Brother."
Ji Huaiyan nodded and cupped his hands towards Jun Mo and Su Li, saying, "The banquet is about to begin. Prince Jing, Princess Changning, and everyone else, please take your seats."
Everyone proceeded towards the main hall. Su Li and Jun Mo walked at the front, followed closely by the Wei Yuanling siblings and Ji Huaizhou.
Ji Huaiyan noticed Qu Zhirou walking slowly, so he slowed his pace to wait for her. As they were about to enter the main hall, Qu Zhirou quickly glanced around and swiftly slipped something into Ji Huaiyan's embrace, saying, "A token of thanks." With that, she slipped away quickly into the main hall.
Ji Huaiyan froze for a few seconds, then looked down. It was an exquisite sachet, made with fine materials, neatly stitched, no bigger than a palm, yet embroidered with a landscape painting. It was clear much thought had gone into it. He smiled, looking at the old sachet his mother had embroidered for him, hanging from his waist. It was badly worn and definitely needed replacing.
He entered the main hall, glanced at the goose-yellow figure seated at the table, then went to greet guests.
Qu Zhirou secretly glanced at him and, seeing that he had already hung the sachet on his waist, immediately felt a sweet warmth in her heart, and her face grew slightly hot.
"Oh? Rou'er, what are you looking at?" Wei Yuanyao asked, seeing her frequently glance towards the men's seats, and couldn't help but look over herself.
Fearing she might notice something amiss, Qu Zhirou quickly said, "Nothing, I was just seeing where my father was sitting."
"Oh, Marquis Wuyang is indeed highly esteemed by the imperial family. Two princes came for his birthday."
Su Li glanced at the men's seats. Jun Mo was close with Marquis Wuyang's third son, and his eldest son was close with the Crown Prince. By this calculation, they were all in the same faction. Therefore, it was natural for Jun Mo to attend Marquis Wuyang's birthday. As for Jun Hui, his intentions were clear. Marquis Wuyang was not easily fooled. It wouldn't be easy to obtain the military authority in his hands.
After everyone was seated, Marquis Wuyang, at the head table, stood up and raised his cup, saying, "Thank you all for coming to my humble abode to celebrate my, Ji's, birthday. I, Ji, am immensely grateful and have prepared a humble feast and light wine to express my gratitude. Please, everyone, drain this cup! Cheers!"
Everyone raised their cups and drained them.
"Hahaha, everyone, please eat well and drink well, don't be reserved. Come, come!"
The opera troupe invited to the stage above had already begun to perform. At the men's tables, rounds of toasts and urging to drink began, while the women's tables were much more harmonious and quiet. Everyone quietly enjoyed their meal, occasionally chatting in low voices. Maids weaved through the tables, serving dishes and pouring wine.
"Bang—splash!"
"This servant deserves death, this servant deserves death! Please, Princess Changning, forgive me!"
Su Li looked at the water stains on her clothes, then at the pleading maid. Earlier, she had already noticed something was off with this maid and had dodged her several times.
Madam Ji came over and said, "What's wrong with you, girl? Hurry and take Princess Changning to change her clothes. You'll go receive your punishment later!" Then she turned to Su Li and said, "Princess Changning, this servant is clumsy and has offended you. Please quickly go change your wet clothes, lest you catch a chill in this snowy weather."
Su Li nodded. It was inevitable for clothes to get dirty at banquets, and she always had spares in her carriage.
"Zhi Shu, you go get the clothes. Mo Hua and I will accompany Miss there first," Si Qin said to Zhi Shu.
🚨 Note : Consider to Support this Story on Patreon.com/Flokixy to access +200 advance Chapters and To Support The Daily Update