C9

The ancient banquets were boring, but they were nothing more than a combination of musical instruments, followed by gifts from the young ladies.

Xia Yi An was sitting in her seat, bored as she looked at the flowers on the table. She would occasionally take a sip of her tea. This tea was truly tasteless. It was incomparable to the craftsmanship of the Golden Lamp.

Jin Lei saw that she wanted nothing more than to leave immediately. Kneeling beside her, he consoled her, "Miss, if you can bear with it any longer, this time will soon be over."

Xia Yi An sighed lightly and said, "This banquet is even more boring than watching it on television. Even the tea is so unappetizing."

"Hall test? How can a banquet be compared with a Hall Competition? " Jin Lei asked in confusion.

Xia Yi An waved her hand. This kind of question couldn't be explained clearly. She looked at the girl on the main seat and said to Jin Lei, "Is that the Prime Minister's daughter?"

Jin Lei followed her gaze, then lowered his head and said, "That should be the case. This servant just heard that today is the birthday of Miss Li. Prime Minister specifically helped her organize this banquet."

"She is indeed very spoiled. Her appearance is also very beautiful. Her temperament is otherworldly and beautiful. She is worthy of the title of the capital's number one beauty." Xia Yi An commented while deep in thought.

Jin Lei covered his mouth and chuckled. The words spoken by the young lady didn't seem to be infatuated at all. It was most likely something randomly picked out out out of boredom. It didn't sound like a sincere praise to her.

Xia Yi An glanced at her and casually asked, "What are you laughing about?"

"When did this servant, Miss Xiao, learn to flatter others? Miss normally wouldn't say such things." Jin Lei knew that she wouldn't be angry, so he deliberately made fun of her.

Xia Yi An slapped her head and said angrily, "You should."

The Prime Minister's daughter, Li Ruoxi, who was sitting in the main seat paid attention to Zhao Yiwei's expression while watching Xia Yi An. These two people were both her formidable opponents. They were the stumbling blocks for her to ascend to the position of the Crown Prince's consort. The reason why she invited them today was to see how strong they were.

Zhao Yiwei had already demonstrated his talent. The zither's "Love of the Mountain Butterfly" was extremely stunning, but it was still inferior to Li Ruoxi's. Xia Yi An always had a calm expression on her face. It seemed like she wasn't prepared for anything, but also seemed like she had a plan in mind. At this moment, Li Ruoxi couldn't figure out what she was thinking.

Li Ruoxi did not like this feeling of being unable to make sense of the situation, so the hostility she felt towards Xia YiAn increased even more.

She summoned a maidservant and asked her to find out what talents Xia Yi An had prepared and whether she should arrange them for her.

However, the maidservant returned and said, "Miss Xia, you said that she was completely useless and unprepared. Thank you for your concern."

"Oh?" Li Ruoxi was surprised but also felt that it was within her expectations. Xia Yi An was indeed as useless as the rumors had made her out to be.

"The imperial concubine has arrived! The second prince has arrived!"

A male duckling sounded out, and all the seated people knelt down to greet him. Xia Yi An was kneeling on the ground. Out of the corner of her eyes, she peeked at the person who was walking over. She could only see the gorgeous and exquisite palace boots and the hem of her clothes.

The Prime Minister was related to Imperial Consort Jing and the Second Prince. She had never cared about the matters of the imperial government and had only been here for two months, so she did not know what was going on. However, she knew that the Second Prince was born to Imperial Concubine Jing.

"Get up!" Imperial Concubine Jing personally helped Li Ruoxi up before turning around to speak to the crowd.

Li Ruoxi welcomed Imperial Concubine Jing and the Second Prince to the main seat. She stood by the side with a face full of joy as she said, "Imperial Concubine's aunt and cousin are actually here for Ruoxi's banquet. Ruoxi is truly honored!"

The young ladies of the official family looked at her enviously. They felt both admiration and reverence for Imperial Concubine Jing, and even more adoration for the well-mannered Second Prince.

Xia Yi An looked over. Grand Concubine Jing was dressed in gorgeous palace makeup. Her face was exquisite, her charm was limitless, and her temperament was boundless. The second prince, who was sitting next to her, was like a clear breeze and a bright moon. He was dressed in a purple robe with the clouds rolling and the moon rolling. He was an incomparably noble and noble man, a rare handsome man.

Silently, she withdrew her gaze. Suddenly, the cold expression of the Frigid King flashed through her mind as she unconsciously compared the two of them. Just based on appearance and temperament, the Frost King was like a flower of ice at the peak of the snow-capped mountain that ordinary people could not approach. But this second prince, Cang Lan Ta, was like a white lotus in water. One was like the cold moon while the other was like Gao Yang. They were both extraordinary.

She didn't hear what they were saying, she only knew that the atmosphere was harmonious. Since the Prime Minister's estate had such a great backer, it was no wonder that Li Ruoxi wanted to show off her power in front of the ladies of the capital.

She had some doubts in her heart. Logically speaking, if Li Ruoxi was related to Imperial Concubine Jing, she should wholeheartedly focus on the Second Prince. Why did she want to fight for the Crown Prince's consort?

Could it be that Li Ruoxi liked the crown prince, and being the crown prince's consort was just a one-sided wish on her part? The prime minister didn't intend to do that?

After the banquet had started for a period of time, the host allowed everyone to enjoy the flowers on their own. Xia Yi An wished her well and left while pulling the Golden Lamp. The Prime Minister's Residence was very large and was very luxurious. Xia Yi An chose a secluded place to go and accidentally found a few Begonia Trees.

"Once the makeup is removed from the plum powder,

Apply to Begonia.

It's time for the dahmani affair,

Thick thorns pop out of the raspberry wall. "

Begonia was her favorite flower. Seeing the blossoming hot crabapple flower before her, she couldn't help but chant.

"Good poem!" Suddenly, a person walked out from the bushes. His purple robe was exceptionally eye-catching amidst the crimson crabapple trees. It was the Second Prince, Cang Lan Tuo.

Xia Yi An and Jin Lei hurriedly bowed. "Greetings, Second Prince."

"Get up," said Cang Lan Ta as he sized up the woman in front of him. "When did such a beauty appear in the capital?"

Xia Yi An didn't like being sized up by others. She wasn't an item that could be casually picked by someone in a high position. She looked at Cang Lan Tuo with a neither servile nor overbearing manner, and took in the praise in his eyes.

"Why is the prince here?" He shouldn't have asked so, but Xia Yi An wanted to express her unwillingness to be disturbed. She wondered if the Second Prince had understood.

This woman was so bold, she wasn't afraid of incurring his wrath. He coldly asked, "Which family's daughter are you from?"

Are you angry? Xia Yi An laughed in her heart. Those in a high position would never tolerate others challenging their dignity. She was the Grand Commandant's direct daughter. Even if the Second Prince knew her identity, he wouldn't dare make things difficult for her father. Xia Yi An thought in a relaxed manner before bowing, "This subject's daughter has disturbed the prince. I'll take my leave now."

"Halt, answer this prince." With his hands clasped behind his back, Cang Lan Tuo walked in front of her, his voice even colder.

Chattering sounds could be heard from the side road. It seemed that the few ladies were here to admire the flowers. Cang Lan Tuo frowned impatiently. It was rare for him to find a secluded place, and he was about to be disturbed again.

Xia Yi An's crystal eyes turned before she smiled and said, "My father is Xia Yuanbin." Then he got up and left.

When she met the excited ladies, Xia Yi An pretended to be panicking and quickly missed them, as if there was something scary behind them.

One of them stopped her. "What are you running for?"

"There are snakes inside, so colorful that it's terrifying!" Xia Yi An said as she ran off.

The rest of the ladies turned pale with fright and hurriedly ran away.

In the forest, Cang Lan Tuo couldn't help but raise the corner of his mouth and finally quieten down. This young miss of the Xia family was very meticulous and talented, but it was rumored in the capital that the Xia family's direct daughter had no authority at all.