Chapter 26

After entering the palace, I separated from my mother. When I arrived, Qiu Fei had already arrived, surrounded by a group of people, who were probably discussing academic matters.

Only the top thirty can attend this banquet. But as always, there's no first in literature, and no second in martial arts. I'm sure many people still have their doubts. However, Qiu Fei's title as the top scholar is undeniable. I've also read the article he posted, and it's truly brilliant and profound.

As soon as I arrived, several people I knew came up to say hello. Some were introducing themselves to others, and I followed their introductions, paying them a visit. But in truth, with my severe face blindness, I didn't remember many of them.

Perhaps because of my status, some people were skeptical of my achievements and asked me questions. I didn't shy away from expressing my opinions openly. Only then did I gradually feel their acceptance of me.

After a while, other students arrived, so I broke away and went to Qiu Fei's side. When the others saw that we were about to have a private conversation, they all left.

"What's wrong?" Qiu Fei was also confused about why I pulled her to sit in the corner.

"What do you think of the little prince?" I leaned closer and asked in a low voice.

Qiu Fei looked puzzled. "The little prince is quite good, so straightforward and cute."

My mood couldn't help but become a little depressed. "Then can you promise to marry only him?"

Qiu Fei started coughing violently, attracting everyone's attention, and I hurriedly patted her back.

Qiu Fei ignored the puzzled looks from others and glared at me, "Why should I marry him? Didn't you want to marry him?"

Seeing that we were fine, the others turned their heads back suspiciously, only glancing at us occasionally.

"What do you mean? You're talking nonsense. Are you two having a fight?" Qiu Fei scolded me angrily.

I scratched my head. "Don't you like him? I've thought about it, and you're the only one in our city who's qualified."

Qiu Fei was speechless. Well, I was sure there must be something unpleasant going on between the little prince and me. "Our family has a motto not to marry into the royal family. Tell me, what's the conflict between you and the little prince?"

I hesitated, it's hard to say.

Qiu Fei wondered what sin he had committed. He had become my best friend, had to guide me in my studies, and even had to help me sort out my emotions. "Besides you and me, do you think there's anyone else worthy of the little prince?"

I shook my head. “No more.”

"Well, I can't marry you, so you're the only one left." Qiu Fei concluded swiftly. Seeing that I was still listless, he sighed and asked, "Tell me, what's wrong?"

"I said the wrong thing and made him cry." I lowered my head.

"And then?" Qiu Fei asked after seeing that I had said nothing further.

"Nothing happened after that. He ran away, and my third sister went after him but didn't let me go." I became even more worried. "I haven't seen him since then. I didn't even have time to explain."

Qiu Fei didn't know where to start, and looked at me as if I were a mentally retarded person.

"That's it? You're so crazy that I want to marry him? Let me give you an idea." Qiu Fei said, and I leaned over to him, "Just ask your father to propose marriage for you."

I curled my lips, "What's the connection?"

Qiu Fei stood up, patted my shoulder and said, "Trust me!" Then he left. I felt like I was escaping.

I sat alone for a while longer, and then the ministers and princesses came over. The students returned to their seats, and I also went back quietly.

Another round of small talk followed. I didn't join in, probably because my lack of sociability earned me some laughs from my mother's colleagues, which in turn earned me a few glares from my mother.

I ignored her, too. Instead, the princess came over, clinked glasses with me, and said, "Congratulations." I obediently responded. When the third princess finished her turn and came over, I pulled her sleeve and led her to the back.

"How disrespectful of you to pull and tug like that!" The Third Princess frowned and scolded me again with Qiao.

I didn't bother to argue with her, "Sister-in-law, sister-in-law, was brother Chen An okay yesterday?"

The Third Princess rolled her eyes and pulled back her sleeves. "Ask him yourself, don't ask me." Then, she swung her sleeves and left. Leaving me here to wait for my luck, what a bunch of bad guys!

The banquet officially began when the Emperor's Aunt arrived. I sat obediently, not actively participating in any activities. The Emperor's Aunt probably noticed my lack of interest and didn't actively cue me, so I was happy to be left alone.

Finally, the banquet was over, and the students left in an orderly manner. I was also angrily dragged away by my mother. As soon as I got into the carriage, my mother asked me, "What happened today?"

"It's okay. Don't worry about it." I said listlessly.

"You naughty boy, if you don't get punished for a day you'll tear the roof off the house." My mother slapped me on the head.

The next day, Lin Xue sent a message that Jiang Zhiyao, the doctor from the Ministry of Works who had been favored before, was also on the list, ranked 46th. His family celebrated it very much and were now planning to arrange a matchmaking.

Jiang Shu, the son of the Minister of Personnel, had never found a suitable match. Perhaps it was a matter of status, too high to be too low. Furthermore, many families still waited for the completion of the imperial examinations.

Besides these two, there was another from a nearby prefecture whose family had been merchants for generations, and this generation had a talented scholar, nineteen years old, sixty-seventh in the family, named Qin Jiayin. As the second daughter, a daughter born in old age, she was very much favored at home.

Moreover, the family has a good atmosphere and basically only marries one person, except for the third aunt who had no daughter for many years and then married Fang Shijun.

Many of the more remote areas have not yet been investigated, but her family doesn't want An Yan to marry too far away. After all, it's too far away to reach them, and if something really happens, they won't be able to help.

I delivered the news to my father, and he took it naturally. "I knew you and Ranran would be worried, so you're just waiting for the letter. Okay, I get it. I'll talk to Su Shijun and An Yan."

Later, I heard that my father took Anyan to several small banquets. I was very confused as to why he didn't take me with him. After all, like Anyan, I was also considered a young man of marriageable age.

As we were talking, my mother suggested at dinner that we attend a flower viewing banquet the next day. Wow, what a grand event in the middle of winter! Only a few powerful families could afford such a banquet this season.

I nodded. Actually, I'd visited my brother a few times during that time, but I'd never seen the little prince again. My brother, on the other hand, was so engrossed in watching the fun that he never even made an appointment for me. There was even one time when I sent a letter, but the little prince avoided me, leaving me feeling very upset.

Sure enough, the banquet was held at the eldest uncle's house. When my father brought An Yan and me there, Song Shuyi was standing at the door to welcome the guests.

After Song Shuyi greeted his father, he asked the servant to lead his father in.

He pulled me to the back and said, "Save me later. My father wants me to meet Feng Yichi from the Zhenjun General's family. Help me, sister. This must not happen."

I rolled my eyes. "You're marrying above your station, aren't you? You're both very handsome and dashing. Just be content."

"He's almost more imposing than me. If I'm with him, I'll be suppressed all my life. He's just a tiger!" Song Shuyi shuddered pretentiously.

Before I could say anything else, a voice came from behind us.

"Song! Shu! Yi! What are you saying about me behind my back?"

This time Song Shuyi was really trembling. I turned around and saw Feng Yichi standing not far away with his hands on his waist, and next to him was the little prince who was looking at me with a resentful expression.

Feng Yichi stepped forward and grabbed Song Shuyi's ears, "What are you talking about? My male tiger?"

The little prince turned and left, and I hurriedly followed him. From behind, I could hear Song Shuyi begging for mercy, "I was wrong, I was wrong. Ouch, don't push harder. It hurts!"

"Chen An." Just as we passed by a rockery, I grabbed Chen An's arm and pulled him over.

The little prince remained silent, his head lowered. "I was wrong last time. I just said it casually. Don't take it to heart. Okay?" I coaxed him softly.

The little prince refused to look up. I rubbed my hands and looked around, seeing no one. So I reached out to cup his face. It was a bit frivolous, but there was nothing I could do.

But as soon as I put my hand over, a tear fell on my hand. I was even more panicked and didn't care about anything else. I half-knelt down, held his face and wiped his tears. "Why are you crying again? I really know I was wrong, and I won't do it again."

The little prince's eyes were red and tears kept streaming down. "Don't cry, your eyes are red. It won't look good if you cry any more." I took a handkerchief and kept wiping his eyes.

Who would have thought that after he finished speaking, the little prince cried even harder, sobbing, "As expected, you just like someone like Brother Feng."

I was stunned. "Who?"

The little prince didn't respond, slapped my hand away, turned around and ran away again. It took me a moment to realize he was talking about Feng Yichi. I don't know what I said just now that made him misunderstand.

I slowly walked to the main hall and had someone lead the way to the banquet hall. I didn't run into Song Shuyi again along the way. I greeted the eldest uncle, the young prince, my brother, and several elders first, then sat down next to my father. I glanced around but didn't see the little prince either.

My father looked at me and whispered, "What's wrong?" I shook my head.

The eldest uncle smiled and said, "An Lan hasn't been to the mansion for several days. Come and get together often when you have time. You sisters get together outside every day, which shows that you don't miss us uncles."

"How could that be, uncle? I really miss the snacks in the mansion. Last time you asked Shuyi to bring us snacks, I didn't get many. So this time I shamelessly followed my father here." Got the flattering skill!

"Haha~ An Lan is still sweet-talking. Molan, tell her to bring a few more boxes for An Lan when this is over." The eldest uncle laughed heartily.

"The emperor's uncle really loves me." I responded with a grin.

After a while, Song Shuyi sat down next to the emperor's uncle in a dejected manner and was glared at by the emperor's uncle.

The little prince and Feng Yichi also returned and sat down in their respective seats. The little prince's eyes were still red, and his face must have been washed.

The eldest uncle frowned, came close to the little prince and asked in a low voice: "What's wrong? Have you been wronged?" The little prince shook his head and said, "It's okay, uncle." Before the eldest uncle asked in detail, a servant beside him said something in his ear.

I felt that the eldest uncle glanced at me quickly and subtly, then patted the little prince's hand and returned to the main seat.

My brother looked at the little prince and then at me, and said, "An Lan, come sit next to me."

I obediently agreed and sat down.