Chapter 47 is nothing but a fame-seeker...

Yang Qing has been unhappy lately. Lian Tang's height has increased again, and apart from Yan Yun who is already married, she is now the shortest among her sisters.

Nobody paid any attention at first, but somehow Chu Ying, that annoying girl, suddenly found out and spread the word with a grin, even calling Yang Qing a little dwarf.

Yang Qing was so angry she jumped up and down, not understanding what Chu Ying had to be so smug about; she was only slightly taller than her.

She secretly decided that when she got back, she would definitely drink a bowl of milk in the morning and a bowl of milk in the evening, and try her best to grow taller.

Not too much, just more than Chu Ying.

Before this, she had always been quite satisfied with her height. Among women, she was indeed not short; she was of average height.

After attending Princess Shengping's birthday banquet, Yangqing still did not see the Xu Pianran sisters.

More than half a month has passed since that incident. Although the two sisters have not come out to see anyone, fortunately, no bad news has come out.

Yang Qing then thought that Xu Yanran might have given in.

She herself is like that when she's angry; she gives in after a few days.

Although the Xu sisters were not seen, Princess Shengping's banquet was undoubtedly very lively.

The emperor didn't have many daughters, and only Princess Shengping was of marriageable age. Empress Ming probably also had her eye on finding a suitable husband, as there were about eight or nine out of ten unmarried men in the capital, including Huo Lu.

However, he was dressed very modestly today. Although it was a newly made, luxurious garment, it looked ordinary. The material was plain and the cut was also very ordinary.

He himself is really not suited to this kind of nobleman's attire. The originally good spaciousness is instead tightly bound, making people feel awkward when they see him.

Yang Qing thought that he probably didn't want to marry the princess, so he deliberately dressed up like a nouveau riche who seemed to know nothing.

In the palace, it was naturally convenient for Xin Wanyou to participate. This time, she wasn't holding her little white dog, and Yang Qing felt like something was missing.

She leaned closer to Yang Qing and whispered, "I heard that Ming Luoqi wants to become the Crown Prince's concubine and wants to be with both of you, is that right?"

She spoke with a hint of mockery, which made Yang Qing a little angry. "How could you do this? It's one thing for her to be so absurd, but instead of comforting me, you come here to ridicule me."

Seeing a hint of anger on her face, Xin Wanyou immediately took sides, "No! Ming Luoqi is just a bit mentally unstable, don't take it to heart. But you should be careful, she really did tell the Empress that she wanted to become the Crown Prince's concubine."

Yang Qing immediately became apprehensive: "What! She really went and told her! Oh dear, please don't tease me, what did Her Majesty the Empress say? She wouldn't have agreed, would she?"

Xin Wanyou patted her arm to comfort her: "How could I lie to you about something like this? Although Her Majesty the Empress did not agree immediately, in my opinion, it is not far off, and she is really considering it. After all, your man is the Crown Prince, and even if you are a concubine, there is nothing shameful about it."

Yang Qing corrected her on how she addressed him: "What do you mean 'my man'? He has a name and surname. If you don't dare to call him by his name, what about 'Crown Prince', 'Eastern Palace', or 'Your Highness'? Or you could just call him 'that guy surnamed Li'. You always make fun of me with this. It's clear you're not a good person either."

Xin Wanyou held up two fingers and swore to the sky, "Okay, okay, you don't like it, I promise I won't say it again."

The two chatted about this and that until Si Jiamu walked by not far away. Xin Wanyou stared wide-eyed. Although it wasn't spring, peach blossoms still seemed to bloom on her face.

Xin Wanyou tugged at Yang Qing's sleeve, tilted her head slightly in that direction, and asked shyly, "Which family does that young master belong to? He's so handsome."

Yang Qing was stunned: "How could you be like this? Just a few days ago you told me that you were deeply in love with Prince Yang and would marry no one but him. How long has it been and you've already changed your mind?"

Xin Wanyou felt a little embarrassed and touched her nose. "But I've taken a liking to Yang Jiarong, but he doesn't like me. Am I supposed to remain chaste for a stranger? That's too much to ask of me, and it's very unfair to me."

Yang Qing thought about it and realized it was true. Xin Wanyou's feelings for Yang Jiarong were unrequited, so of course she had the right to end it at any time.

Yang Jiarong is the same to everyone; she always has a smiling face, but she doesn't show any affection to anyone.

His smile was like a mask on his face; he seemed to have no other emotions. After a few encounters, Xin Wanyou found him rather uninteresting.

Although she likes good looks, she also likes interesting souls.

Xin Wanyou shook Yang Qing's hand, and asked again, not giving up, "Tell me quickly, who exactly is he?"

Yang Qing opened her mouth, but before she could speak, Rong Yue, who had appeared nearby at some point, spoke up, her tone full of contempt, "She's nothing but a fame-seeking, blind fool."

Xin Wanyou immediately shifted her attention from Si Jiamu to Rongyue.

She had visited the Chi family before and had met Rongyue there.

In front of beautiful women, especially someone like Rong Yue who seems unapproachable, Xin Wanyou was always very reserved. Suppressing her excitement, she obediently called out "sister" in response to Yang Qing's address.

When Rongyue talked about Si Jiamu, she was very indifferent, but this did not affect the smile that flowed from her eyebrows and the corners of her eyes.

She was originally beautiful, but because she always maintained the air of a talented woman, she had a haughty and aloof demeanor.

With that smile, the original coldness was softened considerably, and she became gentle and charming, like a celestial fairy who had suddenly become down-to-earth.

Others may not know what they think, but that little lecher, Xin Wanyou, was completely stunned.

Yang Qing understood at a glance. The source of her joy could only be her victory over Ming Miaohe in the competition.

Yang Qing stepped forward and congratulated her, saying, "Congratulations, sister, your wish has come true!"

Rongyue's eyebrows curved even more, but she pretended to be reserved and refused to reveal her true feelings.

Yang Qing silently counted in her mind: music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, wine, flowers, and tea. Including today's poetry, Rong Yue should have won four categories, but it wasn't a complete victory.

Even if you're happy because you didn't completely defeat Mingmiao, it won't last long.

It's a real pity. This zither is Rongyue's forte, and Master Chi is a master of it, which is why he was able to teach Rongyue and Li Shangxuan, two of his most outstanding disciples.

Rongyue insisted that Mingmiaohe's zither playing was inferior to hers, but that despicable Sijiamu, out of favoritism, insisted on calling a deer a horse and siding with his own cousin. This person was truly unacceptable.

Perhaps it's true that one shouldn't speak ill of others in one's heart. Towards the end of the banquet, Yang Qing was suddenly stopped by Si Jiamu, who said, "Miss Chi, please wait."

Yang Qing was stunned, and couldn't help feeling a little flustered. "Me...me?"

Si Jiamu nodded and said, "Indeed. I have something I'd like to ask you. May I speak with you in private?"

Yang Qing politely declined, saying, "Young master, you are too kind. What could I possibly be of interest to you? My sister is calling me. You should go find someone else. I have to go now."

Without waiting for his reply, she lifted her skirt and left.

Si Jiamu prides himself on his aristocratic and refined lifestyle; he wouldn't do something like intervening in someone's affairs.

Just as she expected, Yang Qing got rid of this person as she wished. She really didn't know what had gotten into him this time, that he suddenly wanted to talk to her.

If Rongyue saw this, what would happen?

Although Rongyue didn't see it, it fell into the eyes of some people.

Li Shangxuan stared at the pale yellow skirt, almost mesmerized, a slight smile playing on his lips. At least she knew when to back down.

If she stops talking to Si Jiamu, he will climb over the Chi family's wall again tonight and make her cry.

Noticing that his son's gaze and thoughts had wandered, the emperor coughed heavily. Li Shangxuan seemed to suddenly realize something and brought his mind back. "I think the Si family is a prestigious and influential family with too many rules. It would be bad if Shengping married into the family. We should avoid a marriage that turns into resentment."

The emperor had originally intended the same thing, but because of Li Shangxuan's earlier distraction, he didn't nod in agreement. Instead, he scoffed, "But your sister insists on saying that it's unfair that you, as the crown prince, can have your marriage decided as you please, while she, as a princess, has to be afraid of everything. Tell me, how am I supposed to refute her?"

Li Shangxuan understood the implied meaning and lowered his head, daring not to speak again.

I was a little uneasy, but I hoped my father wouldn't think Yangqing was bad.

The two of them stood in the pavilion, with trees providing cover in front of them, looking no different from any other father and son.

The emperor was once a boy too. Li Shangxuan's eyebrows and eyes resembled his, but his overall features were more like Xue Mei's. Looking at a face that resembled an old friend, what harsh words could he possibly say?

She's gone, leaving him with only this one son.

In his youth, the emperor also mocked those who were preoccupied with romantic love, believing they had great talents and ambitions to be realized, only to regret it later when they lost and regained what they had gained, only to lose it again.

Li Shangxuan had truly underestimated the father's doting affection.

Ordinary people tend to become more kind and compassionate as they age, but royals are the opposite; as their health declines, suspicion, doubt, and other dark emotions tend to reach their peak.

Li Shangxuan had no choice but to be cautious. Of all the crown princes throughout history, how many have been able to become emperors in peace?

He simply lowered his head and remained silent, which made the emperor lose interest. He then continued to watch the young men and women coming and going, though he still secretly favored Huo Lu.

Huo Lu's poor family background is both a disadvantage and an advantage.

Given Sheng Ping's arrogant and domineering temperament, if she were to marry a favored son of heaven like Si Jiamu, she might cause the Si family to harbor rebellious intentions.

As for someone like Huo Lu, marrying him would mean treating him like a god.

He knew people well and was shrewd, and he genuinely felt that Huo Lu had a good temperament and character.

Looking at his son, who seemed as wooden as a statue, the emperor wanted to say something, but ultimately remained silent.

Chi Yuan'an himself was always smiling, but he raised his son to be a blockhead, with a stern face all day long, and he couldn't even say a kind word.

Oh, not entirely. He probably put all his attention into his daughter.

Although the emperor was old, he was actually much more philandering than when he was young. He suddenly had a strong urge to play the villain and see what the little mandarin duck would do. He could foresee that it would be very interesting.

Just as he was enjoying his thoughts, a series of calls from the chief eunuch beside him brought him back to reality. Compared to teasing his son, the mountain of memorials was far more urgent.

Never mind, let's talk about it another time.