"Go tell your princess that I'm not going."

"Yes." Li Dazhuang felt that as the princess's personal guard, he should give this ungrateful woman a good beating. But for some reason, the moment this thought crossed his mind, his legs began to tremble.

His intuition told him that this woman named Chu Hongluan was dangerous, extremely dangerous!

Li Dazhuang obediently returned to the young princess's side and said that Miss Chu had declined her invitation.

Qiao Yue felt that, as a princess, she should severely punish this ungrateful woman. But for some reason, the moment this thought arose in her mind, she wanted to slap herself twice and curse herself three times as a beast for having such a vicious thought about such a beautiful woman!

Oh dear, if my beautiful sister doesn't want to come, I can just go there myself...

Just as Qiao Yue was about to get up, another announcement came from outside the door: "Prince Mo has arrived! Miss Xu from the Grand Tutor's residence has arrived!"

"Hmm? Prince Mo and Miss Xu arrived at the same time? Could it be..." Everyone glanced at Chu Hongluan's face, only to find that she didn't care at all, and even stared at the door with interest, just like everyone else, showing an expression of waiting to see a good show.

?

Something's not right.

We're waiting to see your show, but whose show are you waiting to see?

If you sit here and watch the play, what's the point of us watching it?

Soon, Prince Mo and Xu Qingqiu, the daughter of the Grand Tutor, entered side by side. The atmosphere between the two was harmonious, and there seemed to be a lingering smile in Xu Qingqiu's eyes. One could almost guess how the two had been chatting and laughing before entering the room.

Mo Yu felt everyone's gazes sweep over, and the moment his eyes fell on the red figure, his heart skipped a beat.

she is......

Xu Qingqiu keenly noticed the strangeness of the man beside her. Her eyes suddenly turned cold and followed Mo Yu's gaze, piercing straight into Chu Hongluan like a sharp sword!

Chu Hongluan raised an eyebrow: Oh my, you're quite arrogant, acting like a mistress?

interesting.

Chu Hongluan curled her red lips, picked up her wine cup, and raised it towards Xu Qingqiu.

Xu Qingqiu was taken aback, her expression as cold as frost.

First, she dislikes women who are prettier than her.

Secondly, she dislikes women who steal her thunder.

"It matches up!"

"Good heavens, Miss Xu's eyes are so fierce! What's wrong with her! She's the future Princess Consort of Mo, and she's already acting like the principal wife!"

"Pfft, Xu Qingqiu used to look down on Miss Chu, but today he's so aggressive. He probably doesn't even recognize her. Is Xu Qingqiu afraid that she'll be the most beautiful woman in the world, and that's why he's so hostile?"

"So what if Chu Hongluan is beautiful? She's just a pretty face! How can she compare to Miss Xu, who is both talented and beautiful?"

"Exactly! How many outrageous things has Chu Hongluan done? Maybe she got some advice from a master today and is deliberately acting like this to attract Prince Mo's attention!"

Another round of whispers ensued. Mo Yu and Xu Qingqiu may not have heard everything they were saying, but the name Chu Hongluan was absolutely deafening.

This is... Chu Hongluan?

The two took their seats. Xu Qingqiu sat not far from Chu Hongluan, while Prince Mo, of noble status, sat at the head of the table, with Princess Qiao Yue at the next table.

But the seat to the left of Princess Qiaoyue was still empty.

"Did Prince Liu send an invitation saying he couldn't make it today?"

"Never."

"Fine, if he doesn't want to come, he doesn't have to. It wouldn't be good for so many of us to wait for him alone." Qiao Yue rolled her eyes in dissatisfaction, then ordered, "Start the banquet!"

Then, a multitude of maids brought out plates of exquisite food and drinks to the table.

Peach blossom wine, osmanthus cake, rose petal cake, peony soup...

They've all been chilled; they're nice and cool.

Chu Hongluan blinked, feeling that this trip had been worthwhile.

Mo Yu's attention was always on Chu Hongluan.

He tried to recall what his fiancée used to be like, but he couldn't connect her with the woman in front of him at all.

She was focused on the food and wine on the table, a smile playing on her lips, completely absorbed in her own enjoyment, without giving him even a glance.

Wasn't I peeking at him taking a shower yesterday?

What kind of feigned indifference is this today?

Could his fiancée, who used to be so infatuated with him, have changed her mind overnight? He didn't even need to speculate; he was certain that if she got the chance, she would come crawling back to him.

Mo Yu frowned and stopped looking at her.

Xu Qingqiu noticed Mo Yu's emotional fluctuations, and alarm bells immediately went off in her mind.

The fluctuations in his behavior prove that he cares.

We need to do something.

Just then, a slick-haired young man stood up from the men's section: "Today, the princess is hosting a grand banquet, so it should be filled with singing and dancing to be in the right mood."

He paused, then his gaze shifted to Xu Qingqiu with ill intent. "I have long heard that Miss Xu is exceptionally talented and beautiful, and her musical skills have reached a state of perfection. I wonder if any of us here would have the honor of hearing Miss Xu play a piece?"

Xu Qingqiu's face was frighteningly grim.

What did they take Xu Qingqiu for? A courtesan or singer who played the zither for entertainment?

But this person used words with remarkable skill.

He said, "Is it an honor for all of you present?" rather than "I am an honor for myself."

If she refused, it would be tantamount to offending everyone, including the princess at the head of the table and Prince Mo.

But if she agreed, she really couldn't swallow this insult.

Chu Hongluan must be waiting to see her make a fool of herself, right?

Hmph, she wouldn't let her have her way!

Xu Qingqiu cleared her throat and said, "Young master, you flatter me. My daughter has just learned a new piece of music called Qing Ping Yue. I would like to take this opportunity to invite everyone to appreciate it."

Although the result was the same, these words subtly changed the perception of her performing in public like an actor to her actively inviting everyone to appreciate her new song, making the meaning quite different.

Xu Qingqiu lowered his head in feigned humility, then changed the subject, saying, "However... this piece needs a dancer to complete it perfectly. I wonder if Miss Chu would be willing to join me on stage for a dance?"

......

The entire room fell silent; not a single person responded to her.

Xu Qingqiu's humble smile gradually stiffened, and her drooping neck began to ache.

Finally, Princess Qiao Yue spoke up with an innocent expression: "I'm afraid this piece can only be played by you, Miss Xu. Because... Miss Chu finished eating and left about half an hour ago, saying that she was going to the back garden to digest her food."

?

Xu Qingqiu suddenly looked up and realized that Chu Hongluan's seat was already empty, with only a table full of messy cups and plates.

Are you crazy?!

What well-bred young lady would finish eating so early at such a large banquet, only to leave alone to digest her food?!

"So, Miss Xu? The stage is yours, the instrument is ready, please proceed."

Qiao Yue said with a smile.