When Nangong Jingyao saw this scene, his heart suddenly clenched. Ever since he had seen Ye Qianning once in the court, her face had been constantly on his mind.
Ye Beihan was delighted to host a banquet for his visit today, but he didn't expect that Nangong Qing would also come.
Princess Qianning's ethereal beauty must have caught Nangong Qing's eye as well. If his father and the Imperial Advisor hadn't changed their minds and said that Princess Qianning could marry whomever she fancied, he wouldn't have come here.
“Princess Qian Ning, such a small matter as brewing tea can be done by the servants. As a princess, you are of noble status and it would be bad if you hurt your hands.”
Ye Qianning smiled gently: "The servants are clumsy and cannot brew the tea with a pleasant aroma. The Second Prince can also try Qianning's tea later, which can also help him sober up."
Since the beauty had said so, Nangong Jingyao had no choice but to comply.
The people sitting here had different thoughts. Nangong Manyu noticed that Nangong Jingyao's eyes were almost glued to Princess Qianning, so she spoke up to remind him.
"Second Brother, how is the Princess Consort feeling lately?"
Upon hearing Nangong Manyu mention the Crown Princess, Nangong Jingyao's smile instantly turned cold. He really knew how to rub salt in the wound.
"That's fine. The imperial physicians have been treating her since she gave birth to the heir."
The Second Prince's wife was the daughter of the Minister of Works. He married her to win her over, and she had been bleeding ever since she gave birth.
The two hadn't shared a bed for years and had long since lost any feelings for each other. He was single-mindedly focused on the throne, and now only Princess Qianning caught his eye.
He dared to come because he trusted the princess's judgment. Nangong Qing, a carefree prince, could only be the one to inherit the throne in the future.
Now it depends on whether Princess Qianning is willing to become Nangong Qing's principal wife or the future Imperial Noble Consort.
"Second brother, if you have nothing else to do, please take good care of the princess. She has borne your children, so don't let your woman feel disheartened."
Ye Qianning was brewing tea nearby, and she could hear Nangong Manyu's words. The Fifth Princess was reminding her to make a careful choice.
Nangong Jingyao turned to look at the beauty over there, wondering what his younger sister was saying that was going to ruin his plans.
Fortunately, the beauty did not change her expression when she heard this veiled hint.
"Fifth sister, you are overthinking it. I have always kept my princess consort in my heart."
Ye Beihan observed the family's conversation and sensed the underlying tension, which suited his taste perfectly.
Ye Qianning poured the tea herself in front of Nangong Qing, "Third Prince, please have some tea."
Nangong Qing: "Thank you!"
Nangong Qing's expression remained calm. A person's eyes don't lie, and Ye Qianning knew that Nangong Qing wasn't interested in her at the moment.
When they arrived at Nangong Jingyao's side, Ye Qianning could feel the intense gaze in his eyes.
While pouring tea, her handkerchief slipped from her waist unintentionally: "Second Prince, drinking tea after drinking alcohol can help you sober up."
When Ye Qianning returned to her seat, Nangong Jingyao reached out and picked up the handkerchief she had dropped, then quietly tucked it into his sleeve.
"Your Highnesses and the Fifth Princess, it should have been me who visited you. But today I've let you come first. Please don't mind the simple meal."
"Your Majesty is too kind."
For this banquet, Princess Qianning even performed a dance herself. Her figure was delicate and graceful, and her exotic dance revealed her slender waist, which was so beautiful that it was breathtaking.
After the banquet ended, Nangong Jingyao returned to his residence, took out the handkerchief from his sleeve, and smelled it. It still carried Ye Qianning's fragrance.
Tonight, he didn't even need his concubines to come in and serve him; he just kept grinning foolishly at the handkerchief.
"Ye Qianning, this prince must have you."
Handkerchiefs are personal items, and Ye Qianning clearly noticed that it had fallen off. Nangong Jingyao thought that Ye Qianning still had feelings for him.
After Nangong Qing and Nangong Manyu returned, nothing seemed out of the ordinary, but this was precisely what worried Manyu more.
If even a stunning beauty couldn't win Third Brother's heart, then what magic does the woman he likes from the common people possess?
Just like when she liked Nangong Chiyu, it was because Nangong Chiyu had the appearance of an immortal, plus his great military achievements, and she liked his aura. Nangong Manyu knew all of this.
But Third Brother has no interest in Princess Qianning. Why is that? Princess Qianning is so beautiful and proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
How could ordinary women possibly compare?
"Third brother, third brother, what do you think of Princess Qian Ning? Would you like her to be your prince's consort?"
Nangong Qing gently pinched his younger sister's nose with his finger and said with a light smile, "As for the affairs between the two countries, I will listen to Father's arrangements."
Su Luo and Prince Yu are together now. He used to struggle and resist marriage, but now he doesn't care anymore.
"Third brother, didn't you see the look in second brother's eyes tonight? He seemed determined to have Princess Qianning. He's shameless. He already has a principal wife, yet he's still thinking about your woman, third brother."
Nangong Qing walked towards his study. Upon hearing Nangong Manyu's words, he stopped, turned around, looked at her, and said seriously.
“Manyu, Princess Qianning is not my woman. She is a princess of a country, bearing the fate of two nations. Don’t keep saying that she belongs to someone else.”
"Regardless of Princess Qian Ning's identity or who she chooses to marry in the future, we must respect her."
Nangong Manyu pouted: "Oh!"
Nangong Manyu thought that with her third brother's connections, how could he possibly win the heart of a beauty? She decided to rely on her own abilities.
Over the course of several days, Nangong Manyu, together with Ye Yueze, kept trying to bring Nangong Qing and Ye Qianning together, and Ye Qianning was very cooperative with them.
Ye Yueze cherished Manyu as a friend. He would listen to whatever she said, as she was his only friend.
Outside Nangong Qing's study, Nangong Manyu clutched her stomach, looking pained.
"Princess Qianning, please deliver this tea to my third brother. My stomach hurts, I can't take it anymore, I need to see the imperial physician."
"Yueze, help me walk quickly."
"Fifth Princess, you must take care of your health."
Nangong Manyu waved her hand, telling Ye Qianning to bring in the tea and not to worry about her.
"Manman, are you alright?"
"Oh no, let's get out of here!"
Ye Yueze was so nervous that he didn't know what to do. He helped Nangong Manyu and headed towards their garden, where the physician from Beiliang they had brought was located.
But when they reached the corner, Nangong Manyu acted as if nothing had happened, hiding in the corner to peek at Ye Qianning entering Nangong Qing's study.
"Manman, you...you were faking it?"
Nangong Manyu rolled her eyes at Ye Yueze behind her, "I'm not pretending. How could Princess Qianning have the chance to be alone with my third brother? How could you be so stupid?"
Ye Yueze scratched his head. He wasn't thinking that much; all he wanted to do right now was play with Nangong Manyu.
"Oh! You can't joke about being sick next time, I'm worried about you."
"I know, I know... Look, Princess Qianning has gone in!"
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