Chapter 42: Surprise
As it was approaching the afternoon, Xiao Yan deliberately took a more secluded road and rode at full speed to Yang Mansion in Chengqingfang in the east of the city.
The horse was galloping, the wind was rustling in his ears, and his father's words just now kept echoing in his mind.
Xiao Yan had vaguely guessed how his biological father died young, but he was still surprised to hear the whole story with his own ears.
However, he did not agree with his father's point of view.
He is not the previous emperor, and he will not follow in his footsteps.
Outside the gate of Yang Mansion, the guards who had followed Yang Shangyi this morning were already waiting there. When they saw the prince's divine horse from afar, they hurried forward to greet him.
The streets near Yang's house were bustling with people, so Xiao Yan had to slow down his riding.
Looking at the endless stream of people on both sides, he inexplicably recalled the scene of him personally coming to pick up the bride on the wedding day, and couldn't help laughing.
He was completely businesslike that day. If he had known that he and she had such similar interests, he would have taken it more seriously that day.
Although the Yang family is now very powerful, the decoration of their mansion is very simple and plain. There are only a few servants and the house is empty.
The main hall of the courtyard is completely different. It is decorated with red and green everywhere, and there are lights and colorful decorations. The long table is filled with all kinds of fruits and cakes, creating a festive atmosphere.
Yang Manyan sat in the main seat in the center, the birthday girl Xue Shulan sat on her right, and the rest of the people sat in order of seniority.
Led by the servant, Xiao Yan walked into the main courtyard, but before entering the main hall, his sight was attracted by the young man at the bottom who was staring at Yang Manyan with burning eyes.
He inexplicably felt a subtle sense of unhappiness in his heart.
No one knew who in the main hall was the first to notice the arrival of the prince, but everyone stood up and saluted respectfully.
"No need to be polite. I am late." Xiao Yan smiled gently. "Today is Xue Shuren's birthday. I wish you a long and healthy life."
He was always polite to others, and his every move revealed the gentle and elegant demeanor of a crown prince.
Xue Shulan was flattered when she heard this and thanked him repeatedly.
She really didn't dare to regard such a godlike figure as her son-in-law, let alone the crown prince of the current dynasty and the future ruler of the world.
Yang Manyan smiled and walked forward to welcome him to sit in the main seat in the middle. The others tactfully moved one seat down to make room for her.
Xu Huaiying saw his cousin's joy and his eyes dimmed instantly.
It was only then that Xiao Yan saw his appearance clearly and recognized that he was the half-brother of Xu Chengzong's study companion, and his name seemed to be Xu Huaiying?
For a moment, everyone in the main room became reserved, no longer laughing and talking happily.
Just at this moment, Yang Jingzhen, who had been missing, suddenly appeared from nowhere, holding a bowl of steaming longevity noodles in his hand.
She smiled with her eyebrows curved, "I wish you a happy life like this day every year."
As soon as she finished speaking, she was stunned for a moment, then she realized that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and her elder sister were there. She immediately placed the longevity noodles on the table in a hurry and bowed.
Yang Manyan explained in a low voice to the prince beside her: "This is my younger sister Jingzhen."
Xiao Yan nodded slightly and said softly, "No need to be polite."
Only then did Yang Jingzhen stand up cautiously, looking embarrassed.
She is about four or five points similar to her elder sister Yang Manyan, but she has a pretty oval face and a slender figure like a willow, which is very different from her elder sister who has a face like a full moon and round and smooth figure.
Now that everyone was gathered, the birthday banquet began.
Although it was a very small family dinner, Aunt Xue still invited several young actors to perform plays such as "Magu Presents Longevity" and "The Heavenly Immortals Celebrate the Birthday and Longevity".
The ups and downs of the singing voice, which was full of charm, continued to echo in the spacious and festive hall, with the lingering sound lingering in the air.
"I remember Yuanyuan's birthday is coming soon. Is there any birthday gift you want?" Xiao Qing suddenly lowered his head and whispered in Yang Manyan's ear.
It is now the beginning of winter. Yang Manyan was born on the 16th day of the first lunar month, which is exactly the day after the Lantern Festival, and there are still about two months left.
Yang Manyan's face was slightly hot, and she whispered, "No, I will be happy with anything Your Highness gives me."
"When is your highness' birthday?" she asked again.
Xiao Yan felt a little uncomfortable, "April 2nd."
He is the same age as Yang Manyan, but a month younger.
Fortunately, Yang Manyan did not think about this, but just secretly noted this day in his heart.
Xu Huaiying, who was sitting below, saw all of their intimate interactions and felt a deep sense of powerlessness in his heart.
He thought his cousin would be his.
At the beginning of the year, while Yang Manyan was waiting for the selection of concubines, Xu Huaiying was also in seclusion preparing for the Tongshi exam, waiting to pass it and ask his father, Duke Wei, to propose marriage to the Yang family.
Now, at the age of sixteen, he has already achieved the title of scholar, but his cousin has become a first-rank lady of etiquette and is in charge of the phoenix seal, which is no longer something he can dream of.
Xu Huaiying was looking at them, and Xiao Yan was also observing him quietly.
He became more and more certain of his previous guess.
This second young man from the Xu family must be interested in Yuanyuan.
Thinking of the other person in the palace who was eyeing him covetously, Xiao Yan felt a little annoyed.
After the banquet was over, Yang Manyan got on the carriage back to the palace. He lowered his brows unhappily, and his expression was as gloomy as a dusk cloud.
This mansion was granted by the palace, but her parents and sister all live here, and she privately feels that this is her home.
Xiao Yan couldn't bear it, so he pinched her little hand to comfort her, "Yuyuan, don't be sad. I'll accompany you out again in a few days."
Yang Manyan looked up in surprise, and met the man's soft and clear eyes, and her heart trembled slightly.
"Is it okay?" she asked tentatively.
"Of course." Xiao Yan lowered his head and kissed the girl's forehead.
In a flash, the carriage jolted several times for no apparent reason, and he subconsciously held Yang Manyan tightly in his arms.
The carriage finally came to a stop, and Shu Qing's voice rang out from outside the curtain: "Your Highnesses, please forgive me. It was too dark, and I didn't notice the stones on the ground."
Xiao Yan's Adam's apple rolled, and he said in a deep voice, "It's okay."
Yang Manyan, who was held in his arms, looked embarrassed and tried to break free several times but did not move at all.
Her menstruation just ended today, and the two of them have been vegan for six whole days.
After being locked up in Yingtai and favored by the emperor day and night for a month, she found that her body seemed... as if it was broken.
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