Chapter 46 Plum Blossom Appreciation Banquet
He couldn't tell whether his possessiveness and thoughts about Shen Anan were due to those dreams that were so real that they seemed to have happened, or for some other reason.
In short, he wanted those gentle eyes to be facing only him, and he even had the urge to trap her in the prince's mansion.
But he was more sober.
If you want it, you can't let there be an unbridgeable gap between the two of them. That scholar can't die in his hands.
Those inexplicable distance and hatred have put him at a disadvantage.
The sudden change also startled the two people who were talking.
Zhang Yeyang turned around and saw the sharp arrow that hit the gray rabbit, which was only a few steps away from him. Cold sweat suddenly broke out on his back.
Looking up and straight ahead, several fast horses appeared from the corner and walked towards me slowly.
Shen Anan looked at the person sitting on the horse, squinted her eyes, and her pretty face suddenly turned a little cold.
"The Fourth Prince, Prince Ling, and Master Li."
Zhang Yeyang bowed hurriedly, and Shen Anan followed suit.
Xiao Yuan's gaze was fixed on the gray rabbit on the ground, and there was an unpredictable gloom in his eyes.
Li Huaiyan smiled and waved his hand, "Miss Shen, what a coincidence, we meet again."
Shen Anan didn't say anything, and stared at the rabbit on the ground, motionless.
The atmosphere was silent and not very harmonious.
In silence, Xiao Yuan suddenly bent his bow and drew his arrow again, still aiming at the rabbit on the ground.
The corners of his lips curled up in a cold arc, and his tone was mixed with a hint of mockery, "I wanted to give you a quick death, but you refused to listen and insisted on breaking into the territory that does not belong to you, so you deserve to die."
He slowly loosened his hands and aimed at the rabbit's throat.
Shen Anan frowned and turned her head away with some discomfort.
Zhang Yeyang felt a little cold all over and his face turned slightly pale.
Although it was just killing a rabbit, Xiao Yuan's expression and cold tone made him feel inexplicably uncomfortable, as if the arrow was not aimed at the rabbit, but at his heart.
Those words were extremely threatening, as if there was something else behind them.
Li Huaiyan and Ling Chenyi naturally understood.
Ling Chenyi frowned and said calmly, "Fourth cousin, forget it. Dead things are not as delicious as living things."
Xiao Yuan hooked his last finger on the string, his eyes moved from the gray rabbit to Zhang Yeyang's panicked face, and finally fell on Shen Anan's side face that was turned away.
The jade-white face was tense, as if she couldn't bear it, and seemed irritated.
Xiao Yuan lowered his eyes slightly, twitched the corners of his lips slightly, and after a moment he slowly put down the bow and arrow, "Alright."
Li Huaiyan got off his horse, picked up the dying rabbit and waved it in front of Shen Anan, "Miss Shen, would you like to try the roasted rabbit together? The Fourth Prince's cooking skills are quite good, comparable to those of a restaurant chef."
Comparing a prince with a cook, it was rare that Xiao Yuan showed no sign of displeasure. His pair of dark eyes were calm and emotionless.
"No, the Fourth Prince is so precious, I can't afford it."
She passed by the constantly stretching gray rabbit, turned to look at Zhang Yeyang, and said in a softer tone, "Let's go."
"Okay." Zhang Yeyang nodded, turned around and saluted Xiao Yuan, preparing to take his leave.
Xiao Yuan, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly spoke up. His tone was neither hurried nor slow, but it made people's backs chill. "Officials from various places who had been appointed to new posts have already left the capital. Why is Lord Zhang still in the capital?"
Zhang Yeyang looked flustered for a moment, not knowing how to answer.
Shen Anan frowned, wondering what Xiao Yuan was going crazy for again.
She stopped and looked back at Xiao Yuan on horseback, with an official smile on her face, "The Fourth Prince is busy with all kinds of affairs. When did he become so concerned about the fate of a Jinshi?"
Xiao Yuan looked back at her calmly, "As a prince, you should work hard for the people of Daliang. Moreover, Lord Zhang is the father and mother of the local government. If the officials are lazy, the people of Daliang will suffer."
Zhang Yeyang's face turned pale, and he bowed hurriedly, "Fourth Prince, please understand. I have not slacked off. I just... just..."
He didn't know how to explain it.
Shen Anan's cold and clear almond eyes met Xiao Yuan's cold and calm black eyes.
"Mr. Zhang is staying in the capital because my father has petitioned the emperor. We will be engaged soon, so he has been delayed for a few days. If the Fourth Prince has any questions, you can ask my father."
So what if she used her connections? Her father is the Grand Marshal. How can the emperor not give her this little face?
Xiao Yuan's expression remained calm, but his hands gripping the reins tightened inch by inch, his knuckles curled together and trembled slightly.
Those eyes were like an abyss, encircling Shen Anan, dark and bottomless.
Ling Chenyi and Li Huaiyan didn't dare to look at Xiao Yuan's ugly face.
The stagnant atmosphere made Zhang Yeyang feel breathless and terrified.
Shen Anan's face was indifferent, and she did not dodge or evade when facing Xiao Yuan.
Men should get married when they are old enough, and women should get married when they are old enough. She is not breaking the law, so what is there to be afraid of?
"Heh." Xiao Yuan suddenly raised his lips and sneered, as if mocking him.
"Yeah?"
He slowly glanced at Zhang Yeyang, and his cold gaze made the latter not even have the courage to look up.
“Then congratulations to Miss Shen for getting what she wanted.”
"That's natural."
Shen Anan coldly retracted her gaze and said to Zhang Yeyang, “Let’s go.”
Zhang Yeyang nodded, saluted to Xiao Yuan and the other two, and followed Shen Anan's pace.
This time, neither Li Huaiyan nor Ling Chenyi said anything.
The two of them had worry in their eyes as they watched the Shen Mansion's carriage leave in silence.
Then he turned and looked at Xiao Yuan.
The reins were deformed in Xiao Yuan's hands, his jaw was tense, and the lines on his face were cold and hard. "Don't say a word about what happened today."
Having said that, he rode away.
Since it concerns Shen Anan's reputation, the two of them naturally know their limits. Most importantly, Xiao Yuan's attitude towards Shen Anan makes them dare not underestimate him.
Li Huaiyan touched his nose, picked up the rabbit, and asked Ling Chenyi awkwardly, "Do you still want to eat rabbits?"
Ling Chenyi glanced at him and said, "What are you eating? Hurry up and catch up."
"It would be a pity to throw it away." Li Huaiyan hung the rabbit on the horse, climbed on it, and chased in the direction Xiao Yuan left.
——
Along the way, Shen Anan's face was not very good, and she remained silent until she returned to the Begonia Garden.
Mo Xiang couldn't help but say, "Miss, I see Master Zhang..."
Shen Anan raised her eyes calmly, and Mo Xiang immediately held back the words on the tip of her tongue.
Mo Xiang felt that the girl's identity and family background were too different from that of Master Zhang. To put it bluntly, when standing next to the sons of officials, Master Zhang didn't even dare to speak loudly. How could he protect the girl in the future?
You have to know that after getting married, the girl's status will follow that of her husband's family. If the status of her husband's family is low, the girl will not even be qualified to stand with those noble ladies.
Only with the master's protection can one avoid being ridiculed.
But who can tell for sure about men? Now the girl is protecting him, but who knows if he will feel that the girl is too strong in the future and like a girl who is dependent and weak like a willow in the wind.
The old lady often told stories like this when she was in Jiangnan.
Background determines vision and confidence. Mo Xiang can understand that, but she feels that he is not a good match for her girl.
Shen Anan sat in front of the window, feeling the cold wind, and it took a long time for the depression in his heart to be relieved.
Xiao Yuan's last words of congratulations echoed in her ears like a devilish sound, and a trace of uneasiness slowly swirled in her heart, lingering.
There's a weirdness that's hard to explain.
She closed her eyes and shook her head.
Maybe she was overthinking it. Now everything was developing as she expected, and things would only get better in the future.
Shen Anan stood up and stretched her arms. After her eldest brother made the engagement, it would be her turn to get married, and everything would be settled.
"Miss." Mo Ran knocked on the door and pushed it open and walked in.
"The maidservant beside Madam came to tell her that there will be a plum blossom viewing banquet at the Second Prince's residence tomorrow, and asked her to prepare well and go together tomorrow."
Shen Anan frowned and nodded in response, "I know."
She really had no interest in the banquets of all sizes hosted by royal relatives and nobles, but the nanny beside the Second Prince's wife came personally to deliver the invitation, so she had to give her the honor.
Dad’s official position is already eye-catching enough, and we must not let others find fault with him for disrespecting the prince.
Mo Xiang and Mo Ran have already started preparing the clothes and jewelry they will wear for tomorrow's banquet.
Shen Anan was half lying on the soft pillow, with her fair and slender wrist bones casually resting on the edge of the bed, and her tone was a bit nonchalant, "No need to be so grand, it's just a banquet, it may not be for any purpose, it has nothing to do with us, just follow the rules."
"Yes." The two maids agreed, but they didn't stop matching the colors of the straps with their hands.
Regardless of whether she is the protagonist or not, a girl must have a grand appearance when she goes out.
Shen Anan half-closed her eyes, feeling a little sleepy, and turned around to follow them.
The Fourth Prince’s Mansion.
study.
There was an unfinished painting on the table.
The woman in the painting has a slim figure and graceful curves, long black hair falling to her waist, and a pair of clear, gentle eyes. Only the missing lips and nose add a bit of weirdness to such a beautiful girl.
Qingfeng and Qingan stood guard on both sides, not daring to breathe.
The master has been sitting here staring at the painting for two hours.
Xiao Yuan half-leaned in the armchair, his dark eyes fixed on the scroll, with a dark and sinister look in his eyes. He unconsciously turned the white jade ring on his right thumb with a cold face.
The scene of the two men standing opposite each other, chatting and laughing kept appearing in his mind, especially the shyness of the scholar, which made him feel extremely eye-catching.
Just with that one day difference, could their relationship develop so quickly?
The silence in the room made it hard to breathe, and Qing'an's scalp felt numb.
He held the post in his hand and touched Qingfeng lightly.
Qingfeng took a step back and glared at him fiercely. At this critical juncture, who would be willing to step forward and offend their master?
"..." Qing An gritted his teeth, mustered up his courage and walked forward lightly, saying in a very low voice, "Master."
"The Second Prince's Mansion has sent an invitation, saying that they will hold a plum blossom viewing banquet tomorrow. Do you want to go?"
Xiao Yuan kept his eyes calm and said nothing.
Qing'an felt uncomfortable all over, and every moment he stood with his head down was torture. After a long while, he finally heard a very faint voice.
"No."
"Oh." He immediately stepped back, stuffed the post into his sleeve, and breathed a sigh of relief.
Seeing that his master's expression had eased a little, Qingfeng immediately said, "Master, the housekeeper came to report that Master Duan is not feeling well. If you are free, would you like to go visit him?"
Xiao Yuan raised his eyelids and frowned slightly, "What did the imperial physician say?"
"The imperial physician said that Mr. Duan's illness is an old one and can only be treated slowly but not cured. The Imperial Hospital is helpless."
To put it bluntly, there is no cure and the only thing you can do is wait for death. If you can hang on for one more day, live one more day.
Xiao Yuan raised his hand and pinched his brow, looking a little tired, "Ask the housekeeper to prepare the gifts and go to Duan Mansion tomorrow."
Old Man Duan is very important to him. He is the person closest to him besides his father and mother. Over the years, he has been worried about his illness and running around, but there has been no progress.
The next morning.
After the court meeting, Xiao Yuan's carriage went straight to Duan Mansion.
"Fourth Prince." The servant at the gate of Duan Mansion ran forward quickly, took the reins, and respectfully welcomed Xiao Yuan into the mansion.
As soon as he left, a maid looked around and ran to the backyard to deliver a letter.
"What did you say? The Fourth Prince is here?" Duan Mengmeng was dressing up, preparing to go to the Second Prince's mansion for a banquet. She stood up excitedly when she heard that.
"That's right." The old woman was very happy. "Now the Fourth Prince has gone to the old master's courtyard. I think he will come to see the Third Miss soon."
Duan Mengmeng bit her red lips lightly and urged the maid who was doing her makeup to hurry up.
"Grandfather is not feeling well. He will definitely need to talk to Grandfather for a while. I'd better pack up and go find him."
The old woman smiled flatteringly and said, "The Fourth Prince will be very happy to see the young lady."
Duan Mengmeng's beautiful face flushed, and she raised her chin towards the maid beside her, "Reward."
The maid immediately took out some silver coins from her makeup box and handed them to the old woman. The old woman was so happy that she smiled and said a few more pleasant words before leaving.
Duan Mengmeng was feeling overjoyed, but when she looked up, she saw a maid inserting a white jade hairpin into her hair. She immediately frowned, looking displeased.
He raised his hand and pulled it off, "What did you put on me?"
She was going to meet the Fourth Prince, and wearing something so plain would not highlight her beauty.
"Please forgive me, young lady. Please forgive me, young lady." The maid immediately knelt on the ground and begged for mercy.
Duan Mengmeng ignored her and picked out a kingfisher hairpin from her makeup box and pinned it in her hair.
The swaying hairpin made her oval face look even bigger, more dignified and noble.
She slowly stood up and turned around with satisfaction.
Suddenly, the sound of a maid's greeting was heard outside the courtyard. Her face suddenly darkened and her smile disappeared.
Not long after, Duan Yingying walked in. She was wearing a moon-white dress, her hair simply tied up, with almost no decoration.
Duan Mengmeng frowned, a trace of disdain flashed in her eyes, "Is this how Second Sister dresses for the banquet?"
Duan Yingying smiled gently, "Third sister, I came here to tell you that I'd better not go to the banquet today."
"Why?"
"Grandfather is not feeling well, I want to stay in the mansion to take care of him."
Duan Yingying glanced at Duan Mengmeng's gorgeous dress and flashy jewelry, and couldn't help but frowning slightly.
Duan Mengmeng narrowed her eyes slightly, hiding the dark light in them, and whispered, "You can attend the banquet. It's my grandmother's request."
"Second sister, if you don't go, wouldn't it be a disservice to grandma's kindness? Grandpa still has grandma to take care of him. It doesn't matter whether you are there or not."
If Duan Yingying didn't go, wouldn't it be unfilial for her to go? But Xiao Yuan would definitely go today, and she couldn't bear to go.
She couldn't help but clench the handkerchief in her hand, with a cold look in her eyes. This second sister always liked to act respectful and docile.
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