Chapter 35 Xiao Jingheng glared at her.
The first half of the poem, "The tree stands out in the forest," alludes to Lin Wan'er's surname and also indicates that she is a tree among trees, with outstanding talent.
"Rooted in fertile soil" refers to the Lin family's strong foundation, which, after ten years, led to a family of upright and noble lineage.
The last line, "waiting quietly for the good bird to arrive," reverses the meaning, suggesting that the "beautiful tree" is waiting for the "good bird," subtly expressing the intention to choose a son-in-law. It is both elegant and bold, truly ingenious!
This half-poem immediately brought the atmosphere to its climax!
Everyone held their breath and watched Xiao Jingheng intently, waiting for his response.
Su Xiaoyu's eyes also sparkled, and she screamed wildly in her heart:
【Catch it, Your Highness! Such a perfect love poem! Catching it will make you the happiest man in the entire capital! Where can you find a beautiful and wealthy woman like Miss Lin?! This is a perfect match!】
Even Xiao Lingxi couldn't help but hold her breath, nervously watching her older brother.
Is her older brother, who has been single for 24 years, really going to find a partner today?
However, under everyone's expectant gaze, Xiao Jingheng remained expressionless, showing no joy or delight whatsoever.
After a long while, just as Lin Wan'er was about to burst into embarrassment, he slowly stood up and ruthlessly uttered the second half of the poem:
"The jade pendant hangs on the garment, without any other ornaments, only to receive the radiance of the bright moon."
After saying that, he cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to Lin Wan'er, then sat back down in his chair.
The moment this couplet was presented, the originally lively atmosphere at the scene froze instantly!
The entire audience was stunned! Everyone wore expressions of disbelief.
This second line is equally brilliant.
The phrase "珩悬于衣" also incorporates his own name, and "不缀杂佩" means that he does not need any extra jade pendants, which is a way of rejecting Lin Wan'er's advances.
She even publicly declared that she had a peaceful life, had no interest in romantic relationships, and completely cut off all potential romantic interests!
The last line, "Only under the bright moonlight," expresses the sentiment that one is only willing to be loyal to the emperor and love the country, without any distractions.
In this way, the overall situation is elevated to "loyalty to the emperor and love for the country," making it impossible for anyone to persuade or question it based on personal feelings.
Lin Wan'er's face drained of color, her carefully maintained smile froze on her face, and she almost couldn't stand up straight.
The entire venue fell into dead silence!
Everyone was stunned into silence by this rebuttal!
Su Xiaoyu stared in disbelief for a moment, then screamed inwardly:
[Holy crap! The young master... he just flipped the table?!]
[Where's the promised official couple? Where's the promised romance? The plot has fallen apart!!!]
Just as I finished complaining in my mind, I suddenly felt a very strong gaze shooting towards me.
Su Xiaoyu had a bad feeling and turned her head to look!
He met Xiao Jingheng's glare head-on!
That's right! It's a piercing gaze!
His phoenix eyes were sharp as cold blades, filled with warning and displeasure.
Su Xiaoyu trembled in fright at his gaze, instantly cowering and quickly lowering her head.
[Oh my god! The Crown Prince's eyes are terrifying! Is it because he saw how agitated I was just now?]
But wasn't I trying to help him find a good match? Why is he still unhappy? A man's heart is unfathomable!
Xiao Jingheng: "..."
He stopped looking at Su Xiaoyu and turned to the eldest princess in the main seat: "Your Highness, I have finished my work. I wonder if it has met your expectations? If there is nothing else, I will take my leave."
His words both put an end to this farce and indicated that he had no intention of explaining the matter further.
The eldest princess was no ordinary person; she had long since seen through the undercurrents between the group.
She gave Xiao Jingheng a deep look, then glanced at Lin Wan'er, who was pale and swaying precariously, and understood.
"Miss Lin, what do you think...?"
Lin Wan'er suppressed the soreness in her throat and forced a polite smile, curtsying slightly towards the Princess and the others:
"Your Highness has lofty aspirations and cares deeply for the country. Today, it is my lack of talent and learning that my poem has failed to meet your appreciation and has disturbed your enjoyment. I am truly ashamed."
Then, she apologized to the princess, saying, "Your Highness, Wan'er suddenly remembered that there are matters to attend to at home, and I would like to take my leave first."
She still looked presentable, but anyone could tell she was forcing a smile.
Xiao Lingxi, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but glare at her older brother.
That's so uncouth!
The eldest princess knew that this matter could not be forced, so she waved to Xiao Jingheng and Lin Wan'er: "Go."
Xiao Jingheng turned around without hesitation, not even glancing at Lin Wan'er.
Seeing this, Xiao Lingxi quickly followed her elder brother out of the princess's residence.
Su Xiaoyu and Zisu quickly followed.
As soon as he stepped out of the princess's residence, Xiao Jingheng's carriage was already waiting in front of the gate.
He didn't stop walking and headed straight for the carriage, the air pressure around him still frighteningly low.
Xiao Lingxi glanced around and quickly spotted a lonely figure not far away, who turned into an alley in the blink of an eye.
Her eyes darted around, and she turned to Su Xiaoyu behind her, giving her instructions:
"Alright, the banquet is over. You don't need to follow me anymore. Go back to your elder brother's place and get back to work!"
As she spoke, she gestured towards Xiao Jingheng's retreating figure with her lip.
Su Xiaoyu was taken aback and subconsciously looked at Xiao Jingheng.
Thinking of his gaze just now, and the awkward scene in the carriage last time, Su Xiaoyu decisively shook her head.
"Second Miss, I was brought here by you, so please go back with your carriage."
Xiao Lingxi put her hands on her hips. "What? You think my words don't count now? You're my elder brother's maid now, not mine!"
"I need to go to the rouge shop, so you'd better hurry up and go, otherwise you'll have to walk back after my older brother leaves!"
After Xiao Lingxi finished speaking, she ignored Su Xiaoyu, lifted her skirt, and walked towards her carriage.
After watching her elder brother's carriage drive away, Xiao Lingxi instructed the coachman:
"Don't take the main road, take a detour and go through that alley over there, hurry up!"
Although the coachman was somewhat puzzled, he dared not disobey the Second Miss's order and immediately turned the horse around, heading towards the alley where Shen Moyan had just disappeared.
...
Meanwhile, in another carriage, the furnishings were spacious, but the air seemed to freeze.
Xiao Jingheng sat upright in the main seat, closing his eyes to rest, his expression calm.
The oppressive aura emanating from him made Su Xiaoyu unconsciously slow her breathing, wishing she could shrink herself into a quail.
Her heart was in turmoil, and she frantically reviewed everything:
[Oh no, the young master is definitely angry! But why is he angry? Is he angry that Miss Lin acted on her own? Or is he angry at me...?]
[But I didn't do anything! I just ate some melon seeds, didn't I? Did he realize I thought Miss Lin was a good match for him? That can't be, right?]
She glanced quickly at Xiao Jingheng. He still had his eyes closed, his long eyelashes casting a small shadow, and his thin lips pressed into a straight line.
[He looks really angry... Should I say something to ease the tension? But what should I say? Praise his poem? Wouldn't that be like walking into a trap?]
Just as Su Xiaoyu was internally struggling, Xiao Jingheng's cold voice rang out unexpectedly:
"Are you disappointed?"
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