Chapter 44
"Your Highness, the time has come. Should we start?" The etiquette officer in charge came to Yi Luoyue and asked.
"Let's get started."
"Yes, there are a total of twenty-two young masters from aristocratic families here today, but a few have not yet arrived. What do you think?"
"It's okay, just start." She really didn't know how long she would have to spend in this place. She didn't want to stay here for an entire afternoon.
"Yes." Turning around, the etiquette officer took the order and went out, and ordered someone to roll up the pearl curtain of the pavilion.
As everyone wished, everyone in the garden could now see the princess's face. As the pearl curtain opened, her face, which everyone was eagerly looking forward to, was revealed.
This mysterious Moon Princess wore delicate makeup, her dark hair flowing like clouds, and her moist red lips made her skin appear even fairer. Her clear eyes were filled with a lively radiance. Everyone's gaze was glued to her slender figure, unwilling to miss even a glimpse of her beauty.
"Oh my god! That's Princess Yue? She's so beautiful!"
"She is worthy of being the most beautiful woman in Yidu!"
"Not to mention her family background, her stunning beauty alone is enough to attract people."
Yi Luoyue's peerless beauty rekindled the thoughts of those young masters from aristocratic families who had originally planned to give up on some of them.
Yi Luoyue's gaze swept over the various nobles waiting in the garden. Each had their own unique characteristics. Some were imposing, a picture in their presence. Some were gentle and refined, holding folding fans and whispering to those around them. Some were dashing and upright, but there were also those with malicious intent, their eyes blazing at her. But as she looked around, she felt no wavering. These people might value her princess status, or covet the power of the royal family. As her father had said, today was just a formality, and she just had to avoid losing her royal manners. But why hadn't Gong Yuchen arrived yet?
"Today is Princess Yue's birthday. By His Majesty's order, a tea party is being held. Young men from all families may begin presenting gifts to the princess."
"The Fourth Prince of Beiyi, Moyi presents the gift."
The first to come forward to present the gift was the fourth prince of the Northern Barbarians, Mo Yibing. He was seen holding a brocade tray in his hand, slowly walking into the flower pavilion and bowing.
"The Fourth Prince of the Northern Barbarians, Mo Yi, wishes Her Royal Highness a happy birthday and longevity. This cloak is made of the fur of a Northern Barbarian white fox. May it bring glory to Her Royal Highness."
Yi Luoyue looked at the flawless snow-white shawl on the brocade plate in his hand and smiled politely.
"The Fourth Prince of Beiyi is so thoughtful. Thank you for the gift."
After saying this, she picked up a green purse from the tray on her left and handed it over. Mo Yibing took the purse, a flash of understanding in his eyes, then he smiled calmly and bowed and withdrew. As a prince, his calmness did make Yi Luoyue feel a little more favorable towards him, but this favorable impression did not turn into a love affair.
Then, more than a dozen young men from aristocratic families came forward one after another, some offering exquisite jewelry, some precious jade, some rare treasures from all over the world, and some even composed poems and painted pictures on the spot, hoping to win the princess's favor. But Yi Luoyue always smiled gently and gave each of them a green purse in return.
"Prince of the Western Yi, Gong Yu presents a gift."
When it was the turn of the Western Yi prince Gong Yuxian, the atmosphere in the garden immediately became lively.
"Hey? Why didn't I see the second young master of the Wu Cheng family today?"
"I don't know! But didn't the princess give away the golden purse?"
"Now it's the turn of the Prince of Xiyi. I wonder if he will get the golden purse?"
"I think it's pretty bad. I wonder if you've heard about it?"
"What did you hear?"
"At the poetry gathering two days ago, it was said that the princess didn't treat the Western Yi prince well."
"Is there such a thing?"
"That's right, so I don't think this Prince of Xiyi will have a chance."
In the garden, whether they were unsuccessful, waiting to be unsuccessful, or the noble ladies waiting to receive purses, they were all whispering and discussing quietly.
Gong Yuxian had been promoting his reputation in Yidu for some time. In the eyes of many, he was a rising star, overflowing with talent and strikingly handsome, attracting the admiration of many young ladies from noble families.
But today he came here with a limp, and his face seemed to be injured. His face was a little swollen and his eye sockets were a little bruised. He only held a small brocade box in his hand, which didn't look that valuable.
Gong Yuxian walked into the flower pavilion and looked at the stunningly beautiful princess. He inexplicably felt that she looked familiar, but he could not remember where he had seen such a beauty before. It was strange, because as long as he had seen a beauty, he would definitely remember her.
"Prince of Xiyi, Gong Yuxian wishes Her Royal Highness the Princess a happy birthday. This is the deed to a jade mine in Xiyi, I hope the Princess will accept it." Gong Yuxian's voice was gentle, and when his eyes fell on Yi Luoyue, they were filled with a bit of admiration.
"Wow! A jade mine?? This Western Yi prince is really generous!"
"I have to say that Xiyi is really rich!"
"I think this prince has a good chance of becoming a royal consort!"
Just when everyone around thought that Yi Luoyue would definitely look at Gong Yuxian, a young man with both talent and beauty, with a different eye, a cold and aloof voice interrupted.
"Your Highness is so generous! When can our Xiyi jade mines be used as gifts?"
It’s Gong Yuchen!
"Auntie!" Xiaoyue ran into the flower pavilion and deliberately bumped into Gong Yuxian.
What a disgusting man! I hate him the moment I see him. He dares to snatch someone from my dad.
Following into the flower pavilion, the usually stern Gong Yuchen's eyes lit up when he saw Yi Luoyue, who had dressed up for the occasion. She smiled at him, and the moment their eyes met, Gong Yuchen was stunned!
Yi Luoyue hugged the little guy and sat beside him.
"Have you been with Grandpa?"
"Uh-huh."
"Be good and watch beside your aunt."
"Okay." Xiaoyue decided to be a good girl and not embarrass her father.
"Prince Gongyu, why are you here? It's really rare." Looking at Gong Yuchen, Yi Luoyue's voice became much softer.
"Someone serve tea to the prince."
"I have nothing to do, so I came to take a look."
Gong Yuxian's face turned grim upon seeing this, but he couldn't let it get out of hand in front of everyone. He finally remembered why the princess looked so familiar; it turned out she was the woman dressed as a man that day. Damn it! He hadn't expected his first impression to be a good one. He was afraid his efforts would be in vain. A calculating look flashed across his lowered eyes; it seemed his plan for tonight was inevitable.
"Why, the princess likes jade mines?"
"Of course I like it. Prince Gongyu, will you also give me the jade mine?"
"My gift is not so easy to accept." He looked at her meaningfully.
Yi Luoyue understood, but he was in a bad mood.
"Aunt, you like jade mines? Then how about I give Daddy to you as a birthday present? Daddy has lots and lots of jade mines!"
"You! What are you thinking about every day?" Yi Luoyue pointed at her little nose with her finger.
Humph! She turned her face away in a pout. Damn it! She really wanted to help!
What does she need the jade mine for? Gong Yuchen is much more valuable than the jade mine. But...
"Prince, today is my birthday. Why are you here empty-handed?"
"Your Highness, I dare to give it to you on this occasion. Do you dare to accept it?"
A hint of shyness flashed across Yi Luoyue's eyes for a moment, but she then regained her composure.
Gong Yuchen glanced at Yi Luoyue and thought to himself that he should let the little fox go for now and give the thing to her later.
"Prince, are you taking out the only jade mine under your name?"
Xiao Yue'er suppressed a low laugh, earning Gong Yuchen a warning look.
Gong Yuxian's face turned green when he heard this. It was true that Xiyi was rich in beautiful jade, but the jade mines were all controlled by the royal family. Even though his father was the illegitimate brother of the Xiyi king, he only owned two or three small mines.
"I certainly don't have the wealth of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, but I have also tried my best and given everything for the princess. In this respect, Gong Yuxian believes that he is no less than the Crown Prince."
"So the prince is going to stay in Yidu and be a royal consort?" Gong Yuchen put down the teacup, his eyes flickering sharply.
"This has nothing to do with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!" Gong Yuxian said bluntly.
Yi Luoyue looked at Gong Yuxian. She still picked up the green purse from the tray on the left and handed it over.
"I will not accept the generous gift from Prince Gongyu. Thank you very much."
The moment Gong Yuxian reached out to take the purse, he was filled with anger and his face froze for a moment, but he still forced himself to bow and retreat. However, when he turned around, his steps slowed down significantly.
"Prince, what's wrong with your leg?"
"The prince doesn't know?" Gong Yuxian looked at Gong Yuchen with a sneer. Don't think he couldn't guess. It was definitely him who sent people to attack him that night.
"I just heard that the prince's carriage overturned a few nights ago. From now on, on dark and windy nights, the prince must be careful not to overturn his carriage when he goes out."
Yi Luoyue looked at the two people arguing with each other. What Gong Yuchen had done that night was Gong Yuxian? No wonder he looked like he had been beaten today.
"Your Highness, see you later." Humph, I'll let you be proud for a few hours first, and then wait for the show in the evening.
"He..." Xiaoyue was about to say that Gong Yuxian was impolite, but Yi Luoyue was quick-witted and picked up a piece of cake and put it into her mouth.
"Have a snack, it will be over soon, sweetheart."
"Okay." The little guy agreed reluctantly.
Another half hour passed, and all the gentlemen at the tea party had presented their gifts. The green purse in front of Yi Luoyao was almost empty, but the golden purse was still lying quietly on the tray. She stood up and smiled at everyone in the garden.
"Thank you all for your gifts today. We will also have a dinner tonight. Please do as you please for the rest of the time. I will be leaving now."
"Farewell, Her Royal Highness the Princess." Everyone bowed and watched Yi Luoyue and the others leave.
"I thought the princess was so familiar with the prince of the Western Yi that she would give the golden purse to him!"
"How is that possible? The prince is about to leave, how could he stay and become a consort? See, that golden purse is still on the plate."
"Eh? So, Master Li Er didn't come today!"
"Sure enough, this consort is still Mr. Li!
The tea party continued, but the golden purse left on the tray eventually became a secret that no one knew about. However, a few people were whispering in secret.
"Hurry up and inform the virtuous king that Li Fei may become his consort. Tonight's plan must be foolproof."
"Yes, Prince."
The person in the dark took the order and disappeared.
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