"Brother Zhan, why did you take so long?"
The two had just stepped into the front hall when an incredibly seductive shout, accompanied by a fragrant breeze, greeted them. She shoved aside Xu Nian, who was standing in front of Gu Zhan.
Liu Qingmei.
Xu Nian remembered her, but she didn't invite anyone from the Minister's residence. Apart from the Prime Minister Su Qingning, a very important figure, everyone else in the front hall was her close friends and family.
Su Mu had just returned to the capital a few days ago to report on his duties, and he immediately noticed Xu Nian's confusion. "Greetings, County Princess. Miss Liu has come to deliver your congratulatory gifts in person with her maid."
Xu Nian smiled and stepped forward to help Su Mu up. "Brother Su, what are you doing? We're old acquaintances and friends, there's no need to be so polite."
“That won’t do. You are now a county princess. My father always taught us to be polite and respectful, and we must not neglect these proper courtesies.” Su Wanting curtsied gracefully and performed a proper bow in front of everyone.
Da Bao and Er Bao looked at this, then at Su Mu's nodding approval. They jumped down from their seats and, following Xu Nian's actions, bowed to the eldest among them, the Prime Minister.
"Greetings, Your Excellency the Prime Minister."
Having been immersed in officialdom for many years, Su Qingning was certainly not unaware of the tricks played by children.
She glared at her own child with a hint of annoyance, then cheerfully stepped forward to help Xu Nian and the two children up. "Please get up quickly, we're all family, no need to be so polite."
Upon seeing this, the villagers couldn't help but look towards Liu Qingmei.
Both the young ladies and gentlemen of the Prime Minister's mansion had to bow and pay their respects to Xu Nian, the county princess. Miss Liu had heard that her father was a Minister, which was said to be one rank lower than the Prime Minister.
Liu Qingmei's face was very unpleasant, but she couldn't afford to be seen as impolite in front of the Prime Minister.
If word got out, her father would surely give her a severe scolding when she got home! Cursing inwardly, she reluctantly stepped forward and curtsied to Xu Nian, "Greetings, County Princess."
"Get up quickly." Xu Nian smiled and said, "It really surprised me that Miss Liu could come here."
Liu Qingmei was about to say that at least her family had only had Xu Nian's younger brother make sarcastic remarks when a sharp voice suddenly interrupted her, "His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!"
? ? !
Xu Nianzhen had no idea which deity she had offended today. One Liu Qingmei was one thing, but why was the Crown Prince here now?!
His eyes involuntarily drifted towards Su Wanting, and remembering her relationship with the Crown Prince, he wanted to tease her, but it was too late.
The group, led by the prime minister, stood neatly in the front hall, while the villagers, holding their infants who were not yet a year old, dared not let them cry.
Once Crown Prince Jiang Yuanling stood before them and the group bowed in greeting, the front hall was no longer as lively and bustling as before.
Jiang Yuanling looked around, and her gaze softened slightly when it landed on the Su family. "Everyone, there's no need for formalities. Let's treat this as a family banquet. We're here to congratulate the Princess of Fu'an on moving to her new home, so please don't stand on ceremony."
With people here, how could they dare not be reserved?
Xu Nian sighed and led the Crown Prince to the seat of honor. Jiang Yuanling had heard Su Wanting mention her earlier, and now, upon seeing her, he was immediately struck by her stunning beauty.
Her eyes held no other emotion, but when her gaze fell upon Gu Zhan from the main seat in the front hall, something seemed amiss for a moment.
Seeing him chatting and laughing with Xu Nian, and then looking at Su Wanting, who was not only not sad but also happy to see it happen, I understood perfectly.
Gu Zhan glanced at the time outside; the sun was already high in the sky. "The kitchen has prepared all the food. Everyone, let's stop chatting and take our seats."
In the layout of houses in the Xuan Dynasty, the front hall was mainly used for receiving guests, while the side rooms were used for dining when entertaining guests.
By this time, several round tables that seated ten people were already fully occupied. The villagers squeezed together at one table, looking at each other in bewilderment. At the other two tables, Xu Nian, Su Wanting, and Liu Qingmei sat together.
Then there are Gu Zhan and the four Crown Princes.
Apart from them, everyone in the room was a high-ranking official or nobleman. The village chief lowered his eyes, pondering whether they should stay here and cause trouble for Xu Nian.
Then the eldest prince spoke up: "What are you all doing crowding over there? There are plenty of empty seats here. We've already said it's a family banquet, so please sit down."
"Yes, Aunt Zhao, come quickly. There's still plenty of room for the three of us at this table."
"This..." The person whose name was called glanced at the village chief while holding the child, and only dared to move after receiving an affirmative answer.
Liu Qingmei pursed her lips and moved her stool further away from the villagers. On the other side, the male guests did not dare to really listen to the Crown Prince's words, but fortunately, after the women left, the group of people could sit comfortably.
The Crown Prince glanced at them, knowing they were still afraid. So he didn't press them, and with a smile, he invited Da Bao and Er Bao to eat.
Just as I was about to pick up my chopsticks, I heard another noise from the doorway!
"The Third Prince has arrived!"
Oh dear...
[The Crown Prince is one thing, at least he's here to woo a woman. But how dare the Third Prince have the nerve?]
[He's a prince, after all. And some things aren't out in the open. As long as he's thick-skinned enough, what can't he do?]
Did anyone notice the expressions on the streamer's and the villagers' faces?
[Don't even think about it, he's a prince. Even if Niannian wanted to deal with him, she'd have to do it where no one can see. His older brother is still here.]
Xu Nian was completely unable to eat today's meal.
Judging from the Third Prince's attire, his purple robes were luxurious, making him appear even more flamboyant than the Crown Prince.
He was only slightly taken aback when he saw the room full of people. He bowed to the Crown Prince and took his seat without Xu Nian even having to invite him.
"Don't just stand there, let's begin the feast."
The Crown Prince's smile deepened considerably, as if he didn't care at all. "Third Brother, you're a little late. Was something keeping you waiting?"
There's going to be a good show.
Xu Nian tugged at Su Wanting's sleeve and gave her a wink. But Su Wanting looked at the Crown Prince with displeasure.
Caught off guard, Xu Nian, a single person, was fed a mouthful of dog food (a slang term for witnessing public displays of affection), and she said that this feeling was truly bittersweet.
[Haha, the streamer is still thinking about watching the show, while Miss Su is worried about her lover being bullied.]
[However, this third prince is indeed a bit arrogant. Even the crown prince is dressed modestly and simply. He stole the limelight right away.]
"It's nothing serious, I just overslept today. Unlike my brother, who is busy with state affairs but still has to attend this housewarming banquet." He glanced at Xu Nian with disdain.
Very well, Jiang Yuanlang, you just wait!
With both old and new grudges combined, Xu Nian gave a cold smile and, where no one could see, a yellow talisman transformed into a beam of light and struck the Third Prince!
Hmph! I'll let you taste the power of my newly restored magic!
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