Chapter 39 Chu Ruyan rides a horse, sings an opera, and does somersaults?
Ye Feng coughed softly behind Pei Yanzhou, "Ahem, Master, have you forgotten? You and Miss Chen have already broken off the engagement."
Pei Yanzhou picked up his wine glass and said unhappily: "Ye Feng, you really talked too much today."
After Ye Feng lowered his head, he continued to stare at Ana Shen as if he was guarding prey.
Those who gave him sachets were fine, not to be feared, but those who gave him jade pendants, he would remember them all.
However, it is gratifying that Shen Yuning did not compete with other young ladies from aristocratic families today - she did not ride a horse, shoot arrows, play tossing pots, or play Cuju, nor did she recite poems with the royal princes.
Pei Yanzhou's facial expression eased slightly, "Chen Yuning barely still has some conscience!"
Ye Feng: “…”
After a while, the sound of stringed instruments began, marking the important part of the flower-viewing banquet.
Eunuch Shunan walked onto the stage and announced the rules of today's competition with a smile:
"The flower viewing banquet includes five events: horseback riding, archery, playing the zither, singing, and dancing. Whichever lady can overcome all the obstacles and take first place will have the honor of touring Muyun Lake with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd immediately became excited, and the girls were even more excited.
Crown Prince Xiao Yihan has always been averse to women and has always followed his own path. Even the Emperor and Empress cannot influence his marriage. If he can gain his favor, perhaps he can marry into the Eastern Palace.
They kept adjusting their clothes and hair, staring at each other eagerly, hoping to come out on top in the competition.
Pei Yanzhou curled his lips into a smile, with a hint of contempt in his eyes.
But I just spent half a day traveling with my cousin, so why am I so excited?
They are indeed a group of sycophantic and vain women.
He glanced at Shen Yuning in the distance, then touched the sachet given by Chu Ruyan in his sleeve, and muttered to himself:
"My Yan'er is pure and innocent, as noble as a chrysanthemum, and will not be moved by worldly things!"
I think there must be a destiny. Compared with these women, only Ruyan is the most suitable to be my wife.
Ye Feng reminded quietly: "Master, Miss Chu is bedridden due to illness and cannot attend the banquet. You can't make such a comparison."
Pei Yanzhou drank the wine in the glass in one gulp, only to feel that Ye Feng was particularly noisy today.
Mentioning Chu Ruyan's condition, he couldn't help but worry and said: "After the flower viewing banquet is over, I will go to the Chu family to see Yan'er first, otherwise I will really be worried."
"She suffered greatly this time from the rash and the high fever."
Before he finished speaking, everyone's attention was instantly attracted by a thin, masked girl.
Although only her eyes were exposed, the girl was extremely agile.
Sometimes he rode horses and shot arrows, sometimes he played the piano and painted, and finally he pinched his throat and sang a melodious drama.
“Ah, ah, ah, ah—”
“Eh, eh, eh, eh—”
"Bad, bad, bad, bad, bad..."
His every move is full of ambition, and wherever his eyes go, they can stir up murderous intent.
It can be seen how hard she worked to get the first place!
Any young lady from an aristocratic family who had any dignity would immediately retreat if she met her murderous eyes.
"Oh, no, let's not compete. Playing this game is like risking your life."
"She's wearing a veil, and I don't know who she is."
"Do you really want to travel with the prince? Why are you arguing like this?"
Pei Yanzhou's brows furrowed deeper and deeper, staring at the agile figure.
This person, these eyes, this figure and gait... he would recognize him even if he turned into ashes!
With a "crack", he crushed the teacup, "That's Chu Ruyan!"
Ye Feng followed his gaze and almost dropped his jaw in shock.
Isn't it Miss Chu who is hanging upside down on the horse and shooting arrows at this moment?
How could this lively and energetic person look like someone who is seriously ill and bedridden?
It’s no exaggeration to say that he can charge into battle immediately!
He secretly rolled his eyes and pretended to be shocked, "Master, look! It's Miss Chu. Her illness has healed. She can even stand upside down on the horse..."
"Master, her archery skills are so accurate that she almost broke the bow..."
"Master, she sings with great energy, and each high note rises higher and higher..."
"Shut up!"
Pei Yanzhou's face was terribly gloomy. "You don't have to point me out. I know she's faking illness!"
—
Finally, amidst cheers, Chu Ruyan took off her veil and bowed delicately to everyone: "Thank you all for your kindness, sisters. I am not talented enough and I am sorry for offending you today."
There is one last round of dance competition. As long as she can win the dance, she will be the first in the day!
Her eyes met Xiao Yihan on the podium, a seductive glare. "Your Highness, I am Chu Ruyan, the legitimate daughter of Vice Prime Minister Chu. I apologize for presenting myself before you today..."
Xiao Yihan curled his lips into a smile, raised the cup slightly in his hand, his eyes evil and dangerous.
Chu Ruyan's cheeks flushed instantly, and her imagination ran wild.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince must be pleased with me, because he is only smiling at me.
At this moment, she only had Xiao Yihan in her eyes and didn't notice Pei Yanzhou in the crowd at all.
Hong Gu and the maids of the Chu family who were sitting in the viewing seats also clutched their handkerchiefs tightly, their whole hearts hanging on Chu Ruyan.
"There's only one round left. As long as my girl dances, the first prize will be hers!"
"God bless you, Miss, you've been well prepared this time and have practiced the dance more than a hundred times. I believe you'll be sure to nail it today."
Hong Gu wiped her tears, the maids were excited, and Chu Ruyan temporarily stepped off the stage under the watchful eyes of the crowd to take a break.
She almost jumped for joy and ran to the side room. After changing into her dance dress, she waited with great anticipation to go on stage.
"Yan'er!"
A stiff male voice suddenly called her.
Chu Ruyan was startled, and in the blink of an eye she saw Pei Yanzhou's almond-shaped eyes full of disappointment.
"Brother Yanzhou, why...why are you here?"
Her face turned pale and her voice began to tremble.
This shouldn't be the case. Pei Yanzhou's name isn't on the list for the flower viewing banquet. Logically speaking, he shouldn't be here for such an occasion.
"What? Are you surprised that I'm here?" Pei Yanzhou walked towards him step by step, with an unprecedented indifference in his eyes.
"Brother Yanzhou, I...I didn't mean to hide it from you, I actually..."
"I'm covered in rashes, have a high fever, and am bedridden... Yan'er, you've deceived me so much."
Pei Yanzhou interrupted her with a sarcastic look on his face, "Yan'er, I didn't know you could lie."
"Brother Yanzhou, I didn't mean to come here. I didn't want to come here today. It was Wang, my stepmother, who forced me to come!"
Chu Ruyan's eyes turned red and tears immediately fell.
She was extremely panicked now - Crown Prince Xiao Yihan had not been captured yet, and she couldn't let Pei Yanzhou, the cooked duck, fly away.
"Forced by your stepmother? Did he instigate you to pretend to be sick?" Pei Yanzhou clearly didn't believe it. "Do you know how worried I am about you?"
"Did you really manage to climb up the prince's ladder like you told others? So, you despise me?"
"Brother Yanzhou, please don't look at me like that. Yan'er is scared." Chu Ruyan burst into tears and quickly grabbed Pei Yanzhou's sleeve and shook it gently. "Brother Yanzhou, I'm not pretending to be sick. I was really sick a few days ago. It's because... it's because..."
She stammered and couldn't say anything.
"Haha, don't tell me that you recovered because of the thousand-year-old ginseng I gave you."
"Is it that fast? Is the effect that good?"
Pei Yanzhou said with a pained expression, "Yan'er, I've already broken off my engagement for you. I've become that treacherous villain for you. I've made the whole capital laugh at me because of you... Please don't make me feel like it's all not worth it!"
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