Duan Heng gave a curt "hmm".
The Eighth Prince, Duan Yan, lowered his head in disappointment, seemingly saddened by his Fourth Brother's cold expression.
But after a while, he cheered up and asked Duan Heng with concern, "Fourth brother, didn't you lose your memory? Are you feeling better now?"
Seeing the attentive Eighth Prince, Duan Heng paused slightly in his wine cup: "No need for Eighth Brother to worry. With the imperial physician's treatment, I have already remembered a lot."
After speaking, Duan Heng did not ignore the several malicious glances he was receiving from the shadows.
Ha, he's just barely hanging on. Let him be high-profile for a few more days.
"That's wonderful! I knew my fourth brother was blessed with good fortune and would recover soon."
The Eighth Prince said happily, but no matter how enthusiastic he was, he couldn't withstand the Fourth Prince's cold and silent nature, and the atmosphere quickly cooled down as no one else chimed in.
The prince savored the teacup in his mouth, seemingly more interested in the teacup than everyone else at the table.
Duan Heng didn't care about his brothers, whether their personalities had changed or not. It was the first time he had brought Qingyin to such a public place, and he was worried that Ahua would be scared. But no matter how worried he was, the banquet was about to begin.
As a figure in bright yellow stepped in, those around him immediately knelt down to pay their respects to the emperor.
It wasn't surprising that Qingyin followed Jiang Lingya's posture and blended into the crowd.
On the stage, as soon as Emperor Yongqing entered, he saw the familiar fourth prince kneeling upright on the ground, still looking and exuding the same aura as before.
A hint of satisfaction flashed in Emperor Yongqing's eyes.
Even if this son is deposed, he doesn't necessarily need him to ascend the throne.
Perhaps it was because Emperor Yongqing had been staring at him for too long, but even the princes noticed that their father had glanced at the fourth prince a few more times.
After finishing his greetings, Duan Heng noticed that he was being stared at more often, but he remained calm and composed as he sat upright.
Many ministers cast approving glances his way, saying, "Fourth Prince, not bad."
Emperor Yongqing looked at the people below the stage, his majestic and handsome face revealing no emotion.
Who is Lin Erhua?
When Qingyin was suddenly asked the question, she quickly stood up and bowed, but was stopped by the emperor.
Since she didn't have to kneel, Qingyin simply stood there.
"This humble woman, Lin Erhua, greets Your Majesty."
The girl lowered her eyes respectfully, and as she did so, a section of her fair neck was exposed, and the hem of her skirt swayed slightly in the wind.
Anyone could see the girl's nervousness and panic offstage.
But no one dared to step forward to stop it, because standing above was the emperor, who held the power of life and death over everyone.
Emperor Yongqing remained silent, carefully observing how this mountain girl had managed to make his son a womanizer.
“Raise your head.”
Qingyin raised her head, but her long, trembling eyelashes betrayed her nervousness and timidity.
But the person on stage could see it more clearly. It was a pair of overly clear eyes, like shooting stars, with pupils like pools of water. Due to emotional turmoil, or perhaps nervousness, the corners of the eyes, which had been staring for too long, were tinged with a pinkish hue, like irises blooming after the first rain, carrying a touch of spring and a girl's unconscious charm.
Looking into those eyes, and at the fair skin revealed beneath the veil, the emperor felt a slight stirring in his heart, and softened his tone: "Why are you wearing a veil?"
Qingyin timidly raised her head, because Duan Heng had told her that one should never put down what the emperor had said unless he gave permission. The girl did not know if she could put down her raised chin now, so she could only maintain this pitiful posture and said, "I have recently caught a cold and I am afraid that the disease may affect me, so I am wearing a veil."
Because of the long time that had passed, the girl's eyes filled with a little water, making her clear eyes reveal an indescribable feeling, like a canary that was firmly controlled by someone.
Emperor Yongqing remained silent, naively captivated by those eyes.
Lin was truly blessed with exceptionally beautiful eyes.
No wonder the fourth brother took a liking to her.
Below the stage, Duan Heng looked at the pitiful Qingyin and tried his best to suppress the emotions in his eyes. His hands clenched into fists inside his wide sleeves.
He couldn't go out. His father already disliked her because of his feelings for Ah Hua. If he helped her, it would only make his father even more intolerant of her.
On the stage, the gentle-looking Sixth Prince quietly watched the scene unfold, never expecting that the Fourth Prince was genuinely interested in this Miss Lin.
He wasn't angry when the Eighth Prince mentioned him earlier, but his mood changed after the Emperor asked him a few questions about Miss Lin. It's really hard to believe.
In traditional operas, it's sung that a prince, a chosen one of heaven, falls in love with a commoner woman who saved him; it's truly a match made in heaven.
The sixth prince's lips curled slightly, and a hint of a smile appeared in his eyes.
However, this Miss Lin is indeed beautiful, and that's why she even attracted the Emperor's attention.
The Sixth Prince smiled, his gaze falling on the eyes of the girl below the stage. How interesting it would be if the girl the Fourth Prince fell in love with became the Emperor's concubine.
As he spoke, a hint of excitement flashed in the Sixth Prince's eyes.
"Alright, let's go back."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
The girl in the audience looked so slender that Emperor Yongqing had the illusion that he was bullying her.
He let the girl go back.
Qingyin walked back, trembling.
It wasn't until she sat back down in her chair that she noticed the sweat on her back.
Jiang Lingya noticed her nervousness and showed concern.
"Don't be afraid, Sister Ahua, His Majesty only wants to see you because of the Fourth Prince."
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