When Xiang Wan pushed open the door to go out, she bumped into Xiang Xia looking for her everywhere. Xiang Xia grabbed her wrist and pulled her aside. Xiang Wan pouted, wondering why she kept getting her wrist grabbed today.
"Where have you been?" Xiang Xia asked anxiously, her voice soft and hurried. "Do you know this is the palace? What if something happens while you're running around like this?"
"Huh?" Xiang Wan was a little confused. "What's wrong? I turned around and didn't see you, so I walked around a bit. What happened?"
"Don't run around anymore." Xiang Xia looked around and whispered in her ear, "Just now, Mother seemed to know you were missing and almost sent the guards to look for you. Luckily, I reacted quickly and stopped her in time."
"Didn't we say we'd travel around? What's wrong with Mom?"
"Give her a break. Knowing her personality, she wouldn't have lost her composure if someone hadn't complained." Xiang Xia let go of her hand and pulled her to look towards the Queen Mother's direction. "Look, she's involved everywhere."
Xiang Wan looked closely and saw, lo and behold, the pitiful Qin Rong was standing next to the Queen Mother, pretending to be innocent, wearing her glass slippers. Thinking about it, Qin Rong must have witnessed her being dragged away and was exaggerating the situation; no wonder the Queen Mother was so anxious.
"Sister, don't worry, I'll be fine." Xiang Wan took Xiang Xia's hand, patted the back of her hand, and comforted her, "I just ran into an acquaintance and chatted with him for a while."
"Yes, be careful. There are eyes watching us."
"Ha, I thought she had learned her lesson, but I didn't expect that old habits die hard. If I don't retaliate, I'll really be letting her down after all her efforts."
"What are you going to do? When we're out and about, we should keep a low profile. We can settle things when we get back home."
"Sister, I know what I'm doing."
Xia glanced at Xiang Wan suspiciously, but seeing her calm demeanor, she sighed inwardly and said nothing more.
The two sisters walked to the Queen Mother's side and whispered a few words of explanation to her. The Queen Mother looked at Qin Rong with complicated eyes, sighed, patted Xiang Wan's hand on her arm, and then gestured for Qin Rong to follow behind her to an inconspicuous place to the side.
Leaving aside the Queen Mother's reprimand of Qin Rong, Xiang Wan focused on waiting in the hall for the grand spectacle Yuan Feng had described to begin. Before she and Yuan Feng emerged from the small door, he had held her hand for quite a while, making her extremely embarrassed. Just as she was about to pull her hand away, she heard Yuan Feng say, "Remember this feeling," before pushing open the door and leaving. Confused, Xiang Wan clenched her hand uncomfortably. He was gone, and the warmth of his hand was gone, but the feeling of being enveloped by his large palm lingered in her mind, leaving her feeling lost and helpless.
The hall grew increasingly crowded. As darkness fell, several elegantly dressed and imposing young women entered, followed by a large entourage. Xiang Wan noticed that their attire differed slightly from that of her own country, exuding a foreign charm. Several middle-aged men of high status from the palace approached, greeting them with smiles and politely inviting them to rest in a small room adjacent to the hall. Xiang Wan guessed that these women were likely princesses from a neighboring country, presumably also there for the prince's marriage selection.
Xiang Wan couldn't help but complain: Yuan Feng is really charming. Even the princess came for him. Why does he need my help? Does he want me to fend off his unwanted suitors? He really thinks too highly of me. Someone like me would be snatched away in a heartbeat.
The room in the center of the hall, draped with curtains, slowly opened to both sides amidst the sound of ceremonial music. Under the dazzling lights, the middle-aged king, with a smile on his face, stepped forward.
"Welcome everyone to the ball. I don't say much. My son, the prince, is getting on in years and it's time for him to choose a wife. However, it seems inappropriate to find one just for him. There are quite a few handsome young men of suitable age among the ministers of the various palaces, so let's take this opportunity to settle their marriages as well. Please enjoy the ball to the fullest. Marriage is preordained by heaven. If any couples are happily married during these three days, I will offer my blessings."
After the king finished speaking, the attendant beside him clapped his hands, and then the doors on both sides of the hall opened, and two groups of handsome young men dressed identically and wearing half-face masks walked out and stood in the hall.
"This year's ball was entirely arranged by the prince, and he had a slightly different idea. Those standing below are all unmarried young men, including the prince himself. If any young lady can make her beloved remove his mask, then you are destined for each other, and I will bless you. Good luck!"
After saying this, the king's lips twitched, and he gestured to the attendant beside him to lower the curtain before turning and entering the room.
After everyone in the hall respectfully saw the king off, they remained silent for a moment before going about their own business. The young girls were initially a little shy and hesitant to approach and chat, but when they saw the princesses who came in later inviting them to dance, they couldn't sit still any longer and crowded around them.
Many young men arrived, and some quickly invited their partners to the dance floor. The rest either politely declined the offers and went to their favorite girls, or waited quietly, ignoring the invitations from those around them.
Xiang Wan stood to the side observing, and seemed to see Qin Rong walking shyly toward a young man who had been standing still, as if inviting him to dance.
Hehe, a good opportunity has come! Xiang Wan picked up a drink from the side, thought for a moment, then picked up a plate of pastries and walked towards Qin Rong.
"Rong'er, I haven't seen you for a while. So you're here." Xiang Wan said as she placed the plate of pastries into Rong'er's outstretched hand.
"Here you go, here you go. I specially found your favorite lotus cake for you. Be careful not to spill it on your dress." Xiang Wan looked at Qin Rong with a smile. "Here, I also specially got you a drink. No need to thank me. It's only right for an older sister to get you something."
Before she could answer, Xiang Wan grabbed her other hand and shoved the cup into her hand.
"I..." After a moment of surprise, Qin Rong's expression became quite interesting. Not wanting to bow in front of others, she had no choice but to bite the bullet and take the thing in her hand.
“I noticed that Rong’er hasn’t eaten anything since she came in. She must be hungry now, right? I’ve been looking for you for ages. Luckily, there aren’t many people around now. Hurry up and eat something to fill your stomach, or you won’t have the energy to dance when someone invites you later.”
"You..." Qin Rong blushed at these words. She wanted to refuse but didn't know where to begin. She could only glare at Xiang Wan resentfully, then look apologetically at the young master in front of her, and slowly move to the side.
Xiang Wan's smile widened as she watched Qin Rong carefully walk up the steps with a tray in one hand and a cup in the other, and she couldn't help but feel delighted.
Did you have fun?
The voice behind her made her stiffen. She slowly turned around and met a pair of smiling eyes.
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