The dance had concluded, and Wu Wenlan took her seat again, the expected events failing to unfold, leaving some inevitably disappointed.
Following this, excluding Meng Hanyue, the princesses of the other three countries each performed, succeeded by Dong Chu’s princess and the daughters of various families displaying their talents in turn, amidst constant applause and a lively atmosphere.
"Yingtong’s painting and calligraphy have greatly improved, rivaling that of Eighth Brother," commented Yang Mengchen with great interest, occasionally discussing with Long Xuanmo.
Long Xuanmo nodded in agreement, "It’s all thanks to Ah Jiu’s excellent guidance," he said, his tone filled with pride and emotion.
If it weren’t for Ah Jiu curing Sixth Imperial Sister’s muteness, if it weren’t for Ah Jiu’s devoted care and teaching over these years, Sixth Imperial Sister couldn’t have grown healthy, let alone live such a carefree and splendid life, almost as if she had been transformed.
"Of course," declared Yang Mengchen with an air of nonchalance and smugness.
The corners of Long Xuanmo’s lips lifted slightly, his eyes sparkling with deep tenderness and indulgence. To have met, known, loved, and stayed with Ah Jiu in this life, he felt both grateful and content.
"Your Majesty, Princess Yanrou admires Crown Prince Meng and requests to marry him as his wife, to further the everlasting friendship between the two nations. Please grant your approval, Emperor!"
As Yang Mengchen was conversing with Long Xuanmo, she suddenly heard the outspoken proposal for marriage to Meng Jingqi, her expression briefly turning stern as she shifted her gaze to the woman standing in the center.
Clad in a cherry-red long gown with wide sleeves embroidered with winter plum patterns, her black hair put up in a Flying Fairy Bun, revealing a stretch of fair and delicate neck, a Green Snow Fragrant Jade Hairpin slanted in her hair, and adorned with a vibrant peony flower, her willowy brows, apricot eyes, cherry lips, and skin fairer than snow, her figure graceful. Every frown and smile, every move she made was an epitome of composure, elegance, and nobility.
Long Xuanmo spoke softly to his beloved wife, "That’s Princess Yanrou from Ke Prince Mansion, Long Yanrou."
When she had entered the palace to recognize her relatives the day after her grand wedding, the Princely Heir’s Wife from Ke Prince Mansion and Long Yanrou had been absent; reportedly, the Princely Heir’s Wife was ill, and Long Yanrou had stayed to tend to her. However, Sister Jin had detailed the members of the royal family to Yang Mengchen, so she recognized her at a glance.
Prince Ke, the Emperor’s youngest uncle, spoiled to the extreme by the previous Emperor and Consort Chu, grew up arrogant, domineering, and looking down on everyone.
Back then, Prince Ke was hell-bent on seizing the throne and had even begun to cultivate his own power while still strikingly young. Before the previous Emperor passed away, Prince Ke tried to bribe people close to the Emperor in a futile attempt to issue a new succession edict. Unfortunately, the previous Emperor had entrusted the edict to his most trusted minister, leaving Prince Ke fuming with anger but helpless to act.
At the beginning of the Emperor’s reign, when a prince rebelled, Prince Ke’s hopes flared up once again. However, after witnessing the Emperor’s strength and decisive actions, he quickly ceased his plotting and firmly aligned with the Emperor. The Emperor, considering his reputation, did not openly confront Prince Ke, but nevertheless discreetly diminished his power.
Yang Mengchen had heard some details about Long Yanrou and kept her expression calm, but inside, she sneered. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
An ignorant fool, wishing to wreak havoc on Brother Jingqi and Qing’an Country—dream on. She would never let their schemes succeed.
Catching the fleeting cold murderous intent in his wife’s eyes, Long Xuanmo felt a surge of jealousy, gripping her hand tightly to convey his displeasure.
The pain in her hand drew Yang Mengchen’s gaze back, and she looked into Long Xuanmo’s dark eyes, realizing his jealousy and rewarding him with a smile.
He’s my brother, and you are the one I love the most!
Understanding the meaning in his wife’s eyes, Long Xuanmo’s jealousy vanished instantly, his slender fingertips gently caressing the palm of his wife’s hand, as if to soothe.
The crowd whispered among themselves, marveling at Princess Yanrou’s audacity to offer herself publicly, quite a disgrace to the royal family. Yet, some more astute individuals quickly realized that there might be more to her actions than meets the eye.
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