When Lin Qingwan returned to the main hall, her cheeks were still slightly flushed.
Qin Ma was waiting at the door. Seeing her in such a hurry, she thought she had caused some trouble and whispered, "Did Miss upset the young prince?"
Lin Qingwan snapped out of her daze. "What?"
Qin Ma said, "Didn't the young lady say that His Highness asked you to play with him?"
Lin Qingwan sneered. So that's what Jiang Yanwan said.
"The Crown Prince took the young prince away, and I was worried about being late, so I rushed back."
Aunt Qin was relieved. "No matter how anxious you are, you can't rush around in public. Miss has learned the rules, so you must always restrain and remind yourself of them."
Lin Qingwan nodded perfunctorily, "I understand."
Tables and chairs had already been set up inside, and all those who could attend were the legitimate daughters of various families.
She asked Qin Ma, "Has Jiang Mingyun met with his mother?"
Aunt Qin was displeased. "Young Master Mingting works for Young Master Gao, and the Minister's Mansion sent him a separate invitation. The Second Madam knows that it is against the rules for him not to be accompanied by the mistress, yet she still sent Miss Mingyun over!"
"She's from the second wife's family, so she shouldn't be allowed in the inner hall. But she is a member of the Jiang family after all, and the madam gave her a few instructions before sending her outside."
Last night, his father specifically instructed Jiang Zhenlin not to follow Gao Wei's reckless actions. It seems that Jiang Mingting is determined to find his own way out because of the old house issue.
What is Jiang Mingyun doing here?
Just to talk about her in front of Prince Jing? Then Jiang Mingting could say the same thing.
Jiang Yanwan waved to her as if nothing had happened, "Qingwan, we've been waiting for you."
Lin Qingwan couldn't help but wonder if Jiang Yanwan and Jiang Mingyun might...
Before she could think it through, Gao Ying sat down to her right, her eyes full of warning.
"If you dare to say anything out of line, you'll regret it."
Lin Qingwan remained calm and said, "Does Miss Gao intend to commit murder and arson in her own home?"
Gao Ying pursed her lips, "If you say anything in front of the Crown Prince, see if I dare to."
Lin Qingwan deliberately leaned closer and said in a voice that only the two of them could hear, "Your Highness likes me, so the Crown Prince will naturally love you too."
"In the end, I have no grudge against Miss Gao and it's none of your business."
"Today is Madam Gao's birthday. Jiang Yanwan instigated you to make things difficult for me, using you as a pawn. Even if you help her deal with it, you'll inevitably gain a bad reputation in front of the Crown Prince. Is it worth it?"
Gao Ying's eyelashes fluttered as she looked at Lin Qingwan in surprise.
Lin Qingwan smiled and said, "Miss Gao, think about it, isn't that the truth?"
Seeing the two whispering and Gao Ying's strange expression, Jiang Yanwan leaned over and said, "Qingwan, Miss Gao didn't mean it just now. If you're angry, blame me."
"Let's all be happy and avoid any unpleasantness. I'm begging you."
Jiang Yanwan's face was full of pleading, and her voice was not low, attracting several glances from those around her.
Lin Qingwan said, "You're overthinking it. I told Miss Gao that I'll bring her along to play with the young prince later."
Jiang Yanwan's face stiffened. "Then, I misunderstood."
Seeing Gao Ying avoid her gaze, Jiang Yanwan felt a little uneasy. "Qingwan, don't be so arrogant. The young prince isn't someone you can just see whenever you want, or bring whomever you want."
These words were obviously meant for Gao Ying's ears.
At this moment, Madam Yang, the wife of the Minister, said, "Let's follow the usual practice of one incense stick's time."
"Pack up the prepared spices and ask the old lady to appraise them first. Select a few and then send them to the North Garden for the Crown Prince, Prince Jing, and the male guests to choose the best ones."
Lady Gao was an expert in perfumery throughout her life. Perfumers in the palace often consulted her, and the ladies of the palace also loved the scents she created.
For aristocratic families who wanted to know news from the palace or curry favor with influential people, Madam Gao was definitely a way to do so.
Over time, the Minister's Mansion held a fragrance-making competition. Noble ladies from various families studied diligently for a year, hoping to make their mark today. If they were lucky, they might be selected to enter the palace, and even if they were unlucky, they might still find a connection with a man through their sachets.
Every few years, there's always a perfect couple who meet each other at an incense-making competition.
Gao Ying had already spoken to her mother, and no matter what, her sachet would definitely reach the Crown Prince.
As soon as the gong was struck, the noble ladies began immediately.
Lin Qingwan was not familiar with spices, but fortunately, she had smelled a lot of medicinal herbs before, so her nose was reliable. She successfully found the spices she needed and then followed the steps taught by the incense master.
She didn't want her father's efforts to be in vain, so she focused intently on preparing the mixture.
When the scent wafted out, Lin Qingwan realized that Jiang Yanwan had also mixed a begonia fragrance. But compared to her shock, only a trace of hatred flashed across Jiang Yanwan's face.
This isn't like her.
Lin Qingwan's heart suddenly lit up. How could she forget that when Prince Jing first visited the Prime Minister's residence, she had smelled a faint scent of begonia on Jiang Yanwan.
At that time, she didn't pay attention to these things and didn't take it seriously.
Therefore, King Jing loved the fragrance of crabapple blossoms!
Lin Qingwan's hand trembled. She thought of the pavilion where Prince Jing had leaned in and kissed her hair, his low, husky voice whispering in her ear, "You wore this outfit just so I would take a second look, didn't you?"
"As you wish, I also wish to kiss... your neck."
Therefore, the clothes and incense her father prepared for her were all things that Prince Jing liked.
Lin Qingwan felt as if the sunshine that had been shining into her heart for days had suddenly turned into a cold, unbearable block of ice, and a chill ran through her limbs and bones.
For a moment, her mind went blank.
Gao Ying chimed in from the side, "I was right. You were openly competing with Yan Wan for Prince Jing."
He then mocked, "Aren't you afraid of implicating the Prime Minister's residence and being ridiculed by others?"
"No wonder nobody likes you."
"I..." Lin Qingwan instinctively wanted to refute, but felt that anything she said would be just sophistry.
She was confused, not understanding whether her father wanted her to compete with Jiang Yanwan to please Prince Jing, or whether he thought that following Prince Jing was a good way out.
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