Shen Tangning's eyelids twitched inexplicably. She touched the corner of her eye with her fingertips and glanced back at the men's seats, but she couldn't see anything from her angle.
She could only console herself that perhaps she was overthinking things.
The purpose of bringing these noble ladies here was certainly not just to admire the flowers. Yan Mingyi lazily suggested, "Such a beautiful scene, but just admiring the flowers would be rather boring..."
As soon as she opened her mouth, the entire room fell silent.
"How about we have a competition? Let the ladies showcase their talents."
Those below understood and readily agreed.
This had little to do with Shen Tangning. She heard Wen Yao complain softly, "It's another talent show. What talents do I have?"
Not everyone is willing to marry a prince, and she was one of them.
The others started preparing months in advance, but Wen Yao didn't want to be selected and didn't care much about it.
Shen Tangning covered her lips and glanced at her: "Just do a quick, perfunctory job. Don't you know how to play the piano?"
Wen Yao wrinkled her nose and muttered, "Then I really made a fool of myself."
She is skilled in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but not proficient in any of them.
Shen Tangning looked at Gu Qingxu: "What are your plans, Sister Gu?"
Gu Qingxu smiled and said, "Let's paint."
Her specialty is actually chess, but a game of chess takes a lot of time. Everyone knows she's good at it, so no one is willing to play against her.
Unfortunately, Jiang Qingyue had also chosen to paint. Hearing the commotion over there, she raised her eyes, a dark glint in them.
Yan Mingyi asked Yin Fang to compile a list of the talents that the young ladies would be showcasing and then categorize them into groups.
Shen Tangning looked at Jiang Qingyue standing with Gu Qingxu, her brows furrowing almost imperceptibly.
She wasn't surprised that Jiang Qingyue was here. Her initial target was the Third Prince, but now that the Third Prince was dead, she had to look for a new candidate.
The sixth prince is still young, and the only eligible candidates are the crown prince and the fourth prince. It goes without saying who Jiang Qingyue will choose.
Shen Tangning's eyes darkened. She really didn't want to watch the other party harm her cousin, not even as a concubine!
Jiang Qingyue is cunning and scheming, while Sister Gu is gentle and generous. In terms of scheming, she may not be a match for the other. Moreover, she is wicked and unscrupulous. If she were to enter the Eastern Palace, there would likely be endless troubles to come.
Shen Tangning narrowed her eyes slightly: It seems I need to think of a way.
...
"Which girl did the Crown Prince choose?" The Sixth Prince looked up at the side, a sly glint in his eyes.
Yan Huai glanced down at him, raised his hand and tapped his forehead, then gave a helpless smile: "Sixth Brother, don't talk nonsense! Marriage is not a transaction, it requires mutual consent. The girl is not a commodity, how can you describe it as picking and choosing?"
The sixth prince touched his forehead and pouted, "Alright, let me ask you another way. Does the Crown Prince have a girl he likes?"
Yan Huai opened his mouth, speechless for a moment, then smiled slightly: "At such a young age, you already know what liking someone means?"
The sixth prince blinked and said logically, "If I like someone, of course I want to marry them and be with them all the time!"
Yan Huai opened his eyes in astonishment: "Where did you learn all this?"
“Storybooks!” the Sixth Prince said matter-of-factly, then covered his mouth after speaking.
Yan Huai glanced at him cryptically a few times and said, "When we get back, I'll have someone take away all your storybooks!"
"No, Your Majesty..." The latter immediately looked miserable.
A soft laugh came from the side. Yan Huai looked over and examined Yan Jue's somewhat pale face: "Is Fourth Brother feeling any better?"
Yan Jue smiled slightly and said, "It's alright, thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."
Yan Huai's expression was gentle as he patted his shoulder lightly: "It's time for you to settle down and start a family. Take this opportunity to see what's going on."
Yan Jue lowered her eyes, her expression somber: "Why should I, with my health, hold someone back?"
Yan Huai frowned slightly, all his unspoken words turning into a helpless sigh.
...
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