After Huang Yarou left with Huang Yingying, Su Xiaoqi remained standing in place, watching her.
She had also seen her speaking to a group of guards and people in sedan chairs by the roadside.
Just as she was about to quietly ask who that person was, she heard someone in the crowd exclaim, "Wow, His Highness the Crown Prince is out today too."
"Ah, how lucky, I've heard the Crown Prince is very handsome."
Su Xiaoqi also saw clearly by then. The person in the sedan chair was wearing a four-clawed golden dragon embroidered robe and a golden crown inlaid with pearls. He was around thirty, handsome, and dashing.
Surrounded by guards, his retinue was extremely grand. It was none other than the current Crown Prince, Liang Qiran.
He was the third son of Emperor Xingzhao and his mother was the favored Imperial Consort Huang.
He had been Crown Prince for nearly fifteen years, the second Crown Prince appointed by Emperor Xingzhao.
The first Crown Prince, Liang Qiye, was Emperor Xingzhao's eldest legitimate son, born to Empress Yuan Xu.
However, in the tenth year of Xingzhao's reign, he was accused of treason for secretly possessing imperial robes in the Eastern Palace, his position as Crown Prince was abolished, and his entire family was exiled to the Western Frontier.
The deposed Crown Prince's son, Liang Jingchen, who was three years old at the time, went missing halfway through their journey through the Bashu region during their exile.
Shortly after Emperor Xingzhao deposed the former Crown Prince and exiled his family, he received memorials from his officials.
The third son, Liang Qiran, who was only ten years old and highly favored, was appointed Crown Prince.
Fifteen years had passed, and he had the support of his favored mother, Imperial Consort Huang, in the harem.
In the court, he had the assistance of his maternal uncle, Duke Huang.
Coupled with the fact that he had gathered a large number of capable individuals in the Eastern Palace to devise strategies for him.
His position as Crown Prince was now very stable.
Even if the former Crown Prince Liang Qiye were to clear his name regarding the accusation of possessing imperial robes, it would not have shaken his position as Crown Prince at all.
He continued to enjoy his glory.
Even for this Dragon Boat Race, Emperor Xingzhao had ordered him to preside, allowing him to gain prominence.
Su Xiaoqi even knew that in her previous life, Liang Qiran had successfully ascended to the throne and become emperor.
However, with such a cunning mother and an ambitious maternal uncle, the rottenness at the top would inevitably affect those below.
After his ascension, feeling that no one could suppress him any longer, he indulged his true nature, becoming extravagant and debauched, constantly seeking immortality through alchemy.
A series of reckless actions plunged the court into chaos, and forty years later, the Northern Di took the opportunity to advance south again and occupy Shuntian Prefecture.
Fortunately, the Daliang Dynasty still had capable officials who managed to repel them from the city gates.
Thinking back now, if it hadn't been for powerful officials like Shen Yun controlling the court and governing for the incompetent emperor, Daliang would have long suffered from a populace that had lost its livelihood, and the world would have been in great turmoil.
Therefore, although Shen Yun held considerable power, his benevolent intentions for the realm were beneficial to the court and the common people.
It was just that his methods towards the original owner were indeed too ruthless.
"Xiaoqi, the Crown Prince is coming, hurry and pay your respects." The Old Madam saw that Xiaoqi had suddenly zoned out and quickly patted her hand to remind her to come back to her senses.
Su Xiaoqi snapped back to reality, her heart tightening, and immediately knelt with everyone else to offer her greetings.
Liang Qiran glanced at the kneeling crowd, his gaze firmly fixed on the Princess Royal who was standing.
His handsome eyes were filled with coldness.
After Liang Qiran's sedan chair passed, Prince Duan, Liang Qiye, also arrived with his entourage.
Naturally, everyone paid their respects again.
Su Xiaoqi felt a gaze upon her from above. She secretly looked up and saw a familiar face – Liang Jingchen.
She had heard last time that he had gone to Baoding Prefecture to handle affairs for Prince Duan, but this time he had returned to the capital.
It was evident that he had seen her as he passed through the crowds of ladies.
She didn't know where he got such good eyesight.
Among so many people, he could spot her so accurately, without fear of making a mistake.
Su Xiaoqi lowered her head and chuckled softly.
Following behind were Prince Duan's heir, Liang Jingning, and the Crown Prince's eldest legitimate son, Liang Jingyu, also known as the renowned Young Master Yu, who was exceptionally talented in literature and skilled in painting.
These royal descendants were all more handsome than the last, drawing enthusiastic cheers from the onlookers.
The scene was comparable to the grand parade of the top scholars after the imperial examinations.
After Liang Jingyu passed, Su Xiaoqi immediately felt that the expressions of the young ladies around her had changed significantly.
Su Xiaoqi specifically looked at Liu Tingting.
She had known for a long time that Liu Tingting liked Young Master Yu.
At this moment, Liu Tingting stood not far away, gazing at Liang Jingyu with adoration.
Her expression was utterly infatuated, as if she was about to rush forward and devour him.
Su Xiaoqi shifted her gaze slightly and looked at Zhao Xiaohua beside Liu Tingting. Zhao Xiaohua was a newcomer.
She had not been present when Liu Nini and Huang Yingying had confronted her earlier.
But whether it was related to her or not, she didn't know.
Seeing her, Su Xiaoqi couldn't help but glance at her side.
Indeed, she saw Su Yuru.
Su Yuru's gaze was fixed on Liang Jingning.
Although not as overtly smitten as Liu Tingting, her eyes were filled with affection.
Just then, Du Yiyi arrived.
She accurately located Su Xiaoqi, tugged at her sleeve, and gestured with her chin towards her.
She also signaled her mother, Yu Rong, to look at Liang Jingning.
A trace of displeasure appeared on Yu Rong's heroic face, and her expression turned grim. It was likely that Du Yiyi had already informed her of Su Yuru and Liang Jingning's secret affair.
This was good, Su Xiaoqi no longer had to worry about Du Yiyi marrying the wrong person.
After the main figures had arrived, someone immediately stepped onto the highest platform and waved a flag.
The ships gathered on the river saw the signal and prepared for the race.
Since there was such a grand spectacle to watch, everyone returned to their respective shaded pavilions, took their seats, and prepared to observe.
Su Xiaoqi introduced Shen Mingzhu to the Princess Royal.
Shen Mingzhu felt flustered but managed to pay her respects without losing her etiquette.
The Princess Royal smiled and gave her a ruby-inlaid gold hairpin as a meeting gift.
Seeing that Su Xiaoqi and Du Yiyi were close, she warmly invited Du Yiyi to join them in their pavilion.
The dragon boat race began, grand and imposing.
Cheers erupted from both banks incessantly.
Su Xiaoqi watched with great interest.
Just then, a tall, thin middle-aged man with a pale, beardless face, wearing a ceremonial hat and holding a horsetail whisk, walked in.
He solemnly saluted the Princess Royal, announcing the arrival of His Highness the Crown Prince.
The Princess Royal, who had been lounging on a couch, straightened up immediately upon hearing this, her back becoming ramrod straight.
The Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace, Liang Qiran, had always been at odds with her.
They were not born of the same mother.
Liang Qiran was born to Imperial Consort Huang, while she was the eldest legitimate daughter of the late Empress, sharing the same mother as the former Crown Prince, now Prince Duan.
The late Empress and the highly favored Imperial Consort Huang had always been in conflict.
Even rumors suggested that Imperial Consort Huang had ordered her assassination when she passed away.
Unfortunately, she had never found any evidence, and coupled with Emperor Xingzhao's continued favor towards Imperial Consort Huang, her efforts to shake her foundation had been in vain.
The Princess Royal, being forthright, did not wish to converse with this so-called half-brother.
Engaging in pretense was exhausting.
However, since he had already arrived and had the moral high ground, she couldn't say anything. She responded coldly.
Liang Qiran had reached the entrance. Seeing the Princess Royal's demeanor, he smiled and asked if his elder sister did not welcome him.
The Princess Royal scoffed internally, thinking that he knew he was unwelcome yet still came, which was quite annoying.
However, she had no choice but to maintain appearances: "His Highness the Crown Prince's visit brings splendor to this humble abode. How could I not welcome you?"
Upon entering, Liang Qiran looked around and immediately noticed a woman with a bright and elegant demeanor standing beside the Princess Royal.
Her face was exquisite, appearing young and delicate, yet she was already dressed as a married woman.
He immediately recognized her as the presumptuous woman his aunt had pointed out to him on the road earlier, the one who, under the Princess Royal's protection, dared to bully his little cousin.