She would be lying if she said she wasn't surprised.
Consort Chen took a small sip of honey wine, served by her personal maid, then turned to Gu Qianying and offered a gentle smile, without saying a word.
But her smile conveyed sincerity in her eyes, and a hint of "I already knew."
She then noticed Ouyang Qinglin and Consort Chen raising their cups simultaneously, neither speaking.
It was then that Gu Qianying finally understood.
Consort Chen had informed Ouyang Qinglin!
Ouyang Qinglin and Consort Chen already knew each other, and since Consort Chen was in the palace, she would naturally have heard about Gu Qianying visiting the Empress. Given their acquaintance and prior meeting, if she had tipped off Ouyang Qinglin, he would have received news about Gu Qianying.
"She is someone who truly wants to help you."
Ouyang Qinglin's voice suddenly drifted over.
Gu Qianying narrowed her eyes,
Truly help? Perhaps!
But she didn't want to be a caged bird!
"Father Emperor, Changping arrives late. I beg your forgiveness, Father Emperor, your daughter."
Princess Changping of Xia, Ouyang Wan'er, entered the hall accompanied by numerous palace maids. Behind her followed a man wearing a bamboo hat. He was clad in a moon-white brocade robe, with a slender and upright posture. His face was obscured by the veil, but he exuded an aura of aloofness, cold and proud.
As Princess Changping led the man forward, everyone's gaze was drawn to the mysterious man.
"Who is he? I haven't heard of Princess Changping taking in any new male consorts."
"Don't even mention male consorts. We don't even know where the驸马 (fù mǎ - consort to a princess) is. It's very strange that this mysterious man has suddenly appeared beside the Princess. I wonder who this mysterious man truly is, to have the fortune to accompany our Princess Changping?"
"Yes, yes, who exactly is this mysterious man? I really want to know!"
Ouyang Wan'er was exquisitely beautiful, considered one of the top beauties in the State of Xia. However, relying on her status as a favored daughter of heaven, she had countless handsome men killed, and she had even changed her驸马 several times. Her former驸马s were either dead or crippled, which was why few men dared to be by her side.
Ouyang Wan'er paid no mind to the gazes of others and led the man to Ouyang Qinglin, smiling as she said, "You are the Third Imperial Uncle. Just as the rumors say, you have the appearance of a beauty. Third Imperial Uncle, your niece Ouyang Wan'er pays her respects to you."
Ouyang Wan'er curtsied to Ouyang Qinglin.
Her words were both a compliment and a taunt.
Ouyang Qinglin merely smiled, unbothered, "After many years, Wan'er has grown into a graceful young lady. It is truly wonderful."
He offered a perfunctory remark and his devilishly charming gaze fell upon the man behind Ouyang Wan'er.
His slightly clenched fist beneath his sleeve caught his attention.
He could sense the man possessed profound internal energy. The closer he got, the stronger the killing intent emanating from the man became.
Ouyang Qinglin withdrew his gaze and smiled wickedly, "May I ask who this gentleman Wan'er has brought today is?"
Seeing Ouyang Qinglin inquire, Ouyang Wan'er proudly introduced him, "This is this Princess's future驸马, Mo Bai."
Her words sent shockwaves through the crowd,
Everyone present exchanged glances, their hearts filled with astonishment. A驸马?
After the shock came sympathy, mockery, and a desire to watch the drama unfold.
Several驸马s had already met their demise; one wondered how long this mysterious man would last.
"Bang!"
The Emperor of Xia slammed his hand heavily on the table, angrily reprimanding, "Wan'er, cease this foolishness!"
The驸马s were all chosen by him; it was not for Wan'er to decide alone.
"Father Emperor, please don't be angry. Mo Bai is very good to Wan'er. He is handsome and refined. If Father Emperor sees his true face, he will surely be very pleased."
Ouyang Wan'er walked up to the Emperor of Xia, hooked her arm around his, and pouted playfully.
As she spoke, she looked at the man in white, "Mo Bai, why don't you quickly take off your hat so Father Emperor can get a good look at you?"
The moment the white hat was removed, everyone in the hall turned to look at the man, eager to see what kind of handsome and refined appearance lay beneath the mysterious veil.
His appearance could indeed be described as handsome and refined, even beautiful.
Clatter!
A teacup fell to the ground, emitting crisp sounds.
The hot tea dripped between her fingers, reddening her fair and slender digits.
Gu Qianying was stunned, her mind instantly going blank!
Everything around her seemed to freeze.
It was him?
How could it be him?
"Nangong Mo!"
She didn't realize her voice could be so hoarse. As she uttered his name, Gu Qianying herself didn't notice her eyes beginning to water.
"Who are you? Stop mistaking people! He is called Mo Bai, this Princess's驸马, not some Nangong what."
Ouyang Wan'er glared at Gu Qianying, her tone unfriendly.
"Let's go, we'll sit over there."
Ouyang Wan'er led the man to sit opposite Gu Qianying.
As for the man's identity, she only explained to her Father Emperor that
Mo Bai was an orphan with no parents. He was highly skilled in martial arts and, though cold in demeanor, was very good to her.
She also emphasized that he was the驸马 she would marry in this lifetime, and if her Father Emperor did not agree, she would abandon her princess title and elope with Mo Bai.
The Emperor of Xia, considering the grandeur of the banquet and his own reputation, temporarily agreed to Mo Bai becoming Wan'er's new驸马.
Wan'er had a volatile temper and would fly into a rage at the slightest provocation, often resulting in death. Even if he agreed to Mo Bai becoming the驸马, he had to see how many days this驸马 would last.
A red embroidered handkerchief gently brushed across her fingers, the cool sensation bringing Gu Qianying back to her senses.
Gu Qianying lowered her gaze and saw Ouyang Qinglin applying medicine to her, saying indulgently, "You're not a child anymore, yet you're so careless. You deserve to be punished!"
Ouyang Qinglin lightly tapped her forehead with his long, slender finger. To outsiders, their interaction appeared intimate and affectionate.
Gu Qianying quickly pushed Ouyang Qinglin away and turned her gaze towards Nangong Mo.
At this moment, Nangong Mo was already seated beside Princess Changping, Ouyang Wan'er. His cold eyes were devoid of emotion. The crowd pointed and whispered about him, but he remained unfazed, sipping wine and eating, his demeanor exuding nobility.
And from the moment he removed his hat until now, he had not once looked at Gu Qianying.
He treated her as if she were an insignificant stranger.
Little did he know, beneath the table, his clenched fist had already drawn blood from his palm.
The banquet was still in progress.
Officials toasted and sought favor, while concubines chatted and competed, creating a lively scene.
Gu Qianying suddenly picked up her wine cup, stood up, and walked over to Ouyang Wan'er, introducing herself, "Your Highness Princess, my name is Qianying, and I am a friend of the Third Prince."
As she approached, she deliberately stood beside the table where Nangong Mo was seated, only an arm's distance away. She stood, while he sat.
Looking down, he could see the hem of her skirt.
Her peripheral vision was also fixed on Nangong Mo, yet the two remained silent.
"A friend? You are the Third Imperial Uncle's friend, what concern is that of mine? I don't like you!"
Ouyang Wan'er frowned at Gu Qianying. A person who was even more beautiful than herself was naturally disliked by her.
"Why must Qianying be so modest? You've already become this Prince's consort, so don't tease these juniors."
Ouyang Qinglin strode over, standing beside Gu Qianying, his broad arm encircling her, his tone full of affection.
"Clang!"
Chopsticks were set down, making a subtle sound that echoed between the three of them.
Nangong Mo, seated in his chair, finally reacted.