The atmosphere around the table felt off, and everyone seemed to notice.
Their gazes all turned towards them.
On one hand, it was an opportunity to openly admire the peerlessly beautiful Prince Xuan.
On the other, they wanted to see where Chu Qianli, the discarded wife, found the audacity to even consider competing for the position of Princess He in front of Prince Xuan.
Chu Qianli's usually serene expression finally showed a crack due to the Empress's words.
She could feel the chilling aura emanating from the man sitting opposite her, even without looking.
She hadn't intended to hurt him.
She truly didn't know the purpose of the Empress's banquet that night.
The maid from the Duke's mansion who had notified her had only said that the Empress required all the young ladies of the Duke's mansion to attend, without mentioning any reasons.
She had come reluctantly, with the mindset of avoiding trouble.
Yu Linglong arrived soon after.
She had intended to sit with Feng Yexuan, but Chu Huaiyu had already occupied the seat beside him.
Yu Linglong's face turned pale with anger. In the end, she sat with some of the princesses.
It was all because she had spent considerable time and effort to fix the scratch on her face.
As a result, Chu Huaiyu had taken all the good seats!
The Empress, after a few sips of wine, said with a smile, "I hear that Miss Huaiyu, one of the three great talents of the imperial city, is also here. Might Miss Huaiyu grace me with a display of her talents?"
This was a direct request from the Empress!
Chu Qianli suddenly seemed to understand the Empress's intentions.
Chu Huaiyu's current identity was that of Long Yue's daughter.
It was now widely known that Prince Xuan showed particular favor to Long Yue's daughter.
It used to be Chu Qianli, and now it was Chu Huaiyu.
If the Empress ordered Chu Huaiyu to perform at Prince He's consort selection banquet, and Prince He did not choose Chu Huaiyu, but Prince Xuan later took Miss Huaiyu into his own residence.
That would be telling the world that what Prince He rejected, Prince Xuan cherished as a treasure!
How could Prince Xuan maintain his dignity?
Recently, rumors had been circulating that the succession struggle between Prince He, the eldest prince, and Prince Xuan, the fourth prince, was intensifying.
The Empress's move tonight further illustrated this.
Both Chu Huaiyu and Chu Qianli were being used to humiliate Prince Xuan!
Feng Yexuan remained expressionless, quietly drinking.
It would be difficult to see any emotion on his face, which was as calm as still water.
As for Chu Huaiyu, having been called out by name, she had no choice but to respond.
She had to leave Feng Yexuan's side and walk to the center of the hall, bowing to the Empress and Prince He, who sat beside her.
The hall fell silent, everyone waiting to see how Chu Huaiyu, the most likely candidate to become Prince Xuan's consort, would respond.
Chu Huaiyu met the Empress's gaze and said softly, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
"Huaiyu accompanied Prince Xuan tonight only to serve him and did not prepare anything."
The Empress's expression darkened, and the smile on her lips vanished instantly!
She had never dreamed that this wretched Chu Huaiyu, who appeared so delicate, would dare to defy her in front of so many people!
The crowd was also taken aback.
Chu Huaiyu had openly declared her stance.
She was Prince Xuan's person, not here to select a consort for Prince He!
This young lady had a firm stance, daring to offend even the Empress for Prince Xuan!
Feng Yexuan's gaze fell on Chu Huaiyu for the second time.
Perhaps even he was somewhat surprised.
This girl, who looked so fragile she could be blown over by the slightest breeze, seemed to have quite a bit of courage.
Seeing Feng Yexuan looking at Chu Huaiyu, Yu Linglong, who was not far away, felt a chill in her heart and a surge of panic.
After finally getting rid of Chu Qianli, she absolutely could not let Chu Huaiyu seize Prince Xuan's heart at this moment!
She suddenly stood up and quickly walked to Chu Huaiyu's side, smiling at the Empress.
"Linglong, along with Miss Huaiyu, accompanied Prince Xuan here. Although we are unprepared, if Your Majesty likes it, Linglong can perform a song with Miss Huaiyu. What does Your Majesty think?"
The Empress's face could no longer be described as displeased; it was as dark as the night sky outside!
These two had the audacity to publicly refuse the consort selection banquet she had prepared for her son!
The Empress had organized this banquet to humiliate Feng Yexuan, but instead, her own face was being slapped repeatedly!
The Empress's fingertips tightened with anger, and she almost tore her handkerchief!
However, in front of everyone, she had to maintain her noble image.
She could only swallow her anger and force a stiff smile, "Since you are both eager to perform for Prince He, then I grant your request!"
Yu Linglong almost wanted to turn and leave.
With the Empress Dowager's backing, why should she fear a mere Empress?
However, for the sake of the upcoming spectacle, she had to endure this insult!
"Bring me the guqin!"
"Yes!" The young palace maid immediately turned and left.
Seeing this, Chu Huaiyu slowly walked to Feng Yexuan's side and asked softly, "Your Highness, Huaiyu will perform a dance for you."
Feng Yexuan did not respond, but his previously grim expression seemed to have softened considerably.
It appeared that this Miss Huaiyu from the Duke's mansion was indeed favored by Prince Xuan!
Yu Linglong clenched her fists in secret, furious.
Chu Huaiyu was far more intelligent than she had imagined!
By declaring her stance so decisively at this banquet, she had indeed offended the Empress and Prince He.
But, she had firmly branded herself as belonging to Prince Xuan's household!
From now on, everyone in the imperial city would know that Chu Huaiyu was Feng Yexuan's woman!
The guqin was soon brought, and Yu Linglong sat by the instrument, lifting her long fingers to gently pluck the strings.
Chu Huaiyu then returned to the center of the hall, striking a graceful pose.
Since she had stated that this dance was for Prince Xuan, she would naturally do her best.
She was experienced in stealing the spotlight, making it effortless for her.
Her dancing was graceful, like that of a celestial being.
This dance quickly made her the focus of the entire hall.
Yu Linglong's fingers danced across the strings, the melody growing faster. She had thought that with her exquisite guqin skills, she could make the seemingly frail Chu Huaiyu appear foolish.
As long as she couldn't keep up with her rhythm, the title of "talented Miss Huaiyu" would be lost!
However, Chu Huaiyu, despite her delicate appearance, moved with a flexibility like a snake!
No matter how fast she played, Chu Huaiyu could keep up, even dancing in a different, more beautiful style.
Even Chu Qianli, who was sitting nearby and watching, couldn't help but smile at Feng Mingzhu beside her, "One of the three great talents of the imperial city, truly lives up to her name."
Feng Mingzhu almost rolled her eyes at her.
Didn't this girl feel any jealousy at all?
Chu Huaiyu's dance had clearly stated it was for Prince Xuan, her former husband!
Yet, she could watch it with such enjoyment.
Feng Mingzhu was about to remind her when she looked up and saw Feng Yexuan opposite them, his icy eyes fixed on the spot beside her.
Little Li'er?