The Second Prince, upon hearing this, looked at Xue Xingyue with interest and asked, "Princess Xingyue, whom do you wish to entertain us?"
Xue Xingyue swept a faint glance at the people present. For some unknown reason, Princess Jing'an felt her heart skip a beat. Before she could react, a clear and cold voice rang out, "I have heard that Princess Jing'an's Flying Heaven Dance is performed with lifelike precision, surpassing even the current top courtesans of Fengyu Tower. I wonder if Princess Jing'an has the leisure to entertain me and the Second Prince with a performance?"
The teacup in Princess Jing'an's hand suddenly dropped to the floor, as she never expected Princess Xingyue to actually call her out.
For a moment, she was at a loss. She was not a dancer, nor a top courtesan of Fengyu Tower. She was the daughter of Marquis Changsheng, and the Princess Jing'an, personally bestowed by the late emperor. If she were to go and dance, what would be the difference between her and those dancers or the top courtesans of Fengyu Tower?
With this thought, she paid no heed to the teacup falling from her hand. She merely clutched her handkerchief tightly. She wanted to refuse, but she knew that if she refused, Princess Xingyue would find various ways to humiliate her. She and Princess Xingyue had already fallen out long ago.
Just as Princess Jing'an was at a loss for what to do, a clear and light voice suddenly sounded, "If Princess Xingyue and His Highness the Second Prince desire entertainment, I have heard that His Highness the Second Prince's mansion has many dancers. Why not have them entertain Princess Xingyue and His Highness the Second Prince? Princess Jing'an is but one person, and if she is to entertain, it might not be to full satisfaction. What do you think, Your Highness the Second Prince?"
His Highness the Second Prince, Qi Yuming, had already perceived the animosity between Princess Xingyue and Princess Jing'an when Princess Xingyue spoke. Therefore, he was merely here to quietly observe the confrontation between Princess Xingyue and Princess Jing'an. However, it was clear that Princess Jing'an was no match for Princess Xingyue.
He also had no intention of intervening. After all, between Princess Xingyue and Princess Jing'an, he leaned towards Princess Xingyue, considering her status.
However, he truly never expected Ji Wuran to wade into this muddy water. Now that Ji Wuran had asked him, if possible, he truly did not want to answer, as he preferred to watch the show.
Just as Qi Yuming was unsure how to answer Ji Wuran's question, Xue Xingyue beside him spoke, "I never expected Young Marquis Ji to be so thoroughly familiar with His Highness the Second Prince's mansion. I am truly enlightened today."
Ji Wuran's gaze paused slightly. He looked up and met those clear yet cold eyes, his lips curling into a smile, "Thank you for your praise, Princess Xingyue. I am somewhat ashamed."
Seeing this, His Highness the Second Prince intended to remain a transparent figure and continue watching the play. However, he did not expect Xue Xingyue to be someone who liked to put on a show. She turned her gaze to Qi Yuming and said, "Your Highness the Second Prince, what do you say?"
Qi Yuming was startled and asked, "What do you want me to say?"
Xue Xingyue gave a faint, cold smile. "This is Your Highness the Second Prince's territory. Should it not be decided by His Highness the Second Prince, the host?"
Upon hearing this, Qi Yuming twitched his lips. He did not expect Princess Xingyue to throw the burden onto him. Now he was in a difficult position. If he sided with Princess Xingyue, he would offend Ji Wuran. If he sided with Ji Wuran, he would offend Princess Xingyue.
Unfortunately, he did not want to offend either of them. Therefore, he looked towards Princess Jing'an, who was also intending to watch the show. For some reason, Princess Jing'an felt His Highness the Second Prince looking at her, his gaze somewhat unfathomable. Her heart skipped a beat, and she secretly thought, could it be that His Highness the Second Prince fancies her?
With this thought, her cheeks turned slightly red.
Her father had told her that although His Highness the Second Prince was not highly regarded by Emperor Qi, he was, after all, the Second Prince of Qi, and his status was noble. So, if... she then looked up at His Highness the Second Prince with affectionate eyes.
Qi Yuming, however, had no intention of paying attention to Princess Jing'an's expression or gaze. He simply did not want to offend Princess Xingyue and Ji Wuran in such a setting.
Princess Xingyue was, after all, someone who could influence the Snow Emperor's opinions, and Ji Wuran was mysterious and unfathomable. To this day, he did not know Ji Wuran's true identity. Therefore, the only sacrifice in this situation was Princess Jing'an.
With this thought, the Second Prince picked up his wine cup and stood up. He walked over to Princess Jing'an. Princess Jing'an's heart pounded violently. Did His Highness the Second Prince really fancy her?
But she was not ready yet. What should she do?
Ji Wuran was not bad, but compared to the Second Prince's status, she still had to choose the Second Prince. She shyly stood up, picked up her wine cup, and said, "Your Highness the Second Prince, how can you toast to this humble subject? I will drink first." Saying this, she drained the wine in her cup.
The Second Prince laughed heartily. "Princess Jing'an is indeed bold and heroic, a true heroine among women. Since that is the case, I presume Princess Jing'an will not decline the matter of entertaining His Highness the Second Prince and Princess Xingyue?"
The shy expression on Princess Jing'an's face vanished at this moment, replaced by utter surprise.
Seeing this, the Second Prince said, "Princess Jing'an drank the toast from this prince, did she not already agree? What? Is Princess Jing'an going to go back on her word?"
"I... When did this humble subject agree? Wasn't it..." Suddenly, Princess Jing'an's mind reeled. His Highness the Second Prince had said nothing all along; it was all her wishful thinking?
How could this be?
"Is Princess Jing'an going back on her word?" The Second Prince's expression turned cold, his gaze carrying a hint of sternness. He was helpless against Princess Xingyue, but a mere Princess, he did not take her seriously.
"This humble subject..." Princess Jing'an was stunned. Did His Highness the Second Prince not have feelings for her?
"Princess Jing'an has agreed, and it is not good to go back on her word," the Second Prince said coldly.
Princess Jing'an trembled all over. She looked pleadingly at Ji Wuran beside her, but this time, Ji Wuran refused to speak.
"Young Marquis Ji," she said softly.
Ji Wuran pretended not to hear and continued to drink.
Seeing this, the Second Prince said coldly, "Princess Jing'an, are you disrespecting this prince?"
Princess Jing'an realized at this moment that no one would help her. She bit her lower lip, bowed, and said, "Your Highness the Second Prince, this humble subject does not mean that, but this humble subject needs to prepare."
"Good, this prince will await Princess Jing'an's Flying Heaven Dance," the Second Prince said.
Princess Jing'an clenched her fists tightly, yet still bowed and said, "This humble subject understands."
"Your Highness, isn't doing this a bit too much?" Meng Jiangming felt a pang of sympathy. So many people, yet no one spoke up for the weak woman, Princess Jing'an.
Feng Jiu, standing behind Princess Xingyue, sneered upon hearing this and said, "If Young Master Meng finds Princess Jing'an pitiful, why doesn't Young Master Meng go and dance in Princess Jing'an's stead?"