The man walking alongside the man in the black brocade robe was clad in azure. His face, like fine jade, and his eyes, narrowed and slanted, swept over the assembled crowd, drawing gasps and exclamations.
Following behind the three was Song Xiu Yuan, dressed in a moon-white brocade robe. Compared to the first three, his features were rather unremarkable. However, his eyes, which rivaled the sun, moon, and stars, compensated for his lack of distinguishing looks.
The four had reached the pavilion. The young ladies of the Zhao family quickly bowed to the Crown Prince and the others. "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince!"
"Your Highness the Fourth Prince!"
"Prince Min Nan."
"Rise, everyone! It is I who have disturbed your refined leisure," the Crown Prince said gently.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, it is my honor that you grace us with your presence to admire the flowers," Lin Zi Wan boldly raised her head and spoke.
However, as soon as Lin Zi Wan finished speaking, a guard accompanying the Crown Prince interjected, "How dare you! His Highness the Crown Prince did not bid you to raise your head..."
"It matters not. I also came to admire the flowers, but I was unaware others were already here. In that case, it is I who was presumptuous. I beg you all not to take offense."
The Crown Prince was refined and elegant, his handsome face imbued with gentleness, lacking any of the majesty expected of a Crown Prince.
Such a person was truly not suited for royalty, Xue Xing Yue mused inwardly.
Suddenly, a gaze fell upon her. She met it, only to see Prince Min Nan watching her with keen interest, like a beast locking onto its prey. The gaze made her feel disgusted. Just as she was about to look away, she saw that gaze, which she found so detestable, was blocked by a white figure.
Her heart stirred slightly. It was Song Xiu Yuan, who had used his body to shield her from Prince Min Nan.
"Brother Crown Prince, Fourth Brother, Little Imperial Uncle, why have you come?" the Ninth Princess emerged from the pavilion and approached the Crown Prince.
Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince replied, "It was Imperial Uncle who mentioned that today is Cousin Xiu Zhu's birthday. I recall that on Cousin Xiu Zhu's previous birthdays, I always came to offer my congratulations, so I thought I would come to present Cousin Xiu Zhu with a birthday gift."
"Thank you, Your Highness the Crown Prince," Zhao Xiu Zhu said, lowering her head.
Xue Xing Yue wondered if it was her imagination, but she felt Zhao Xiu Zhu seemed rather cold towards the Crown Prince. Logically, the Crown Prince was the future heir to the throne. Why was she so indifferent to the future new emperor? It truly made it difficult for Xue Xing Yue to fathom Zhao Xiu Zhu.
"Cousin Xiu Zhu, you are truly too polite. I..."
However, before the Crown Prince could finish speaking, Zhao Xiu Zhu had already curtsied and said, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, today is my birthday banquet, and all the young ladies from various households have been invited. Your Highness's presence here seems somewhat inappropriate."
After Zhao Xiu Zhu said this, the young ladies from the various households were astonished. While her words had some logic, logic was relative, especially when addressing the Crown Prince, the most noble person in the State of Yu apart from the Emperor.
The Crown Prince also seemed surprised by Zhao Xiu Zhu's words. A trace of embarrassment appeared on his gentle face, but he did not get angry. He merely said, "Cousin Xiu Zhu speaks correctly. It was I who was presumptuous."
"No, it is I who made an excessive request. I beg Your Highness the Crown Prince's forgiveness!"
"Cousin Xiu Zhu, today is your birthday. Let us not speak of these matters anymore." The Crown Prince stepped forward to help Zhao Xiu Zhu up, but as he reached her, Zhao Xiu Zhu had already stood up and retreated a few steps.
The Crown Prince's hand paused in mid-air. He simply smiled and withdrew it.
"In that case, I shall not disturb Cousin Xiu Zhu and the rest of you." With that, the Crown Prince turned to leave.
"Miss Zhao, do your words mean you do not welcome His Highness the Crown Prince?"
Prince Min Nan stepped out and approached Zhao Xiu Zhu, his tone icy.
Zhao Xiu Zhu trembled and quickly curtsied, "Your Highness, I meant no such thing. Moreover, His Highness the Crown Prince is of noble status. I was merely afraid of slighting His Highness the Crown Prince."
"So that is how it is. I thought Miss Zhao harbored some dissatisfaction towards His Highness the Crown Prince," Prince Min Nan's originally cold face showed a hint of a smile, but the smile did not reach his eyes.
"I dare not!"
"Imperial Uncle, Cousin Xiu Zhu meant no such thing. It was I who was presumptuous. This place was originally filled with the young ladies of various households, and my presence here was indeed somewhat inappropriate," the Crown Prince said.
Upon hearing this, Prince Min Nan laughed heartily and patted the Crown Prince's shoulder. "Crown Prince, has she not yet become your consort, and you are already so protective of your future Crown Princess?"
As soon as Prince Min Nan spoke, everyone was astonished, especially Lin Zi Wan, who exclaimed in disbelief, "Crown Princess? Zhao Xiu Zhu?"
"Is the Crown Princess someone you can address?" Prince Min Nan turned back, his gaze ice-cold as he looked at Lin Zi Wan.
Lin Zi Wan's body stiffened. She then remembered what she had done subconsciously. She quickly knelt on the ground, "Your Highness, please forgive me. Your Highness the Crown Prince, please forgive me. I... I did not do it intentionally."
Prince Min Nan gave a cold smile. "If there is a next time, I will not be so lenient."
Lin Zi Wan trembled with fear. "Imperial Uncle, if you frighten Zi Wan like this, I will not allow it." The Ninth Princess stood up and walked towards Prince Min Nan.
Seeing this, Prince Min Nan resumed his smiling demeanor. "With Little Jiu here, I must, of course, give her face, won't I?"
The Ninth Princess smiled and said, "Imperial Uncle is the best." After speaking, she glanced at Lin Zi Wan and said coldly, "Why don't you thank Imperial Uncle?"
"Thank you, Your Highness!" Lin Zi Wan, supported by others, shakily stood up, then moved to the back of the crowd, lowering her head, appearing to have no presence at all.
"Imperial Uncle, why are you so idle today?"
"Am I not missing Little Jiu?" Prince Min Nan's slanted eyes looked at the Ninth Princess with a smile.
The Ninth Princess pouted upon hearing this. "Missing me? Little Jiu doesn't believe it. Imperial Uncle must be thinking of some beautiful lady, right?"