Min Nan Wang smiled upon hearing this. "Little Nine truly understands my heart."
"Then Imperial Uncle, tell me quickly, who here has captured your heart? If they are still unmarried, I can help make a match for you," Princess Jiu said with a smile.
Min Nan Wang's gaze swept over the ladies present, then stopped at one spot. "This King does have someone who interests him."
"Who is it?" Princess Jiu looked at Min Nan Wang with great interest.
Min Nan Wang extended his hand and pointed at someone. "It is her."
Everyone turned their gazes towards that person.
Xue Xingyue felt all eyes on her. She curtsied, but before she could speak, someone else spoke first, "Your Highness, are you trying to snatch someone away from this subject?"
Song Xiuyuan stepped forward and walked towards Xue Xingyue. The ladies from various households who had been standing at the front now parted to make way.
She felt him approach step by step, her heart pounding erratically. However, he made no other move. He simply stopped before her and then turned around. At this moment, all she could see was his back, as straight and tall as an ancient pine.
Min Nan Wang laughed heartily upon hearing this, but his smile faded, and his gaze grew slightly cold. "This King enjoys snatching people."
Xue Xingyue's eyes flickered. This Min Nan Wang truly dared to say anything.
"However, I might have to disappoint Your Highness, as she is already my betrothed," Song Xiuyuan raised his head, his gaze clear and cold as he looked at Min Nan Wang.
"Imperial Uncle, Brother Xiuyuan, please don't quarrel," Princess Jiu said at this opportune moment.
Min Nan Wang smiled and patted Princess Jiu's head. "It was just a joke, Little Nine. You don't need to take it seriously."
"If it was a joke, I hope Your Highness will not make such jokes again in the future, or this subject will take it seriously," Song Xiuyuan said coldly. Instantly, a chilling aura emanated from him, and even Xue Xingyue, standing behind him, could feel the frigid air penetrate her body. She knew he was truly angry.
The atmosphere suddenly became tense. The Fourth Prince, who had been silent, suddenly smiled and said, "Alright, today is Cousin Xiuzhu's birthday. Imperial Uncle and Xiuyuan, don't go too far with your play."
"Exactly, Imperial Uncle. Today is my eldest cousin's birthday. If you spoil it, Crown Prince Gege will not forgive you," Princess Jiu said.
Just then, the Zhao family's steward walked over. After paying his respects to His Highness the Crown Prince and others, he approached Zhao Xiuzhu. Seeing the steward's solemn expression, Zhao Xiuzhu asked, "Steward, has something happened?"
"Eldest Miss, Master requests you to go to the front courtyard to receive an imperial decree!"
"Receive an imperial decree? What decree?" Zhao Xiuzhu asked with a frown.
The steward shook his head. "I don't know, but the eunuch who delivered the decree has already arrived. Please hurry over, Eldest Miss."
Zhao Xiuzhu nodded. "I will go immediately."
After the steward left, Zhao Xiuzhu said to His Highness the Crown Prince, "This subject needs to receive an imperial decree. I must take my leave for a moment."
"Cousin Xiuzhu, I will accompany you," His Highness the Crown Prince said.
"Thank you for your kind offer, Your Highness. This subject can go alone," Zhao Xiuzhu said. Without waiting for the Crown Prince's reply, she bowed to the Fourth Prince, Min Nan Wang, and Princess Jiu, and then left.
The Crown Prince stood there, his gaze deep as he watched Zhao Xiuzhu's retreating figure. The surrounding area fell into a profound silence.
"Since you're all here, why are you still standing?" Min Nan Wang broke the silence and walked forward unceremoniously, sitting down on a stone chair in the pavilion.
Princess Jiu walked forward, taking the Crown Prince's hand. "Crown Prince Gege, since you've come, don't leave in a hurry. Admiring the lotuses here is also quite pleasant."
Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince looked at Princess Jiu with gentle eyes and nodded slightly. "Ninth Sister is right. Then I shall not stand on ceremony."
He lifted his robes and sat on the stone chair.
The Fourth Prince also sat down.
Princess Jiu saw Song Xiuyuan still standing in front of Xue Xingyue, a fleeting glint in her eyes. "Brother Xiuyuan, why are you still standing?" She stepped forward, attempting to pull Song Xiuyuan's sleeve, but before she could touch him, he subtly dodged her.
Princess Jiu's gaze dimmed. "Brother Xiuyuan, you..."
"Brother, Brother Xiuyuan, you should sit too," Princess Jiu said, looking at the Fourth Prince and Song Xiuyuan.
Song Xiuyuan bowed slightly. "Your Highness Princess Jiu, please sit. This subject dares not overstep."
Hearing Song Xiuyuan speak like this, Princess Jiu's eyes grew considerably dimmer.
"Xiuyuan, there are no outsiders here. Sit down," the Fourth Prince said, glancing at Princess Jiu.
"My fiancée and I have some private matters to discuss. I request permission to leave first," Song Xiuyuan bowed.
"What can't be said at home? Song Xiuyuan, who are you avoiding?" Min Nan Wang picked up a wine cup from the stone table and said meaningfully to Song Xiuyuan.
"This subject does not understand what Your Highness means."
Min Nan Wang smiled. "It's alright if you don't understand. It's enough that this King understands."
"Imperial Uncle," the Crown Prince suddenly said, glancing at Min Nan Wang.
Min Nan Wang chuckled a few times. "This King was merely joking, Your Highness the Crown Prince. Please do not take offense."
"Xiuyuan, sit down!" The Crown Prince looked up and said to Song Xiuyuan.
Song Xiuyuan could refuse the Fourth Prince but could not refuse the Crown Prince. He bowed. "This subject obeys!"
However, he did not walk directly over. Instead, he turned back and took Xue Xingyue's hand. "Come with me."
She gave a slight start. In fact, she had been thinking that if Song Xiuyuan left, she would be in an awkward position, unsure whether to go or stay, as she would be left alone. This was because the ladies from various households attending Zhao Xiuzhu's birthday had already withdrawn from the pavilion, and standing there under everyone's gaze was extremely embarrassing.