The young girl wore a long dress the color of sky and water, her skirt fluttering in the wind.
On her fair face, her eyes were exceptionally cold.
Like frozen spring water, clear to the bottom when seen through the ice.
Xue Wenjie narrowed his eyes.
He saw the girl lift the corner of her lips towards him, a smile blooming.
Wu Dakang saw that the Regent was not looking at him at all, and Li Shengming had already killed him several times with his gaze.
He scratched his head and said roughly, "This... what should we do?"
"Father..." Xue Yunlan also saw her father and walked forward, calling out.
Hearing "Father," Xue Wenjie withdrew his gaze from the girl and looked at Xue Yunlan who appeared before him.
His gaze deepened, "Why are you here?"
Xue Yunlan was startled. She sensed her father's displeasure, but still said, "Yunlan told you yesterday that she would attend the flower banquet today."
Xue Wenjie thought for a long time and suddenly remembered that when he returned from court yesterday, a servant had indeed informed him that the county princess would be going out tomorrow.
He hadn't expected it to be to the Li residence.
"Go back to the residence now," Xue Wenjie said coldly.
Xue Yunlan was startled. She dared not look at Xue Wenjie's gaze and bit her lower lip, saying, "Father, with this incident happening now, shouldn't..."
"Return to the residence." Xue Wenjie narrowed his eyes, his voice turning completely cold.
Xue Yunlan's body stiffened. She wanted to retreat, but she knew that if she retreated now, Fang Hui would truly have no chance to escape Wu Dakang. This was the best opportunity.
Xue Yunlan curtsied slightly to Xue Wenjie and said, "Father, with what happened today, Fang Hui is no longer suitable to be Vice Commander Wu's concubine. Why not change the candidate to Li Fanghua?"
As her voice fell, everyone was shocked. Li Fanghua, who was clinging to Li Shengming's embrace, also heard it. She cried out loudly, "No... Father, I don't want to be a concubine to that brute."
Wu Dakang, the brute: ...
"You won't, you won't..." Li Shengming said distressedly.
"Li Fanghua, your purity has already been ruined by Vice Commander Wu. I saw it clearly, not just me, but everyone here has seen it," Xue Yunlan said all that was on her mind in one breath.
Li Fanghua shook her head. She knew that at this moment, the only one who could protect her was Li Shengming. "Father..."
Seeing his beloved daughter crying so miserably, Li Shengming looked up at Li Fanghui beside him and said coldly, "Fanghui, what are you standing there for? Go and help your sister back!"
Li Fanghui stepped forward and helped Li Fanghua up, only to hear Li Shengming say, "Vice Commander Wu, what happened just now was a misunderstanding. The candidate remains unchanged."
Wu Dakang, who now understood that Li Shengming would not give him the girl who had rushed into his embrace as a concubine, looked at Li Fanghui and said, "As you wish."
It was just a concubine; any candidate would do. If he liked her, he would favor her for a while; if not, he could keep her in his mansion.
Li Fanghui trembled all over. She turned to look at Li Shengming and asked for the first time in a questioning tone, "Father, am I not important to you at all?"
Li Fanghua's purity was ruined, and so many people had seen it, with County Princess Yunlan as a witness, yet her father still didn't change his mind.
"You scoundrel, do you have the right to speak here?" Li Shengming said angrily.
"Lord Li, Fanghui does not have the right to speak, but do I?" Xue Yunlan said.
Li Shengming glanced at Xue Yunlan, then at Xue Wenjie, "Your Highness, the County Princess is..."
"Retire," Xue Wenjie said coldly.
Xue Yunlan wanted to continue speaking, but upon seeing Xue Wenjie's warning gaze, she dared not speak further.
Li Shengming bowed to the other noble ladies who were watching the commotion, "Today's flower appreciation banquet ends here. Please forgive me, everyone."
The noble ladies who had enjoyed the spectacle turned to leave one after another.
After all, this was not a spectacle they could continue watching.
However, in their hearts, they felt pity for Li Fanghui for having such a father.
Sacrificing the happiness of a legitimate daughter for the sake of a mere concubine.
Li Fanghui withdrew her gaze in despair. She knew her father would do this, but she still had to ask, ask a question that would make her give up.
"Lord Li, if County Princess Yunlan does not have the right to speak, then do I?"
A clear and melodious voice drifted out, startling everyone. They turned towards the sound.
From behind the crowd, a young girl in a dress the color of sky and water walked slowly towards them.
The girl's figure was slender and tall, making her particularly conspicuous amidst the crowd.
In the wind, her skirt fluttered, and her steps were steady.
With each step, she seemed like a supreme monarch ascending her throne.
As she approached, a still somewhat immature face appeared, but it did not diminish her unparalleled beauty.
Her cold yet clear eyes looked at Li Shengming.
Li Shengming trembled all over, astonished, "Dau..."
"It is I, Lord Li," the girl said softly, her lips parting.
Wu Dakang was captivated by the girl's aura and stared at her intently, thinking to himself that although she was somewhat young, she would surely be a beauty to topple kingdoms when she grew up.
"Lord Li, who is this..." Wu Dakang couldn't help but ask.
"The Emper—" Before Xue Yunlan could finish speaking, she was interrupted by a glance from the girl.
Although Xue Yunlan didn't know what she intended to do, since she had appeared here, something was bound to happen. For some reason, she felt an inexplicable sense of anticipation.
Li Shengming looked towards Xue Wenjie, only to find Xue Wenjie narrowing his eyes, looking thoughtfully at the girl. He gritted his teeth and secretly cursed Wu Dakang's low rank, having never attended court, he had never seen the Empress's appearance.
He felt a sense of unease; the Empress's presence here was not a good sign.
"I am Fanghui's cousin," the girl said softly, her lips parting slowly.
Wu Dakang's eyes lit up. For some reason, a voice in his heart told him that he wanted this girl before him.
"Lord Li, I don't want either of your daughters; I only want her," he said, pointing at the girl before him, full of enthusiasm.
"Wu Dakang..." Li Shengming was anxious.
Wu Dakang smiled and said, "Since neither of your daughters wants to be my concubine, why not her?"
"No," Li Shengming objected first.
"Why not? I think she's quite good," the girl said, lifting the corner of her lips into a smile.
Wu Dakang's eyes went straight, and he smiled heartily, "See, she has agreed."
"Your Highness, say something," Li Shengming pleaded, looking at Xue Wenjie.
Xue Wenjie looked at the girl and asked, "Are you sure?"
The girl nodded, "Yes."
"Vice Commander Wu, are you sure you won't regret it?" Xue Wenjie asked.
Wu Dakang laughed heartily, "Am I the type of person who regrets things?"
Xue Wenjie sneered inwardly, truly a coarse man. If such a thoughtless person pleased the Empress, then so be it.