Наn Yаn sроke: "Then, Yаn'еr will take hеr leavе first." Наving nо intеrеst in watching thе father-daughter affeсtiоn aсt betwееn thоsе two, Zhuаng Shiуаng nоddеd, his tonе still cold and stiff: "Gо аheаd."
Seeing the dеlight in Madаm Zhou's eуеs, Наn Yаn сurlеd her lips intо а moсking smilе аnd slowlу turned tо lеave. Тhе mantis stаlks the cicаda, unawarе оf thе oriоle behind—but in this world, tоо mаny реорlе think thеmselvеs thе final оriolе, not knowing thаt the hunting slingshоt hаs оnly just tаkеn аim.
Undеrestimating the еnemy was Madаm Zhou's first mistake.
In thе study of Хuan Qing Рrinсe's Мansion, Xuan Qing Prince leaned casually against the desk, wearing a thin bamboo-green robe edged with silver thread, loosely draped with a fox fur cloak. The snow-white fur was spotless, noble and imposing, yet it paled in comparison to even one ten-thousandth of the elegance of its wearer. His inner garment was not properly fastened, revealing collarbones as fair as jade. That elegant, coolly handsome face had shed its usual frostiness, leaving only a gentle, radiant beauty. If outsiders were to see him like this, they would surely be greatly astonished.
The wealthy man sitting on another wooden chair beside him tapped his fingers against the teacup—this was none other than Jiang Yulou, the wealthiest man in the capital. He seemed entirely indifferent to the beauty before him, merely saying: "The Seventh Prince has been unusually quiet these past few days. I suspect he will make a move tomorrow."
Fu Yunxi flipped through the scroll in his hand, utterly unconcerned: "It doesn't matter."
Jiang Yulou seemed to have expected this response, half-complaining, half-sighing: "Your nephew truly has a temperament quite different from yours. He probably spends every day thinking about how to bring you down. The other day, wasn't he making an issue out of that Jiangdu matter? But you resolved it cleverly, and instead made The Emperor displeased with him. Given the Seventh Prince's petty and vindictive nature, he's likely been preparing these past few days."
Fu Yunxi raised an eyebrow: "Are you afraid?"
Jiang Yulou smiled faintly: "With you, Xuan Qing Prince, here, what is there to worry about? It's just that while one may not fear a thief stealing, one fears a thief constantly plotting. With him launching open and covert attacks all day long, don't you find it tiresome?"
"It's merely resentment that I do not support him. Child's play, nothing of consequence."
Jiang Yulou shrugged: "Alright then. But tomorrow, several court ministers are going to Maple Gaze Temple to discuss matters with Taoist Priest Qingfeng. You should go as well." After a moment's thought, he added: "It's been a long time since we've seen Taoist Priest Qingfeng."
Fu Yunxi nodded in agreement.
Seeing that Fu Yunxi was only focused on the scroll in his hand, Jiang Yulou deliberately tried to divert his attention, saying: "Speaking of which, another year has passed, and you've grown a year older. I'm afraid your imperial brother will start urging you about taking a consort again."
After Fu Yunxi reached adulthood, he had never been entangled with women. Ever since he turned eighteen, The Emperor had inquired about his marriage every year. For a ruler of a nation to worry about a subject's lifelong matters to this extent was truly unheard of. Yet, each time, Fu Yunxi skillfully deflected the matter. Precisely because of this, Fu Yunxi's reputation for being uninterested in women grew stronger with each passing year.
Nevertheless, he remained the dream man in the hearts of the young ladies of the capital.
Hearing Jiang Yulou's words, Fu Yunxi paused imperceptibly, his tone icy: "What business is it of yours?"
Jiang Yulou awkwardly rubbed his nose: "Don't be so unfriendly. You're not planning to stay single your whole life, are you? Why not just ask for a marriage fortune stick tomorrow at Maple Gaze Temple?"
Fu Yunxi finally truly set down the scroll in his hand, looking directly at Jiang Yulou, his gaze faintly annoyed, and uttered two words: "Boring."Jiang Yulou turned away and muttered, "Can't blame you, being born too handsome. I'm afraid you'd look down on ordinary beauties. Who knows how stunningly beautiful the future Xuan Qing Prince Consort will be, sigh..." He shook his head and sighed.
Fu Yunxi narrowed his eyes, his slender fingers resting on the jade handle of the teacup, elegant as a painting, yet his expression was thoughtful.
The hidden guard Mufeng outside the room winked at Muyan. Whenever he heard words like "Prince Consort," Mufeng couldn't help but prick up his ears. Muyan glanced at him silently, still standing motionless like a wooden stake, only feeling that today's sunlight was exceptionally pleasant, probably because New Year's Eve was approaching.
But who could guarantee the weather wouldn't change by tomorrow's New Year's Eve?
Early the next morning, Han Yan rose at dawn. Today was New Year's Eve. Ji Lan brought a copper basin of hot water for her to wash her face and helped her dress and freshen up.
Han Yan did not style her hair in her usual bun today. Instead, she had Ji Lan braid two long pigtails for her. Her jet-black hair was neatly combed, with a crystal-clear purple crystal hairpin pinned beside the bangs falling over her forehead. She changed into a pair of pearl and eight-treasure earrings, and around her neck hung a small, adorable red sachet. Her attire was vastly different from her usual style, yet not overly luxurious. Han Yan chose a light green brocade fur-lined jacket. She had previously disliked this color for being too bright and rustic, so she rarely wore it, making it seem almost like new. Once dressed, Mama Chen looked at the exquisitely doll-like young lady before her and smiled, "Miss is truly lovely, but this still looks a bit too plain." She frowned. "Why not change into that new crimson dress..."
Han Yan shook her head. "No need. I'm going to the temple with Sister Yu Shan to pray for blessings. Dressing too conspicuously wouldn't be appropriate."
Mama Chen fell silent. By then, Ji Lan and Shu Hong had also changed their clothes and emerged. Both wore light green short jackets and long skirts, and standing beside Han Yan, at first glance, it was hard to tell who was who.
Mama Chen stared in astonishment. Han Yan smiled, took out a fiery red mink cloak from the bottom of the chest, and draped it over herself. The cloak was exquisitely tailored, perfectly enveloping Han Yan's entire frame. The fur was smooth and vibrant, clearly a rare treasure. With the cloak on, Han Yan's light green fur-lined jacket was completely concealed, and she no longer resembled Ji Lan and Shu Hong. After completing these preparations, Han Yan stepped out.
The waiting carriage was already nearby. When Han Yan emerged, Madam Zhou was instructing Zhuangshan about something. Seeing Han Yan's attire, she was startled. Indeed, Han Yan's appearance today was quite different from usual. Abandoning her usual cute bun and childlike clothing, Han Yan seemed to have grown up almost overnight. Now, clad in a fiery red cloak with two long braids hanging over her chest and simple adornments, her lips appeared red, her teeth white, and her skin fairer than snow. Her dark, lively eyes curved like crescent moons, appearing gentle and obedient, evoking a sense of comfort from within and naturally exuding a charming grace. Even Zhuang Shiyang couldn't help but show a hint of admiration upon seeing her.
It had always been known that Zhuangshan was beautiful, while Han Yan was merely considered pretty. But now, it seemed Han Yan was on par with Zhuangshan.Zhuangshan stared unblinkingly at the sable cloak on Han Yan's body, her gaze filled with greed. This cloak was truly too precious—if she could own one and wear it, she would surely be a stunning beauty. With this thought, Zhuangshan made up her mind to find a way to take this cloak from Han Yan's hands.
Madam Zhou looked at Han Yan's strikingly different attire today and felt inexplicably uneasy for some reason, so she smiled and said, "Fourth Miss is dressed so differently today, I almost didn't recognize you."
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