Chapter 306 - The Battle of Wits at the Fifth Princess Banquet (1/2)

Chapter 306 The Battle of Wits at the Fifth Princess’ Banquet

The banquet began and everyone presented their gifts. Emperor Zongwen and the Empress appeared for just a moment before leaving the banquet to the young people. Men and women were sat separately in two rows that spread out from the center table. Mo Xuetong sat on the left of the Fifth Princess. She was now the Princess Anping of the royal family and was thus more n.o.ble than the other young ladies. Ling Fengyan, You Yue’e, Luo Mingzhu, and Chen Ya’er followed.

The male guests were sat on the other side of the Fifth Princess. Bai Yihao sat directly next to her followed by Bai Yichen, Ling Mingfeng, You Yuecheng, Luo Wenyou, and Chen Yanyu. Even Sima Lingyun, who had not appeared for a long time was here as well.

Mo Xuetong’s gaze landed on Sima Lingyun, who was seated at the very end of the row that held the male guests. His dressing was still high-cla.s.s. However, he looked wretched, both in terms of his disposition and his appearance. He was no longer the handsome and spirited Marquess Zhenguo. n.o.body bothered him as he sat there.

After what happened, his family’s reputation was completely ruined. He even had to marry a concubine’s daughter as his legal wife. Most importantly, the reputation of the concubine’s daughter was terrible. No one knew if she had already had any dalliances with other men. He had ruined his family’s reputation for a woman like this. All the men treated Sima Lingyun with disdain.

Even though the Duke Zhenguo family had fallen in the past, they were still considered n.o.bility. Some of their old family friends would still help them out from time to time. It was easy for them to find someone to help them. Even though they were not really in official career, it was not impossible. However, they deemed the position too lowly and was not willing to take it, which was why they took short cuts. However, in the end, n.o.body could be bothered with him now.

If not because of his aunt’s help, he would not even receive an invitation to the Fifth Princess’ banquet.

He was sat at the end and wanted to find an opportunity to speak with the other n.o.ble sons so that they would speak up for him. It would be fine even if he could get a humble position. When he thought of how he would marry Mo Xuemin in two weeks, he could not bring himself to be excited. He only felt frustrated. If not for that woman, he would not have ended up in his current predicament.

He looked up as he thought of that and poured himself a cup of wine. He was about to drink it all. He had only been in the palace for a short time and there were already many people who looked at him with disdain. He could only douse the anger he felt with alcohol.

He saw Mo Xuetong sitting right up in front as he looked up and he paused for a moment.

That beauty had once been so close to him. She had been so close he could have controlled her. That was why he had plotted time after time. He only realized now that the distance between the two was so wide it was the distance between heaven and earth. He suddenly felt emotional and his hand shook. He spilled the wine he was holding.

Mo Xuetong smirked coldly when she saw how wretched Sima Lingyun was. She looked away with a cold smile on her lips!

In her past life, Sima Lingyun had stepped on her to gain a court position. In the end, he had killed her after she had lost her value. He had discovered the Yuxiao Flower in the Fu General Manor and used it to his advantage. He probably had never considered then that she was the reason for his ascend. In her rebirth, she stepped upon them, pus.h.i.+ng them into the dirt.

There was so much enmity, so much blood. The fall of Duke Zhenguo’s manor was not enough to pay for all that…

Bai Yihao’s gaze moved casually from her and onto Sima Lingyun. His eyes were deep. He leaned back slightly and a palace maid hurriedly filled his cup shyly. Then, she backed away respectfully and avoided the Fifth Princess’ cold gaze. She lowered her head and stood behind them.

“Cousin, the present that you gave me is beautiful. I really like it. How about you take me out of the palace to have fun tomorrow?” The Fifth Princess smiled at Bai Yihao. Her gaze was filled with adoration. The princess did not hesitate to announce all that she felt even in front of so many people.

Bai Yihao had given the Fifth Princess a small horse. It was a newborn ten-thousand-mile horse. It was not large and was very suitable for a female rider. The Fifth Princess had already seen it and liked it very much. She would naturally use it as an excuse to raise the matter of going out on a trip. She smiled coyly as she spoke.

“That’s fine. My royal brother will only be going home a few days later. Why don’t Your Highness accompany him for a few days and go on a spring trip?” Bai Yihao put down the cup in his hand elegantly. He knocked on the table with his fingers lightly and glanced at Bai Yichen with a sudden smile.

The Fifth Princess’ expression grew ugly. She bit her lips and looked at Bai Yihao coyly.

Bai Yihao smiled and leaned backward. He caught the Fifth Princess’ dress by accident and immediately sat up straight. Then, he smiled and said gently to the Fifth Princess, “Hang on, I will get a palace maid to undo this. Don’t move, or your beautiful clothes will be ruined.”

The Fifth Princess smiled happily at his words. A palace maid had already seen it and immediately approached to remove the loose thread that was tangled in Bai Yihao’s long slender fingers.

After it was removed, Bai Yihao tugged on the Fifth Princess’ belt lightly. Then, he removed it as if nothing had happened. It was an intimate move that had never happened before. All the Fifth Princess could see was his handsome smile. She was stunned and looked at Bai Yihao, dazed. When she came back to her senses, she quickly picked up her wine cup and took a sip to hide the flush on her cheeks.

She glanced at Bai Yihao from the corner of her eyes and saw him leaning on the back of his seat. His handsomeness and elegance were unique and second to none. His eyes were dark and deep and in them shone gentleness. Even though the Fifth Princess could not understand what his eyes were saying, she could not look away. Her eyes were filled with adoration.