94 Night Of The Imperial Banquet - 30.2 (2/2)
They've been there for almost thirty minutes and most of the people had already calmed down from the shocking news they received when their family arrived.
When they first got here, most of the guests who were already there were dumbfounded. It has been long known to the public that the old patriarch of the Fan family has long been in a comatosed state and this has lasted for almost a decade!
To find his figure standing among his family in seemingly great health and peak condition was just an unprecedented surprise!
As soon as they sat down, countless officials and noblemen hurried to their table and offered their greetings to Fan Song Xue to which Fan Song Xue good-naturedly acknowledged and greeted back in return while indulging with some idle chit-chat with his old friends and acquaintances when they came up.
When Ning Yan Mei heard the various whispered words floating around her, she was shocked speechless.
After gathering her composure, Ning Yan Mei took a deep breath and then gracefully got up from her seat and made her way towards them while her bodyguard, the same old servant that accompanied her at the auction house quietly trailed behind her.
Seeing the princess of Spirit Valor Country making her way towards their position, the guests excused themselves one by one which let Ning Yan Mei reach them unimpeded.
”Old General Fan! This junior greets you and wish you a long and prosperous life! I have long heard of your glorious might and achievements.” Ning Yan Mei greeted elegantly while cupping her hands and nodding her head slightly in respect.
Seeing her actions, Fan Song Xue's eyes flashed subtly yet it was too fast and no one noticed it before he hid them.
Studying the young girl in front of him, if he hadn't heard of her bullying his new granddaughter and eyeing his eldest grandson then he might have gotten a good first impression.
Sadly for Ning Yan Mei, this wasn't the case.
”The Princess is too kind. This old man isn't deserving of your praise.” Fan Song Xue replied in neither a cold nor warm manner but there was a subtle alienation nonetheless.
Despite this, Ning Yan Mei shrugged it off and chalked it up to him being distant towards her due to them only meeting each other for the first time so she just shot a small smile before she turned her eyes to look at Fan Li Jie.
”Big Brother Li, it's been a while! I was looking forward to you accompanying me to tour around the capital.” Ning Yan Mei said with a bashful smile that contrasted with her coquettish manner.
Annoyed yet left with no choice but to respond, Fan Li Jie shot her a cold and distant look.
”This Princess, please excuse me. We are not familiar and this Young Master thinks that it would be extremely inappropriate for me to accompany you as we are both unfamiliar and unmarried individuals. This Young Master suggests that you find someone else to go around the capital and play with.”
”But-”
”This old man apologizes on behalf of my grandson and implores that the Princess understands our position, after all we wouldn't want any unwarranted gossip hurting the Princess' good reputation.”
”I didn't mean-”
”Princess please, as I said before, we are unfamiliar. Please keep your distance and I shall do the same.” Fan Li Jie reiterated coldly.
Tongue-tied, Ning Yan Mei could only nod stiffly and send an aggrieved look towards Fan Li Jie before she excused herself.
Watching the princess return to her seat Fan Yong Rui who watched everything unfold with an amused expression sighed in dismay, drawing the questioning looks of his family to which he returned with a playful and devilish smile which caused some of the nearby young ladies who saw it too blush.
”Second Brother?”
Grinning at his younger brother's confusion, Fan Yong Rui opened his mouth and turned to them with a mischievous and conspiratorial look as he subtly casted an enchantment to isolate their conversation.
”Well don't you guys think that Little Xia would've loved to see that annoying princess' expression? Our poor cousin just missed a good show!”