Meng Jiang Ming finally shut his mouth. If he couldn't understand the implication in Feng Jiu's words, then he was truly an idiot. However, he truly felt it was unfair for so many people to target one Princess Jing An.
But, as Feng Jiu said, if he truly felt it was improper, he should go up and dance in place of Princess Jing An. Why speak such meaningless words here?
He didn't have the ability to do so, so he should just obediently stay put.
Princess Jing An was led to a changing room by a young maid from the Second Prince's manor. When she saw the almost transparent attire, her heart sank. If she were to wear this out, wouldn't she be ridiculed to death?
She hatefully tore at the dress a few times, and it instantly turned into shreds. She absolutely could not give Princess Xing Yue another chance to mock her.
She saw the teapot on the table, bit her lower lip fiercely, and suddenly rushed towards it.
The young maid outside the door heard something break and quickly asked, "Princess Jing An, what's wrong?"
She called out several times without a response from Princess Jing An. The maid became anxious and said, "Princess Jing An, if you don't answer, I'll have to come in."
Seeing that there was still no response, the maid pushed open the door and found Princess Jing An lying on the ground. The maid quickly went forward and asked, "Princess Jing An, what's wrong?"
Princess Jing An bit her lower lip and said, "My foot hurts so much."
The maid quickly lowered her head to look at Princess Jing An's foot. Upon seeing it, she was startled. A large shard of something was embedded in Princess Jing An's foot, which was now stained red with blood.
The maid quickly said, "Princess Jing An, I'll go and report to His Highness immediately. Please wait here for a moment."
Princess Jing An nodded and said, "Then hurry back. My foot hurts terribly."
The maid hurried away.
Princess Jing An looked at the shard in her foot. The pain was piercing. She gritted her teeth, her face pale and bloodless. She thought to herself that if they wanted to see her dance, they would have to see if she would give them that opportunity.
Xue Xing Yue saw the young maid who had taken Princess Jing An to change clothes hurry over to the Second Prince and whisper a few words. Seeing the Second Prince raise his eyebrows, she knew that she probably wouldn't get to see Princess Jing An's dance.
After the Second Prince instructed the young maid a few things, he looked up at Xue Xing Yue and said, "I'm afraid I have to disappoint Princess Xing Yue. Princess Jing An accidentally injured her foot while changing. His Highness and I will not be able to enjoy the 'Feitian' dance."
Injured her foot? Xue Xing Yue didn't believe that Princess Jing An would so coincidentally injure her foot. It was clear she didn't want to dance. However, it was wise of Princess Jing An. If she danced here, there would likely be rumors spread later about Princess Jing An dancing like a courtesan.
But injured her foot? Princess Jing An was ruthless enough to herself. She would probably need a long time to recover.
"Since Princess Jing An cannot dance, how about Princess Xing Yue condescends to watch the dance of the dancers in my manor?" the Second Prince asked.
"That would be fine," Xue Xing Yue replied.
Her original intention wasn't to watch any dance. It was simply because she saw Princess Jing An that she didn't want Princess Jing An to have an easy time. It was that simple.
The interlude with Princess Jing An was quickly over, and no one mentioned it again.
As evening approached, Xue Xing Yue rose to take her leave. After all, tomorrow was the grand wedding. Although she didn't need to prepare anything, getting a good night's sleep was essential.
"Tomorrow is Princess Xing Yue's grand wedding. His Highness will first present a congratulatory gift. Please wait a moment, Princess Xing Yue." the Second Prince said.
"Thank you, Second Prince," Xue Xing Yue replied.
Seeing that Meng Jiang Ming seemed unable to hold on, Xue Xing Yue said, "Feng Jiu, take Young Master Meng to the carriage first."
Meng Jiang Ming didn't insist on staying. After all, he truly felt unwell.
After waiting for a while, the Second Prince came out. Seeing only Xue Xing Yue, he asked, "Where is Young Master Meng?"
Xue Xing Yue replied, "I had someone take him back to the carriage earlier."
The Second Prince opened his hand, revealing a brocade box. "I thought and thought, but I couldn't think of any particularly good gifts. After all, Princess Xing Yue has many good things. This Night Star Moon was something I accidentally obtained years ago. Please accept it as a gift, Princess Xing Yue, and do not disdain it."
"Your Highness jokes. Any gift you give will surely be a good one," Xue Xing Yue said.
The Second Prince looked at Xue Xing Yue. He saw her pure and clear eyes and her beautiful and refined face. Although she couldn't compare to those alluring women, she possessed a cool and noble temperament that no one could match.
"Princess Xing Yue, won't you regret it?" the Second Prince suddenly asked.
Xue Xing Yue was startled and asked, "What does Your Highness mean?"
The Second Prince looked at the faint figure in the distance and said, "Princess Xing Yue is as valiant as any man, not to mention her noble status. Giving yourself to a frivolous young master like Young Master Meng, don't you feel it's beneath you?"
Xue Xing Yue's gaze turned slightly cold, and she said coldly, "Your Highness, you speak too highly. Although Young Master Meng may fall short in some aspects compared to others, he has a pure heart. That is enough."
The Second Prince chuckled and said, "If that is the case, then I wish Princess Xing Yue and Young Master Meng a harmonious union."
"Thank you!" Xue Xing Yue took the brocade box and left.
Back in the carriage, Meng Jiang Ming was sitting there, seemingly asleep.
Xue Xing Yue gently instructed Feng Jiu, "Drive slowly."
Upon arriving at the Ningguo Duke's manor, Xue Xing Yue was about to wake Meng Jiang Ming, but he had already woken up.
"Young Master Meng has arrived at the Ningguo Duke's manor," Xue Xing Yue said.
Meng Jiang Ming bowed slightly and said, "Thank you, Your Highness!"
"Go back and rest well!" Xue Xing Yue said.
After bowing and paying his respects, Meng Jiang Ming left.
Watching Meng Jiang Ming's retreating figure, Xue Xing Yue felt that something was slightly off with him.
However, she didn't think too much about it and instructed Feng Jiu to return to the manor.
The next morning, Xue Xing Yue woke up and went to the palace first.
She originally intended to get married directly from the princess's manor, but her imperial brother insisted that she marry from the palace. She didn't want to displease him over such a small matter, so she agreed.
At this moment, she sat in her imperial brother's sleeping quarters. In the bronze mirror was a bright and refined face. Suddenly, footsteps sounded, and she heard her imperial brother's voice, "Give it to me."
Feeling her hair being gently brushed up, her imperial brother's voice also sounded, "Xing Yue, I'll comb your hair for you."
Xue Xing Yue nodded and said, "When I was little, I always had Imperial Brother comb my hair."
Xue Xing Chen smiled upon hearing this. "Yes, I was always afraid of hurting little Xing Yue when combing her hair, so I would always demonstrate on the palace maids first. As a result, our mother thought I was playing with the palace maids and reprimanded me."