"Your Highness is blessed with good fortune. Having survived this great ordeal, you are destined for further blessings! This humble official will certainly offer a cup of light wine later to celebrate your recovery and return."
Liang Quanbin would not miss any opportunity to flatter.
He had come with the thought that if he could climb onto the grand tree of Prince Ding, it would be of great benefit to the Ninth Prince, if nothing else. If he could seize this chance to pull Prince Ding to their side, then Prince Ke, even with three heads and six arms, would have no chance at the throne.
Therefore, when he spoke these words, he was as sincere as he could possibly be.
His words pleased everyone, and they joined in offering congratulations.
The adjacent banquet tables were already prepared, and the housekeeper came to invite everyone to be seated.
As there were male guests present today, the seating was divided into male and female sections. Feng Jinyao was the only female guest invited, so she naturally went to the rear flower hall with her maternal aunt.
She had no daughters of her own, so she had invited her elder brother's wife and niece to keep her company.
The Yang family of Jinling was indeed a family of scholars.
Thus, both Madam Yang and Miss Yang were women of propriety.
Aunt Min walked warmly to Feng Jinyao and began to introduce them.
"This is my elder brother's wife, and this is her legitimate daughter, whose given name is Ya Niang. She became engaged in February this year and will be married at the end of next month."
Aunt Min, fearing Feng Jinyao might misunderstand, immediately clarified their relationship.
Feng Jinyao felt helpless but could not say much, so she could only bow and offer her greetings.
Her demeanor made Madam Yang and Miss Yang feel a sense of closeness. Ya Niang, in particular, was steady but not dull. She had initially been curious why the Min family had invited them to a banquet for officials. Now she understood Aunt Min's intention: it was to find a match for Xiao Tingyi.
She then openly appraised Feng Jinyao before speaking with grace.
"Third Miss is indeed stunningly beautiful. Compared to you, I have become a plain woman."
After saying this, she deliberately smiled and spread her hands in self-deprecation. For some reason, Feng Jinyao sensed a similarity in her temperament to Xu Mingyue.
Perhaps it was because they both came from scholarly families; the aura of elegance that comes from being well-read was similar.
So Feng Jinyao smiled and replied,
"Miss Yang is too fond of teasing me. They say Jiangnan produces beauties, and I think Miss Yang is like a lotus emerging from clear water, naturally unadorned."
Everyone loves to hear compliments, especially when their appearance is praised.
Miss Yang smiled happily, and her distance from Feng Jinyao unconsciously shortened considerably.
"Third Miss, please be seated. The dishes are prepared in the Jiangnan style. I heard you like silver thread noodles, so I specifically instructed the chef to make them."
Aunt Min's words were somewhat deliberate. She had clearly put in effort to know even what she liked to eat.
Madam and Miss Yang, both experienced women, naturally understood how to play matchmaker. Thus, during the meal, they intentionally or unintentionally brought up many topics.
One moment they spoke of Xiao Tingyi's childhood, and the next they mentioned that he was of an age where he should be married.
Having lived two lives, Feng Jinyao was no longer surprised by such scenes.
Moreover, compared to them, Xiao Tingyi was much more direct and explicit in his affections. She could ignore him, so why not today?
Naturally, she played the part of the innocent, pretending not to understand, which left Aunt Min and the others unable to proceed.
Xiao Tingyi was already slippery enough. This Third Miss Feng, who appeared harmless, was actually of the same ilk. If they were to become husband and wife, it was hard to say who would have the upper hand in the future!
While the flower hall was lively with conversation, the other banquet tables were not neglected.
With Liang Quanbin present, the toasting and drinking were naturally in full swing.
However, Old Master Min was elderly and did not drink, and Uncle Min also abstained from alcohol. Prince Ding, Xiao Tingyi, had just recovered from a serious illness. Thus, Liang Quanbin could only be plied with drinks by Chi Zimo and Feng Jinlin.
The two exchanged glances. Although they had only met briefly before, they were now brothers in the same trench, united against an outsider.
In less than the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, Liang Quanbin's face had turned quite red.
Feeling the onset of drunkenness and fearing he might embarrass himself and leave a bad impression on Prince Ding, he quickly followed the Min family's servants to the rear to drink sobering soup.
As soon as he left, Xiao Tingyi rose and headed straight for the flower hall.
Feng Jinlin wanted to follow, but he was held back by Yang Zhao and Uncle Min, one on each side. Old Master Min also kept him engaged with talk about caring for the younger generation, leaving Feng Jinlin unable to break free.
It was Chi Zimo who noticed something was amiss.
During their first meeting, Xiao Tingyi had directly stated that Feng Jinyao was his fiancée. But observing the current situation, it seemed otherwise.
Perhaps this renowned Prince Ding had not yet won the heart of the beauty. Otherwise, what was the meaning of the Min family's elaborate arrangements?
He suddenly found it quite interesting.
In the flower hall, the four were talking merrily when Xiao Tingyi strode in. Aunt Min immediately feigned "drunkenness," and Madam and Miss Yang, being tactful, also proposed to escort her back to her room to rest.
Even the attending servants were taken away. Yun Xu and He Huan had never seen such a situation before, but as the other party was a prince, they could not say much.
Seeing Xiao Tingyi's expression, as if he had something to say, Feng Jinyao finally sighed and said to the two maids behind her,
"You two go and stand guard outside. The Prince and I have something to discuss."
"Yes!"
He Huan did not understand, but Yun Xu was perceptive.
She had accompanied her young lady through much, and had seen Prince Ding several times. However, most of the time, the two had little interaction. His sudden arrival today likely meant he intended to express his affections.
Yun Xu had clearly understood the Min family's intentions during the banquet.
They naturally doted on her young lady, but did her young lady have any feelings for this powerful Prince Ding?
She did not know, but one thing was certain: if her young lady was willing, she would bless them. If her young lady was unwilling, she would report it to her mistress and ask for her decision.
In this world, no one could threaten her young lady, especially concerning her lifelong happiness.
After Yun Xu and He Huan left, Xiao Tingyi finally spoke.
"You are a loyal girl, even daring to look this Prince directly in the eye. Are you afraid I will do something improper to you?"
"Your Highness's conduct is indeed rather unrestrained, is it not?"
"Ayao, I have already told you my feelings. It is only right that I have your grandfather and aunt and uncle meet you today."
Although Xiao Tingyi spoke with confidence, his emotions were somewhat anxious.
Feng Jinyao could see that he was sincere, but she had no intention of pursuing this matter. Therefore, she earnestly said again,
"Your Highness, I am deeply grateful for your feelings towards this humble woman. However, you must know there is a saying that a forced melon is not sweet. Even if you use your power to force me to marry you, can we truly be a harmonious couple for a lifetime? When we grow to resent each other in the future, will we not find this moment laughable?"