Wen Mengsheng smiled, "It's nothing. Father has important matters for me to attend to. It won't be too late to go to the academy in a couple of days."
"I see."
"It's you I should be asking about. Didn't Father instruct you to try and win over Miss Wei? What are you doing standing here alone?"
Mentioning this, Wen Yuwei's eyes showed a hint of jealousy. Following her gaze, she saw Bai Sihan.
Didn't the Bai and Wei families have Han Qiao?
How could the two be getting along so harmoniously?
"This second young lady from the Bai family is quite skilled. In just two encounters, she managed to impress Sister Lanxuan, and now she seems to be a favored guest. Hmph."
Wen Mengsheng frowned and reprimanded her in a low voice.
"If that's the case, then you should go forward. Why are you shrinking back here? Don't forget the purpose of Father bringing you to the Eastern Capital. If you don't even have the thought of competing, then I think you should just go home and marry into an ordinary family. Why bother saying such sour things here?"
With that, she pushed her back, her eyes full of warning, signaling her to hurry over.
Just as Wen Yuwei was about to step forward, she heard the servant outside suddenly shout loudly.
"The First Prince arrives, the Sixth Prince arrives, the Ninth Prince arrives."
A group of people walked in with imposing strides, accompanied by some young masters from noble families. The guests' gazes all turned towards them.
The First Prince was dressed in a bright yellow brocade robe embroidered with a coiled dragon, and a large pearl adorned his hair bun.
Approaching thirty, he appeared much younger than Brother Feng, resembling Emperor Qi in appearance by seven or eight parts. His features were resolute, and his posture was like that of a pine tree.
In contrast, the Sixth Prince beside him appeared too gentle, while the Ninth Prince seemed effeminate.
Seeing the princes approach, Wei Lanxuan immediately led everyone in saluting them.
"Your subject, this daughter, pays respects to His Highness the First Prince, His Highness the Sixth Prince, and His Highness the Ninth Prince."
The young ladies following behind also paid their respects with decorum, not daring to make the slightest mistake.
Feng Jinyao and Bai Siruo squatted behind, dressed simply that day, so they did not attract much attention.
As they paid their respects to the princes along with everyone else, Feng Jinyao secretly glanced at the Ninth Prince.
In her previous life, she had a very bad impression of this Ninth Prince. After successfully ascending the throne, he became a bloodthirsty monarch, not only killing innocent people indiscriminately but also devising numerous unprecedented cruel punishments, causing endless wronged souls in the world.
Today, he wore a silver-threaded dark patterned long robe, his ink-black hair unbound, tied behind him with a jade-colored silk ribbon. His upturned phoenix eyes held a hint of impatience.
His dark eyes calmly swept over everyone present, his expression indifferent.
"Rise. Today is your Wei family's banquet, there is no need for excessive formality. I merely brought my imperial brothers to join in the fun. Miss Wei need not be polite. It will be time enough to pay respects when we are family."
It was the First Prince who spoke, his words carrying a sense of frankness and courtesy that was as pleasant as a spring breeze.
Unfortunately, those who knew the inside story were aware that he and the Ninth Prince had long been locked in a fierce struggle, and this was merely superficial pleasantry.
Upon hearing his words, Wei Lanxuan sighed inwardly, recalling past events. Her eyes reddened slightly, but the emotion vanished instantly, replaced by a dignified and slightly shy smile.
"The arrival of the three princes today brings great honor to the Wei family. We request the three princes to take their seats at the head table."
Saying this, she made a gesture of invitation. The First Prince stepped forward with a smile. The Sixth Prince, however, cast a lingering glance between Wei Lanxuan and the Ninth Prince, his gaze full of playful teasing.
After the young ladies present paid their respects, they secretly appraised the princes, their faces flushed and their eyes full of affection.
Given their status, marrying into noble families as principal wives was more than sufficient. However, if they wished to marry into the royal family, their status might have to be compromised.
The First Prince already had a principal consort, but there were still two vacant positions for secondary consorts. For those who wished to compete, this was an opportunity.
The Sixth Prince was usually a nobody, but his face was as beautiful as jade, and his mind was delicate. He always appeared as a gentle scholar to everyone, which attracted the admiration of many young ladies.
The Ninth Prince held a high position and was powerful, with a very strong maternal clan. Even though the position of principal consort was already taken, there were still some who dared to contend for a secondary consort position.
"The intentions of Sima Zhao are clear. I wonder if the imperial decree for marriage will be issued today."
Bai Siruo whispered to Feng Jinyao, but not receiving a response, she turned to see Feng Jinyao looking towards Wei Lanxuan with a hint of silence.
"What are you looking at?" Bai Siruo nudged Feng Jinyao's shoulder.
Wei Lanxuan and the Ninth Prince were first cousins. By rights, even if there were no romantic feelings between them, there should be some familial intimacy. However, when the Ninth Prince had glanced at Wei Lanxuan just now, there was no affection in his eyes, not even a trace of brotherly regard. This was rather strange.
However, these were merely her speculations, not something she could easily share with others. So, she changed the subject and said,
"See what Bai Sihan is doing."
Following her gaze, she indeed saw Bai Sihan's expression of feigned reluctance. Bai Siruo's eyes held a trace of mockery.
Bai Sihan stood behind Wei Lanxuan. Naturally, when the First Prince and the others spoke with Wei Lanxuan, she was the closest.
Suppressing her overwhelming joy and nervousness, this was her first time meeting members of the royal family, and she could not afford to be careless.
After everyone was seated, she actually took a teacup from a nearby maid and walked over.
"May the First Prince enjoy."
She revealed her profile, which she believed to be her most beautiful, and tried her best to appear as a lady of refinement, earning a few more glances from the First Prince.
"The maids in this household are indeed exceptionally beautiful."
Upon hearing this, Bai Sihan wished she could disappear into the ground.
She had thought she could rise to prominence and catch the eye of a prince, but little did she know that princes had seen all sorts of women. The concubines in their households were no less beautiful than her, so they had not paid her any attention.
Wei Lanxuan frowned, utterly disdainful of Bai Sihan's act of demeaning herself. She had even considered Bai Sihan a sister before, but now she realized she was such an unpresentable person.
"Your Highness the First Prince misunderstands. This is the illegitimate granddaughter of Prime Minister Bai. She came to the capital some days ago to celebrate Old Madam Bai's birthday."
"Oh, it seems my eyes were mistaken. Miss Bai, I apologize."
The word "illegitimate" pierced Bai Sihan's heart like a needle. She hated those two words more than anything in her life.
Unfortunately, this was not a place for her to lose her temper. Suppressing her sorrow and anger, she still had to maintain a dignified smile.
"Your Highness the First Prince flatters this humble daughter..."
Just as she was about to say a few more words, she was intercepted by Liang Luo and Wen Yuwei.
Having accompanied Wei Lanxuan and met the princes a few times before, they were much calmer than her.
They stayed by Wei Lanxuan's side, interjecting from time to time, effectively pushing Bai Sihan aside.
Heaven and hell, all in an instant.