Feng Li Pan, as the eldest prince, was bound to become a prince even if he wasn't particularly ambitious, so his concubine selection banquet was naturally a grand affair.
Even if some noble ladies were already engaged, it didn't stop them from coming to join the fun. After all, it was nominally a flower viewing banquet, and all sorts of handsome men and beautiful women would come to liven things up.
People from all corners of the land were present, and Xing Yuan didn't stand out amongst them, nor did she attract much attention. She was here to find someone, not to attend the banquet. Before the banquet even began, she found a tall building and observed the people coming and going.
Although she couldn't confirm her elder sister's identity or whereabouts, as long as she appeared within her line of sight, she was sure she would recognize her at a glance.
After an unknown amount of time, Xing Yuan finally found the person she had been thinking of. Her face was filled with joy, and she eagerly walked in that direction.
Bai Qingyue frowned, looking at the bustling banquet with a helpless expression. She had always disliked crowds. If it weren't for her close friend Wen Xingyi, who was worried that her half-sister Bai Yuelin would overshadow her, insisting she come, she would have truly feigned illness and stayed home peacefully.
"Qingyue, since you're here, cheer up! Look at all these young gentlemen, isn't there anyone who catches your eye?" Wen Xingyi smiled at Bai Qingyue. She herself loved excitement, so why was Qingyue so different?
"Xingyi, you know I don't care about these things! Besides, Father has already verbally agreed with the Second Prince, and I will likely marry him in the future." Bai Qingyue smiled gently, her face filled with the dignity of a noble lady. Despite speaking of her future husband, her expression remained unchanged.
Wen Xingyi looked at her with a mixture of disappointment and frustration. "We grew up together, how could I not know you? Don't tell me you don't like him. Even if you did, would you be content with Feng Liyan being so close to your half-sister?"
"There's nothing to be content or discontent about. You know, I don't care about these things. Moreover, for people like us, our fate is decided from birth! We are merely pawns in our families' games!" Bai Qingyue's expression was neither joyful nor sad, appearing very calm and composed.
"Forget it, I shouldn't have called you here. You always pour cold water on my enthusiasm! My family can't compare to your Prime Minister's mansion! Anyway, Father wants me to find someone to marry as soon as possible, so I don't become a tool in the princes' power struggles." Wen Xingyi stamped her foot, a hint of annoyance on her face.
"You go ahead! I'll go sit over there!" Bai Qingyue, sensing her friend was upset, softened her tone slightly and pointed to a nearby stone table.
"Alright then! Show me if you find anyone you like. I heard the Third Prince is also nearing the age for selecting a consort. Regardless, my marriage still needs to be settled soon." Wen Xingyi hesitated for a moment, but her father's instructions ultimately took precedence.
"Okay!" Bai Qingyue nodded with a clear, cool gaze, signaling that she could leave.
While Bai Qingyue was quietly sipping tea alone at the table, Xing Yuan also found her.
Perhaps it was due to a touch of nervousness before meeting someone close, Xing Yuan carefully checked her attire and went over the rehearsed speech in her mind twice before walking towards her elder sister.
"Miss, may I sit here?" Xing Yuan asked with a gentle tone, her eyes curving into a smile.
Bai Qingyue looked up and saw someone she hadn't seen before. Her eyes held a hint of confusion as she asked for confirmation, "Are you speaking to me?"
"Mmm~ It seems you're the only one here, who else would I be talking to?" Xing Yuan said with a playful smile, her eyes never leaving Bai Qingyue.
Bai Qingyue smiled apologetically for the misunderstanding and immediately said, "Of course! This stone table isn't mine, you can sit if you wish."
Xing Yuan sat down, but her gaze involuntarily drifted towards her elder sister. To avoid appearing suspicious, she initiated a conversation with Bai Qingyue.
Xing Yuan pretended to be troubled and said, "Which noble family do you belong to? This is my first time attending such a banquet, and it's quite large. I seem to be a little lost." She then looked at Bai Qingyue with an expectant gaze.
Bai Qingyue, intelligent since childhood, naturally understood Xing Yuan's obvious hint. However, this was a rare quiet spot, and she didn't want to leave easily. She hesitated.
Despite her inner annoyance, Bai Qingyue maintained a cool demeanor, making it impossible for ordinary people to guess her thoughts.
Xing Yuan: "..." What? She's not moved by this? Is my strategy wrong?
One plan failed, Xing Yuan tried another, using things she'd learned online to bridge the gap. "You look very approachable, sister. Have we met somewhere before?"
Bai Qingyue looked at Xing Yuan as if she were an idiot. Was this person a bit strange? She didn't even know who she was, yet she claimed to have met her.
Seeing her elder sister's silence, Xing Yuan realized that this method learned online might not be very reliable. She looked around, ensuring no one else was watching, and then employed her foolproof ultimate move.
Xing Yuan squatted in front of Bai Qingyue and began to use her charm. Tears welled up in her eyes, making her look pitiful. Coupled with her natural beauty, it instantly evoked a desire to protect her.
She deliberately spoke in a soft, childish voice, "Good sister, please help me and take me there! The fact that we met here proves we have a connection! Can you bear to leave me here alone?"
This method was indeed effective. Bai Qingyue looked at Xing Yuan's pitiful state. Even though she knew it was all an act, her heart softened.
Sighing, she stood up and said, "Let's go!"
Xing Yuan watched Bai Qingyue's retreating back and secretly rejoiced. Her ancestral skills were indeed the most effective. Those things learned online were completely unreliable! Her elder sister was not moved at all.
Though she thought this, her body honestly followed Bai Qingyue.
"Sister, my name is Xing Yuan. What's yours?"
Bai Qingyue had intended to simply lead her there and leave, but when she heard Xing Yuan speaking in her soft, childish voice, she instinctively replied, "Bai Qingyue."
"Mmm, your name is beautiful, sister, and you are also beautiful! I wonder if you're already promised to someone?" Xing Yuan subtly inquired.
"That's my business!" Bai Qingyue held her ground on this matter. No matter how soft the girl's tone was or how pleasant her words were, she wouldn't disclose her private affairs to someone she had only met once.
Xing Yuan lowered her head and was silent for a moment, then asked with a dejected tone, "Sister, do you dislike me?"
"No!" Bai Qingyue's tone was a little stiff. She didn't dislike her; she just didn't want to talk to others or have too much interaction with them.
"Really?" Xing Yuan suddenly became excited again. "The first time I saw you, sister, I felt I really liked you!"
Hearing the girl's blatant confession, even knowing it wasn't meant in that way, Bai Qingyue could feel her face getting hotter and hotter, possibly turning red. But she didn't dare to look back and instead walked even faster.