Shen Lixue looked up and saw Su Yuting, supported by her maid, smiling as she stepped down from the carriage. The bright sunlight surrounded her with a faint halo, which, combined with her beautiful face and noble temperament, made her an exceptionally beautiful woman.
"Miss Su!" Shen Lixue smiled politely, her seemingly casual gaze constantly watching Su Yuting's every move.
Last night, Zhuang Kexin was seriously injured, and she was also badly beaten by Shen Yingxue before. Even if she knows martial arts, she wouldn't be very good at it. So, the only suspect with high martial arts skills is Su Yuting. Su Yuting's words and actions are all like those of a lady, gentle and slow, without any of the decisiveness and efficiency of a martial artist. She really doesn't know martial arts, and she's hiding it too well.
Her appearance here at this time, could it be for...?
"Are the princess and sister also here to visit Prince Zhan?" Su Yuting walked over gracefully, her smile radiant and captivating.
"Yes!" Shen Lixue smiled faintly. She had indeed come to see Prince Zhan. Everyone in the capital knew that Prince Zhan did not like to see outsiders. Dongfang Yu'er was a member of the royal family and Prince Zhan's niece. It was very likely that she was invited into the mansion. When her carriage arrived at the mansion, Su Yuting also arrived. Was it just a coincidence?
"This princess wanted to see the Imperial Uncle Zhan, so I brought Li Xue with me..." Dongfang Yu'er answered casually, straightening her clothes and looking at the majestic Zhan Prince's Mansion, she murmured, "I wonder if the Imperial Uncle is in the mansion?"
Dongfang Yu'er's voice was very low, but Su Yuting was close enough to hear every word. She smiled and said, "I heard on the street just now that Prince Zhan has returned to his residence!"
"Really?" Dongfang Yu'er's eyes lit up, then dimmed again. It was a good thing that the royal uncle was returning to the manor, but would he see her?
"Princess, let the guards go in and announce that Prince Zhan will see you soon!" Shen Lixue suggested softly, standing in front of the carriage but never being able to enter Prince Zhan's residence.
“That’s right!” Dongfang Yu’er nodded with bright eyes, walked quickly to the gate of the Prince’s Mansion, and said to the guards, “Please go in and announce that Princess Dongfang Yu’er of the Prince of Huai’s Mansion and the future Princess Consort Shen Lixue of the Prince of An’s Mansion request an audience!”
Dongfang Yu'er only mentioned herself and Shen Lixue, whether intentionally or unintentionally, completely forgetting about Su Yuting.
Su Yuting's smile froze slightly, then she said, "Please inform the guard that Su Yuting from the Duke of Wen's mansion requests an audience!"
"Ah!" Dongfang Yu'er suddenly remembered that there was someone else beside her, and turned to look at Su Yuting: "I was only thinking about seeing my royal uncle and forgot about you. I'm sorry!"
Dongfang Yu'er spoke words of remorse, but there was no remorse in her tone; instead, there was a hint of arrogance. Su Yuting's smile stiffened again: "Princess, you are busy with many things, so it is normal for you to forget some things. Yuting will not hold it against you."
Dongfang Yu'er nodded in satisfaction: "Miss Su is truly understanding!"
The guards received the order and quickly entered the mansion to report.
“Princess!” Shen Lixue frowned as she looked at Dongfang Yu’er. She was not yet of marriageable age, and her status as the daughter of the Prime Minister’s family was more reliable than that of the future Princess Consort of An County!
Dongfang Yu'er whispered to Shen Lixue with a grin, "Uncle values family ties. Your status as the future Princess Consort of Anjun is more useful than that of the Prime Minister's daughter!"
Shen Lixue was helpless and speechless. Dongfang Yu'er usually seemed carefree, but she was very smart and meticulous when she did things.
"Princess, Sister Lixue, what are you talking about?" Dongfang Yu'er and Shen Lixue spoke very softly, and Su Yuting did not hear them clearly.
"Besides, the weather is great today, Miss Su is very beautiful, and her temperament is elegant and dignified. I'm sure many young men from prestigious families will be knocking down the threshold of the Duke of Wen's mansion to propose marriage..." Dongfang Yu'er smiled and dodged the question.
"Your Highness is too kind!" Su Yuting said with a soft laugh, but her smile was stiff.
"I'm not joking." Dongfang Yu'er frowned, her face as serious as could be: "Your reputation as the number one talented woman is known throughout Qingyan. You have countless admirers, and plenty of handsome and talented men are waiting for you to choose. Apart from my cousin Heng, you can marry whichever one you fancy..."
"However, my cousin Heng is the most handsome man in Qingyan. No matter how powerful the one you marry is, he can only be second. With your talent and looks, marrying the second most handsome man is not too unfair!" Dongfang Yu'er chuckled. Whether it was Shen Lixue's imagination or not, her gaze towards Su Yuting carried a hint of mockery.
Su Yuting's smile froze even more: "Your Highness is too kind!"
"Does Yu'er mean that Miss Su's marriage to the most handsome man is a perfect match, a union of equals, a union of talent and beauty?" Accompanied by a clear and elegant male voice, Dongfang Zhan walked out of the Zhan Wang Mansion, his smile as warm as the wind.
"No!" Dongfang Yu'er stared at the place behind Dongfang Zhan, her eyes sparkling: "Cousin Zhan, why did you come out of the Prince's mansion? Were you chatting with the Imperial Uncle just now?"
"My father ordered me to deliver something to my uncle!" Dongfang Zhan smiled slightly, elegant and charming.
"Why didn't you say so sooner!" Dongfang Yu'er glared angrily at Dongfang Zhan. If she had known he was coming to the Zhan Prince's mansion to deliver something, she would have followed him in.
"You know your uncle's temper. Do you think anyone can just walk into the War Prince's mansion like that?" Dongfang Zhan looked at Dongfang Yu'er, both amused and annoyed. "Wait here obediently. If your uncle wants to see you, he will naturally let you in. If he doesn't want to see you, even if you sneak into the War Prince's mansion, he will find you out..."
Dongfang Yu'er nodded gently: "That's true!" No one can figure out the Imperial Uncle's temper.
"Miss Shen, Miss Su!" Dongfang Zhan's gaze passed through Dongfang Yu'er and fell upon Shen Lixue and Su Yuting, his smile gentle.
"Your Highness Zhan!" Su Yuting bowed gracefully, her demeanor dignified and poised.
"Prince Zhan!" The moment Shen Lixue bowed, Crystal Swallow lowered its head and appeared in Dongfang Zhan's line of sight. His gentle smile froze for a moment, and his gaze towards Shen Lixue was deep and meaningful.
A guard came out from inside the mansion and said respectfully, "His Highness invites the Princess and Miss Shen to enter the mansion!"
"It's true, my royal uncle is willing to see me!" The surprise came so suddenly that Dongfang Yu'er was overjoyed and didn't know what to do. She exclaimed loudly, wishing she could share her joy with everyone.
Su Yuting's face turned deathly pale instantly. Dongfang Yu'er was a royal princess, so it was only natural that she was received. However, Shen Lixue was the daughter of the Prime Minister's family, while she was the daughter of the Duke of Wen's family. When they both gave their names, the Prince Zhan blocked her at the door and prepared to receive Shen Lixue instead...
“Princess!” Shen Lixue gently nudged Dongfang Yu’er, indicating that there was a heartbroken person beside her.
"Yuting, your royal uncle must be too busy to spare much time to receive the three of you. You should go back to your residence and rest first, and come back tomorrow. Your royal uncle will definitely see you!" Dongfang Yu'er was in a good mood when she learned that she could enter the residence to see the War King, and she was even more amiable to Su Yuting. However, Shen Lixue always felt that there was a hint of sarcasm in the words of comfort coming from her mouth.
"Thank you for your kind words, Princess!" Su Yuting smiled gently, but her smile was stiff.
"Brother Zhan, we'll be going now!" Before Dongfang Zhan could answer, Dongfang Yu'er, beaming with joy, pulled Shen Lixue and ran quickly into the Zhan Wang Mansion. She was so happy to see her royal uncle!
Shen Lixue and Dongfang Yu'er's graceful figures turned the corner and disappeared. Dongfang Zhan looked at Su Yuting, his gaze gentle and warm: "Miss Su, it's getting late. If you wait any longer, your royal uncle won't see you. You should go back to the manor first and come again tomorrow!"
"Thank you for the reminder, Prince Zhan!" Su Yuting smiled politely. Prince Zhan of Qingyan was gentle and courteous to everyone he knew, showing great care. He comforted her, and she had no doubt that he liked her.
Through the wide-open gate, Su Yuting looked at the exquisite paths of the Prince's mansion and sighed softly, "Yuting is not as lively as the Princess, nor as intelligent as Sister Lixue. It's no wonder that Prince Zhan refuses to see me..."
“Miss Su, there’s no need to belittle yourself. You are the most talented woman, with unparalleled talent. No woman in the entire Qingyan can match you. There must be another reason why the Imperial Uncle doesn’t see you…” Dongfang Zhan’s gaze deepened slightly.
"What's the reason?" Su Yuting asked urgently.
"This..." Dongfang Zhan hesitated, unable to finish his sentence.
Su Yuting was taken aback, then relaxed her tone: "If it's inconvenient for Prince Zhan, then there's no need to say anything more!"
"It's not that it's inconvenient, it's just that I'm afraid Miss Su won't like to hear it!" A glint of light flickered in Dongfang Zhan's gentle eyes.