"How come your maid is just like you, so ruthless!" Leng Caiwen glared at her with dissatisfaction.
"Narcissistic!" Dai Yu snorted, and Leng Caiwen grumbled in dissatisfaction.
Ouyang Yue laughed and said, "Young Master Leng already has a bunch of sycophants behind him. Does he need me as well? If so, Young Master Leng would have already turned his back on me!"
Leng Caiwen was taken aback, and Dai Yu also turned to look over. Ouyang Yue was really very perceptive; she had noticed this.
Baili Chen narrowed his eyes and swept over: "Is that the truth?"
Baili Chen remained silent in the room from beginning to end. No one expected him to suddenly say that. Even Ouyang Yue was somewhat bewildered by his unexpected words and looked at him with some doubt. Ouyang Yue paused for a moment, then said, "Do you really think I'm the most beautiful woman in the world, unparalleled in beauty, better than Leng Caiwen and Dai Yu?"
Leng Caiwen and Dai Yu were stunned upon hearing this, their expressions changed, and they stiffened, looking at Ouyang Yue with a hint of nervousness.
Ouyang Yue silently gazed at Baili Chen, and finally nodded, saying, "The Seventh Prince's appearance is like that of a fine jade carving, perfectly flawless. Even the most skilled craftsman would be unable to carve a second one in the same way."
Baili Chen's expression suddenly turned cold. He stared at Ouyang Yue silently, his voice icy: "This prince hates it most when people say I'm beautiful!"
"Swish!" Leng Sha suddenly drew half of his sword, staring at Ouyang Yue with murderous intent in his eyes.
Ouyang Yue smiled lightly and looked earnestly at Baili Chen: "This is what I say from the bottom of my heart. The Seventh Prince was born so unparalleled in the world, which is praised by all. I think this is a good thing, a blessing from heaven! Would you be happy if the world called you an ugly man or a leper?"
"How dare you!"
"brush!"
Leng Sha shouted and immediately drew his sword. The sword flashed with a cold light in the air, and in the blink of an eye, it was already stabbing towards Ouyang Yue without any mercy. The latter did not dodge at all. Leng Caiwen was shocked: "Stop!" He swung his fan and struck at Leng Sha's sword.
With a swift twist of his left hand holding the sword hilt, Leng Sha knocked Leng Caiwen's fan to the ground with a "smack." The sword in his hand remained completely still, just half a finger's distance from Ouyang Yue's neck. It seemed that even a slight breath from Ouyang Yue would cause her injury.
The room fell into an eerie silence. Baili Chen, holding onto the armrest of his chair, suddenly stood up and slowly walked towards Ouyang Yue, his expression inscrutable.
☆、066, a little teasing, and rumors spread like wildfire!
"Miss!"
"Miss!" Chuncao and Qiuyue exclaimed, rushing forward to stand on either side of Ouyang Yue, glaring angrily at Baili Chen and Leng Sha. While the royal family's status was certainly intimidating to them, it meant nothing compared to Ouyang Yue. The two women watched fearlessly as Baili Chen approached. In reality, however, they were terrified, their faces pale, palms sweating, and hearts pounding with anxiety.
Ouyang Yue waved her hand: "Chuncao, Qiuyue, step down."
Chuncao and Qiuyue hesitated for a moment, but obediently stepped aside, their eyes fixed on Baili Chen, fearing that the Seventh Prince might suddenly become enraged and Ouyang Yue would be in danger.
Baili Chen strolled over, as if stepping on lotus flowers, his demeanor graceful and elegant. However, when he looked at Ouyang Yue, who was sitting quietly on the chair, his eyes flashed.
Today, Ouyang Yue was dressed in a plain white dress, adorned only with a few scattered flower petals at the hem and collar. Her hair was secured with two white jade plum blossom hairpins. Her attire was remarkably simple, yet as she sat there gracefully, she resembled a budding water lily. A faint smile graced her fair and pretty face, giving her an air of detachment.
Baili Chen's heart skipped a beat, and his expression grew even colder: "You think I, the prince, am truly unparalleled in appearance? In your eyes, I am no different from those actresses and courtesans who prioritize beauty and need to present myself in a beautiful light!"
Ouyang Yue calmly looked at Baili Chen, slowly stood up, and was slightly surprised. Was Baili Chen's dislike genuine? Did he hate his own appearance so much? Even if his handsomeness was rare in the world and unparalleled, he still hated it.
“Miss…” Chuncao trembled with fear. She was about to pull Ouyang Yue away when Baili Chen suddenly gave her a cold look. She was so frightened that she couldn’t say anything. She trembled all over and instinctively lowered her head.
Even Leng Caiwen and Dai Yu's expressions changed slightly as they looked at them. Leng Caiwen lowered his head to pick up the fan, thought for a moment, and laughed, "Haha, I don't think Miss Ouyang meant that, she..."
"Speak! This prince demands your answer!" Baili Chen stared at Ouyang Yue with his deep black eyes devoid of any emotion, yet she could see in those eyes a pair of fireballs that, with the slightest movement, would surely burn her to a crisp.
Ouyang Yue straightened her expression, her mind raced, and she gave a slight twitch of her lips, but then realized it was inappropriate. She said in a deep voice, "May I ask the Seventh Prince, which do you think is better, beauty or ugliness?"
Baili Chen looked at her coldly without replying. Ouyang Yue said slowly, "I have always believed that a person's inner beauty is the most important. Because even the most beautiful face will age, but conversely, it is precisely because the face ages that the inner beauty becomes so crucial. People cannot be completely indifferent to their appearance. Both men and women will dress up for those they like. So, having a beautiful face is a great help to a person, isn't it? I think that the Seventh Prince is of noble birth and has such a beautiful face. He is blessed by heaven and should be happy."
However, upon hearing this, Baili Chen's dark, glassy eyes darkened slightly, and his voice seemed to grow even deeper: "This prince hates it most when people talk about my appearance!"
Leng Caiwen suddenly shut his mouth. He was the one who started this topic. Although he knew it, he had only frowned and ignored the occasional joke from the Seventh Prince after they became familiar with each other. Who knew he would be so angry today! As for why Baili Chen hated it so much when others praised his appearance, he didn't know. But he knew at least one thing: Baili Chen had suffered because of his appearance!
Leng Caiwen took a deep breath, about to speak.
Ouyang Yue laughed, her eyes like crescent moons, sparkling brightly: "The Seventh Prince is so handsome that he is the most outstanding person in the world, yet he asks me to say that you are ugly against my will. Isn't that just burying my head in the sand? Besides, I am a citizen of the Great Zhou Dynasty and have absolute respect for the royal family. I cannot do anything against my will. That would be disrespectful to the Seventh Prince."
A glint suddenly flashed in Baili Chen's dark eyes as he stared intently at Ouyang Yue: "Oh, you have great respect for the royal family?" From Ouyang Yue's previous actions, he really couldn't tell that this clever girl was loyal and respectful to the royal family.
Ouyang Yue nodded earnestly, her expression very serious, and said, "Yes, Seventh Prince, I respect you from the bottom of my heart. My heart is as clear as the sun and the moon!"
Baili Chen snorted coldly: "I think that's a lie. You're not being honest enough."
Ouyang Yue burst out laughing, her face blooming like a flower, startling everyone in the room: "Seventh Prince, you are so kind and gentle, don't worry about this refugee girl. I'm telling you the truth, but you just won't believe me. Do you expect me to cut my heart out for you to see?"
Baili Chen seemed to raise an eyebrow, paused for a moment, and then asked, "Is everything you said true?" Ouyang Yue was about to give a cheerful assurance when he added, "You said my appearance is unparalleled in the world!"
Ouyang Yue was taken aback. This Seventh Prince was quite an oddball. Wasn't she supposed to avoid this topic? Why was he still going on and on? However, Baili Chen stared straight at her, looking very serious as he waited for her answer. Ouyang Yue paused and said, "Yes, since I was born, I have never seen anyone more handsome than the Seventh Prince!"
Baili Chen's expression softened slightly, and he continued, "What if you encounter someone even more handsome than me in the future? Would you like that?"
“Ah…” Ouyang Yue looked at Baili Chen with some strangeness. Leng Caiwen and Dai Yu also looked at Baili Chen in disbelief, as if these were words that Baili Chen should never have said.
Ouyang Yue felt a mix of emotions, but finally smiled and said, "Seventh Prince, I am not someone who values appearance. As long as the man is sincere to me, even if he is the ugliest man in the world, I am willing to accept him if I like him. Beauty can only please people, but it doesn't guarantee success or win their hearts. However, a good appearance will certainly make people more willing to approach you, and it will be much more effective!" Ouyang Yue's words sounded grand, but they were essentially meaningless, clearly an attempt to evade the issue.
Baili Chen lowered his head and thought seriously for a moment, then looked straight at Ouyang Yue and suddenly said, "There will never be anyone in the world more beautiful than me!"
“Ah…” Ouyang Yue and the others were slightly taken aback. Why did the Seventh Prince always only say half of what he meant today, and why did he seem so neurotic?
Baili Chen said very seriously, "If I find out, I will kill him immediately!" He looked at Ouyang Yue with a meaningful gaze.
Ouyang Yue's heart skipped a beat. She glanced at Baili Chen with a complex expression, but Baili Chen had already turned around and was running back to his original spot with lightning speed. Leng Sha, looking surprised, sheathed his sword and gave Ouyang Yue a deep look. Ouyang Yue, however, kept her eyes on Baili Chen. Baili Chen's appearance was still as handsome and striking as ever, but his fair face seemed... well, slightly flushed, and the area around his ears was completely red!
Ouyang Yue's eyes widened in surprise.
No way! This seventh prince was born in a place like the palace, he can't be this innocent, can he? Shouldn't he be shy? It's like he's confessing to her and she's teasing him. Ouyang Yue pursed her lips, curled her lips into a smile, but couldn't manage it.
Leng Caiwen suddenly fanned himself, his expression stiffening as he said, "The dishes at Babaozhai are famous, especially their Eight Treasure Duck. Dipped in their special sauce, it's truly delicious. Every time I come here, I always order it. Since I'm treating today, Miss Ouyang, please don't be shy and eat to your heart's content."
Ouyang Yue laughed as well: "Now that you mention it, Young Master Leng, I really am hungry. Then I won't stand on ceremony."
"Ta-da!"
"Dear guests, your dishes are here." The waiter from Babaozhai appeared at the right time, and after he finished speaking respectfully, the waiters served the dishes one by one.
This Babaozhai restaurant truly lives up to its reputation as one of the top specialty restaurants. Leaving aside the taste, the presentation of the dishes alone is a feast for the eyes. The Eight Treasure Duck is made by brushing a whole duck with a special secret sauce and then roasting it through five processes, resulting in a golden-brown surface, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a smooth and fragrant taste that is unforgettable. Ouyang Yue really didn't hold back. To the surprise of Baili Chen, Leng Caiwen, Dai Yu, and Leng Sha, she ate with elegant movements but devoured a chicken leg in a few bites with the speed of a dog, leaving not even a drop of oil on her lips, leaving everyone dumbfounded!
"Miss Ouyang is truly amazing! This is the first time I've ever seen you eat this way. It's incredible!" Leng Caiwen praised without reservation.
Dai Yu frowned, picked up a piece of duck meat with her chopsticks, slurped up a mouthful of oil, and looked at Ouyang Yue with even more curiosity.
Baili Chen only ate a little bit of the jade corn in front of him, and then he didn't touch his chopsticks again. He also looked at Ouyang Yue with surprise.
Ouyang Yue swallowed the last bite of duck leg meat, wiped her mouth lightly, and smiled at Leng Caiwen, saying, "This dish is quite good, very much to my liking. This Babaozhai is so famous, it's not easy to order dishes here. With Young Master Leng's name, I wonder if you could order two more ducks so I can take them back and satisfy the cravings of those who haven't had them yet."
Leng Caiwen glared at him: "You! You're both eating and taking!"
Ouyang Yue looked at him with disdain: "Young Master Leng, what are you saying? Who said you paid me? I just used your name to order a couple more Eight Treasure Ducks. How can you be so stingy? You are really judging a gentleman by your own petty standards. I really look down on Young Master Leng!"
"You! You're acting all innocent after getting a good deal. With your stingy attitude, there's no way you'd give it to me. Besides, you're not exactly a gentleman!" Leng Caiwen immediately retorted.
Ouyang Yue sighed, "Chuncao, Qiuyue, you've seen it clearly. You can't judge a book by its cover. I've long heard that Young Master Leng is willing to spend lavishly on any woman he likes, but now he's being so stingy just for inviting me to a meal. Remember this: whenever Young Master Leng tries to be nice to you for no reason, run as far away as you can. He's definitely up to no good!"
Faced with Ouyang Yue's earnest teachings, Chuncao and Qiuyue both glanced at Leng Caiwen with a hint of disdain, then nodded earnestly: "Miss, we remember, we will never forget!"
"Miss, I remember, I will never forget!"
Leng Caiwen's face flushed red, and she snorted angrily, "Two more Eight Treasure Ducks, please!" Then she turned and glared at Ouyang Yue, "Are you satisfied now!"
Ouyang Yue sighed, "Young Master Leng, it would have been better if you had done this earlier. It would have saved us from knowing your secret. Don't worry, Young Master Leng, we will definitely keep this a secret. Next time you fawn over some young lady, we will pretend we didn't see it. Don't worry, we will definitely not ruin your plans." Then she gave a "I'm so kind, come and thank me" smile, which made Leng Caiwen's lips twitch with anger.
Even Dai Yu's icy expression softened: "I won't say anything, don't worry!"
"Dai Yu, you bastard, you're always bullying me!" Leng Caiwen slammed his fan on the table and reached out to grab Dai Yu. Dai Yu turned around and ran out the door. Leng Caiwen was furious and ran after Dai Yu.
Inside the room, Ouyang Yue and Baili Chen sat quietly on either side. Ouyang Yue stood up and gracefully bowed to Baili Chen: "I will never forget the great kindness of the Seventh Prince. It's getting late, so I'll head back to my residence first."
"I, the prince, allow you not to refer to yourself as a commoner in my presence," Baili Chen said calmly.
Ouyang Yue smiled and shook her head: "Etiquette cannot be abandoned. If it becomes a habit, it may give others a handle to use against us in the future. I will take my leave now!" With that, she took Chuncao and Qiuyue, and before she left, she had not forgotten to ask for two Eight Treasure Ducks. Then she took the carriage back to the General's Mansion.
As soon as Ouyang Yue left, Leng Caiwen and Dai Yu returned to their rooms one after the other. Leng Caiwen shook his head and laughed, "Seventh Prince, could it be that you've fallen for this greenhorn girl, Ouyang Yue? Judging from her rude manners and sharp tongue, I would never like her. With the Seventh Prince's status, his future princess consort or seventh princess consort must be of even higher status, not someone a woman with such a notorious reputation like Ouyang Yue could aspire to."
Baili Chen looked at Leng Caiwen with a half-smile. The latter was taken aback and couldn't help but say, "Moreover, this girl is far too greedy for money. She doesn't act like a lady from a noble family at all. She's clearly a money slave. She's really vulgar."
Baili Chen didn't speak. He simply stood up and walked to Leng Caiwen. Leng Caiwen was somewhat confused. Suddenly, Baili Chen shouted, "Don't move, and don't blink! Look at me carefully!"
"What I'm about to do will turn the rotten into the miraculous, the nothing into something, and the something into nothing. You'd better watch closely, not blinking an eye." Baili Chen's ten fingers began to rotate, his expression extremely serious. Then, his arms swayed slightly, and his fingers moved even more vigorously. His eyes widened slightly, and he shouted in a low voice, "Go!"
Leng Caiwen, Dai Yu, and Leng Sha stared intently as Baili Chen opened his fair hand. The hand shape was perfect, but there was nothing else besides it.
Baili Chen clenched his fist again: "What I'm about to do will turn the rotten into the miraculous, the nothing into something, and the something into nothing. You'd better watch closely." Then he waved his fingers around and shouted again, "Go!"
Like ten slender, green fingers, they are truly beautiful...
Bai Lichen's expression darkened slightly as he said seriously, "You're all surprised, aren't you? This time it's for real!"
"What I am about to do will turn the rotten into the miraculous, the nothing into something, and the something into nothing. You'd better watch closely!"
"out!"
“Oh… there are two peach blossoms.” Leng Caiwen blinked and said politely, and Dai Yu also pursed her lips and nodded.
Leng Sha breathed a sigh of relief. His master had been dragging him to watch magic tricks lately, which had been quite a hassle for him. He couldn't possibly discourage his master, but while his master was adept at everything else, magic tricks were notoriously difficult to learn. Yet, his master was incredibly determined to master them. This often left Leng Sha both amused and exasperated; even his usually impeccably composed face was starting to give way. Finally, he'd succeeded…
"I was right, wasn't I? The third attempt will succeed. What do you say?" Baili Chen's eyes were filled with a smile.
Leng Caiwen suddenly laughed: "Compared to Ouyang Yue's performance, it's still a bit inferior!" Leng Caiwen's words were quite bold. Baili Chen was Emperor Mingxian's most favored prince. Everyone who saw him had to be respectful. How could he be compared so casually?
Baili Chen replied, "Since my birth, I have rarely compared myself to others. Tell me, given my temperament, should anyone who can defeat me be eliminated?"
Leng Caiwen remained silent for a moment without a smile before saying, "However, the Seventh Prince's consort is destined not to be the daughter of a military general!"
Baili Chen reached out and gently patted Leng Caiwen's shoulder: "If this prince says it's okay, then it's okay!"
After saying that, Baili Chen went out first, followed by Leng Sha. Only Leng Caiwen and Dai Yu remained in the room. Leng Caiwen sneered, "Dai Yu, let's go to Zui Hong Lou for a drink."
Dai Yu said with utter disdain, "You can go to those brothels if you want!"
"You're not even coming with me? Let me tell you, a new girl named Xiao Fengxian has recently appeared at Drunken Red Mansion. She's a first-rate dancer, and I've heard she's very alluring in that area. You'll regret it if you don't go!" Leng Caiwen said with anticipation.
Dai Yu glanced at him: "How could a common woman be worthy of you!"
"Tch! Don't spout your high-sounding principles again. If you won't go drinking and carousing, at least come with me to the horse race!" Leng Caiwen pouted in dissatisfaction.
Dai Yu nodded, and the two left one after the other. They then went to the counter, where Leng Caiwen heard that Ouyang Yue had indeed taken two Eight Treasure Ducks. His smile was quite meaningful.
Ouyang Yue then took Qiuyue to the house that Leng Can had prepared. After a brief look, she was quite satisfied and let Qiuyue stay there temporarily. Then she took Chuncao back to the mansion. Instead of returning to Mingyue Pavilion, she went to Old Ning's Anhe Hall first.
Ouyang Yue returned at noon, just in time for Old Madam Ning's meal. As soon as Ouyang Yue entered, she was greeted by Old Madam Ning's maid, Green Robe.
As soon as she entered the house, Ouyang Yue smiled and said, "Yue'er knows Grandmother's mealtime. When I left the manor just now, I specially chose Eight Treasure Duck from Babaozhai to present to Grandmother."
Inside Anhe Hall, Aunt Ming, Aunt Hua, Aunt Liu, Aunt Hong, and Rui Yuhuan were all present. The other aunts stood behind her, and Rui Yuhuan was smiling as she served food to Old Madam Ning. Suddenly, they all looked over.