Chapter 7

After presenting the gifts, Jiang Ciyou and Yan Feng walked towards their table near the door. With no one seated yet, they had to wait by the side.

Yan Feng’s phone rang midway. He glanced at it and hurried toward the garden through the side door. Jiang Ciyou knew it was a call from Xia Ling but didn’t mind. Instead, she admired the antiques in the banquet hall.

The entire wall was adorned with Song Dynasty blue-and-white porcelain, which was truly breathtaking.

Soon, a young girl approached.

“Are you Mrs. Yan?”

Jiang Ciyou turned gracefully, “What can I do for you?”

“I’m Bai Qian, the granddaughter of the military district commander from the capital. May I ask about the formula for your Li Wang Flower Soaked Agarwood?”

Before Jiang Ciyou could respond, the young girl quickly added, “I’d like to buy the formula from you. No matter the price.”

Jiang Ciyou smiled, “The formula isn’t a closely guarded secret. I made it just for fun. If Miss Bai likes it, I’d be happy to give it to you.”

The girl’s eyes lit up with excitement, “Really? You’d give it to me?”

“Yes. Add me on WeChat, and I’ll send you the formula tonight.”

The girl quickly added Jiang Ciyou on WeChat. At this moment, several other young girls gathered around.

“I want it too! Mrs. Yan, can you add me on WeChat as well?”

Jiang Ciyou was taken aback by the situation but added each of them on WeChat and promised to send the formula later.

These young girls were either daughters of mayors, top tycoons, or even granddaughters of central officials.

From a distance, Jiang Xiaoxiao watched a group of Beijing socialites crowding around Jiang Ciyou to exchange WeChat contacts. Enraged, she turned to Yao Shulan and complained, “Mom, are they crazy? A group of elite socialites trying to curry favor with Jiang Ciyou. What do they hope to gain?”

Yao Shulan responded calmly, “They’re not foolish. Out of all the gifts presented by the guests, only hers received the old lady’s favor. They want the formula to win favor with Old Lady Bo in the future.”

Yao Shulan sighed softly, “Among these people, there will surely be one who becomes the young mistress of the Bo family.”

Jiang Xiaoxiao huffed, “Winning the old lady’s favor is irrelevant. Bo Jinyan will marry whoever he wants. Maybe he doesn’t even like these well-bred young ladies but prefers a rebellious Cinderella.”

Yao Shulan seemed to see through Jiang Xiaoxiao’s thoughts.

“Xiaoxiao, our Jiang family is considered prestigious in Rongcheng, but we are far behind the daughters of Beijing’s elite. The Bo family not only has wealth but also political connections that we can’t aspire to.”

Yao Shulan comforted her, “I’ll find you a suitable match in Rongcheng.”

“Mom, as you said, Rongcheng can’t compare to Beijing. People always aim higher. How do you know Bo Jinxiu doesn’t like me if we don’t try?”

Yao Shulan shook her head, looking helpless. Sometimes, social standing is an insurmountable barrier. Wealthy people are often more practical, and families of high status pay more attention to social standing.

The fairy tale of a prince and a Cinderella only exists in fairy tales.

Meanwhile, several young girls were surrounding Jiang Ciyou, calling her “sister.” Jiang Ciyou responded in kind, making the young ladies exceptionally happy.

However, their friendliness was only directed at her, while they were still subtly competing with each other, unwilling to yield.

“Last month, I saw the crown prince, and he even praised me for becoming more beautiful.”

“Before the old lady’s invitation was sent out, no one knew Brother Bo was in Rongcheng. You must be lying.”

“I may be lying, but isn’t it a bit gross to call him ‘Brother Bo’? Do you know him well? You haven’t even spoken to him.”

The young girls were arguing fiercely. Jiang Ciyou realized that they all liked Bo Jinxiu. However, she didn’t understand why.

Clearly, they were all at the pinnacle of the world’s social ladder, so why did each of them seem so obsessed with marrying Bo Jinxiu?

Bai Qian seemed to see through Jiang Ciyou’s confusion. She awkwardly explained, “Sister Jiang, it’s not just that we like Bo Jinxiu because of his family’s wealth. If you see him, you’ll understand. Once you’ve seen his face, no other man can compare.”

Jiang Ciyou laughed to herself. So they were just a bunch of appearance-driven people.

She understood; she herself liked handsome men. The reason she had once been attracted to a particular man, aside from the initial drunken encounter, was because of his looks. She had supported him for three years, enchanted by his appearance.

“Young Master is back!”

The butler hurried in, heading towards the old lady.

The once lively banquet hall instantly fell silent. Everyone turned their gaze towards the door. Could the young master mentioned by the butler be Bo Jinxiu?

It was said that Old Lady Bo had three daughters and only had this one son in her late years.

The young ladies who had been chattering excitedly were now completely silent, their eyes filled with eager anticipation as they looked towards the door.

Jiang Ciyou also followed their gaze towards the entrance. She was curious to see just how handsome this Beijing prince, who had captivated these young ladies, could be!

A long leg stepped into view. The man was dressed formally in a high-end tailored suit, complemented by a dark blue tie. He was tall, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, his proportions perfect. Every step he took seemed to tread on the hearts of young women.

Judging by his figure, he was indeed exceptional. Jiang Ciyou silently admired.

Then her gaze shifted upwards to his face. When she clearly saw the man’s face, Jiang Ciyou’s body went rigid. It was as if she had been struck by a spell, and she felt her blood instantly freeze.

His facial features were extraordinarily handsome, with a jawline that seemed chiseled from stone, like the most prized work of Nuwa. His skin was a pristine, almost ethereal white, reminiscent of the finest porcelain, forged through intense heat into a pure and extreme beauty.

Yet, his lips were a rich, reddish color, as if painted with lipstick. This red saved him from the starkness of his cool white skin, giving him a celestial quality, as if a divine being had descended from heaven but was still born into nobility.

His aura was one of cold, unapproachable elegance, carrying an air of chill wherever he went.

The man’s gaze did not linger on Jiang Ciyou for even a second. He soon brushed past her.

Jiang Ciyou remained rooted to the spot, stunned. After a long while, she managed to ask, “Who is he?”

The surrounding young ladies chattered.

“It’s Bo Jinxiu, the one and only prince of the Beijing elite.”

“He seems even more handsome and aloof than before, despite not having been seen for three years.”

“Someone was just talking about pursuing him, yet couldn’t even muster a greeting!”

“You’re no different!”

The young ladies resumed their bickering.

Jiang Ciyou, however, remained in a daze for a long time. Was it really him? It couldn’t be…