Chapter 5 : You’re No Good, You’re Old and Ugly

He Songning had no idea what new “good deeds” his “dear little sister” had gotten into this time.

He walked slowly toward the banquet table.

The Prince of Wei greeted him warmly, “Zhongqian, come and sit.”

Zhongqian was He Songning’s courtesy name.

Addressing him this way showed the Prince of Wei’s closeness to him.

Everyone watched as He Songning casually lifted his robe and sat next to the Prince of Wei’s left, envy flashing in their eyes.

This Xue Ning, so arrogant and dismissive, never put anyone in his eyes. Only the Prince of Wei, who valued talent, would treat him as a guest of honor every time.

Look, as soon as he sat down, the Prince of Wei began conversing with him in low tones.

Such favor! Such esteem!

“Zhongqian, didn’t you say you were bringing your sister to today’s poetry gathering?” the Prince of Wei asked casually.

“She said she doesn’t enjoy mingling with men and went to sit in a pavilion with her maid,” He Songning replied unhurriedly.

“Which pavilion?”

“That one…” He Songning turned his head as he spoke.

Where was she?

His expression faltered slightly, but he quickly returned to normal. “She must’ve gotten bored and wandered off.”

She came to a poetry gathering but avoided being seen.

He was the Prince of Wei, and everyone else sought his attention. Yet Xue Ning’s sister didn’t care at all.

The more indifferent she seemed, the more the Prince of Wei’s curiosity itched!

“There’s a dense forest behind the garden. If she accidentally wandered in, she might get lost,” the Prince of Wei said, summoning a eunuch. “Search for Miss Xue and see if she’s lost.”

“Miss Xue?” The eunuch froze. He’d never seen her. How could he recognize her?

“She’s wearing lilac-colored clothing with a flower pin made of intricate Riyuejin silk,” He Songning added.

The eunuch hurriedly obeyed.

A flower pin…

And a luxurious one like Riyuejin at that. The eunuch shook his head inwardly. No respectable lady would wear such an ornate pin—it would outshine herself.

Could Miss Xue really outshine Riyuejin in beauty?

The Prince of Wei pondered this, his interest in his royal wine waning.

Though they’d known each other only four months, Xue Ning often mentioned his sister.

He’d said she was delicate, her skin chafing from even slightly coarse clothing—surely her skin must be like ice and snow.

She was spoiled, clinging to people while acting coquettish—what a soft and boneless waist she must have.

She was haughty and unruly, often ignoring even her brother’s authority.

Yet these flaws, in such a beauty, became charming traits.

If she were like the submissive women of the rear courtyard, how boring would that be?

A beauty with a touch of arrogance—how irresistible!

Meanwhile, Xue Qingyin sneezed.

Elsewhere, the aloof King Xuan, known for his disdain for women, spared her no glance and asked, “Who is Xue Ning?”

“Minister of Revenue Xue Chengdong’s eldest son,” someone replied. “Renowned for his literary talent, even the Emperor knows his name.”

King Xuan nodded indifferently. “Miss Xue may leave.”

Just like that?

Oh well. Given her father’s status, even King Xuan wouldn’t dare detain her.

Xue Qingyin wiped her lips with her sleeve, drawing King Xuan’s inadvertent gaze.

To his surprise, faint finger marks lingered on her lips.

“Wait,” he said.

Her dirty dress might spark rumors if she walked ahead of them.

Xue Qingyin asked curiously, “What now?”

“Your dress is filthy,” he remarked.

She glanced at it, patted it twice, and shrugged. “It’s fine.”

King Xuan turned to his attendant. “Wen Hui, fetch a cloak from Jinque.”

A short while later, King Xuan returned with a moon-white cloak embroidered with orchids.

Xue Qingyin took it without hesitation and put it on. “Can I go now?”

King Xuan glanced at her lips.

The marks had faded, leaving them soft and rosy, like a blooming flower.

“Wait,” Wen Hui interjected.              

Xue Qingyin sighed. What now?

“Today’s events must not be spoken of,” Wen Hui said with a bow.

Confused, she guessed: he wanted a token from her as leverage in case she spread rumors.

She shook her head. “I can’t give you one.”

King Xuan: “You may leave.”

Xue Qingyin added, “Because you’re old and ugly. If anyone saw my token with you, they’d mock me for bad taste.”

Wen Hui: “?”

She turned to King Xuan. “But you’re young and handsome. That’s fine.”

King Xuan: “…”

Wen Hui:…