Chapter 36

Identity: Prince

Appearance: Handsome as if from a painting, astonishingly beautiful

Personality: Cold and aloof, melancholic and restrained

Isn’t this the perfect male lead from a time-traveling novel?

Meng Guxue couldn’t help but scream wildly in her heart. At this moment, even the Crown Prince had to step aside!

Meng Guxue was extremely fortunate. After throwing tantrums at home, she finally persuaded her adoptive mother to allow her to attend the poetry festival and broaden her horizons.

If she hadn’t come, wouldn’t she miss her true destined one?

Excitement surged in Meng Guxue’s heart, a warmth bubbling up in her chest, causing her cheeks to blush slightly.

As soon as the poetry prompts were given, she wouldn’t wait any longer. She must use the best verses to amaze the Second Prince and completely win him over!

The Crown Prince sat with Qiao Jiaojiao on the leftmost seat. Seeing the Second Prince, he greeted with a smile, “Second Brother, you’re here faster than me.”

This remark was just a casual remark from the Crown Prince. However, in the ears of the sensitive and suspicious Second Prince Shen Yuanbai, it carried another layer of meaning.

With a deep gaze, the Second Prince feared that the Crown Prince thought he had crossed the line. Was this a warning to him to pay attention to respect and boundaries?

Qiao Jiaojiao saw a hint of melancholy on the Second Prince’s face and couldn’t help but sneer inwardly.

“The male lead must be overthinking again, with his restrained and suspicious character, a typical one who spends his life healing from childhood.”

“In the past, I only felt sorry for him, and everything he did was forgivable. But now, from the perspective of the Qiao family, feeling sorry for him is useless. Simply put, he’s like the King of Hell who stops at nothing to achieve his goals!”

“Whether it’s covering up the cheating scandal involving Duke Qingguo’s residence, deliberately concealing the impending collapse of the dam to strike at the Crown Prince’s power, or condoning subordinates spreading diseases in Minzhou, each of these acts is now seen as extremely cruel!”

“I must have had twisted morals before to think this kind of male lead character was appealing!”

“Amitabha, the believing woman has seen the error of her ways and will do more good deeds in this life. Please, Heaven, grant me more merit to defy fate!”

Qiao Tianjing had just heard about the dam collapse and the epidemic in Minzhou, and his vision seemed to darken. He didn’t know how many people would suffer because of this.

When he heard Qiao Jiaojiao mention “defying fate,” Qiao Tianjing finally regained his composure.

Yes, the path their Qiao family would take next was the path of defying fate!

“Greetings, Crown Prince. Greetings, Second Prince.”

A clear and bright voice suddenly rang out, startling Qiao Jiaojiao out of her contemplation.

She looked up to see a pair of siblings standing between the Crown Prince’s and the Second Prince’s stone tables.

The young man in front wore a cloud-patterned silk robe, with a smile on his lips and a lightness in his eyes, holding a folding fan. He exuded an air of elegance and charm.

The girl standing behind him was a bit mesmerizing.

She was dressed like a celestial maiden, with almond-shaped eyes and peachy cheeks, a soft smile playing at the corners of her mouth, looking charming and attractive.

“No need for formalities, Mr. Sheng, Miss Sheng.”

The Crown Prince spoke lightly, and only then did Qiao Jiaojiao realize that the pair of siblings in front of her were actually Sheng Mingcheng and Sheng Xiuran from the Duke Qingguo’s residence!

“Hmph, just now I thought they were handsome and beautiful, but now that I look closely, carrying a folding fan in the third month… what a pretense!”

“And Miss Sheng, don’t think I didn’t notice, your eyes are almost glued to the male lead!”

As Qiao Tianjing heard Qiao Jiaojiao’s words, he quickly glanced at Sheng Xiuran.

Sure enough, he saw Sheng Xiuran’s brows and eyes filled with spring-like tenderness, her gaze lingering on the Second Prince for a long time.

As everyone noticed the situation here, they couldn’t help but sneer inwardly.

Everyone knew that today was a day where hierarchy was set aside, so they didn’t bother to greet the Crown Prince and the Second Prince. Yet those two from the Duke Qingguo’s residence dared to break the rules. Were they afraid they wouldn’t be able to flatter others on ordinary days?

Just a moment ago, they were discussing whether the title of the capital’s number one beauty should go to Miss Xiao or Miss Sheng. But now, at least Miss Xiao showed no intention of flattery!

Meng Guxue sat in the corner and, seeing such a coquettish beauty standing in front of the Second Prince, became anxious, rubbing her hands.

Her sixth sense was always accurate. That Sheng Xiuran was definitely her love rival, and a strong competitor at that!

Darn it, why hasn’t the poetry gathering started yet?

Meng Guxue was feeling impatient, and then suddenly a thunderous sound echoed from the stage, instantly capturing everyone’s attention.

Qiao Jiaojiao lost interest in the Sheng siblings once she learned of their identity. She twisted and turned in the Crown Prince’s embrace, trying to get a better view of the stage.

Seeing this, the Crown Prince gently tightened his arm to prevent Qiao Jiaojiao from falling, then raised his gaze to look at Sheng Mingcheng.

“Mr. Sheng, is there something you need?”

His words implied, “Didn’t you notice that you and Miss Sheng were blocking Jiaojiao?”

Sheng Mingcheng hesitated, then decided to find a suitable opportunity to ask the Crown Prince for favor later, so he bowed and took his leave.

Before Sheng Xiuran left, her gaze lingered reluctantly on the Second Prince’s face.

However, the Second Prince never once lifted his head to look at her, which left Sheng Xiuran feeling frustrated.

She had spent hundreds of taels of silver on this dress, specially made by embroiderers from Jiangnan over the course of three months.

She attended today’s gathering in such attire just to catch his eye.

Was it true, as he once said, that they were strangers upon meeting again?

Meng Guxue kept a close eye on the situation, and seeing Sheng Xiuran leave with disappointment, she couldn’t help but raise her eyebrows smugly.

How could such a superficial and vulgar woman attract the attention of her true love? No matter how lavishly she dressed, it would all be in vain!

Seeing Meng Guxue’s triumphant demeanor, it seemed she had already regarded the Second Prince as her own.

With her vision cleared, Qiao Jiaojiao felt comfortable again, leaning against the Crown Prince.

On the stage, two old gentlemen were now seated. One was Mr. Gu Qianshan, whom they had seen on Lantern Festival, and the other was Mr. Zhao Wenzhu.

Seeing this, most people fell silent, showing their respect for the two gentlemen.

Ignoring the reactions of the crowd, Mr. Gu Qianshan suddenly stood up, his face suddenly solemn, and said in a deep voice:

“On Lantern Festival, I witnessed with my own eyes that Northern invaders infiltrated the capital to assassinate the Crown Prince. This crime is unforgivable!”

“Though the Great Yong Dynasty is flourishing today, we must not forget the shame and humiliation of the past. We must not forget those iron-blooded men who sacrificed their lives on the battlefield to defend our homeland!”

“A gentleman should be prepared for danger in times of peace, learn from the past, and strive constantly for self-improvement!”

“Everyone, please…”