Chapter 41: Has Prince Xuan Taken a Liking to Lady Tang Too?

When Tang Mi finished playing her tune, the game finally came to an end.

The melody lingered in the air, resonating in everyone’s ears, and the crowd couldn’t help but applaud.

“Lady Tang played beautifully!”
“So beautiful!”
“Truly exquisite playing!”

Everyone started praising her without restraint.

Tang Mi’s pretty face flushed slightly as she gently removed the cloth covering her eyes.

Xiao Lengyu stood up and smiled at her. “Lady Tang, you are truly extraordinary. I didn’t get the chance to hear your zither playing last time, but Heaven has not treated me unfairly today that regret has been fulfilled. Not only are your zither skills outstanding, but your flute playing is simply sublime.”

Tang Mi’s face grew even redder. “Your Ladyship flatters me. It’s your flute, after all.”

Xiao Lengyu glanced at the flute but didn’t take it back. “What do you think of this flute, Lady Tang?”

Tang Mi smiled as she looked at the jade flute in her hand, not withholding any praise. “Crafted from fine jade, warm to the touch, and with a clear, ethereal tone, it’s a masterpiece.”

Xiao Lengyu smiled. “A fine flute deserves a worthy melody. This jade-boned flute now belongs to you, Lady Tang.”

Tang Mi was stunned, then frowned. “How could I accept this? This jade flute is so well-maintained, Your Ladyship must treasure it deeply. A true gentleman does not take what another cherishes. I cannot accept it.”

Xiao Lengyu’s eyes flickered, and she gently caressed the flute, a bitter smile spreading across her face. “This flute was a gift from a former mentor. I’ve always loved flutes, but unfortunately, this body of mine…”

Her smile grew increasingly bitter. “I’ve never been able to fulfill that wish. Such a fine flute would only be wasted on me. Only someone who truly understands music like Lady Tang, deserves it.”

As she spoke, she looked sincerely into Tang Mi’s eyes. “Please accept it. Let it have a fitting home.”

Looking into those despairing eyes, Tang Mi’s heart softened. “Then I thank Your Ladyship.”

Seeing her accept the flute, Xiao Lengyu immediately smiled. “Now that the game is over, let’s enjoy the flowers and tea together.”

Xiao Lengyu gave up her seat to Tang Mi and moved to the front.

“There were so many beautiful poems today. Should we write them down so they can be passed down through the ages?” Xia Wanwan suggested with a grin.

Xiao Lengyu teased her with a smile. “Aiming for posterity, are we?”

Xia Wanwan remained cheerful. “Even if my poems aren’t worth preserving, there are still the works of the three top poets. We don’t have to record our sentimental verses, but surely we must record those of His Highness Prince Yu, the Young Marquis, and Lady Tang?”

Xiao Lengyu nodded in agreement. “Indeed, those three were excellent. Why not trouble Prince Yu and Lady Tang to write theirs down?”

Ye Junyu glanced at Tang Mi across from him and didn’t object. Smiling, he said, “Let’s all write them together.”

Seeing his agreement, Xiao Lengyu ordered the servants to bring paper, ink, and brushes.

Ye Junyu picked a long scroll, wrote his poem, then picked up the brush to start painting.

Everyone looked on curiously, wondering why he was painting now.

Seeing this, Xiao Lengyu quickly had the servant bring some paints.

Ye Junyu painted seriously, and soon everyone realized he was painting a picture of peonies.

One had to admit, he was royalty after all. Not only was his poetry excellent, but his painting was exquisite as well.

Under his effortless brushwork, the peonies came to life, and people felt as though they could smell their fragrance.

Several young ladies gazed at him with adoration in their eyes.

“His Highness paints so well!”
“This peony painting is stunning!”
“It’s lifelike!”

Hearing all the praise, Ye Junyu’s lips curled into a proud smile.

He quickly finished and looked at the painting with satisfaction. After some thought, he signed his name.

Clap clap clap! The girls all clapped enthusiastically. “His Highness not only writes amazing poetry and calligraphy, but he paints beautifully too!”

Ye Junyu smiled smugly, then suddenly handed the painting to Tang Mi. “This poem was written for Lady Tang. So I shall gift this painting to her as well.”

Everyone looked at Tang Mi with envy.

Prince Yu’s feelings for Lady Tang were clear as day. Surely it wouldn’t be long before she became Princess Yu.

Jun Qianche glanced at Ye Junyu with deep eyes, then looked toward Tang Mi.

Tang Mi hadn’t expected Ye Junyu to try courting her again. She didn’t want to accept the painting and was thinking of how to decline it, when a hand suddenly snatched the painting away.

Everyone turned in shock to look at Prince Xuan, and Tang Mi was stunned as well.

Ye Junyu’s face turned dark as he glared at Prince Xuan and growled in warning, “Seventh Brother, that painting was a gift for Lady Tang.”

Prince Xuan raised a mocking eyebrow, lips curling into a sly smile. “This painting is exquisite. I happen to like it very much.”

Tang Mi furrowed her brows slightly. Was he helping her? This wasn’t the first time. But why?

She didn’t have time to ponder. Since Prince Xuan had stepped in, she saw no reason not to go along. She curtsied and said, “Since Prince Xuan likes it, then Prince Yu should give it to him instead.”

Before Ye Junyu could reply, Prince Xuan said immediately, “I find it very pleasing.”

He handed the painting to Yan Shu. “Take good care of it. Have it framed nicely when we return.”

“Yes,” Yan Shu replied with a grin.

No one expected the painting to end up in Prince Xuan’s hands. Everyone was baffled.

What could Prince Xuan’s intention be?
Could it be that he too has taken a liking to Lady Tang?

Ye Junyu was fuming inside but could do nothing in front of so many people. He could only force a smile. “Since you like it, I’ll let you have it. I’ll make another for Lady Tang later.”

He turned to Tang Mi with a kind smile, but she only felt repulsed. She lowered her gaze and bowed. “Your Highness flatters me. I am not someone who appreciates fine art. Your work should go to someone who truly understands it.”

This polite rejection instantly turned Ye Junyu’s face dark.

This woman still doesn’t know what’s good for her!

No one expected her to reject him. After all, Prince Yu was the emperor’s legitimate son, and the most likely candidate for crown prince.

With General Tang’s military achievements and the current military strength of the Duke Rong’s estate, if Tang Mi wished it, she would be the perfect crown princess.

Yet she refused him.
Was she playing hard to get?
Or did she already have someone in her heart?

Jun Qianche’s brow relaxed slightly upon seeing her refusal.

His grandmother was right, Old Madam Tang had indeed raised Tang Mi well.

A glimmer of light shone in Prince Xuan’s eyes too, but it dimmed quickly.

She didn’t want to enter the Prince Yu’s household,
She probably didn’t want to enter his either.