Although Xiao Wang never liked a bustling occasion, this year's birthday banquet was personally organized by Song Yanran, the Crown Princess.
Many noble families in the capital were invited.
The guests, dressed in gorgeous clothes, chatted merrily. The tables were filled with a dazzling array of delicious dishes.
There were singing and dancing everywhere. It was a most joyous occasion.
But Xie Jingchu couldn't fit in at all.
He sat on the chair, drinking on his own.
"The Crown Princess is truly virtuous. Look how well - organized this banquet is."
"So what? She's been married for three years and still hasn't conceived an heir. I'm afraid her position as the Crown Princess won't last long."
"Yeah, I heard that the Crown Prince's childhood sweetheart has returned to the capital. If Song Qingyu hadn't suddenly fallen seriously ill back then, it wouldn't have been this illegitimate daughter, Song Yanran, who became the Crown Princess."
"Look, Song Qingyu is coming."
Just then, Song Qingyu walked slowly with light steps.
She was wearing a long pink silk dress that fluttered gently.
Holding a round fan with a leisurely - cloud pattern in her hand, she covered half of her face, only revealing a pair of clear eyes.
Song Qingyu curtsied gracefully. "Ayu wishes Your Highness the Crown Prince a happy birthday. May all your days be filled with joy and good fortune."
As soon as she finished speaking.
Xie Jingchu suddenly looked up.
This voice...
When he saw Song Qingyu's clear eyes, Xie Jingchu immediately lost his wits.
"A Jiu!"
Then he stumbled towards Song Qingyu and grabbed her wrist.
Song Qingyu was startled by Xie Jingchu's sudden action.
The fan in her hand fell to the ground, revealing a panicked little face.
The tear - mole at the corner of her eye made her look even more pitiful.
Xiao Wang immediately stood up. His cold eyes stared fixedly at Xie Jingchu as he scolded, "Xie Jingchu, what are you doing!"
Only then did Xie Jingchu see clearly the person in front of him. Apart from the voice and the eyebrows being similar to Ruan Jiu, there was nothing else alike.
She wasn't A Jiu.
A Jiu would never look at him with such a look.
Then he let go of Song Qingyu's wrist, a sneer curling up at the corner of his mouth.
Just then, Song Yanran, sitting upright on the main seat, said with a smile, "Sister is truly stunningly beautiful. Even the always self - restrained Young Marquis Xie has lost his composure."
Then she held Xiao Wang's arm and said, "Your Highness, in my humble opinion, if the Young Marquis Xie truly has feelings for sister, why not ask Father Emperor for an imperial edict to bestow a marriage?"
After hearing this, Xiao Wang's face turned ashen. He said coldly, "Crown Princess, watch your words."
Seeing the anger in Xiao Wang's eyes, Song Yanran quickly withdrew her hand, pursing her lips with a wronged look on her face.
"Crown Princess, I was drunk and misrecognized the person. Please don't soil the girl's good reputation," Xie Jingchu said coldly as he bowed.
Then he walked back to his seat dejectedly.
He had actually mistaken another woman for A Jiu.
If A Jiu knew about this, she would surely blame him.
Then he picked up the wine cup and downed another cup of strong liquor.
"Ayu, come and sit beside me," Xiao Wang, who always had a poker - face, actually showed a rare look of joy on his face.
As soon as he said this, everyone present widened their eyes in surprise.
It seemed that a new person was going to join the Eastern Palace.
Song Yanran clenched her hands tightly, with a look of resentment in her eyes.
She had been by Xiao Wang's side for three years. Why did Song Qingyu steal all of Xiao Wang's attention as soon as she came back?
Why didn't this little bitch, Song Qingyu, just die in the manor back then!
As soon as Song Qingyu sat down, Song Yanran suddenly said, "Today is Your Highness's birthday. I wonder what gift sister has prepared for Your Highness?"
Hearing this, Song Qingyu knew that Song Yanran had ill intentions.
But she wasn't in a hurry.
She clapped her hands and ordered the maids to present the gift.
"The gift Ayu prepared is naturally not as precious as sister's. But it's still Ayu's heartfelt wish. I hope Your Highness will like it."
After saying that, Song Qingyu placed an exquisite brocade box in front of Xiao Wang.
Xiao Wang said softly, "As long as it's from Ayu, I like it."
Seeing Xiao Wang looking at Song Qingyu with doting eyes, Song Yanran was instantly consumed by jealousy!
After knowing each other for so many years, Xiao Wang had never looked at her like this!
However, after today, Song Qingyu would never be able to compete with her for Xiao Wang's favor again.
Seeing that Xiao Wang didn't seem to intend to open the brocade box, Song Yanran immediately said, "Your Highness, why don't you open the brocade box and let everyone see what gift sister has prepared?"
Song Qingyu smiled and nodded at Xiao Wang.
Then, Xiao Wang slowly opened the brocade box in his hand.
Everyone in the hall also craned their necks, eager to see what was inside.
Unexpectedly, as soon as the brocade box was opened, everyone gasped in horror.
Inside the brocade box lay a straw doll with numerous fine needles nailing a red - written birth date onto it.
Seeing this, Song Yanran immediately exclaimed, "This is the art of hexing!"
The art of hexing was a sorcery used to curse people, which was strictly prohibited by the Emperor.
This Song Qingyu was really bold. How dare she give such a thing at the Crown Prince's birthday banquet.
Song Yanran said in a panicked tone, "Your Highness, sister is just unwilling that you married me. She was filled with resentment for a moment and did such a heinous thing. Please forgive sister this time!"
Although these words seemed to be pleading for Song Qingyu, in fact, they painted Song Qingyu as a vicious and jealous woman.
Even if Xiao Wang didn't pursue the matter today, Song Qingyu probably wouldn't be able to enter the Eastern Palace in the future.
Xiao Wang frowned and gave Song Yanran a cold look. "Since the Crown Princess is pleading, then let's just let this matter go."
Song Yanran couldn't believe what she had heard. Xiao Wang doted on Song Qingyu to such an extent.
Song Qingyu had done such a thing in public, and he still wanted to protect her!
No way!
Then her eyes narrowed.
Just then, the Minister of Rites stepped forward.
He knelt on the ground and said seriously, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, the art of hexing is a sorcery strictly prohibited by our dynasty. This matter cannot be let go like this!"
Xiao Wang snorted coldly. "Then in your opinion, how should this matter be handled?"
The Minister of Rites replied respectfully, "Miss Song the Second should be handed over to the Supreme Court for punishment."
After hearing this, Xiao Wang slammed his palm on the table.
He roared angrily, "Say that again!"
Unexpectedly, instead of being intimidated by Xiao Wang's anger, the Minister of Rites continued, "Please hand Miss Song the Second over to the Supreme Court for punishment."
Then, several other ministers stepped forward.
They knelt on the ground and shouted in unison, "Please hand Miss Song the Second over to the Supreme Court for punishment!"
"You! You all!"
Xiao Wang looked at the kneeling court officials and was so angry that he couldn't even speak.
Song Yanran was secretly delighted.
Let's see how you can protect Song Qingyu now!
"Your Highness, this wasn't the gift I gave!"
Song Qingyu's eyes immediately turned red. She shook her head at Xiao Wang pitifully.
Her eyes were misty with tears, as if they would fall as soon as she blinked.
But Song Yanran didn't let it go. "Sister, you're so confused! For such a heinous thing, even Father can't protect you!"
Hearing this, Song Qingyu's eyes drooped, and big tears rolled down.
She looked so aggrieved that anyone would feel pity for her.
But for some reason, when Xie Jingchu saw these eyes that were similar to Ruan Jiu's shedding tears, his heart inexplicably tightened.