Xie Jingchu was seen walking slowly over.
An air of nobility emanated from him naturally.
Seeing this, Song Qingyu was immediately stunned, and even her heart seemed to skip a beat.
Why is he here?
Could it be that...
Of course, Song Yanran was just as surprised as Song Qingyu.
She widened her eyes and exclaimed, "Why are you here?"
Xie Jingchu found a seat and sat down, then raised his eyebrows. "It seems, Princess of the Crown Prince, that you're not happy to see me."
Hearing this, Song Yanran immediately realized that she had almost lost her composure.
She forced a smile and said, "Naturally, this princess is happy for my younger sister that Lord Xie is willing to come."
Seeing Song Yanran's reaction, Song Qingyu frowned tightly.
Why does Song Yanran seem unhappy that Xie Jingchu came to her son - in - law selection banquet?
But then why did Song Yanran drug Xie Jingchu and send him to her room that day?
What on earth is going on here?
Song Qingyu's frown deepened and wouldn't ease up.
"Lord Xie, do you know that today is my younger sister's son - in - law selection banquet?" Song Yanran said.
Xie Jingchu nodded. "Princess of the Crown Prince, you're joking. If I didn't know, what would I be doing here today?"
Song Yanran forced an awkward smile.
But she absolutely couldn't let Song Qingyu marry into the Marquis of Chengen's Mansion.
Although there was only Xie Jingchu left in the Marquis of Chengen's Mansion now, there was still a Noble Consort Shu in the palace.
Moreover, because the Emperor felt deeply guilty about the unjust death of the entire Huo family back then, he now bestowed a lot of favors on the Marquis of Chengen's Mansion.
So Song Yanran continued, "What good qualities does my younger sister have to catch the eye of Lord Xie?"
"At first sight, I was amazed."
Although these words were addressed to Song Yanran, Xie Jingchu's eyes were fixed directly on Song Qingyu.
Their eyes met, and Song Qingyu immediately lowered her head.
She clenched her fists, flustered.
At first sight, I was amazed, and after long - term acquaintance, my heart still flutters.
This line...
At this moment, Song Yanran was so angry that she could barely keep her teeth from grinding.
Why are they all captivated by Song Qingyu? What's so good about her!
Song Yanran suppressed the resentment in her heart and still said with a smile, "Lord Xie has been away from the capital for a long time. Maybe you don't know Ayu well enough."
The implication was that she wanted Xie Jingchu not to be deceived by Song Qingyu's appearance.
But Xie Jingchu's eyes sank, and he said coldly, "Maybe the Marquis of Chengen's Mansion has too low a status to catch the eye of the Princess of the Crown Prince. Even the invitation to this son - in - law selection banquet for Miss Song the Second wasn't sent to my mansion.
So, today I had to come uninvited. Please don't blame me, Lord Song and Princess of the Crown Prince."
As soon as he said this, many noble young men present lowered their heads in shame.
If the Marquis of Chengen's Mansion was considered of low status, then what were they!
Moreover, there was the entire powerful Xie family of the south of the Yangtze River behind Xie Jingchu.
Hearing what Xie Jingchu said, Song Qingyu lowered her head even more, and complex emotions flashed in her eyes.
Is he standing up for me?
Thinking of this, her fingernails dug deeper into her palm.
Suddenly, a voice came from outside the door.
"Her Royal Highness the Eldest Princess is here!"
Princess Yongning was seen walking gracefully over and then sitting down beside Song Qingyu.
Song Yanran said, "Sister Yongning, why do you have the time to come today?"
The Eldest Princess and the Crown Prince were siblings of the same mother, so Song Yanran's attitude towards her was much more amiable.
The smile on her lips stayed for a long time.
The Eldest Princess waved her hand. "Don't smile at me like that. It's creepy. I'm here today because I'm afraid you'll bully Ayu again."
She had grown up with Song Qingyu since childhood, and they were close friends.
Naturally, she also knew that Song Qingyu and Song Yanran had never had a good relationship, so she didn't show Song Yanran any kindness.
If it weren't for what happened to Song Qingyu back then, Song Yanran wouldn't have become the Princess of the Crown Prince.
The Eldest Princess pointed at Song Yanran again and said to Song Qingyu, "Ayu, is it because Crown Prince Brother is away from the capital that she deliberately organized this son - in - law selection banquet for you!"
After hearing this, Song Qingyu lowered her head, looking solemn.
Although Xiao Wang had gone to the military camp, in theory, the news of her son - in - law selection today should have reached Xiao Wang's ears.
Why hasn't Xiao Wang rushed back even though the banquet is already half over?
The Eldest Princess didn't know what Song Qingyu was thinking. She thought Song Qingyu's expression meant she had suffered some great grievance.
She immediately shouted at Song Yanran, "You poisonous woman! Not only did you steal Ayu's position as the Princess of the Crown Prince, but you also want to ruin Ayu's marriage!"
Although Song Yanran was the Princess of the Crown Prince, in front of the arrogant and domineering Eldest Princess, she had to restrain her edge.
She waved her hands repeatedly and said, "Sister Yongning, you've misunderstood me. I've never thought of harming Ayu."
"Never thought of it?" The Eldest Princess sneered and pointed at the people at the tables. "Look at the riff - raff you've found. How can you say you're not trying to ruin Ayu's life?!"
Hearing what the Eldest Princess said, everyone at the tables gasped, but they didn't dare to say a word.
Even Mo Shaoyu, who had been so eloquent just now, covered his face and buried his head low.
He secretly thanked his lucky stars that the Eldest Princess hadn't heard his words.
"Sister Yongning, isn't Lord Xie here?"
The Eldest Princess followed Song Yanran's finger and saw Xie Jingchu sitting there.
Seeing the Eldest Princess's expression soften a bit, Song Yanran secretly let out a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, Xie Jingchu had "come uninvited" today. Otherwise, she didn't know how she could have muddled through this in front of the Eldest Princess.
After the Eldest Princess carefully sized up Xie Jingchu, she gently nudged Song Qingyu's arm.
"Ayu, what do you think of this Lord Xie?"
This sudden question made Song Qingyu's throat go dry.
For a moment, she couldn't utter a single word.
Seeing that Song Qingyu didn't say anything, the Eldest Princess then asked, "Ayu, do you like such a handsome man?"
Song Qingyu pursed her lips and it took her a long time to say three words.
"I don't like him."
The Eldest Princess rubbed her chin. "That makes sense. After all, Ayu has the Crown Prince Brother on her mind."
Song Qingyu picked up her wine cup, trying to hide her fluster.
The Eldest Princess then continued, "But this Lord Xie is really good - looking. I used to think he was just a merchant. I didn't expect him to be General Huo's son."
As she spoke, she stared directly at Xie Jingchu.
Such a magnificent man. In the capital, apart from the Crown Prince Brother, there was only him.
The Eldest Princess didn't try to hide the admiration in her eyes at all.
"Ayu, if you don't like him, then I'll go for him."
Hearing what the Eldest Princess said, Song Qingyu held her breath.
The wine cup in her hand accidentally dropped, and the wine spilled on her dress.
Seeing this, the Eldest Princess immediately took out the silk handkerchief from her bosom and wiped Song Qingyu's dress.
Song Qingyu quickly composed herself, gave the Eldest Princess a faint smile, and said, "Yongning, I'll go change my clothes."
After saying that, she immediately got up and left.
As soon as she stepped out of the main hall, Song Qingyu frowned in annoyance.
She secretly blamed herself for losing her composure just now.
She rushed back to her room to change into a new dress and then prepared to return to the main hall immediately.
After all, there was still the most important thing to do today.
However, she had only taken a few steps when she heard a choked - up voice behind her.
"Ajiu..."