Ch 13: Banquet
The Fifth Prince was disturbed and could only get up to see what was going on.
The Fifth Prince’s features were somewhat similar to the Crown Prince’s, but because of years of taking medicine and his weak constitution, his features were softer and more gentle, his eyebrows and eyes light, and his lips very pale, giving him the appearance of someone pure and ascetic.
His body leaned gently against the window; just looking at his back, his back was thinner than the others.
Meng Mansion’s carriage had no special markings; the reason why they could recognize it was because Crane Wind Pavilion was booked today, and except for Meng Qingjiao, everyone else had arrived.
Sure enough, a touch of delicate pink descended slowly from the carriage. The girl’s figure was graceful, and her clothes shimmered under the bright sun.
Meng Qingjiao moved gracefully, her skirt rippling like layers of waves, instantly capturing the attention of those above.
“What a delicate pink lotus,” Qiao Yanfeng reluctantly withdrew his gaze, gently placing his hand on the Fifth Prince’s arm, “Fifth Prince, you’re quite lucky.”
The Fifth Prince was pleased, his eyes filled with a faint joy and pride.
“Hey, someone else got off the carriage,” the Chancellor’s second son’s voice came, and everyone immediately looked over.
Meng Tingyue got off the carriage behind Meng Qingjiao, and with a feeling, she looked up, her gaze meeting the three people watching the excitement at the window.
Seeing the Fifth Prince, who looked sickly yet had a smile in his eyes, her expression immediately turned cold.
“Who is that girl?” the Chancellor’s second son wondered, “She’s really pretty, but she looks a little cold. Why did she come with Second Miss Meng?”
The Fifth Prince had been to Meng Mansion and met Meng Tingyue, so he naturally knew her, but in his memory, the eldest Miss Meng was always weak and sickly; every time he went to see Jiaojiao, he would see her.
As if he had thought of something, the smile in the Fifth Prince’s eyes faded, and he turned back to sit on his chair.
“She actually came?” Qiao Tingfeng was surprised, as if he had thought of something bad, immediately putting away his flippant expression.
“Who is this person? You, a notorious troublemaker, are actually afraid?” the Chancellor’s second son was surprised and couldn’t help but take another look, but the two had already entered the room and were no longer visible.
“Besides the Crown Prince, this is the first time I’ve seen you so afraid of a girl. In the past, when you saw a girl, you would always fan yourself and go up to greet her.”
The Chancellor’s second son sat back beside Qiao Yanfeng, his teasing mixed with curiosity.
Even if Princess Luo Jia came, Young Master Qiao wouldn’t be this afraid.
“Oh, you don’t understand,” Qiao Yanfeng gave him a roll of his eyes, “Sister, you’ll follow behind me and call out to her, alright?”
Qiao Tingfeng’s sister nodded obediently, “Yes, Brother.”
Qiao Tingfeng pondered for a moment, called his attendant over, and whispered a few words in his ear; the attendant bowed and left.
Crane Wind Pavilion is the largest and most elegant place in Jingdu.
Curving streams, flowing wine, poetry and songs, you can see it all here.
After passing a quiet artificial hill garden, the two followed the attendant to the second floor.
The previously faint sound of the zither gradually became clearer.
The first thing they saw upon entering the room was the singer playing the guzheng.
Turning their gaze, they saw more than a dozen people sitting together, with the Fifth Prince at the head, both men and women.
Meng Qingjiao and Meng Tingyue had not yet married into the royal family, so the necessary etiquette should still be observed.
Most of the people in the room Meng Tingyue knew; Meng Qingjiao had always been trying to break into the upper circles, so she naturally knew them as well.
Meng Tingyue recognized the person with the brightest smile in the crowd.
She was considering whether to bow and greet them.
Unexpectedly, as soon as she looked over, Qiao Tingfeng immediately stood up, smiling even more enthusiastically, and shouted in a loud voice, “Future Sister-in-Law.”
Although Qiao Tingfeng’s sister didn’t understand the situation, she obediently followed Qiao Yanfeng in addressing her.
For a moment, Meng Tingyue and Meng Qingjiao instantly became the center of attention.
A faint blush rose on Meng Qingjiao’s face, feeling both proud and pleased; her lowered eyes proudly glanced at Meng Tingyue.
“Young Master Qiao, I haven’t married the Fifth Prince yet; how can you call me that? It’s too early…”
Others found it strange but couldn’t say anything.
The Fifth Prince frowned slightly; Qiao Tingfeng was a year older than him, so there was no need to call him Brother, so the ‘Future Sister-in-Law’ he called wasn’t Jiaojiao.
So he was addressing Meng Tingyue?
He was about to speak up for Meng Qingjiao.
Qiao Tingfeng spoke before him.
Qiao Yanfeng looked at Meng Qingjiao with a strange expression, “My elder brother is the Crown Prince, so I’m naturally referring to the Crown Princess,”
Qiao Tingfeng still gave the Fifth Prince some face and didn’t say anything too harsh.
If it had been someone else, his words wouldn’t have been just these fifteen characters.
After explaining, he didn’t dwell on the matter and enthusiastically pointed to a seat beside him.
“Future Sister-in-Law, sit here; my elder brother will be here soon.”
The Crown Prince’s arrival was unexpected to Meng Tingyue, but it was also the only good thing that happened today.
She wasn’t shy; as long as it could get the Crown Prince to notice her, she would do anything.
There were two chairs where Qiao Tingfeng pointed, one for the Crown Prince, and the other seemed to be a newly added chair.
She walked towards the chair under everyone’s gaze.
Meng Qingjiao’s face wasn’t just red; even her ears were red. Earlier it was pride; now it was shame, and she wanted to turn around and run away.
It was clearly her and the Fifth Prince’s occasion, yet Meng Tingyue was the center of attention. What did Meng Tingyue do to deserve Young Master Qiao’s attention?
Thinking about how in her past life, this attention belonged to her, Meng Qingjiao felt even more uncomfortable.
The Fifth Prince saw her embarrassment, and proactively walked over to hold Meng Qingjiao’s hand, leading her into the crowd, and comforting her.
Others were also considerate in easing the atmosphere, and some noble ladies proactively asked where Meng Qingjiao’s clothes were from.
Speaking of this, Meng Qingjiao felt even more uncomfortable.
She pulled the corners of her lips, forcing a smile, “I bought them at the Embroidery Shop.”
The noble ladies all remembered the Embroidery Shop, and they all said they would go to the shop tomorrow to have a look and order some clothes.
Meng Qingjiao cast an aggrieved gaze at Meng Tingyue.
Seeing that there were no noble ladies around Meng Tingyue except for Young Master Qiao, she felt a little comforted.
Meng Tingyue didn’t care what Meng Qingjiao was thinking; her attention was focused on one thing only.
“Young Master Qiao, you said the Crown Prince will also come today.”
Qiao Tingfeng hesitated, “I don’t know; the Crown Prince seems to be busy suppressing bandits these past few days; whether he will come today is uncertain.”
Then he mysteriously leaned towards Meng Tingyue, lowering his voice, quite smugly, “But I’ve already sent someone to tell the Crown Prince that you’re here; if the Crown Prince knows, he will definitely come.”
Hearing this, Meng Tingyue smiled faintly.
Did she really have that much face to make the Crown Prince put down his work and come personally?
She really didn’t have that much confidence.
“I didn’t mean to offend you last time; I hope you’ll forgive me. If you need any help in the future, please feel free to ask; I’ll do my best.”
“So, Miss Meng, when you see the Crown Prince later, could you please intercede for me and ask him to reduce the month to half a month?”
“What month?” Meng Tingyue didn’t understand.
“Last time, I was blind and didn’t recognize Miss Meng as my future sister-in-law; I was being disrespectful and was punished by the Crown Prince to sweep the streets of Jingdu for a month. Could you please intercede for me?”
As if afraid she wouldn’t believe him, Qiao Tingfeng added, “Miss Meng is the only girl I’ve met in the past two years who has caught the Crown Prince’s eye.”
