Chapter 13: The Gathering of Wives and Concubines

  Yuan Long raised the cup to his lips, hesitated for a moment, and then calmly took a sip.

  The room was somewhat oppressive, Yuan Longqiao did not make a sound, and Luo Ji and Zhan Jing also did not dare to make a sound.

  A while.

  "You go first."

  "Yes." Zhan Jing responded with a single word, bowed his head and took two steps back before turning around and walking out the door.

  Luojie couldn't understand what they were saying, but she vaguely felt that Yuan Longqiao's emotions had undergone some subtle changes. "Your Highness," she said, placing her hand over his long fingers holding the cup, her vermilion-painted fingernails reflecting off his snowy skin like jade. "It's getting late, why not get some rest?"

  Yuan Longqiao straightened up, and Lian Ji hastily got up from his body. She cleverly took the cup from his hand and put it together with her own jade pot on a small table aside. Just as she was about to order someone to fetch water for washing, Yuan Longqiao's indifferent voice suddenly sounded without warning: "Have you gone to pay your respects to the princess these days?"

  Her movements were slightly delayed, and Luojie nervously looked at his face, stuttering: "Because... they haven't performed the family rituals yet, so... therefore Chunji and the others... haven't gone to pay their respects to the princess." She didn't mention herself but instead pushed Chunji forward. Yuan Longqiao didn't seem to mind, he just glanced at her calmly, stood up and stretched his limbs, saying casually: "In that case, let's go pay our respects now."

  "Now... now?"

  The corners of his mouth slightly curved, and the smile had already disappeared before it could bloom. Luoji blinked her eyes, wanting to see clearly the rare shallow smile on his lips, but in the blink of an eye, there was no trace left. "I'll accompany you."

  She couldn't believe her ears, and her eyes, which were already charming, became even more radiant. Although she was just a concubine, far inferior to the noble status of the legitimate wife, if Prince Ling personally accompanied her on this trip, this honor alone would be enough for her to hold her head high in front of all the wives and concubines. More importantly, she could let the princess know who was truly favored in the Ling Wang Fu, even though she didn't have the same illustrious background or a powerful father with control over the army.

  The lamp in the Moshi Pavilion sways gently, the leaves are quiet and the flowers are blooming, peaceful and warm.

  At the gate, he happened to meet Xiu Niang hurrying back. Yuan Longqiao stopped and before he could raise an eyebrow, Xiu Niang had already knelt down: "Your Highness please forgive me, I just..."

  "Never mind, let's just forget about it. But don't think this sets a precedent." With Rouji and Zhou Song following behind him, along with several young eunuchs, Yuan Long strode straight into the courtyard.

  The girl quietly took a deep breath and still said in a proper manner: "Thank you, Your Highness." Then she got up and followed.

  In the summer, she was happily fiddling with several books sent by Xiaoyang in her room. Although she couldn't recognize all the traditional characters inside, at this moment, looking at them didn't feel annoying at all, but instead, her heart felt warm and overflowing with joy.

  Big brother...... She hugged the book with a sweet and silly smile. Always thought that she was alone in this strange world, no one cared, no one understood, was a lonely ghost. But tonight, seeing big brother and Jingchu, she realized that she wasn't actually alone, there were always people who cared about her. This feeling is great, warm, and happy......

  "Knock knock~~"

  Feng Lian this girl is up to something again, even knocking on the door when fetching water. Without thinking much, Xia Tian quickly walked over and opened the door with a creak.

  Zhou Song was taken aback, not expecting the door to open so quickly. His hand, still raised from knocking, froze as his gaze met that bright and cheerful smile, leaving him momentarily stunned.

  Standing behind Yuan Longqiao, Luo Ji's eyes were fixed on the door, having long heard that General Huguo was a renowned handsome man, and his two sons were also talented and refined. Although she had not seen the three misses of the Xia family before, she thought their beauty would not be too bad either. However... The moment the door opened, she still gasped in shock. What is called heavenly spirit and elegance? What is called brilliant and unparalleled? Today, she truly understood. Such a vibrant and elegant appearance, such a gentle and lively demeanor, she found it hard to find an accurate word to describe the girl before her eyes. Her heart skipped a beat as she took a tense step forward, looking up at Yuan Longqiao's expression with a surge of resistance and vigilance in her mind.

  His eyebrows slightly moved, and Yuan Long's gaze fell on the book in Xia Tian's hand, his eyes deep and profound.

  Summer was stunned, her smile frozen on her face. Having lived in the Ling Wang Fu for so many days, she had never seen so many people! What's going on? She looked at Zhou Song and then at Yuan Longqiao standing below the steps, momentarily unable to react.

  "I have seen the princess." Zhou Song bowed respectfully, "Luo Ji's wife has come to pay her respects to the princess." As he spoke, he stepped aside.

  Madam Luo! Upon closer inspection, Xia Tian only then noticed that beside Yuan Long was standing a petite beauty.

  "Luò ér pays respects to the princess." The beauty walked up, her expression proud and arrogant, with a slight curtsy. "The princess has been married into the Líng King's mansion for many days, but Luò ér has not come to pay respects until now. It is not that I intentionally disrespect the princess, but rather that every day I have to attend to His Highness and keep an eye on trivial matters in the mansion, leaving me no spare time. I suppose the princess will certainly not blame Luò ér."