usatvline Chapter 44 044 Criticism
Chapter 44 044 Criticism
Chapter 44 044 Criticism
Inside the Songteng Pavilion, the Crown Prince and several other princes were engaged in lively conversation with scions of prominent families from the capital when they suddenly heard a eunuch reporting from outside the door:
"His Highness the Northern Martial King has arrived!"
The room suddenly fell into an eerie silence. Everyone stood there, stunned, with a look of astonishment on their faces, as if to say, "Did I hear that right?"
Chunyu Yang, the King of Beiwu, was a legendary figure in the Great Xia Kingdom. Firstly, he was a brave and skilled warrior, well-versed in military strategy, and renowned throughout the land for his decisive victory at the Battle of Linshui, where he was outnumbered and virtually undefeated. Secondly, he had once married a queen, but she died in childbirth after only a year of marriage, leaving the position vacant ever since. He never considered remarrying or taking any concubines. Thirdly, he was aloof and disliked crowds, rarely attending palace banquets, especially those aimed at marriage…
The sound of steady, imposing footsteps came from outside Songteng Pavilion, and a tall, imposing, and aloof familiar figure appeared behind the door. Chunyu Yang's gaze swept lightly around the room before he calmly sat down in an empty chair next to the Crown Prince.
The emperor's seventh son, Chunyu Shu, was the first to react. He looked at Chunyu Yang with surprise and said incredulously, "Third...Third Brother, is it really you? What brings you here?"
Chunyu Jing toyed with the wine glass in his hand, and curled the corner of his mouth in a slanted smile: "I didn't expect that Third Brother would be interested in such a banquet. It's quite a surprise to us."
The emperor's sixth son, Chunyu Shan, snapped open his fan, covered his mouth and nose, leaving only his teasing peach blossom eyes exposed, and said with a smile, "Third brother, you've finally come to your senses and are willing to find Xuan'er another mother? Tsk tsk, all my earnest advice has been worth it."
A guard came up to pour tea for Chunyu Yang. Chunyu Yang picked up the cup, took a sip, and said, "I was just feeling a bit annoyed, so I came to take a look."
Crown Prince Chunyu Shi laughed and said, "Excellent, excellent! The more people, the more lively it is. Third Brother, you have a cold nature, so you should attend more banquets like this. After the banquet starts, you can take a good look at those young ladies from official families and pick one or two that you like. The Prince's mansion is so big, it's more fun to live with more people!"
Everyone thought Chunyu Yang would refuse coldly as before, but to their surprise, he actually hummed in response to the Crown Prince's words.
Chunyu Shan paused in his fanning, his mind reeling. He looked his third brother up and down as if he didn't recognize him at all.
Is this really his third brother, or someone in disguise?
The Crown Prince, getting excited, grabbed Chunyu Yang and asked with great curiosity, "I wonder what kind of woman my third brother prefers? A beauty like a fairy? Well-educated and reasonable? Gentle and virtuous? Or willful and shrewish? Oh, right, I heard that among the daughters of officials attending this banquet is the most beautiful woman in the capital, apparently the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Anshi..."
At this point, the Crown Prince's eyes swept over the young men, finally settling on Ye Yanxun, who was seated last. He asked with a smile, "You must be the eldest son of Marquis Anshi, right? You are quite handsome. Tell me, is your sister truly the most beautiful woman in the capital?"
Feeling all eyes on him, Ye Yanxun felt a mix of emotions churning within him. Everyone knew Ye Pianran as his sister, but his real sister was Ye Yingrou! Gritting his teeth, he respectfully replied, "Your Highness, my sister was indeed once the most beautiful woman in the capital."
Chunyu Yang slightly raised his eyes and looked at Ye Yanxun thoughtfully.
The crown prince asked curiously, "Oh? Why is the word 'once' used?"
"This..." Ye Yanxun looked troubled. "This matter involves my younger sister's reputation. Please forgive me, Your Highness, for not being able to disclose this information in public."
The more he remained silent, the more curious the Crown Prince became. Because the story had spread so wildly, even the Crown Prince's guards had heard some rumors. One of them leaned close to the Crown Prince and whispered a few words in his ear. The Crown Prince, upon hearing this, was first surprised, then regretful, and finally teasing. He looked at Ouyang Shaoyu not far away and smiled:
"Shaoyu, you've really arranged a wonderful marriage for yourself."
Ouyang Shaoyu's handsome face turned pale and then flushed, deeply embarrassed by the Crown Prince's words.
He was once so proud to be engaged to "the most beautiful woman in the capital," and now he regretted it just as much. He wished the whole world would forget about the marriage and forget that Ye Pianran even existed, and at the same time, a deep resentment towards her grew in his heart.
His future wife's reputation is completely ruined. Regardless of whether the rumors circulating in the streets are true or not, he has no choice but to break off the marriage!