0p0 Chapter 227 Duanmu Chuze!
Chapter 227 Duanmu Chuze!
This completely shocked the entire Mu family. The Crown Prince was the heir apparent of the country, truly second only to the emperor, and above all others. Unexpectedly, he had brought the Crown Princess with him.
The Crown Princess was naturally to be received by Madam Li and the Old Madam herself. However, the Old Madam did not hold any official rank, and the Crown Princess was a person of great honor. Therefore, the Old Madam could not stand above Madam Li.
Even though it was a family banquet, the atmosphere in the Mu residence was still somewhat reserved and cautious because of the arrival of the Crown Princess.
The arrival of the Crown Prince filled the Mu family with excitement. However, with the subsequent arrival of Prince Ming and his consort, the atmosphere in the Mu family became even more strange.
Because of the Crown Prince's surprise, the arrival of the Prince of Ming did not surprise the people present even more. After all, although the Prince of Ming's status was noble, it could not surpass that of the Crown Prince!
The Ming King did not expect that the Crown Prince would come in person. He originally thought that he would at most send the eldest grandson of the Emperor. After all, the Crown Prince was only a second-rank official, the Grand Chancellor of the Imperial Secretariat, and he had just been granted the title. Compared with those real centuries-old families, he was still somewhat inferior!
Although the Prince was displeased, he showed no sign of it on his face. After being led to the backyard, the Princess Consort chatted amiably with the Crown Princess. However, some of the noble ladies present couldn't help but make veiled sarcasm during their conversation. For a moment, the atmosphere in the backyard became even more tense.
A chill ran down the old lady's spine. If today's plan succeeded, it might directly damage the reputation of the entire Mu family in front of so many important people, and even jeopardize her second son's future. This was not what she wanted.
When Madam Jin saw that the old master's birthday celebration had attracted so many dignitaries to offer their congratulations, even though she knew they were all there for the eldest son's family, she saw it as an excellent opportunity to curry favor with the powerful and influential!
Mu Xin Nuan coldly watched as Jin Shi gracefully moved through the crowd, her elegant demeanor quite amusing.
“Miss, look at the Second Madam’s attitude. She acts as if she’s the hostess of this banquet.” Rongyue said somewhat indignantly.
Mu Xin Nuan smiled faintly, "Why bother with her? A sparrow is a sparrow. Even if someone lifts her up to a phoenix tree, it won't make people think she's a phoenix! Look at how many people actually pay attention to her. Most of them are just being polite because this is the Mu residence."
"Miss, the second young lady and the other young ladies are talking over there. They seem to be having a lively conversation. Why don't you go and take a look?"
"I'm not going." Mu Xin Nuan glanced around and said indifferently, "Has Miss Sun arrived?"
"Oh, you're here. You're talking to Miss Biao over there."
"Hmm. Since we're not on the same path, there's no need to get too familiar with them. Let's go."
Mu Xin Nuan had just turned around when Granny Yu caught up with her, saying, "Miss, please go to the front yard to greet the little princess."
"Little princess?"
"Yes, the little princess and Prince Chang Le have come together. They should be arriving at the gate soon. I heard that the guards from Prince Chang Le's palace notified the gatekeeper in advance. Right now, Madam is talking with the Crown Princess and Princess Ming. We can't let the second young lady, who is born out of wedlock, go to greet the little princess, can we?"
Mu Xin Nuan nodded, agreeing that she should indeed personally greet him.
As soon as Mu Xin Nuan arrived at the gate, she saw Prince Chang Le leap down from his horse and then smilingly invite the little princess down.
"See? I told you that the first thing you'd see when you got here was Miss Mu, didn't I? Did I lie to you?"
Hearing the familiar voice of Prince Chang Le, Mu Xin Nuan felt a little strange. She hurriedly took two steps forward and was about to kneel down when the little princess pulled her up.
“We’ve known each other for a long time, why all this formality?” The little princess finished speaking and glared at Prince Chang Le. “It must have been Fourth Brother who sent someone to inform your gatekeeper first, right? Fourth Brother is cheating!”
Mu Xin Nuan looked puzzled, and Prince Chang Le laughed, "I made a bet with my sister. She said you must be so busy right now that you don't have time to rest, but I said you would definitely come to greet her in person. Now, she has lost."
The little princess pouted, "This doesn't count! If you hadn't cheated, why would she be here?"
"All's fair in war!" Prince Chang Le raised his chin, looking at her with a smug expression. "Alright, a bet's a bet. Remember to send those two jade bottles made of mutton fat to my residence later."
The little princess gave him a disgruntled look, then glared at Mu Xin Nuan. "You're so stupid! He told you to come out and greet him, so you came out? I was planning to give you a surprise, but now I've not only lost, but I also have to give away another pair of nice things. I'm heartbroken."
"Pah! Today is Old Master Mu's birthday banquet, what nonsense are you spouting?" Prince Chang Le said with a smile.
Mu Xin Nuan looked at the brother and sister, shook her head and smiled, "Alright, Your Highnesses, please come inside first."
The little princess's eyes darted around, and she pulled Mu Xin Nuan into the courtyard. Then she walked towards the side of the gate, and Prince Chang Le followed closely behind.
"Ah Nuan, my fourth brother says he really likes you. You two talk first, I'll cover for you here."
Mu Xin Nuan was taken aback, then realized that although they had just entered, all the guests had been led to a side courtyard, making the front yard much quieter. There really weren't many guests here at this hour! The men's banquet had already begun.
Even so, Mu Xin Nuan still felt it was somewhat inappropriate, since there were many people around today, and it would be quite inappropriate if others saw it.
"Is Xiao Nuan scared?"
Little Anuan? Mu Xinnuan's heart skipped a beat. This nickname?
"You! You are? You really are?!" Mu Xin Nuan was momentarily flustered, but for a fleeting instant, she felt a secret thrill! Her initial guess was indeed correct!
Is this Prince Chang Le really the man in the silver mask?
"You?" Mu Xin Nuan's face flushed red, and she quickly questioned, "How dare you call me that?"
"Why not? Didn't I call you that before? Or do you think you're all grown up now and no longer Little A-Nuan?" A smile flashed across Duanmu Chuze's face, a smile that was sly, charming, and teasing.
"You!" Mu Xin Nuan, who is usually clear-headed and eloquent, was at a loss for words at this moment.
"Little Anuan, everything I said that day came from the bottom of my heart. I love you, so I want to marry you. Not as a concubine, but as my principal wife! I would never wrong you."
"you?"