Chapter 458: At the Banquet of the Eastern Feng Palace
“Master, Princess Yuanwei has arrived.”
While Ye Lu was casually chatting with Hu Liu and enjoying the strawberries sent by Yu Luo, he suddenly heard the housekeeper’s report, causing the smile on his face to disappear instantly.
Hu Liu, who was quick to read the situation, immediately stood up, preparing to leave.
“Since we have a distinguished guest, I won’t trouble you any longer, Young Master Ye Lu. I’ll take my leave now.”
“Leave? Sit down first. The New Year gift I prepared for Xiao Luo is still being arranged. Once it’s ready, you can stay here tonight and set off tomorrow. It’s quite a journey, don’t tell me you’re not tired?” Ye Lu responded, still warm and inviting.
“No need, my men have already booked rooms at an inn. I won’t trouble you further, Young Master. If you’ve prepared a gift for our young lady, I can pick it up tomorrow when we set off.”
Seeing Hu Liu’s insistence, Ye Lu didn’t try to stop him.
“Alright then, I’ll have someone send you to the inn later. You don’t need to come back here. Tomorrow, just have someone bring the gift over.”
As he spoke, Ye Lu stood up and warmly saw Hu Liu out of the guest hall, just in time to spot Xiahou Yuanwei, who had been waiting outside for a while.
As soon as Hu Liu left, Ye Lu’s demeanor shifted back to his usual casual, indifferent self.
“Princess, what brings you here today? Shouldn’t you be heading to the palace soon? Given your status, you should be taking time to prepare and dress appropriately for the banquet. Coming here now might cause you to miss something important.”
Seeing Ye Lu’s dismissive attitude, Xiahou Yuanwei, who once didn’t understand this behavior, now knew the reason behind it.
“I came specially to deliver a New Year’s gift to the Prince. I hope I haven’t disturbed you.”
With that, Xiahou Yuanwei gave a subtle glance to her maid behind her. The maid hurriedly approached with a tray, handing it over to the housekeeper.
Upon seeing the valuable items on the tray, Ye Lu’s lips curled into a faint smile.
“It seems I wasn’t considerate enough and forgot to prepare a gift for you. It’s kind of you to have sent one first.”
Hearing this, Xiahou Yuanwei felt a strange bitterness in her heart.
Ye Lu could remember to send gifts to small creatures from the wild lands, yet he didn’t even think to prepare anything for his fiancée?
Ha, what was she even expecting?
Since the moment she had fought for this engagement, Ye Lu had always been like this—detached and uninvested in her.
Thinking of their approaching wedding, Xiahou Yuanwei began to feel uncertain.
She didn’t know whether forcing herself into this marriage would ever bring her fulfillment. Even if it was sweet, could she truly endure the lingering consequences it might bring?
“The Prince doesn’t need to be so polite. As long as you think of me, that is enough. Besides, after the New Year, we will soon be married, and then we will be a family. There’s no need for all these formalities.”
Looking at the pretentious Xiahou Yuanwei, Ye Lu’s smile only deepened.
“Mm, the Princess speaks the truth. Then I’ll shamelessly accept your gift.”
With that, Ye Lu looked toward the housekeeper. “The palace banquet is tonight. Has everything been prepared?”
The housekeeper immediately responded respectfully, “Your Highness, the gifts are still being prepared. Given the time, you should wash up and change into your ceremonial attire to head to the palace.”
Ye Lu, pleased with his housekeeper’s efficiency, smiled.
“Since that’s the case, I won’t keep the Princess any longer. Please return home and prepare for the palace event.”
After speaking, Ye Lu turned to the housekeeper. “See the Princess out personally, don’t delay.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Xiahou Yuanwei’s words were stuck in her throat, but Ye Lu’s cold demeanor blocked them all.
All she could do was continue to act dignified and understanding, as she had no other choice.
After all, she had brought this upon herself.
Once inside the carriage, Xiahou Yuanwei’s composed demeanor disappeared. The handkerchief in her hands was wrinkled from clenching, and her heart ached.
Seeing this, her maid’s eyes were full of sympathy.
“Princess, why do you still endure this? The Prince’s military achievements in the Eastern Feng kingdom are so great that even the Emperor holds him in some regard. Yet you chose the least likely prince and even made the Prince propose to the Emperor. Now…”
The maid’s words trailed off, realizing she was saying too much, for after all, she was only a servant.
“Now, this is what I deserve, is it? Heh, even you, a servant, are here to mock me?” Xiahou Yuanwei’s eyes were hollow, her tone eerily calm.
The maid was so scared that she immediately knelt and began to kowtow repeatedly.
“I know I was wrong! I’ll slap myself, please don’t be angry, Princess! I’ll slap myself right now!”
Saying that, the maid hurriedly gave herself a few hard slaps, tears welling up in her eyes.
Xiahou Yuanwei reached out and grabbed the maid’s hand, her hollow gaze softening as she focused on the maid. Slowly, her eyes filled with compassion.
“You really are a little fool. How could I bear to punish you?” She pulled the maid up, wiping the tears from her face and sitting with her.
“You still have a chance. You could have been the most respected woman in the Eastern Feng kingdom.”
At these words, Xiahou Yuanwei only smiled bitterly.
“But I’ve fallen for him. I can’t let go. When I first met him at seven, I liked him. How can I forget him?”
Xiahou Yuanwei murmured, as if trying to convince the maid, but also convincing herself.
After a moment of thought, the maid’s eyes suddenly lit up with a glimmer of hope. “Princess, I have a good idea!”
At the Eastern Feng palace banquet, all the officials and the Emperor of Eastern Feng raised their cups in celebration!
Once the cups were put down, the tribute ceremony for the princes began.
Ye Lu had always dreaded this part of the evening, but this year, even though his finances were more abundant than before, he didn’t put much thought into finding a precious gift for the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.
And every year, even when he had tried his best and spared no expense, his gifts were always overshadowed by those of the other princes.
This year, he wouldn’t compete with those extravagant presents.
The fruits sent by Yu Luo would be enough to silence everyone!
“Father, Grandmother, Mother, these three jade pillows were specially made with warm jade from Nanshan. I wish Father a long life, Grandmother good health, and Mother peace and happiness.”
The Crown Prince, Ye Yuan, presented his gift. After his introduction, the officials couldn’t help but sigh in admiration.
“Nanshan warm jade is a precious material. The Crown Prince is truly thoughtful to have found such large pieces and made them into jade pillows. This is truly a great act of filial piety!”
(End of Chapter 458)
