Chapter 259

Seeing all the maids in the room had left, Zhao Ruo’e lowered her voice and said, “I heard that the Crown Prince is looking for a woman!”

“What kind of woman could impress the Crown Prince so much that he would try to find her through a nation-wide selection?” Jing Wenyan frowned and asked in surprise.

“I don’t know what is so special about this woman, but it seems that the Crown Prince liked her at first sight! Now, both the Empress and the Emperor had been persuaded by the Crown Prince and they agreed to hold a nation-wide selection for this woman. They also said that no matter what her identity was, she would definitely enter the Crown Prince Mansion.” Wang Yachun could not help but interrupt.

“Wow… this woman is really awesome…” Yang Yuyan sucked in a breath of cold air and said.

“It was only said that the woman would enter the Crown Prince Mansion. She might not definitely become the Crown Princess.” Jing Wenyan, however, understood the meaning behind those words of Wang Yachun and reminded everyone with a smile.

The eyes of the several young ladies lit up when they heard Jing Wenyan’s words. Although the Crown Prince had taken a fancy to the woman, if that woman’s status didn’t meet the requirements, she would at most enter the Crown Prince Mansion as an ordinary concubine. It was impossible for her to pose a threat to other aristocratic young ladies who were also selected to enter the Crown Prince Mansion.

They were all legitimate daughters born in big aristocratic families. They had been taught to be virtuous wives and mothers and to tolerate the existence of concubines in their future marriages. They even had to take good care of the children born by the concubines of their husbands. As a result, they didn’t care much about a woman who was favored but had a low status.

“The Crown Prince rarely leaves his mansion. How did he meet that woman?” Li Yue’er suddenly asked.

“This… is a myth to everyone!” Wang Yachun paused slightly as she spoke.

“Alright, no matter why the Crown Prince wanted a nation-wide selection, that woman can’t be any of us. However, I remember that none of you has been engaged, right? This time, all of you are eligible for this selection!” Jing Wenyan covered her mouth with a handkerchief and teased.

After she said these words, the other young ladies started to look at Wei Yuewu with some hostility. From whichever perspective, this Sixth Miss Wei was too outstanding!

Wei Yuewu smiled slightly as if she did not notice the hostility in the eyes of the people in front of her. She raised her watery eyes and asked, “How about you, Eldest Miss Jing?”

“I… I…don’t know yet. Today, my father and mother are trying to find me a…” Jing Wenyan covered her face with a handkerchief and spoke hesitantly. Considering the conversation she had with the Heiress-apparent of Duke of Jing, it was easy for the other young ladies to realize that if she was engaged, she would have nothing to do with the nation-wide selection.

But was she really not interested in the nation-wide selection at all? A faint trace of coldness rose in Wei Yuewu’s heart. This Eldest Miss Jing had done everything she could to curry favor with everyone. If she was really just going to choose an extremely ordinary husband, what need was there for her to take so much trouble?

Apparently, she had an axe to grind!

However, it was unclear whether her target was the Crown Prince, the heirs-apparent, or those princes. The Crown Princess had not been officially chosen, and none of the princes had a wife yet.

Wang Yachun smiled implicitly. She raised the teacup in her hand and said meaningfully, “Congratulations, Eldest Miss Jing!”

“This… hasn’t been decided yet. I hope Miss Wang doesn’t tell anyone.” Jing Wenyan smiled and said gently.

“I won’t. Don’t worry!” Wang Yachun guaranteed.

After this topic was concluded, everyone continued to chat as they enjoyed the dishes. They didn’t care much about the digression. When Jing Wenyan saw that the guests had almost finished eating, she asked people to clean up the table and serve tea again. Then, she asked them to stay here to talk whereas she was going to the front to receive the other guests.

Wang Yachun and the others said that they would like to have a walk in the garden. It was rare for them to visit the mansion of Duke of Jing, so they must seize the opportunity to admire the beautiful scenery here, especially the greenhouse that Eldest Miss Jing had just mentioned, where they could see the blooming flowers over there.

Well, if the hostess was away, how could the guests continue to stay here?

Hearing that they had made up their minds, Jing Wenyan did not try to keep them stay any longer. She let an old maidservant take them to the greenhouse, whereas she herself went to the front yard to receive the guests.

Li Yue’er did not like Wei Yuewu, so she naturally walked in the front. Zhao Ruo’e and Wang Yachun seemed to be familiar with Li Yue’er. Therefore, the three of them chatted and laughed in the front. Yang Yuyan looked at Wei Yuewu who was walking at the back and she slowed down. However, when she saw the look in Wei Yuewu’s eyes, she immediately quickened her step and chased after the other three young ladies.

In the end, only Wei Yuewu and Jin Ling were left behind walking slowly.

“Miss, I just saw someone!” Jin Ling took a step forward and whispered behind Wei Yuewu.

“Who is it?” Wei Yuewu was stunned, but her expression remained unchanged.

“I don’t know if I was wrong, but it seems to be the Fourth Young Lady.” Jin Ling hesitated for a moment, but she still answered. When she came over just now, she saw a person from afar. Judging from the outline, it was clearly Wei Qiufu, the Fourth Young Lady of the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang. If it wasn’t for her good eyesight, she wouldn’t have been able to find her from so a distance.

But when they left the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang, they were clearly told that Wei Yuewu was the only young lady of the mansion that was coming to the mansion of Duke of Jing today.

“Was the Fourth Young Lady alone?” Wei Yuewu pondered for a moment before asking.

Jin Ling looked around. After seeing that no one noticed them, she replied, “No, there was another man next to her. The two of them seemed to be talking about something. That man’s back was facing me, so I couldn’t see clearly. Moreover, the two of them didn’t talk much before that man left with his hands behind his back!”

“Miss, how about asking Eldest Miss Jing whether the Fourth Young Lady is here or not?” Jin Ling suggested.

“No need!” Wei Yuewu shook her head. Jing Wenyan was tactful and clever, and Wei Qiufu was not an ordinary person either. Even if there was anything unusual, it would not be easily discovered.

If she asked Jing Wenyan and it turned out that there was really nothing unusual, Jing Wenyan would feel that she was making a fuss. After all, Wei Qiufu had been in the capital for many years, so it was normal for her to have some good old friends and appear on today’s occasion. The reason she hadn’t come in the first place was that the Madam Dowager had forbidden her to go out. But if the Madam Dowager changed her mind, what could she say if Wei Qiufu showed up here? Asking about Wei Qiufu’s presence here would only make people feel that she was too narrow-minded and intolerant.

“Will the Fourth Young Lady set you up again?” Jin Ling asked worriedly. She still felt it was too strange for Wei Qiufu to appear here.

“Don’t worry, she won’t do anything to me at this time!” Wei Yuewu gently shook her head, and a cold smile appeared on her lips.

Concubine Dong and Wei Yuejiao were fighting with her right now. Wei Qiufu would definitely not make a move against her at this time. Even if she did try to set her up, she wouldn’t let others find out.

After all, she was unfamiliar with the mansion of Duke of Jing.

“Did you send the note?” Wei Yuewu raised her chin towards Yang Yuyan’s back.

“Miss, don’t worry. Miss Yang should have received the note by now. I just gave it to her maid.” Jin Ling said in a low voice.

Wei Yuewu’s lips curled into a smile. She had heard that the Crown Prince had also come today. What a coincidence…

The greenhouse was now in sight, and Li Yue’er and the others had already entered the greenhouse. Wei Yuewu also followed them in. The moment she lifted the curtain, warm air hit her in the face accompanied by a fragrant smell.

Li Yue’er and the others stood at the door but did not go in. Wei Yuewu looked at them in surprise. Then, she stepped forward and looked inside. She immediately found out why they did not go in: there were already people in the greenhouse.

The Crown Prince Wen Tianyao and the four heirs-apparent were leisurely walking inside to admire the flowers. The corners of the greenhouse were filled with guards. For a moment, Li Yue’er and the others were caught in a dilemma and could neither enter nor leave. They could only stand at the door awkwardly.

A eunuch saw a few noble ladies blocking the door. He hurriedly took a few steps forward and whispered a few words into Wen Tianyao’s ear. Wen Tianyao’s handsome eyes turned around. His gaze swept across the faces of Li Yue’er and the others. He slightly nodded his head and continued walking.

The eunuch understood and hurriedly walked over to Li Yue’er who was at the front with a smile. “Young ladies, His Highness has invited you to come in and admire the flowers!”

As he spoke, he extended his hand as a gesture of welcome, showing great politeness.

Li Yue’er and the others looked at each other. Finally, they looked at the Crown Prince Wen Tianyao and the immortal-like Yan Huaijing who was standing beside him. All of them blushed and walked in.

Wei Yuewu did not stop. She followed the crowd inside. Although she did not want to see the Crown Prince and Yan Huaijing, it was too late for her to leave without being noticed at this time.

“Sisters…” As soon as they started to move, they heard Jing Wenyan’s voice outside the greenhouse.

Wei Yuewu’s long beautiful eyelashes flickered twice. She looked around and saw that everyone had stopped and was looking at the door! Well, this Jing Wenyan had really come at the right time to catch the limelight!

It seemed that the ideal husband of Eldest Miss Jing should be one of the young masters in the greenhouse!

Sure enough, Jing Wenyan, who was dressed up again, stood at the door with a smile. She was as beautiful as jade, and her elegant eight-folded long dresses made her look more slender and graceful. It was impossible not to pay attention to such a stunning beauty standing at the door. However, it seemed that she did not expect there were so many people in this greenhouse, and she was stunned for a moment.

“Is this Eldest Miss Jing of the mansion of Duke of Jing? She is indeed beautiful!” Chu Fangnan could not help but praise.

“I have long heard that this Eldest Miss Jing is the number one beauty but felt unconvinced. I didn’t expect it to be true!” Qi Yunhao nodded repeatedly. The two of them had only heard of Eldest Miss Jing before, but they had never truly seen her. Now that they saw Jing Wenyan standing at the door, they couldn’t help but feel stunned.

Lu Yeli’s gaze swept across Jing Wenyan’s face and then fell on Wei Yuewu, who stood behind Jing Wenyan to make way for her and revealed only half of her face. This Sixth Miss Wei had not grown up yet and therefore lacked the dazzling beauty of Eldest Miss Jing. However, at such a young age and standing on Jing Wenyan’s side, she wasn’t overshadowed at all. One could guess how beautiful she would be in the future.

Compared with this ostentatious Eldest Miss Jing, Lu Yeli admired Wei Yuewu more.

The Crown Prince had seen Jing Wenyan before. He looked at Jing Wenyan with a smile and teased Yan Huaijing, “I heard that Your Heir-apparent and Eldest Miss Jing were once almost engaged. I wondered why the beauty remained alone in the end?”

“Your Highness, this was totally up to my parents. I have never heard of the so-called engagement before. I wonder where you learned it? It doesn’t matter to me, but Eldest Miss Jing’s reputation might be tainted!” Yan Huaijing gracefully glanced at Jing Wenyan. His thin lips curled up as he glanced at Wen Tianyao with a faint smile. “Your Highness, I’m afraid that this young lady’s real interest is not what it appears to be!”

His words sounded earnest and sincere, and he also responded to the Crown Prince in the same teasing tone. Wen Tianyao understood what Yan Huaijing meant, and he laughed and turned to look at Chu Fangnan and Qi Yunhao. “If the two of you are interested, I can ask Father Emperor to issue a decree…”

“Your Highness, however beautiful the beauty may look, our hearts are firm and shall not change!”

“Yes… yes… yes, we know what we want. How can we change our minds merely due to a beauty? Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness.”

Realizing the implication of Wen Tianyao’s words, the two of them hurriedly denied it. Although they were also amazed by Eldest Miss Jing’s beauty, their goal in entering the capital was to marry a princess. As heirs-apparent of powerful states, neither of them was simple-minded!

Duke of Jing had already fallen and even lost his territory. What he had now was just a seemingly eminent title.

At this time, Jing Wenyan also seemed to have realized the situation. Her initial shock had turned into calmness. She adjusted the corner of her skirt a little and slowly walked over. Then, she bowed to the Crown Prince and said, “Greetings, Your Highness!”