Chapter 374

Who is that… Princess Mingxi? The one from Y Guo, the eldest daughter of Duke Peiweika's Mansion.

Heavens, she's even more beautiful in person than in the news, and that hair color really suits her.

That's Prince Qing An beside her, right? Being personally accompanied—this treatment…

She's really beautiful—no wonder Prince Qing An dotes on her so much.

You haven't heard? A few days ago at the Earl's mansion banquet, Prince Qing An, for her sake, directly used thunderous means to abolish a century-old family.

Even the royal family turned a blind eye.

Whispers floated in the air, but not too ostentatiously.

Everyone present were top noble families of M Guo; usually proud and restrained, but now they couldn't help but glance more at the person protected by the royal family.

Mu Youyu looked straight ahead, a faint smile playing at the corner of her lips, stepping on the red carpet as she walked inward step by step.

Inside, the heating was on, so it wasn't cold; her gaze was clear and shallow, sweeping over both sides.

A steady, middle-aged man with a composed demeanor was surrounded by many people; she had seen him in the news, he is one of the heads of M Guo's energy conglomerate, and she knows Xianqi brother.

The lady beside her wearing a deep blue gown is one of M Guo's oldest noble families; her ancestors once intermarried with the royal family, and she still wields great influence in politics; her household handles cooperation with M Guo's government affairs, and she is on good terms with Ruo Ya.

Further ahead, several elderly people in casual attire stood side by side; they are the true power holders of M Guo's military, usually only visible at state ceremonies…

These are faces one usually only sees in the news.

Mu Youyu cared about state affairs, of course she had learned about it; she murmured sideways: 'It seems indeed not small.'

Qing An proudly lifted his chin: 'That's right, this is something I personally organized—how could it be small?'

She took the opportunity to ask: 'Qing An brother, what kind of gathering is this?'

Qing An put one arm affectionately around her shoulder; he had already lured her in, so there was nothing left to hide: 'It's specially organized for you.'

"Whoa?" Mu Youyu blinked in surprise: "We're leaving for Y Guo tonight—is this a farewell party prepared for me?"

"Of course not! Little sister can guess." Qing An leaned closer to her: "I'll say this in advance—when we go to Y Guo, little sister, don't make a fuss; we have big business to attend to."

Mu Youyu nodded obediently, her thoughts already drifting to others: 'Got it, can I go find A Jin and the brothers now?'

Can you wait a moment? I'll take you to meet a few people!

Alright.

Mu Youyu withdrew her gaze, lifted her skirt, stood to the side, her peripheral vision sweeping across one side of the banquet hall, catching a few familiar figures.

Jiang Liangjin stood near the front edge of the crowd, with gold-powder hair, a white shirt under a black-blue patchwork tailcoat.

The tailcoat style in M Guo is relatively complex, and it's a popular fashion among the nobles.

Not only did she see him alone wearing a tailcoat, but Mu Youyu's heart involuntarily quickened a bit—this was the first time she had seen him in a tailcoat.

By his side were Mu Xi, Mu Xin, Mu Xianqi, Song Yusui, and Jun Chenling.

Several people gathered together; although they were just casually standing, they formed their own aura, causing those around to unconsciously keep their distance.

Jiang Liangjin was listening sideways to what Mu Xin was saying, but the moment Mu Youyu stepped into the banquet hall, he seemed to sense something and lifted his gaze toward her.

Their eyes met; the boy's icy look instantly melted, replaced by a tenderness unique to her.

Mu Youyu made a gesture toward him.

Jiang Liangjin's lips curled slightly, returning her a heart gesture.

The brothers followed his gaze over; seeing it was their sister, their expressions softened a bit, yet they remained where they were, not stepping forward.

Jun Chenling stood at the outermost side; his gaze lingered on Mu Youyu for a moment, then turned to Qing An, his eyes holding a hint of a smile that wasn't quite a smile.

Qing An acted as if he hadn't seen.

The crowd erupted again.

Heavens! Is that Prince Xun Li? How did he come too? He hasn't personally come to M Guo in over a year!

Beside him is Young Master Ai Luoxiu; I thought you were joking when you said he came to the Viscount Wa'ou manor gathering in M Guo, but it's actually true.

I just saw Princess Yan, and Mu Xianqi actually came back… Song Yan is here too.

……

Princess Mingxi!

A voice full of surprise came from beside her; Mu Youyu turned her head, seeing Luvi quickly walking over, her face brimming with uncontainable excitement.

Luvi today wore a gentle, dignified light-colored gown; when she reached Mu Youyu, she slightly bent her knees in a curtsy.

Mu Youyu smiled: 'Luvi, no need for too much ceremony.'

Luvi straightened up, her eyes sparkling as she looked at her, lowering her voice: 'Heavens, Mingxi, do you know what day this is? So many hidden-world bigshots have actually come…'

She said, glancing around, her voice dropping even lower: 'Those two young men standing in the corner—my father said they rank among the top five in M Guo's business world.'

Mu Youyu followed her gaze and gave a slight nod, saying nothing more.

Qing An, who was socializing nearby, overheard their conversation, slightly lifted his chin—this was exactly the effect he wanted.

After Luvi finished speaking, she finally turned her gaze back to Mu Youyu, her eyes lingering on her face for a few seconds, unable to help exclaiming: 'Princess Mingxi, this gown truly suits you.'

Mu Youyu was naturally extremely beautiful; now dressed in a red gown, standing under crystal lights, she seemed to have stepped out of a painting, breathtakingly beautiful.

Thank you, you look beautiful today as well.

Luvi still wanted to say more, but catching sight of a figure approaching not far away in her peripheral vision, she quickly straightened up and lowered her eyes slightly.

Qing An strode over, followed by several young nobles in splendid attire, obviously just finished making the rounds of socializing.

He stopped at Mu Youyu's side, his gaze falling on her face, his eyes undisguised with pride: 'Little sister, come on, I'll take you to meet a few people.'

Mu Youyu turned her head to look at him, but before she could speak, Qing An had already taken her deeper into the crowd.

Luvi stood where she was, watching their retreating backs, unable to help sighing that it was a feast for the eyes.

Mu Youyu was led by Qing An through the crowd; the nobles on either side glanced sideways, their gazes falling on her, expressions varied.

Qing An led her to the center of the crowd; several elderly nobles immediately stepped forward, their faces bearing just-right smiles.

"Prince Qing An," the leading elder bowed slightly, his gaze falling on Mu Youyu, his tone respectful: "This must be Princess Mingxi, right? I've long heard of your name."

Mu Youyu had seen him, the corner of her mouth bore a proper smile, she called out his honorific, "... Hello, sir, you're being too polite."

The old man hastily waved his hands, "Not at all, not at all, Princess Mingxi, you're being too polite."

Qing An stood to the side, his gaze sweeping over the several people, the affection in his eyes undisguised, "This is my sister; from now on in M Guo, please look after her."

The several elders nodded repeatedly, the smiles on their faces growing ever more earnest, "Of course, anyone approved by His Highness Qing An, we will certainly look after."