Chapter 144: with translation of chapter title

Ling Shaoyang spoke lightly. Even facing the mother of a state, he showed little reverence.

Upon hearing this, Han Xing Leng Yue felt somewhat relieved, thinking that the young lady's judgment was still good, and this disciple was still quite protective of his master!

"Look at what Crown Prince Ling says, this Lord Zhou is no ordinary person; in the future he will be your master's husband!"

Gu Huanghou said with a smile.

"He is not worthy of my master!"

Ling Shaoyang slowly blinked, his gaze turning to Gu Huanghou, and spoke word by word.

Everyone was startled.

Secretly they thought, Crown Prince Ling is indeed a tiger!

You know, the gate was set by the Empress herself; for Crown Prince Ling to say this, isn't he slapping Gu Huanghou's face in public?

Gu Huanghou's expression froze for a moment, a flash of malice crossing her eyes. Yet, considering the other's status, she still smiled and teased, "Ye Qingran, this disciple of yours is really protective of you!"

This remark was clearly meant to prompt Ye Qingran to step forward.

But who would have thought, Ye Qingran merely smiled and said nothing.

At this point, everyone had nearly taken their seats; Zhou Hai stood there, Ling Shaoyang unmoving, neither advancing nor retreating, making things very awkward.

"I also think this seat is fine, Ye Eldest Brother, do you mind if I sit beside you?!"

Gu Dongliu had his own seat, but he had not sat down; now he walked over to Ye Qingran's table, his folding fan swaying lightly, exuding a suave charm.

Although he was asking Ye Qingran, by the time his words finished he had already sat down, right beside Ling Shaoyang.

"Can it be like that? Then I want to sit beside Sister Ran too!"

A figure rose from the seat, pattering over to Ye Qingran's side, sat down opposite Gu Dongliu, ending up right beside Ye Qingran.

"Who are you?"

Gu Dongliu gazed at the girl before him, feeling somewhat familiar yet unable to place her.

"I am the young lady who does not change her name when she walks nor her surname when she sits; Xuanjing Department, Xia Zhimeng!"

Upon saying this, everyone was stunned.

The granddaughter of the Summer Venerable Envoy of the Xuanjing Department, who usually keeps to herself and acts discreetly, never attends such banquets; yet today she appears here, perhaps for Ye Qingran's sake?

Ling Shaoyang's protection of Ye Qingran is understandable, after all the news that he became her disciple is known throughout the city; a disciple defending his master is natural and justified. But why are Gu Dongliu and Xia Zhimeng also defending her so? It seems they are on good terms with Ye Qingran.

Gu Huanghou's complexion looked somewhat unpleasant.

Ling Shaoyang ignoring her had already made her furious; now her nephew Gu Dongliu also came to join the fun, plus the granddaughter of the Summer Venerable Envoy, Xia Zhimeng, from the Xuanjing Department, she could not easily continue to interfere.

The backgrounds of these few people are not ordinary in Xiliang City; even she, the Empress, must be wary of them!

"Young people really love bustle! In that case, Lord Zhou, you and Dongliu swap seats—take Dongliu's seat!"

Gu Huanghou suppressed her emotions, put on a smile, and defused the situation.

Zhou Hai, though unwilling, being of low rank and little influence, could not offend any of the four at this table; moreover, with the imperial edict before him, he had no choice but to give up and move to Gu Dongliu's original seat.

After everyone was seated, Gu Huanghou ordered the servants to serve dishes—pastries, fruits and vegetables, fine wine and delicacies—each plate beautifully arranged, appealing in color, fragrant, filling the banquet hall with a sweet aroma.

"Hehe, Sister Ran, we meet again?!"

Xia Zhimeng propped her head with one hand, her eyes dark and bright, sparkling like starlight.

"How did you guys meet?" Gu Dongliu asked, quite curious.

Ling Shaoyang's eyes flickered, he thought of something, pursed his lips, and before Xia Zhimeng could speak he said, "Xia Meng, that's you, right?"

Xia Meng glared, "You noticed too?"

After saying that, she felt deeply hurt. How terrible must her disguise be, to be seen through by one person after another?

Gu Dongliu blinked, forgetting to sway his folding fan.

After a moment, he laughed heartily: "Ah, I see!"

Ye Qingran's lips twitched as she suddenly asked, "If I'm not mistaken, you three don't seem like the type to enjoy such occasions; why are you all here together today?"

Xia Zhimeng stuck out her tongue: "I didn't like it before because there was no Sister Ran; now I wouldn't say I like it, but because Sister Ran is here, I don't mind."

Ling Shaoyang's eyes burned as he looked at Ye Qingran, "If you want to become my master's husband, you must first get past this disciple of mine."

Gu Dongliu smiled, raising his brows, "You disciple are quite arrogant; does the master need your permission to marry whom she chooses?"

Ling Shaoyang's eyes darkened obscurely.

It's not that he wants to control his master's major life affairs; rather, Zhou Hai is not a suitable match for Ye Qingran, and he will not stand by and watch her fall into a pit.

Gu Dongliu's eyes shifted as he looked at Ye Qingran, "Elder Brother Ye, I share the same thought as Xia Zhimeng!"

Former banquets were stiff and dull, strictly observing protocol; now, with Ye Qingran's appearance, there are many more variables, and thus much more fun.

Ye Qingran nodded.

These four at the table are all prominent figures of Xiliang City; sitting together, chatting and laughing, all revolving around Ye Qingran, this scene is astonishing to those present.

Recall that at the Crown Prince's welcome banquet, Ye Qingran attended alone, solitary and isolated, no one willing to sit with her, not even Ling Shaoyang, who rejected her.

But now, the Grand Tutor's son, the Summer Venerable Envoy's grandson, the Crown Prince Ling—one, two—are all gathered around her…

What gives Ye Qingran such great charm?

Since it is a banquet, naturally some noble ladies will pull out all stops to outshine each other and compete. However, after Ye Qingran's stunning performance at the previous welcome banquet, this time everyone is savvy enough not to provoke her.

Everything had been going smoothly when someone suddenly shouted, "Ye Qingran, I heard you once fancied Xiao Ji of the Xiao family; Lady Ye spared no face to plead for you, yet Xiao Ji would rather die than yield. Now you have so quickly turned to Lord Zhou—truly beyond what this palace could have imagined."

The one who spoke was the Seventh Prince, Dongfang Xuan.

As the words fell, everyone's gaze turned to Ye Qingran, their expressions varied.