Chapter 154: The Humble National Master

Dongfang Mo had been watching Ye Qingran all along, or rather, from the moment the banquet began, all his attention was on her.

The loneliness that flowed from her whole being, though brief, was bone‑deep sorrow.

Especially that smile, beautiful to the point of breaking hearts.

His heart rippled, suddenly feeling pity, and for a fleeting instant he was overcome with the urge to throw caution to the wind and pull her into his arms.

But he held back.

He…

Unworthy!

Dongfang Qingxuan suddenly stood up at that moment.

He was already noble as Crown Prince, tall and graceful, handsome and refined, and born into the Imperial Clan, surrounded by aristocratic aura, giving him a distinctly kingly bearing.

Consequently, the moment he stood, countless gazes were instantly drawn to him.

Everyone stared in surprise at the near‑perfect Crown Prince, wondering what he intended by standing up at that moment.

"Ye Qingran."

Dongfang Qingxuan called her softly, his face showing no extra expression.

Ye Huanhuan's complexion changed, her heart suddenly clenched as if someone had squeezed it.

What is the Crown Prince about to do?

Could it be compassion? Is he going to embrace Ye Qingran again?

No, that's not allowed!

Ye Huanhuan felt startled and uncertain, yet dared not speak, only praying silently.

Ye Qingran turned her head to look at him.

Dongfang Qingxuan's hawk‑like gaze, when she looked back, pierced into her beautiful eyes.

Ye Qingran, having set aside those emotions, had a pair of eyes clear as washed water, as beautiful as the sacred springs of the Jade Pool.

Her eyes had once been so beautiful, but now, upon looking, the deep love of those years was gone.

"Ye Qingran, are you serious, that you no longer love me? If so, I will make you see how foolish a decision it is for you to abandon me!"

Dongfang Qingxuan thought to himself silently.

Though he despised Ye Qingran, as the nation's Crown Prince and a figure as splendid as a prized orchid, being discarded by a worthless woman left him unwilling.

He wants to prove that Ye Qingran's choice is wrong!

"That day on Xuanwu Street, you chose to abandon our engagement; now you refuse the marriage with Zhou Hai. Ye Qingran, I advise you not to persist stubbornly—turning back is the shore!"

Ye Qingran was momentarily stunned; after grasping his meaning, she couldn't hold back and laughed aloud.

"Ye Qingran, why are you laughing? Is what I said wrong?" Dongfang Qingxuan said displeased.

"Crown Prince, do you think that I, Ye Qingran, can now only marry Zhou Hai, who is far inferior to you in every way, and thus will regret having dismissed you on Xuanwu Street?"

Dongfang Qingxuan furrowed his brow.

Isn't that so?

He, Dongfang Qingxuan, is the Donglin Crown Prince, with dragon‑like bearing and phoenix‑like looks, handsome and refined, and the object of countless girls' spring‑chamber dreams. After Ye Qingran discarded him, she can only marry a scum like Zhou Hai; shouldn't she regret?

"Crown Prince, today I will make my point clear!" Ye Qingran restrained her smile, raising her voice slightly like pearls falling onto a jade plate, "I, Ye Qingran, will never regret having dismissed the reigning Crown Prince Dongfang Qingxuan!"

I, Ye Qingran, will never regret having dismissed the reigning Crown Prince Dongfang Qingxuan!

Those words spread to everyone's ears, as if branded into their minds.

Yet one could see that unparalleled beauty, her appearance resolute, her oath unwavering.

Even after many years, those present, when recalling today's events, still felt their hearts stir.

So indeed, time proves everything!

Dongfang Qingxuan's pupils contracted, revealing an incredulous expression.

How could this happen?!

Has Ye Qingran, now reduced to being able to marry only Zhou Hai, still no longer regret dismissing him?

Fine, fine, you Ye Qingran!

Burning with fierce anger, Dongfang Qingxuan clenched his teeth, his handsome face turning as black as a pot bottom.

"Ye Qingran, I want to see what kind of man you can find!" he said, the words practically leaping from between his teeth, a chilling wind, utterly disdainful.

"Then spare the Crown Prince the trouble!" Ye Qingran replied calmly.

Ye Huanhuan let out a sigh of relief.

It turned out the Crown Prince had no intention of changing his mind. Yet her heart was also filled with bitterness. She could sense his persistence was not merely due to unwillingness, but…

Ye Qingran herself was also unbearably foolish; had she spoken in line with the Crown Prince's wishes, she wouldn't have offended him.

After this incident, the relationship between the Crown Prince and Ye Qingran was completely frozen.

However, to avoid prolonged nights and many dreams, she must deal with Ye Qingran quickly, otherwise who knows what trouble may arise later?

"Ye Qingran, would you reconsider Lord Zhou? After all, besides him, you seem to have no better option." Gu Huanghou's half‑smiling, half‑serious expression concealed a trace of coldness.

As those words fell and the Banquet Hall fell silent, a surprised shout came from outside.

"National Master…has arrived!"

What?!

Everyone was startled, then scrambled to their feet, as if His Majesty himself had arrived. Even Gu Huanghou, who sat at the head, rose, her face full of bewildered doubt.

National Master, what brings you here?

Before Gu Huanghou could think further, a figure stepped through the Banquet Hall's doorway.

All eyes focused on that figure.

In the dim light, the person stood tall, his black robe revealing a body proud and upright, like a demonic deity. He walked slowly, surrounded by an imperial aura, noble and imposing, as if descending from the clouds, making one unable to resist...

As he stepped into the bright lights, a peerlessly handsome face gradually came into view.

What kind of face is that?

It seemed that no matter how exquisite the words in the world, they could not describe it; one could only say it was favored by creation.

That person, walking closer step by step, was like a deity descending to the world, stunning the entire assembly.

Everyone present, whether they had seen Fu Hanxiu before or not, was immersed in the visual feast he created. Hearts filled with astonishment, wondering how such a perfect man could exist in this world.

The Crown Prince, a dragon among men, seemed to lose his brilliance and fall into the dust before him.

Especially the ladies present, eyes blazing, they wished they could tear the National Master apart and swallow him.

"What are you all chatting about in such a lively gathering?"

Whether intentional or not, he stopped exactly at Ye Qingran's table. His low, magnetic voice made people sigh that even this voice seemed like heaven's finest masterpiece.

The National Master's words brought everyone back to their senses. They all bowed in reverence, each more respectful than the last.

Gu Huanghou recovered from her loss of composure, quickly ordered a seat to be prepared, but he refused it.

"Why has the National Master come?"

"I heard the Crown Prince's residence is holding a banquet today; as the National Master, I have nothing to do, so I came to join the fun." The National Master's gaze fell on Ye Qingran as he asked everyone, "What were you just talking about?"

Gu Huanghou hurriedly replied: "We were talking about Ye Qingran's matter..." Gu Huanghou then recounted how Ye Qingran had refused Zhou Hai, and added her worry about Ye Qingran being unable to find a husband.

Gu Huanghou originally thought the National Master would scoff at Ye Qingran upon hearing this.

Little did she expect...

"Oh? Is that true? As the National Master, I have long been enamored with Miss Ye; since she refused Zhou Hai, would you consider me?"