Chapter 51: She Really Doesn't Love Herself Anymore

Dongfang Qingxuan stared directly at Ye Qingran, his gaze sharp as a hawk. He tried to find, in her beautiful eyes, any emotion other than indifference.

For example, a hidden affection.

But he failed.

In those eyes, indifference was all there was.

Yet he clearly remembered that when she once looked at him, those eyes could hold nothing but him. He could even feel her overflowing love, so intense it seemed about to burst forth.

Has Ye Qingran really changed?

Is it that she truly no longer loves herself, or is she playing some scheme?

It must be the latter!

After all, she once loved him so much she would scale knife mountains and wade through oil cauldrons for him, even surrendering her life.

Ye Qingran, are you using the feigned capture tactic?

Thinking that, a cold sneer flashed across Dongfang Qingxuan's eyes.

"My Palace comes today to ask you: the words you said on Xuanwu Street yesterday, were they all sincere?"

Ye Qingran sneered inwardly.

"Crown Prince, was I not clear enough?"

A moment of awkwardness crossed Dongfang Qingxuan's handsome face.

"If so, then as you wish. I hope you can find in the future someone more suitable than My Palace… a good match."

As Dongfang Qingxuan spoke, his gaze locked tightly on Ye Qingran, missing not a single hint of her emotional shift.

"Then I won't trouble Crown Prince any further!"

Ye Qingran remained calm and unruffled.

In that instant, Dongfang Qingxuan finally felt a surge of helplessness.

"Father Emperor has set a Welcome Banquet for My Palace at the West Suburb Annex; I hope you can set aside past grievances and attend."

"Crown Prince, rest assured, I'm not a petty person; I will naturally attend your Welcome Banquet."

At those words, a sharp glint flashed in Ye Huanhuan's eyes.

Xiao Feng, Ye Sisi and the others also showed strange expressions.

Ye Qingran did not miss the oddities they tried so hard to conceal.

It seems, rather than a Welcome Banquet, it's more like a Red Gate Banquet.

Leaving the Ye Residence, Xiao Feng hurriedly questioned Gu Dongliu.

"Why were you so courteous to Ye Qingran just now?"

Gu Dongliu twirled his folding fan, replying leisurely: "Perhaps because she's quite interesting."

Interesting?

Xiao Feng's face showed disdain: "What sense is there in a uncultured waste? I think you're blind."

"Xiao Feng, who just now lacked cultivation?" Gu Dongliu curled his lip, his face bearing the usual rakish smile.

"Gu Dongliu, what did you say?!"

Gu Dongliu looked at Dongfang Qingxuan: "Crown Prince, dare you make a bet? You will surely regret it."

Dongfang Qingxuan's brows tightened, knowingly asking: "Regret what?"

Gu Dongliu walked ahead, casually saying: "Naturally, I regret choosing Ye Huanhuan and abandoning Ye Qingran."

"Gu Dongliu, what are you joking about? Any clear‑sighted person can see that Ye Huanhuan is a hundred times more outstanding than Ye Qingran. A waste with no Spiritual Root—what achievements can she have in the future? Could it be that you think Ye Qingran is beautiful, so you say that? There are plenty of beautiful women; can they give me.................................................."

Xiao Feng was extremely disdainful.

Dongfang Qingxuan said nothing, but it was clear he agreed with Xiao Feng's words.

His woman must be a world‑shocking phoenix maiden, not only possessing unparalleled beauty but also the talent to dominate an era!

Not like Ye Qingran, who is merely a mediocre beauty.

He will certainly not regret it!

"If you lose, you must devote yourself to helping me ascend the throne!"

"No problem."

If he wins, the bond between him and the Crown Prince will be over.

Gu Dongliu only smiled, his clear eyes flashing with wisdom.

Mistaking a pearl for a fish eye, and a fish eye for a pearl.

Truth and falsehood intertwine, falsehood and truth intertwine.

Life is but a dream!

The West Suburb Annex lies west of Xiliang City.

The entire West Suburb Annex is lavish and exquisite, sprawling, used for the Imperial Clan's large informal banquets.

Other princes have never been granted the privilege of holding a banquet here, let alone a Welcome Banquet of this level.

The current His Majesty's favor toward Crown Prince Dongfang Qingxuan is evident.

Night fell, and the splendid lanterns were lit.

Exquisite, luxurious horse‑drawn carriages arrived one after another from afar, stopping at the gate of the West Suburb Annex.

Men and women in brocade finery stepped down from the carriages and entered the West Suburb Annex.

Passersby watching from afar couldn't help but show envy in their eyes.

Those who came to attend today's Welcome Banquet were the offspring of Xiliang's great merchants—a banquet for the young.

Although it is the Crown Prince's Welcome Banquet, Ye Huanhuan is one of the protagonists.

As the most renowned Heaven's Pride Maiden of Xiliang City, Ye Huanhuan could very well become the Crown Princess of Donglin Country, i. e., the future mother of a nation.

Ye Huanhuan today wore a rose‑red brocade long dress and delicate makeup; already as beautiful as a flower, she added a touch of Imperial Clan nobility, appearing elegant, regal, and fragrant like a heavenly blossom.

"Huanhuan, you're truly stunning today!" Lin Yue exclaimed with admiration.

"In the east there is a beauty, isolated from the world; that's you, Huanhuan!" Gu Wan'er said with a smile.

"Your looks sink fish, drop geese; your visage eclipses the moon and shames flowers—makes me envious," Mu Qingrou tugged Ye Huanhuan's sleeve, eyes full of admiration. Because her facial wound hasn't healed, she can only wear a veil.

…

The other noble ladies also began to voice their compliments.

Ye Huanhuan has long since changed beyond recognition.

Having a holy Spiritual Root, she was noticed by Qingyun Sword Immortal and entered the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect for cultivation.

The Crown Prince dotes on her; now that Ye Qingran's marriage contract no longer binds her, Ye Huanhuan is very likely to marry into Donggong and become the future mother of a nation.

Ye Sisi said proudly, "That's right, just look whose sister it is! My sister is the Xiliang Cheng First Beauty!"

"Tch!" a disdainful voice replied.

"So this is it, still the Xiliang Cheng First Beauty? My Xiliang has already fallen to this point?" the boy's clear, pleasant voice said bluntly.

The noble ladies followed the voice and saw, at the dim lights, a slender teenage figure standing under a tree, his brows and eyes filled with a murderous aura.

The noble ladies swallowed the words at the tip of their tongues, their facial expressions rather vivid.

"Why is it him? How did he get here?"

"Could it be that the Crown Prince invited him?"

"How did the Crown Prince bring this tyrant here?!"

…

This person, named Ling Shaoyang, a notorious Young Lord from a sole line of the Ling Wangfu, is counted alongside Ye Qingran and Gu Dongliu as one of the three oddities of Xiliang.

The boy perhaps felt bored, walked to the farthest corner, sat down, leaned on the table and fell asleep, exuding an aura that screamed "I'm not to be trifled with."

Probably because everyone knew he truly was not to be trifled with, even though most guests had arrived, no one would sit at a table with him.

The jade plates shone bright, the countless stars like water.

Tonight at the West Suburb Annex, the sounds of silk and bamboo strings filled the ear, and the aromas of fine food and wine wafted everywhere.

Handsome men and beautiful women, cloud‑like hair and fragrant robes, the scene was extraordinarily lively and lavishly fragrant.

Ye Huanhuan pulled Lin Yue and the others aside and asked cautiously, "Is everyone ready?"

They nodded.

Lin Yue smiled, "Don't worry. As long as Ye Qingran dares to come today, tomorrow she will surely become the laughingstock of Xiliang, despised by the world!"

Mu Qingrou touched the still‑healing wound beneath her veil, eyes filled with malice, "This is far from enough; I'll make next year's today the day that wretch's memorial!"

Zhao Yan and Gu Wan'er both gave a cruel smile.

Ye Qingran, if you're to blame, blame yourself for offending those you shouldn't have offended!

"Thank you all for attending My Palace's Welcome Banquet; feel free, eat well and drink well."

Dongfang Qingxuan wore a dark‑colored brocade today, making him appear even more poised and handsome, causing many noble ladies to show infatuated looks.

Ye Huanhuan stood up, her beautiful eyes shimmering with admiration.

This god‑like man is Ye Huanhuan's future husband; she is truly overjoyed!

At that moment, someone asked, "Why didn't Ye Qingran come?"