Chapter 254: Coral

The Chi Family is a prominent lineage, so befriending the Princess isn't anything unusual.

Truly enviable.

If you ask me, the two Princesses are so kind to her because of the Jade Face Cream.

After being reminded, the young ladies from noble families who were processing memberships at Yunxiang Pavilion suddenly recalled the pavilion's opening day, and the Princess went to show her support.

Exactly! It must be for the Jade Face Cream!

At that moment, Su Yuqing entered amid the crowd's embrace.

The plum blossoms at the Meng Residence are indeed splendid, but among all these blossoms there is no green plum that I cherish most.

She narrowed her eyes at Meng Qinghe, smiled lightly and said, "Princess's favorite is the green plum; you didn't even prepare what the Princess likes, no wonder she looks down on you."

Meng Qinghe sneered, "What, do you think the Princess would favor you?"

"Meng Qinghe, today I'll show you just how far you are from me." She waved her hand, led her maid toward the pavilion; the maid carried a tray covered with red silk, and everyone's gaze converged on it.

"May I present myself to the Princess." She bowed gracefully.

"Rise!" Mo Yunyan saw the newcomer, the smile that had just hung on her face vanished, and she gave a disdainful glance, saying coolly, "Go play elsewhere; don't obstruct my sight here."

Su Yuqing's smile froze; she never expected the Princess to treat her like this—just moments ago she was affectionate toward the woman beside her, yet now she receives such cold words.

She is the Right Minister's granddaughter! She is slated to marry into the Crown Prince's Residence!

Moreover, today she brought a fine gift for her.

Su Yuqing forced a smile and continued, "I heard the Princess would attend today's flower‑appreciation banquet; I have specially prepared a fine item and hope the Princess will graciously accept it."

Mo Yunyan's expression was indifferent: "A fine item? What fine item?"

Su Yuqing clapped her hands; the maid lifted the red silk, revealing a wholly crimson coral before everyone.

"Wow! I've never seen coral this red before."

"Indeed! So beautiful!"

"This coral is truly a treasure worth a fortune."

The surrounding exclamations reached Su Yuqing's ears; she lifted her chin, her face full of arrogance.

Having heard the Princess likes coral, she had searched her father's storeroom for a long time and finally found this treasure in the innermost box, confident the Princess would love it.

Before her smile could broaden, Mo Yunyan's expression darkened as she stared at the coral.

"Where did you obtain this coral?"

Her voice remained calm, yet a faint murderous intent surrounded her.

Those nearby only noticed her pallor, not the killing aura, but Chi Nan Yi sensed it instantly.

She furrowed her brows; what could be wrong with this coral?

Su Yuqing was at a loss, and before she could answer, Mo Yunyan hammered the table, "I'm asking you a question; answer truthfully."

No wonder the battle‑hardened Princess's fury resembled that of Mo Junyan.

Su Yuqing's footing gave way, she fell to the ground, trembling as she said, "This coral… I found it in my father's storeroom."

"Your father?"

"Yes, I retrieved it from my father's storeroom this morning; I'm not sure what's amiss with the coral—please clarify, Princess."

She glanced at the coral a few times, then said coolly, "I was mistaken; this coral suits my taste perfectly. Keep it; I'll keep it in mind."

A palace maid behind her stepped forward to take the tray; with a maid's help, Su Yuqing rose, and seeing the Princess no longer so harsh, she finally relaxed.

"I take my leave."

Mo Yunyan no longer looked at her, but appeared uneasy, her gaze occasionally falling on the coral.

She left after not even sitting for a moment.

Seeing her hurried expression, Chi Nan Yi furrowed her brows; the coral indeed seemed unusual!

At that moment, a plate of pastries was pushed before her: "Sister Chi, have some!"

"I'm not hungry," Chi Nan Yi said with a smile, "Eat less, lest your stomach bloat."

Since sitting down, she never stopped talking.

At that moment, Qin Yue xi suddenly began hiccuping.

One after another, she couldn't stop.

"Chi, Sister Chi…"

Chi Nan Yi, seeing the situation, shook her head: "Whatever you say, swallowing like that will cause indigestion." She flicked her finger, and a Silver Needle materialized as if drawn from thin air, startling Qin Yue xi.

Chi Nan Yi pinched her fingertip and gently pricked it.

Fresh blood welled, and the hiccups truly ceased.

Qin Yue xi's eyes widened, and she laughed, "Sister Chi, you truly are a Divine Doctor!"

In her excitement, she forgot to lower her voice, so those nearby heard her clearly.

Divine Doctor?

A Chi Family girl can practice medicine?

At that moment, someone said, "The Crown Prince has arrived at the Minister's Residence."

The noble ladies who came from the back courtyard for the flower‑appreciation banquet began adjusting their attire and ornaments, hoping to make a good impression on the Crown Prince.

After all, chances to meet the Crown Prince are rare; children of lower‑rank officials may never see him in their lifetimes.

Meng Qinghe's face flashed with a shy blush, and at that moment a light snort sounded in her ear: "Meng Qinghe, you don't think the Crown Prince is coming for you, do you?"

Meng Qinghe's hand froze, her brows knit: "What do you mean?"

Heh, why don't you understand what I mean? Given our friendship, if you posted a notice, would you think I'd come? If the Crown Prince hadn't said he wanted to see me, even if you brought a sedan chair to invite me, I still wouldn't return.

"You!"

"Otherwise, how would you think I knew the Princess liked red coral?"

Meng Qinghe's eyes darkened, and at that moment a bright yellow figure stepped into the back courtyard, causing everyone who saw it to kneel on the ground.

"I present myself before the Crown Prince."

In the garden, affected sounds rose and fell, Mo Junheng stepped into the plum garden, Su Yuqing's shy smile instantly blossomed, the Crown Prince and she gazed at each other across the distance, nodding; this scene fell into Meng Qinghe's eyes, and her heart was instantly tugged.

Could it be... that the Crown Prince truly came for Su Yuqing?

"Stand at ease." Mo Junheng, with a faint smile on his face, said: "I have long heard that the plum garden of the Left Minister's Residence is unrivaled in winter scenery; now that I see it, indeed it is so—hundreds of flowers vie for brilliance, truly a feast for the eyes."

When he finished speaking, his gaze fell on Meng Qinghe; upon seeing her appearance surpass that of before, his eyebrows twitched slightly, as if Meng Qinghe had become a bit more beautiful than before.

Sensing the Crown Prince's gaze, Meng Qinghe's lips curled slightly, and she gave a provocative glance at the Su Yuqing beside her; seeing her turn sullen, Meng Qinghe's smile grew even wider.

Mo Junheng's gaze did not linger on them for long; soon, he fixed his eyes on the person he was looking for.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, looked at the red figure, and quickened his steps toward the pavilion.