Chapter 376: Everyone Is Busy

One can tell the He mansion's chief steward is very anxious.

Just as his words fell, the Regent Prince in a dark blue python robe strode into the banquet hall.

The entire hall fell silent.

The Regent Prince never attends ordinary banquets; his sudden appearance here must mean something major has happened.

In an instant, the many guests present had all kinds of thoughts.

Thinking of the Fan family's sudden downfall, some people broke out in a cold sweat, secretly praying that the next unlucky one wouldn't be them.

Even those who had done nothing wrong tried to guess the Regent Prince's intent, hoping to answer properly if later questioned about their duties.

Jiang Mingyuan and the other young men, who were about to enter officialdom and had no immediate stake, also couldn't help secretly weighing things up, observing the others present.

As the host, He Jinghui naturally ought to be the first to express his stance.

He set down his wine cup and stepped down from the seat of honor.

Although he had already cursed Mu Nan Zhao in his heart, he still had to respectfully greet him with clasped hands.

"I didn't know the Prince would personally come; I failed to welcome you from afar."

Hearing this, all the male guests seemed to wake from a dream and rose to greet him.

Mu Nan Zhao gave a faint glance and said, "No need for much ceremony; this is the Little He mansion's flower-viewing banquet. I had nothing to do at noon, so I came over on a whim to join the fun."

He turned his gaze to meet He Jinghui's eyes, saying, "I hope I haven't spoiled everyone's refined mood."

He Jinghui curled his lips and said, "What are you saying, Prince?"

"Your honor gracing us with your presence makes us all delighted beyond words!"

He Jinghui laughed heartily a few times, but only up close could one see the muscles in his cheeks twitching slightly.

He was furious, yet he had to laugh loudly and enthusiastically!

"Everyone, isn't that right?"

Everyone hurriedly echoed, afraid that if they spoke slower than others the Regent Prince would misunderstand.

"Welcome, welcome, the Prince is approachable, making one feel like basking in a spring breeze."

"Who doesn't know the Prince's calligraphy and poetry are stunningly extraordinary? If we are fortunate to witness them today, this flower-viewing banquet will surely be unmatched!"

"Not bad, with the Prince present it will surely be an elegant affair; why not have this official temporarily record the banquet for posterity?"

……

Amidst a chorus of flattery, He Jinghui led Mu Nan Zhao to the seat of honor.

Although Mu Nan Zhao knew the Little He mansion better than his own home, the proper procedures could not be skipped.

After reseating, He Jinghui again announced the banquet's start, hoping everyone would relax and enjoy themselves to the fullest.

The maidservants who had been waiting outside entered in single file.

Following He Jinglan's procedure, they first served appetizing preserves, pastries, and tea.

While the dishes were being served, He Jinghui suppressed the anger flashing in his eyes and spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear:

"You didn't even send an invitation, did you?"

Mu Nan Zhao glanced down at the banquet hall and said lightly, "I'm just coming to your house for a meal; when would I need that nonsense?"

He Jinghui choked, closed his eyes, and said, "You…"

His grandmother's!

He Jinghui grit his teeth in silence.

No wonder that brat showed no reaction or comment last night regarding Jiang Mingyuan and Gu Xixi's affair.

Not only did he not need his help, he actually grew impatient and chased him off, as if it didn't matter at all.

He Jinghui originally thought Mu Nan Zhao hadn't received an invitation and, being fond of face, would surely not come today.

He never expected that the man would show up uninvited and go wherever he pleased!

"What invitation? For the Regent Prince, a mere sheet of paper would be useless."

At this point, each table had been served the first round of dishes.

A single white frosted crystal lidded bowl was placed in the center.

Compared with the usual snacks and preserves around it, clearly the contents of this lidded bowl were the centerpiece of the table.

The guests indeed all went past the snacks and first picked up the lidded bowl.

He Jinghui glanced at Mu Nan Zhao, then smiled and reached out to lift the lid.

His anger flared up quickly and subsided just as fast.

After all, dealing with Mu Nan Zhao, who often acts unreasonably, if he hadn't cultivated such composure, he would have died of rage long ago.

The female guests' section occupied the other half of the banquet hall, separated from the male side only by a long screen.

Thus, when the Regent Prince suddenly came to the banquet, the women over here also heard it.

Today, the noble ladies who had come certainly included many who were here for flower viewing and amusement.

Those with talent wanted to use the occasion to exchange poetry, or proudly display their literary prowess to outshine everyone.

But most of them shared the deeper goal of socializing—for example, the visiting young officials, the sons of various mansions, and the scholars who had passed this year's examinations……

Such calculations are hardly blameworthy.

Because many of them cannot fully choose their own husbands.

Such elegant gatherings are among the few ways they can seek marital happiness for themselves.

If they could find a husband they like who also benefits their family, that would be fortunate.

Regent Prince Mu Nan Zhao, as the most formidable bachelor in the capital,

at the same time being the most tempting choice as a husband.

Young and unmarried, handsome and extraordinary, high-ranking and powerful, wealthy, and with no parents or elders in his mansion, nor any concubines or servant girls.

Whoever can melt this iceberg will become the mistress of the household as soon as they enter.

No need for morning and evening greetings, nor to worry about placing the husband's many beauties.

It is the life every newlywed woman dreams of.

No one expected the Regent Prince to attend the banquet today.

Everyone knows the opportunity is rare and once lost, never returns.

The atmosphere among the female guests grew somewhat subtle.

Undercurrents stirred, and someone had already secretly set up invisible spikes.

He Jinglan knew exactly what was going on, but pretended ignorance and called for everyone to have tea.

Beside her stood an empty side table.

Both being the seat of honor, someone wondered who this seat was intended for.

At that moment, He Jinglan's eyes brightened as she looked toward the door.

Xixi, come sit!

The ladies followed her gaze and saw He Jinglan's senior maid Ziyan escorting a woman inside.

The woman was lovely, her gaze still holding a hint of a smile.

Though she seemed approachable at first glance, she bore an aura that demanded respect.

An Qinghe stretched his neck to look, but the screen blurred his view to just a silhouette.

He jabbed Jiang Mingyuan from under the table, "Hey, Xixi's here—quick, look!"

Jiang Mingyuan turned his head to look.

They hadn't seen each other in ages; that day, when they briefly crossed paths on the street, they hadn't even had time to exchange a few words.

Seeing that familiar figure again, Jiang Mingyuan couldn't help but curl his lips slightly, warmth rising in his eyes.

Mu Nan Zhao, seated in the high place, watched their little gestures.

He Jinghui suddenly felt a chill in the air and glanced sideways.

He thought, with these three together, let's hope they don't end up destroying his manor.

He Jinglan went down especially to take Gu Xixi's hand.

They exchanged a smile and took the seats of honor together.

Someone noticed Gu Xixi's hairpin and gasped, eyes widening.

"I've seen this hairpin before; it's a Western Regions piece, the only one in existence—how did it end up on her head?"

Someone pouted, "I've seen it too, but my mother won't buy it for me!"

Quiet murmurs began to spread among the guests.

The women exchanged questions.

"What background could this woman have to earn such familiarity from Miss He?"

Someone clever quietly remarked, "A stranger of unknown origin has suddenly appeared, and yet the Regent Prince unusually came to attend the banquet."

"Could the two be related?"