Tang Wei didn’t imdiately respond to Weng Ling’s words. Although the Northern Border was currently the fiefdom of the Wuxing Aristocratic Family, there was soone else present who was even more familiar with its affairs. Thus, the gaze of Miss Tang from the Tang Family shifted slightly and settled on soone else.
"These matters scare just to hear them. Miss Zhang from the Zhang Family of Hejian knows more about the Savages of Northern ng than I do. Perhaps you should ask her, for her father is a great hero who pacified the Northern Border."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone’s attention turned to Miss Zhang of the Zhang Family of Hejian. Zhang Linghui was startled; she had been focused on eating and had only vaguely heard the words "Northern ng," but the head of Miss Zhang was a simple one.
"Northern ng, eh? The Savages there can actually eat people." Zhang Linghui was very pleased to be the center of attention; normally, when these ladies from prominent families spoke, she couldn’t get a word in edgewise—not because she couldn’t, but because she couldn’t understand five out of ten sentences they said. Whenever she joined the conversation, the atmosphere would change.
"How dreadful. Have you ever seen them?"
Zhang Linghui shook her head.
"Those Savages were driven back into the deep mountains by my father years ago, never to set foot on the soil of Nanzheng again. I’m afraid those from the Jiumu Aristocratic Clan who are guarding it now probably have never seen them."
Miss Xia from the Jiumu Aristocratic Clan didn’t speak up upon hearing this. With her status, it was already face-giving enough for her to attend such a gathering; she certainly didn’t have the opportunity to refute.
In fact, Xia Zhiqian had heard of the Savages of Northern ng. Not only had she heard of these Savages, but her brother had also told her that apart from the Savages of Northern ng in the Northern Border, there was sothing else far more terrifying. Those monstrosities, neither human nor non-human, that could suck the lifeblood out of people, turning them into skeletons. Many soldiers had died because of this, and the people of the Northern Border were extrely fearful. Many had secretly joined the Evil Cult ntioned by Miss Weng.
But these were secrets, and the vast majority of the news that made it back to Zheng Capital was good news.
Seeing that Miss Xia didn’t speak, everyone thought that what Zhang Linghui said was true, and Miss Zhang from Zhang Family beca even more elated, continuing to tell a few more stories about the Savages of Northern ng and the Evil Cult.
"It is said that the Evil Cult originated from Northern ng, and I’ve also heard that three great disciples of Master Huo Yi are now stationed in Northern ng, trying to catch all the people of the Evil Cult in one fell swoop, to prevent them from causing harm."
"With the Direct Disciples of Master Huo Yi present, not a single mber of the Evil Cult will escape." Upon hearing this, everyone imdiately breathed a sigh of relief.
Xia Zhiqian still kept her silence, instead lowering her head slightly. So things were not as optimistic as others thought due to the situation at the Northern Border, as recounted by the servant who ca back with news from her brother at the front line. She wasn’t clear on the specifics.
Nann Yuyan personally took care of the young ladies from prominent families. Spotting Miss Xia’s gesture of bowing her head, she noticed it with a careful eye, naturally aware that the person who understood the situation of the Northern Border the best was Miss Xia.
Miss Tang from the Tang Family cleverly distanced herself, naturally knowing that so things could be said, while others could not. Moreover, Miss Xia’s silence further confird her suspicions.
Could it be that the situation at the Northern Border wasn’t as optimistic?
Nann Yuyan imdiately thought of sothing. During her stay in Zheng Capital, what she had heard the most was her father saying how the Crown Prince, busy with state affairs, would read morials until midnight.
While everyone’s attention was on Zhang Linghui, Nann Yuyan quietly approached Xia Zhiqian.
"Do the pastries suit your taste?" Xia Zhiqian was slightly startled by the question and seed pleasantly surprised, then nodded her head.
"Thank you for the invitation, Miss Nann. These pastries are very refined and delicious," Xia Zhiqian replied with ease and grace, which earned her even more praise in Nann Yuyan’s eyes. The other party didn’t attempt to ingratiatingly close the distance but kept a polite reserve, which was appropriate in deanor.
However, her brother was currently a main force in the Northern Border, and as the future Crown Princess Consort, she ought to lay the groundwork in advance step by step, appearing not to pursue interests selfishly.
There were also those present with their own scheming thoughts. At the mont, Heir Zong, Heir Chen, and Second Young Master Weng from the Liugui Aristocratic Clan were all unmarried, and this was indeed an excellent opportunity to ingratiate oneself.
Nann Yuyan naturally also mastered the art, and the small circles at the scene gradually beca clearer without anyone realizing it. Nann Yuyan did her best as a hostess, thinking about the future where the Crown Prince would ascend the throne, he naturally could not do so without the support of these tis, and making good relations now was what she most needed to do.
"Miss Nann—" Suddenly, a clamor ca from outside, and Nann Yuyan’s maid Xin Lian walked in respectfully with soone.
The ladies from prominent families were taken aback for a mont, then saw the palace eunuch enter, all standing up anxiously, ready to bow down.
"Oh my, ladies from prominent families, this old servant cannot bear your respects, please don’t trouble yourselves for . I am here by the orders of Her Majesty the Empress Dowager. Her Majesty the Empress Dowager heard that Miss Nann is hosting today, inviting a few young ladies to gather, and on a whim, she sent this old servant to bring so pastries and trinkets to lift the spirits of the young ladies."
"Thank you, Eunuch—"
"Eunuch Qing, you even made a trip yourself." Nann Yuyan personally knelt down to express her thanks, and naturally, everyone understood that this was not about seeing their faces; it was clearly to honor Nann Yuyan.
Nann Yuyan personally escorted Eunuch Qing out and let Xin Lian give him a token of gratitude. Eunuch Qing walked away, smiling contentedly.
Nann Yuyan suddenly felt that all the grievances she had endured these past days had disappeared. Her intended was the Crown Prince of Nanzheng State, naturally different from other n, who ought to be concerned about the world. Even if he had shown no signs of favor for many days, she knew well that the Crown Prince was devoted to state affairs, and these romantic entanglents...
Nann Yuyan bowed her head; she too must be different from other won, naturally she must also be concerned about the world and should not be hesitant in these romantic entanglents, just as her father said.
...
Mu Qingfeng was disheartened, his mind filled with the news he had heard; he naturally knew who Heir Zong was.
Yet, surely Heir Zong had better options, why push Princess Chao Ren to the forefront of the storm? Holding a low position, he naturally heard rumors that were even more unsavory. It was clearly Heir Zong who acted recklessly, without regard for the consequences.
Mu Qingfeng had been drinking in the tavern on Yiren Street until midnight, staggering along, shivering all over when the cold wind hit him, as wretched as his current situation.
Without hope, without any chance of winning, compared to Heir Zong, he didn’t even have the courage to stand in front of Prince Duan.
Mu Qingfeng let out a desolate smile, his drunkenness painting his despair and failure; Heir Zong was one in all of Nanzheng State who could be counted on one hand as a peer.
If he were Prince Duan, there would be no need to choose.
Yet, why did Heir Zong...
Mu Qingfeng let out another desolate laugh; he was a man and naturally understood a man’s feelings. Just like him, n who were more disciplined, more stable, and more ambitious, the more likely they were to fall in a mont - all rationality could be wiped clean in an instant, replaced by that heart-fluttering mont of turning back and being struck by beauty.
Mu Qingfeng staggered in the empty streets in the after-midnight, accompanied by the cold wind, with the patter of light rain, a prelude to a heavy downpour.
At that mont, a shadow suddenly burst in, crashing into Mu Qingfeng. He was caught off guard and tumbled with the newcor, becoming a tangled ss.
"Quick, take to the Jiumu Aristocratic Clan’s..."
Mu Qingfeng sobered up a bit, slowly lifting his hand; in the dimness, Mu Qingfeng still felt the sticky blood on his palm and the sll of blood in his nostrils.
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