The Obsessive Crown Prince Can't Let Me Go Chapter 467 - 465: In the end, I cannot compare to the one h

The celebration banquet was held in Chengxi Palace.

Shen Yinning accompanied Xue Mianmian, seated in a corner, as they noticed Xue Ling and Pei Qing being ushered in from outside the hall.

Both were young generals who had risen to fa. Pei Qing carried the air of a refined scholar-general, while Xue Ling’s handsoness and rebellious deanor made him stand out even more.

At twenty years old, he wore a bright red narrow-sleeved, waist-tightening embroidered robe that accentuated his tall and elegant figure, exuding a striking charm. His captivating appearance, enhanced by a pair of peach blossom eyes that seed to hold unspoken emotion even in his silence, drew covert glances from many unmarried maidens in the hall, arousing secret admiration in their hearts.

Xue Ling’s gaze subtly drifted towards Xue Mianmian’s direction.

Shen Yinning also glanced at Xue Mianmian, only to find the young girl nervously fiddling with the fruit platter in front of her, oblivious to his attention.

As the guests settled in, Lu Ying murmured to Huo Mingyan, "Before the banquet, Chief of Staff Pei approached , requesting that I arrange a marriage for his son, Pei Qing. Yet, the Pei Family has only been in the capital for two years and isn’t familiar with the local noblewon. Perhaps you could use the pretext of appreciating artistry to invite the ladies to display their talents?"

In Great Zhou, it wasn’t unusual for noblewon to showcase their talents at palace banquets.

For instance, while the n contended fiercely in the imperial court, the won likewise competed passionately for recognition in calligraphy, music, painting, and dance.

Having the Empress extend the invitation was all the more fitting.

Huo Mingyan hesitated, saying, "Isn’t this inappropriate? During my ti outside the border, I often heard that the noblewon in the capital rarely stepped outside their households. To perform so publicly is no different from entertainers. Marriage is supposed to emphasize harmony between families of equal standing. If Chief of Staff Pei finds soone suitable, wouldn’t an imperial decree of marriage suffice? As the Emperor, your decision would be a great favor to them."

Lu Ying fell silent for a mont.

Of course, he could rely on his status and directly decree the marriage.

However, wouldn’t granting Pei Qing and the chosen woman an opportunity to choose for themselves be even better?

In a calm tone, he replied, "After all, it’s one’s own future wife; one should personally et and consider her first."

Huo Mingyan pressed her lips tightly together, her thoughts drifting to the eventful night at the Stone Palace during the spring banquet. A faint trace of resentnt surfaced in her heart: "You and I married through arrangents made by our parents and the matchmaker. I suspect that in your heart, I’ll always pale in comparison to the one you secretly hold dear. Had it not been for Father and Grandmother—"

"Had it not been for maternal uncle’s coercion in return for his favor, I indeed wouldn’t have married you," Lu Ying interjected coldly, his patience with her wearing thin. His bluntness cut straight to the heart. "Now that you’ve beco the Empress, you ought to treasure this position for the Huo Family."

Huo Mingyan stiffened completely, her nails nearly digging into her palms.

An overwhelming mix of humiliation and fear surged through her. She lowered her lashes, not daring to retort, her cheeks burning fiercely.

While they conversed, Consort Liu and Lu Qianqian were seated on one side of the hall, observing Xue Ling and Pei Qing.

Since returning from Jiangnan, Lu Qianqian had refrained from causing any trouble, staying well-behaved for an entire year.

Though she was of age, the Emperor had yet to decree her marriage, leaving Consort Liu restless with worry. Upon hearing that today’s celebration banquet hosted many triumphant young generals, she couldn’t resist bringing Lu Qianqian along to scout for a suitable suitor.

Consort Liu remarked, "I think Pei Qing is an excellent choice—cultured and handso, from a prestigious family. His future is bound to be promising! Qianqian, shall we petition His Majesty to arrange a marriage between you and Pei Qing?"

Lu Qianqian seed distracted.

Her interest lay not with Pei Qing, but rather with Xue Ling.

She muttered, "In terms of looks, Xue Ling is still more exceptional. Plus, he grew up alongside my elder brother and is his closest confidant. His future prospects will undoubtedly surpass Pei Qing’s..."

"You foolish child!" Consort Liu scolded in dissatisfaction. "Xue Ling’s father retired to his hotown long ago, which can hardly compare to Pei Qing’s father, who is highly ranked and influential! Not to ntion, Xue Ling has a reckless streak—he once harbored improper thoughts toward his adoptive sister and even caused a scandal by intercepting her wedding procession. If you marry him, you’ll only suffer endlessly in the future!"

Lu Qianqian protested, "But he’s undeniably better looking than Pei Qing!"

Xue Ling’s appearance was indeed remarkable.

After months of battle on the frontier, his aura had sharpened to an unparalleled intensity, like a freshly polished Red Tassel Spear. His vibrant, striking features radiated charm, with a mischievous smile that paired vividly with his untad deanor. Just sitting there was enough to ignite romantic fascinations in many young maidens and stir deep feelings of admiration.

Yet, in the eyes of elders like Consort Liu, his allure carried an inexplicable elent of unruliness.

Seniors often disfavored this kind of untad charisma, preferring the steady and gracious Pei Qing archetype instead.

Consort Liu advised, "Don’t trust outsiders, but surely you trust your mother?"

"You may be competent, Mother, but haven’t managed to bear a Prince!" Lu Qianqian rolled her eyes. "Thanks to Shen Yinning, that wretched woman, I’ve already been married twice. Now I’ve co to terms with it: either I remain unmarried forever, or I’ll marry the very best and make sure to outshine Shen Yinning, that widow!"

Consort Liu found herself at an impasse.

As so young ladies began to take turns performing their talents, Consort Liu asked, "Would you like to showcase sothing on the stage?"

"Mother, are you kidding? I am now the esteed Princess. I’m no street perforr!" Lu Qianqian scoffed. "Can’t you just directly ask my elder brother and sister-in-law for an imperial marriage decree? Though my brother doesn’t favor us, behind closed doors, we are family, and surely closer than outsiders?"

Consort Liu glanced cautiously at Lu Ying.

Despite her heart’s worry for her daughter, faced with the aloof and imposing young Emperor, she hesitated repeatedly and ultimately didn’t dare to speak up.

The hall buzzed with laughter and wine-drinking.

Shen Yinning, having tasted so red bean and lotus seed dessert, lifted her gaze toward Xue Ling and couldn’t help but tease, "Xue Ling has truly co into his own now. Just look—even young won are approaching him to make conversation and drink together!"

Xue Mianmian, curious, boldly looked over. Sure enough, three to five strikingly beautiful maidens surrounded Xue Ling.

Whether their interest lay in the stories from the Bei Yan battlefield or in Xue Ling himself, they appeared sincerely enamored, their faces glowing with admiration, their affection practically spilling over.

She pinched her chopsticks lightly and whispered, "It’d be good for him to marry quickly..."

Shen Yinning thought to herself that such a wish was far easier said than done.

She smiled faintly and helped herself to another two spoonfuls of lotus seed dessert.

Lu Ying, drinking with the ministers, stealthily let his eyes wander toward Shen Yinning.

She was chatting with Xue Mianmian about sothing, her lips curved with relaxed delight as she indulged in yet another serving of lotus seed dessert.

Lu Ying lowered his gaze and followed suit, bringing a spoonful of lotus seed dessert to his lips.

Softly sweet and fragrant.

Though he’d never been fond of such sugary dishes, for so inexplicable reason tied to Shen Zhaozhao, today it tasted unexpectedly pleasant.

Huo Mingyan keenly observed his subtle actions and then saw Shen Yinning consuming the dessert as well. Her already gloomy complexion grew darker and more unpleasant.

Her cousin and Shen Yinning...

One was the young Emperor, the other the widow of his brother and subordinate...

Across a hall full of courtiers, they had the audacity to exchange flirtatious glances so blatantly! Such indecency!

Was Shen Yinning truly so desperate for male attention?!

Huo Mingyan bit her lips in frustration, eventually unable to endure any longer. She quickly found an excuse to leave Chengxi Palace under the guise of needing to freshen up.

"Your Majesty the Empress..."

From his seat below, Guan Songyuan noticed Huo Mingyan’s departure and imdiately set down his chopsticks in concern, hurriedly following after her.