Chapter 412

Jiang Chengyu naturally wanted to follow his sisters, but what Jiang Sheng said was right. The Second Madam might come out in a hurry, so he had to reluctantly agree, "Then hurry back, the banquet is about to start."

In fact, it wasn't so fast. The bell was just a signal for aristocratic ladies to return to their seats and meet with the men who had finished court sessions in the Golden Sacred Hall. They still had to wait for the princes and princesses to be seated before the members of the Imperial Court arrived.

The more people there were, the more chaotic it would be, and the slower it would go.

Jiang Sheng took this opportunity to linger on the predicted path to intercept the Fifth Prince.

The conversation between the new top scholar and the prince attracted attention, while the two daughters of aristocratic families greeting the prince did not provoke criticism. Even if someone wanted to spread rumors, there was no opportunity.

Just in case, Jiang Sheng also prepared a small jade pendant and threw it into the lush bushes before bending down to look for it.

Soon, Yao Siqing reminded next to him, "The Third Princess is coming. I've met her a few times before, so I'll pay my respects and exchange a few pleasantries. That will not raise any suspicions."

If she could pay respects to the princess, she could certainly also pay respects to the prince.

Jiang Sheng calmed her mind. From the corner of her eye, she saw a graceful and charming young girl approaching, with a palace maid behind her, and a pride unique to those of high status in her eyes.

"Greetings to you, Princess," Yao Siqing bent down and bowed. "I wish you good health, Princess."

"Ah, it's Miss Yao," the Third Princess looked at the Yao family girl, and the arrogance in her eyes faded a little. "The banquet is about to start, why haven't you gone in yet?"

Yao Siqing smiled lightly with her eyes and mouth, "My younger sister lost her beloved jade pendant, so I'm here with her to find it."

"Shall I help look?" the Third Princess offered verbally, but did not actually make a move to do so.

Yao Siqing knew this well, and said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Princess has to help host the occasion for the Imperial Court. How could you be delayed here with us?"

The two exchanged a few pleasantries, carrying out the courtesy to the extreme, and then parted gracefully.

In theory, the Third Princess represented the host, so she should have helped the guests find their lost belongings.

But at sixteen years old, she was at the age to be seeking a marital family. Having encountered such a grand banquet, it was natural that she had no interest in dealing with such trivial matters. Jiang Sheng breathed a sigh of relief. Just as she raised her head, she caught sight of two figures striding over.

One looked slightly older, about fourteen or fifteen. The other was slender and delicate, thirteen or fourteen years old. Behind each was an attendant dressed in brocade, a treatment reserved for princes.

They seemed quite close, and were talking animatedly.

"Fifth younger brother, how much silver have you prepared to donate this time?" asked the slightly older one. "If money is tight, Fourth Elder Brother can chip in for you too."

"Thank you for thinking of me, Fourth Elder Brother," the Fifth Prince said with a wry smile. "Even if you lend me money, how would I pay you back without income? I can't use Fourth Elder Brother's money to make donations."

One referred to himself as "Fourth Brother".

The other only called him "Fourth Elder Brother".

The form of address seemed a bit distant, because he already had his own Fourth Elder Brother.

Hearing the familiar voice, Jiang Sheng forced down the sour feeling in her throat, and stood up straight with her head full of pearls and jade hair ornaments.

She wanted to see if her usually cunning and crafty Fifth Brother could be scared sh*tless.

Yao Siqing laughed behind her hand, taking on the stance of a spectator watching a show.

"...That's true too," the Fourth Prince had not expected such a blunt response from his younger brother. Worried that the twenty thousand silver pieces would go to waste, he quickly changed the subject. "Who are those two young ladies ahead? Why are they still lingering around here?"

The Fifth Prince chuckled knowingly, "I guess news that Father plans to select principal consorts for Eldest and Second Brother has been leaked, so some aristocratic families have thoughts about it."

The Emperor had many sons.

The Eldest Prince was seventeen, the Second Prince only half a month younger, the Third Princess was sixteen, the Fourth Prince would turn fifteen next month - all ages when they should be married.

Only he at a little over thirteen had nothing to do with betrothals, so he could talk about it with a smile.

"This..." Disdain rose in the Fourth Prince's eyes. "Marriage matters should be decided by the parents. What girls would promote themselves like this? How inappropriate!" He added, "I must find out which two households these girls are from later. They are definitely unsuitable."

The Fifth Prince nodded in agreement, glancing over casually and sweeping his eyes indifferently.

Due to the height difference, the first person he noticed was the graceful and composed Yao Siqing. Her slender figure and pretty features made his heart skip a beat, and a bad premonition rose.

His gaze dropped down further. The lavish attire was a given, but the smooth and lustrous sheen was eye-catching.

Looking closely, the round little face held a pair of round eyes. Her rosy lips and fair skin complemented each other beautifully, with a faint scar near her eye where she had been bitten by a dog while fighting over food.

No...right?

The usually calm and composed Fifth Prince turned pale. His hands shook like sieves beneath his brocade robe as he looked back and forth repeatedly before finally confirming that the girl of an aristocratic family, dolled up with cosmetics, was none other than his chubby little sister who should have been sitting in her courtyard eating pork elbows. When he met her angry gaze, the shock at the grand banquet was like seeing a ghost. He directly retreated two steps, stepping on his attendant's foot.

"Ow ow ow, Your Highness," the attendant winced in pain.

Only then did he regain his composure, and returned to his original position as quickly as possible.

Fortunately the Fourth Prince did not notice anything amiss. His eyes landed on Yao Siqing, looking her up and down, seemingly regretting his previous tactless words.

"Greetings to you, Your Highnesses," Yao Siqing was dignified and graceful, executing the bow smoothly and pleasingly.

Jiang Sheng also bent down, but did not speak.

She was afraid Fifth Brother would start sneezing uncontrollably.

"There's no need for such courtesy, young lady," said the Fourth Prince, his eyes blazing. "The banquet is about to start. Are you lingering here because you have some matter to resolve? If you can't resolve it, just tell Us."

His attitude was completely different from earlier.

Yao Siqing laughed behind her hand. "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. It's not a big deal, just that my younger sister lost her beloved jade pendant and wanted to look for it around here."

"A trivial matter, a trivial matter," the Fourth Prince waved his hand and commanded the two attendants. "All of you help look, keep your eyes sharp and don't delay the banquet."

He spoke grandly and passionately, not noticing the Fifth Prince's expression changing yet again beside him, from shock to helplessness.

That omnipotent jade pendant, always getting lost.

It was difficult for the siblings, thinking of ways to approach him, over and over again.

Especially the unrestrained Jiang Sheng, who actually appeared in the solemn and dignified imperial palace. Who knew how much determination and courage that took.

They must all be very worried.

When he had left without a word back then, it was because he was afraid his siblings would stop him, afraid his elder brother would ruthlessly give up on the civil service examinations.

Choosing his aunt's wedding night was also hoping it could dissipate everyone's sorrow.

But looking at his sister's eyes, it seemed to have had the opposite effect.

Chang Yan lowered his head with a wry smile, then raised it with determination. He glanced at the interior of Baohe Hall, and deliberately said, "Fourth Elder Brother, my stomach feels a little unwell. Would you accompany me to the lavatory for a bit?"

Not only did aristocratic young ladies go to the lavatory hand in hand, these young boys loved to go in groups too.

Usually accompanying was just accompanying, but today the Fourth Prince clearly did not want to.