The Dramatic Crown Princess Wants to Poison Me!

Chapter 678: Chapter 677: Lemons

Thinking that in a few months, this princess would leave Nanxia and meet a tragic death in a foreign land, Xia Wenjin couldn’t help but sigh in her heart.

Yet, it was something that had not yet happened. She could not warn about it, nor could she say much. Besides, while a royal princess might seem extraordinarily honorable, once the Emperor decrees a marriage alliance, no one could possibly reverse it!

In her previous life, she had not yet started to care about court affairs at this time and had no idea what the situation was like. Perhaps it would be better to wait and see.

On the other side, the Seventeenth Princess, unaware of her thoughts, quietly added, ”If you wish to marry my nephew, you can choose that one!” Saying this, she pointed with her mouth in a certain direction.

Xia Wenjin followed her gaze and looking over, she met a pair of warm eyes. The two locked eyes briefly before quickly looking away, yet they understood each other without words.

Xia Wenjin couldn’t help but laugh, never expecting that the Seventeenth Princess was referring to Huangfu Jingchen.

Her eyes shifted slightly as she deliberately asked, ”Why?”

The Seventeenth Princess replied, ”No particular reason! He just looks pleasing to the eye!”

Xia Wenjin laughed and said, ”The Princess’s sense indeed is unique!” Simply categorized as pleasing or displeasing to the eye!

Because the Seventeenth Princess had been holding Xia Wenjin’s hand, people noticed how the princess favored her; some were envious, while others turned as sour as lemons. As for the noble young men present, seeing Xia Wenjin from afar, their gaze carried more scrutiny.

However, since Huangfu Yuxuan had already publicly spoken in such a manner, they dared not compete with the Imperial Grandson for a woman. Looking from the perspective of admiration, they indeed felt this woman was somewhat special.

Even though she was treated with great favor by the princess, she remained poised and collected, her demeanor open and generous. This conduct, although considered of the Jianghu, was indeed not inferior to the grand ladies.

Probably the one with the most complex emotions was Nanny Zhou.

She felt her heart had been repeatedly shaken today. Was this niece truly attending such a grand event for the first time?

Yet, when faced with difficulties, she handled them calmly, without a trace of panic, and was not even surprised, as if she was accustomed to such scenes.

Faced with numerous exceptional young ladies, she navigated among them effortlessly, neither servile nor overbearing. Even the favor of the princess didn’t perturb her, as if what stood before her was not a lofty princess.

Toward everyone, she neither looked up nor looked down — treating all equally.

When she returned, she would certainly report to the Madam, that this niece carried an extraordinary demeanor, remaining calm under pressure, and that the Madam needn’t worry about her at all!

Upon entering the banquet hall, the crowd took their respective seats.

The hall was extremely large, with separate seats for men and women, men to the left of the hall, women to the right, and despite many people seated together, it did not feel crowded at all.

There were potted plants, flowering trees, and greenery obscuring corners, with a layout that was elegant and quite refreshing.

The most conspicuous table in the center of the right side belonged to the Seventeenth Princess, where Yi Zixuan, the talented Shuang Yan, and two other noble ladies were seated as well.

Wei Shanshan and Luo Fu sat at a nearby table, not too far away.

As for Xu Man, Kang Xiaomin, and others, they were seated nearly at the corners of the hall, able only to look at the middle from afar.

Kang Xiaomin and Liu Xiuyin had previously had a bit of an unpleasantness with Xia Wenjin on Shuowang Mountain, and now they encountered Xia Wenjin here again. Originally thinking of finding an opportunity to vent the indignation from back then, but unable to find the right moment, instead, they had to watch as Xia Wenjin captured the Seventeenth Princess’s attention through a sword dance.

The two of them were indignant; although she was of a lowly origin, her carriage so plain and worn, a status far inferior to theirs, she unexpectedly could sit beside the Seventeenth Princess.

Unexpectedly, someone so crude could have such insane luck! The Princess, even with so many graceful dances, preferred watching the sword dance.

And Young Master Yuxuan, one of the three young masters, surely also said ”I admire you” publicly because of that sword dance.

Such a blatant display for attention!

And they weren’t the only ones feeling bitter; the banquet hall superficially remained harmonious.

By this time, Zhao Keyan returned from a brief absence for wardrobe adjustments, and in that short moment, her maid had gathered quite a bit of information.

Learning that this so-called Miss Xia only got the invitation because of the Right Minister’s Wife, and that she herself had a lowly birth, sparking a conflict due to the shabby and plain carriage at the parking area, as well as having offended someone on a day at Shuowang Mountain during a previous forum, Zhao Keyan almost thought she had heard wrong.

Nevertheless, being able to connect with the Right Minister’s circle, with even the Right Minister’s Wife assigning a nanny to escort her, it earned Xia Wenjin some credit.

But so what?

Even with the Right Minister’s Wife’s nanny’s guidance and instruction, Xia Wenjin hadn’t made errors, but the conduct and manners of a grand lady are embedded in one’s bones, as even slight missteps would lead to ridicule.

At the earlier flower viewing event, people weren’t together, and some errors might not have been noticed.

Now everyone was together, especially at the same table, with so many eyes watching. A rustic woman would surely reveal a shallow and crude side.

If she made a fool of herself at such a banquet, would Young Master Yuxuan still find her to be a charming lady, the kind a gentleman yearns for?

Of course, Zhao Keyan had her pride, and after hearing these things from her maid, she merely graced a faint cold smile. She wouldn’t meddle, but she would watch the show!

Yi Zixuan, observing the lively conversation between the Seventeenth Princess and Xia Wenjin, looked at Xia Wenjin with an evaluating gaze, feeling somewhat sympathetic towards her.

The Seventeenth Princess’s temper was such that she was aloof towards those she didn’t favor, but once she took a liking, she could be overwhelmingly clingy.

Seeing Xia Wenjin occasionally rub her forehead, Yi Zixuan couldn’t help but smile.

Xia Wenjin likely found the princess’s enthusiasm a bit overwhelming, and Yi Zixuan even felt a bit of sympathy. However, many in the hall surely envied Xia Wenjin for receiving the Seventeenth Princess’s fervent attention.

Among these young ladies, the favorite pastime was always comparison.

Xia Wenjin’s sword dance had outshone them all. But that was not the end; it was merely the beginning.

This Miss Xia claimed she was of the Jianghu; if she made a mistake later, once she left the hall, it would be magnified and spread throughout the Capital City. Shouldn’t she discreetly give a hint?

After all, someone favored by Huangfu Yuxuan, in case it actually led to something, it was necessary to cultivate goodwill ahead of time!

While pondering, the banquet began.

After the banquet commenced, the Seventeenth Princess stopped her previous chatter, sat upright, and showcased the Imperial Family’s most perfect etiquette!

Yi Zixuan swept her gaze across and indeed saw many eyes on their table, specifically, using their peripheral vision to peek at Xia Wenjin, waiting for her to make a fool of herself.

Xia Wenjin acted as if she was unaware, sitting there serenely, with a relaxed posture.