Chapter 167 Visitng The Eldest Princess's Mansion
167 Visitng The Eldest Princess's Mansion
Upon seeing this, Jiang Ruyun reached out and tugged at Jiang Peihuan's sleeve, whispering, "Elder sister, you should go."
Jiang Peihuan had no choice but to slowly walk towards Xiao Nanye.
As she approached, the man quickly stood up, took her hand, and carefully pulled out a chair for her. Once Jiang Peihuan sat down, Xiao Nanye then sat in the chair beside her.
Although it was a single table, it was quite large, so both Jiang Peihuan and Xiao Nanye could sit together without feeling crowded.
"Your Highness, if we admire the flowers alone, it may be somewhat boring. Since all the young ladies here are talented, why not have them perform their skills one by one at their leisure?"
Lin Mengyao suggested to the Eldest Princess, and the young ladies from various families showed excited expressions.
Facing the princes, they were very eager to show off their skills.
The Eldest Princess saw the eagerness of the young ladies and nodded with a smile. "This is a good idea. Let's get someone to arrange it."
The people invited in the Eldest Princess's Mansion were all well-trained. Soon, the young ladies of each family drew their own numbers.
"There are four talents inside this brocade box, playing the zither, dancing, painting, and composing poetry."
"I'll draw a talent, then randomly draw a number, and the young lady who is chosen will have to perform that talent," explained Lin Mengyao, as everyone agreed.
At this moment, the Eldest Princess took off a jade pendant and placed it on the table, "Since it's a talent show, I will provide a prize. The best performer today will receive this jade pendant from me.
Hearing the Eldest Princess's words, all the young ladies showed excited smiles. Even Jiang Ruyun's eyes sparkled with surprise.
Among everyone, only Jiang Peihuan remained expressionless.
Jiang Peihuan had seen such things countless times in her past life, so she had no interest in them now.
However, the desserts in the Eldest Princess Mansion were quite good.
Jiang Peihuan quietly kept putting the deserts from the table into her mouth. Coming from a military family, she didn't care much about fine dining.
As she ate the desserts on the table, Jiang Peihuan thought they were much tastier than those at the Jiang residence.
Although her movements were quick and subtle, several people saw her.
One of them was Xiao Nanye, who was sitting beside her, and the others were Xiao Junhao and Lin Mengyao.
"Do you like these desserts?"
Xiao Nanye whispered in her ear.
Jiang Peihuan, realizing that she had already finished a plate of desserts, and hearing the man's words, nodded, "These desserts taste good."
As she spoke, she put the last piece of dessert into her mouth.
"Who has number seventeen?"
Lin Mengyao's voice called out, but no one answered.
When Jiang Peihuan looked up, she suddenly saw Lin Mengyao looking at her.
Her eyes twinkled, and Jiang Peihuan picked up the paper she had casually put on the table. It was indeed number seventeen.
Standing up, Jiang Peihuan said calmly, "Number seventeen is me."
Upon hearing Jiang Peihuan's words, everyone turned to look at her, and a smile appeared in Lin Mengyao's eyes. "Miss Jiang, this round is a dance talent show. Do you know how to dance?"
Although Lin Mengyao's smile was very gentle, Jiang Peihuan still caught a glimpse of mockery in her eyes.
"Miss Lin, everyone is aware that Miss Jiang excels in martial arts, but her talents don't extend to music, chess, calligraphy, or painting. To ask her to dance would be like setting an unreasonable challenge for her," someone in the crowd pointed out.
"That's what was drawn, so if it's something she can't do, she'll have to drink three cups as a penalty," Miss Lin responded firmly.
A murmur of discussion spread among the crowd.
Seeing the situation unfold, Jiang Ruyun promptly spoke up, "My elder sister hasn't been feeling well lately. I will dance in her place."
With those words, Jiang Ruyun stood up, a determined look in her eyes.
A smile flickered in Jiang Peihuan's eyes as she watched her sister stand.
But just after Jiang Ruyun stood up, a harsh voice rang out, objecting, "Jiang Ruyun, this is merely a talent show. If Miss Jiang can't dance, she should simply take the penalty drink. You cannot substitute for her."
"Are you people from the Jiang family so scared of losing?"
The person who spoke was none other than Yan Xin.
Hearing her words, anger flashed in Jiang Ruyun's eyes.
Just as she was about to speak, Jiang Peihuan's voice was heard, "When did I say I won't perform?"
"Elder sister?"
Hearing Jiang Peihuan's words, surprise appeared in Jiang Ruyun's eyes.
Seeing her expression, Jiang Peihuan smiled lightly, "The desserts are good, you can try them."
"Really?"
Jiang Ruyun unconsciously picked up a desserts from the table. After taking a bite, she realized that Jiang Peihuan had already stood up and walked to the center.
Watching Jiang Peihuan approach, Lin Mengyao asked softly, "Miss Jiang, are you preparing to perform a dance?"
"Didn't Miss Lin draw a dance talent?"
As Lin Mengyao's words fell, Jiang Peihuan responded calmly.
Lin Mengyao quickly nodded, "Yes."
Jiang Peihuan looked away from Lin Mengyao and turned to the Eldest Princess, "Your Highness, I will perform the water sleeve dance, and I need to change my clothes and prepare some things."
"Yi Yun, take Miss Jiang to prepare."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Miss Jiang, please come with me."
The woman standing next to the Eldest Princess smiled at Jiang Peihuan.
Jiang Peihuan left with Yi Yun, and everyone waited quietly.
Half a cup of tea later, footsteps were heard.
But the first to appear were not Jiang Peihuan, but a group of soldiers in armor, each holding a small hand drum.
The soldiers walked to the center, forming a circle.
At that moment, a cry of surprise was heard from the crowd.
Following the sound, Jiang Peihuan's figure appeared before everyone.
She was dressed in red and had no accessories on her. She only had long hair that was tied up casually with a red ribbon.
But this appearance of Jiang Peihuan carried an inexplicable charm.
Xiao Nanye sat up straight, noticing that several princes were staring at Jiang Peihuan, a chill appeared in his eyes.
"Eldest Princess, I am ready."
Jiang Peihuan slowly walked into the circle of soldiers, and after bowing to the Eldest Princess, she spoke softly.
Surprise also flashed in the Eldest Princess's eyes. Having watched emperors rise to power over many years and seen countless beauties, she had never seen a woman like Jiang Peihuan, beautiful without being aggressive, yet inherently captivating.
At that moment, the Eldest Princess suddenly understood why Xiao Nanye had fallen for Jiang Peihuan.
"Since you are ready, let's begin."