Tearing the Prince's Clothes after Withdrawing Marriage
Chapter 186: From Now On, She Belongs to Prince Xuan

Chapter 186: Chapter 186: From Now On, She Belongs to Prince Xuan

Even the people around them seemed to sense that something was amiss at this table.

One by one, their gazes all drifted over.

On one hand, they could openly admire Prince Yexuan, a paragon of matchless beauty.

On the other, they wanted to see how Chu Qianli, the discarded wife, had the audacity to compete for the esteemed position of Princess Consort right in front of Prince Yexuan!

The usually unflappable expression on Chu Qianli’s face now showed a slight crack of emotion due to the words of the Empress.

Especially since, without even looking, she could clearly feel the chilling aura emanating from the man sitting across from her.

She hadn’t meant to hurt him.

She truly did not know the purpose of tonight’s banquet hosted by the Empress.

The maid from the Duke Residence who had informed her only mentioned that the Empress had requested the attendance of all the ladies of the Duke Residence, without stating the reason.

She had reluctantly attended, believing it was better to avoid trouble.

Yu Linglong arrived shortly after.

Originally wanting to sit with Feng Yexuan, she found that Chu Huaiyu had already secured a spot by his side.

Yu Linglong turned pale and then flushed with anger, but in the end, she had to sit with a few Princesses.

It was her own fault for spending so much effort and time covering up the scratches on her face.

As a result, the best seats had been taken by Chu Huaiyu!

The Empress didn’t have much to say and after sipping some wine, she smiled and said, "I hear that Miss Huaiyu, one of the three greatest talents of Imperial City, is also here. Would Miss Huaiyu be willing to grace us with a demonstration of her talents?"

This was a personal request from the Empress Dowager herself!

Chu Qianli suddenly seemed to understand the Empress’s intentions.

At the moment, Chu Huaiyu’s identity was that of Long Qianyue’s daughter.

It seemed that many people were now aware that Prince Yexuan had a special regard for the daughter of Long Qianyue.

It used to be Chu Qianli, and now it was Chu Huaiyu.

By commanding Chu Huaiyu to perform at Prince He’s consort selection feast, if Prince He didn’t choose Chu Huaiyu, yet Prince Yexuan later took Miss Huaiyu into his Residence,

It would be telling the whole world that what Prince He discarded, Prince Yexuan treasures!

Could Prince Yexuan’s face still be saved?

Recently, rumors had been circulating that the struggle for succession between the Eldest Prince and the Fourth Prince was becoming extremely intense.

The Empress’s move tonight further illustrated all this.

Whether it was Chu Huaiyu or Chu Qianli, both were being used to slap Prince Yexuan in the face!

Feng Yexuan’s expression remained impassive as he quietly drank his wine.

If you wished to discern any emotion from his calm demeanor, it would probably be difficult.

As for Chu Huaiyu, having been called upon, she had no choice but to respond.

She had to leave Yexuan’s side and step into the center of the grand hall, bowing slightly towards the Empress and the Prince sitting beside her.

The hall was quiet as everyone waited to see how Chu Huaiyu, the person most likely to become Prince Yexuan’s consort, would handle the situation.

Chu Huaiyu met the Empress’s gaze and spoke softly, "Greetings to the Empress."

"Tonight, I accompanied Prince Yexuan here only to serve him and was not prepared for anything else."

The Empress’s face darkened, and the smile at the corner of her lips vanished in an instant!

She had never dreamed

that the damned Chu Huaiyu, seemingly so soft and weak, would dare to defy her in front of so many people!

Everyone else was also taken aback.

Chu Huaiyu was openly declaring her position.

She belonged to Prince Yexuan, not vying to be some Prince Consort!

This girl, firm in her stance, dared to offend even the Empress for the sake of Prince Yexuan!

Feng Yexuan’s gaze fell upon Chu Huaiyu for the second time.

Perhaps even he was somewhat surprised.

This fragile-looking girl who seemed as if she could be blown over by the wind at any moment had quite a bit of courage.

Seeing Feng Yexuan look at Chu Huaiyu, Yu Linglong felt a chill in her heart, and her heart raced with panic.

It had not been easy to drive Chu Qianli away; there was no way she could allow Chu Huaiyu to take advantage of the situation and capture Yexuan’s heart!

She suddenly stood up and quickly walked to Chu Huaiyu’s side, flashing a smile at the Empress.

"Linglong and Miss Huaiyu accompanied Prince Yexuan here, and although we are unprepared, if the Empress Dowager likes, Linglong can perform a piece in collaboration with Miss Huaiyu. May I know what the Empress Dowager thinks?"

The face of the Empress could no longer be described as ugly; it was as black as the night sky outside!

These two, with their audacity, dared to openly refuse the concubine selection feast she had prepared for her son!

The Empress had arranged this banquet to spite Feng Yexuan, but who knew that it was her own face that was being slapped resoundingly!

The Empress was so angry that her fingertips were tense, and she almost tore the handkerchief to shreds!

But in front of everyone, she had to maintain her dignified image.

She could only swallow her anger and squeeze out a stiff smile, "Since you’re eager to perform for the prince, then I grant my permission!"

Yu Linglong almost wanted to turn around and leave.

But with the Empress Dowager’s support, what did she have to fear from the mere Empress?

However, for the sake of the drama that was to follow, she had to bear this indignity!

"Bring me the guqin!"

"Yes!" The palace maid immediately turned and left.

Seeing this, Chu Huaiyu slowly walked up to Feng Yexuan’s side and asked softly, "Prince, Huaiyu shall dance for you."

Feng Yexuan did not respond, but his previously unsightly expression had eased considerably by then.

It seemed that Miss Huaiyu from the Duke Residence was indeed favored by Prince Yexuan!

Yu Linglong clenched her palm in secret, seething with anger.

Chu Huaiyu was much smarter than she had imagined!

At this banquet, to take such a decisive stance was to offend both the Empress and the Eldest Prince.

But she had irrevocably branded herself with the label of Prince Residence.

From then on, everyone in the Imperial City would know that Chu Huaiyu belonged to Feng Yexuan!

The guqin was quickly brought over, and Yu Linglong sat beside it, lifting her long fingers and gently plucking the strings.

Only then did Chu Huaiyu return to the center of the grand hall, assuming a graceful dance posture.

Now that she had made it clear this dance was for Prince Yexuan, naturally, she would do her utmost.

Overshadowing everyone else was something she was experienced in; it was as easy as reaching out her hand.

Her dance movements were graceful, like a fairy descended from heaven.

With this dance, she quickly became the focus of the entire hall.

The melody plucked by Yu Linglong’s nimble fingers accelerated, initially thinking she could embarrass frail-looking Chu Huaiyu with her exquisite guqin skills.

As long as Huaiyu couldn’t keep up with her pace, her reputation as a talented lady could also be surrendered!

Unexpectedly, though Chu Huaiyu appeared delicate, her dancing figure was as lithe as a serpent!

No matter how much Linglong quickened the rhythm, Huaiyu could keep up, even dancing out a uniquely mesmerizing style.

Even Chu Qianli, sitting to the side and enjoying the performance, couldn’t help but smile at Feng Mingzhu and say, "One of the three great talents of the Imperial City, truly lives up to her reputation."

Feng Mingzhu nearly rolled her eyes.

Did this person not feel jealous at all?

After all, Chu Huaiyu’s dance clearly stated that it was for Prince Yexuan, who was her former husband!

And yet she could watch with such relish.

Feng Mingzhu was about to remind her, but upon looking up, she saw Feng Yexuan across from her, his gaze cold as a glacier, fixed relentlessly on the position beside her.

Little Lili?