CHAPTER 84: THE SHANSHI FESTIVAL OPENS

The Shanshi Festival arrived quickly.

Early in the morning, Yue Mingxuan dressed with Sui He’s help.

Just as she was about to apply makeup, he gently shook his head and reached under the cabinet to take out a modified mask.

This mask was one commonly used by palace servants, but Yue Mingxuan had added eyelashes and glued a few white feathers to the side, making the mask lively and vivid.

Wearing the mask, Yue Mingxuan led Sui He toward the arena.

The Shanshi Festival was a major celebration across the four kingdoms, so the arena had been set up directly in front of the palace.

When Yue Mingxuan and Sui He arrived, a few small groups of people had already gathered.

Xie Lianhua and Rong Yuelin were seated on opposite sides of the arena.

Both of them looked carefully dressed for their respective dances.

When they saw Yue Mingxuan approaching them while carrying his costume with a white base decorated with feathers, a flicker of jealousy appeared in Xie Lianhua’s eyes, but she quickly hid it.

Compared to Xie Lianhua’s restraint, Rong Yuelin’s displeasure toward Yue Mingxuan was far more obvious.

She grabbed Xie Lianhua’s hand and while pretending to be playful, she said, "Sister, sister, look! Who sent this ugly duckling over here?"

"It’s still better than some certain people," Yue Mingxuan shot back, unwilling to lose.

Today, Rong Yuelin wore a bright red dress for her Beirong Spear Dance.

She had clearly put a lot of effort into her attire. The bright red dress made her look sharper, adding a hint of strength to her expression.

Rong Yuelin had not expected the once clumsy Yue Mingxuan to now become so sharp tongued.

Her face immediately flushed red with anger and she said. "Yue Mingxuan, who are you talking about?"

Yue Mingxuan glanced at her.

At this stage, Rong Yuelin still wanted to argue?

In the past, he had ignored her to be polite but now is different.

"I speak to whoever responds to me," he said with a graceful smile and turned his attention away, no longer caring about Rong Yuelin.

"You!" Rong Yuelin stomped her foot in frustration and about to burst out, when Rong Tieshan walked over. "Yuelin, don’t cause trouble. Everyone is watching today. You should maintain the dignity of the Beirong royal family."

After being reprimanded by Rong Tieshan, Rong Yuelin lowered her head reluctantly, she unwilling to give up entirely but not daring to speak further.

Seeing Rong Tieshan, Xie Lianhua quickly scooted closer to him, her eyes full of hope. "Prince Rong, do you think my outfit today..."

"Your outfit is very suitable today," Rong Tieshan said politely, unable to avoid a compliment.

Xie Lianhua’s face lit up with excitement at his words. Even her eyes sparkled with pride. She tugged at Rong Tieshan’s sleeve and shyly asking, "Prince Rong, do you like how I dressed today?"

Rong Tieshan didn’t answer.

His gaze had already been drawn to Yue Mingxuan.

Today, Yue Mingxuan wore a light white gauze dress embroidered with silver threads in delicate feather patterns that gleamed softly in the sunlight. Though a mask covered the upper half of his face, her small and delicate chin make her look more beautiful and mysterious.

Just looking at the chin, Rong Tieshan felt an impulse to lift the mask and see his face fully.

However, he turned his head and forcing himself to suppress the urge.

Beside him, Xie Lianhua also noticed his expression. Seeing that Yue Mingxuan wasn’t wearing heavy makeup like usual, a sudden panic rose in her chest.

Rong Tieshan took a couple of steps forward and fixed his gaze on Yue Mingxuan. "Fifth Prince, you look very unique today."

After carefully choosing his words, he didn’t want to offend him with careless praise.

Hearing Rong Tieshan’s compliment, Yue Mingxuan felt a faint joy but also remembered that he was Cucubine Rou’s son.

Thinking of his cold attitude before their engagement was broken, the smile he had intended to give him turned into a calm, neutral response. "Thank you for your kind words, Prince Rong."

Seeing Yue Mingxuan respond, Rong Yuelin flew into a rage. She rushed forward and said, "Yue Mingxuan! What attitude is that? My brother is complimenting you to give you face! Don’t act so shamelessly! Is this how your Dongyue Kingdom raises its nobles? Good thing my brother broke off the engagement with you, you’re not worthy of him at all. Only true royal ladies like Sister Xie deserve him."

Before Yue Mingxuan could reply, Rong Tieshan spoke, apologizing, "Fifth Prince, my sister is young—"

Yue Mingxuan waved his hand, saying nothing.

He had already heard this line twice.

He glanced at Rong Yuelin who is now looking like an angry turkey and give her a playful smile.

"How my Dongyue Kingdom performs will be clear once I take the stage. As for how Beirong Kingdom style of raising people... it truly opens my eyes."

"You!" Rong Yuelin was still about to retort when Xie Lianhua pulled her back. "Younger Brother Mingxuan, Yuelin speaks too quickly. Why bother arguing with her?"

Yue Mingxuan didn’t even bother to look at Xie Lianhua.

He flicked his sleeve lazily and walked over to a prepared seat at the side and sitting down calmly.

With a green tea final boss like her, he didn’t even want to waste a drop of spit.

Watching Yue Mingxuan walk away ignoring her, Xie Lianhua bit her lips in anger.

So what if he actually looked pretty?

He was still just an empty headed pretty boy.

She dragged the fuming Rong Yuelin to her own seat after noticing that Yue Mingxuan had already become the focus of everyone in the arena.

"Is that the Prince of Dongyue Kingdom? He’s dressed so beautifully today."

"With his appearance alone, he will probably be chosen as this year’s Flower God, right?"

"So the legendary Prince of Dongyue Kingdom isn’t actually ugly."

The murmurs of the crowd felt like sharp knives cutting at Xie Lianhua’s heart. She twisted the edges of her skirt into knots in frustration.