The female lead turned out to be quite quick-witted.
Zhao Yi watched as she laid a white piece of paper on the copper mirror. The bright sunlight shone on the mirror, and the reflected light illuminated the pearls on the paper, making the large "longevity" character radiate brilliantly.
Golden light sparkled and shone brightly.
Upon witnessing this scene, the banquet hall was immediately filled with exclamations of astonishment.
"Deservedly, the number one talented woman of Shengjing City!"
"The abundance of pearls on the mirror had reduced its vulgarity and added a touch of elegance."
"What is vulgar is truly vulgar, and what is elegant is truly elegant."
"The reputation of the number one talented woman of Shengjing City is well-deserved!"
The female lead listened to the discussions around her and displayed a self-satisfied expression as she bowed to salute the Second Prince and his consort on the high platform.
"Your Highness, this is my gift to you!"
The female lead respectfully said, "I wish Your Highness blessings as abundant as the East Sea and longevity as enduring as the Southern Mountain!"
Most royal family members did not live past sixty, so the wish for longevity as enduring as the Southern Mountain was indeed the best blessing.
Zhao Mian's smile was somewhat forced.
He lightly coughed, raised his hand, and said, "Thank you, Miss Su, for your thoughtful gesture. Please return to your seat."
Su Qianqian was momentarily stunned, her expression somewhat bewildered.
When Yao Qing gifted the Eastern Pearl, the Second Prince bestowed the Rouge Pill.
She surpassed Yao Qing with just a piece of paper, and it was even more brilliant.
The Second Prince should have rewarded her with more than Yao Qing received.
Why was it like this?
Zhao Yi glanced at Su Qianqian and quickly withdrew his gaze.
The kind of superficial show the female lead presented might look impressive in the eyes of those who feign refinement.
But unfortunately.
The Second Prince and his consort were noble members of the royal family and had seen all sorts of affairs.
Su Qianqian thought she could fool them with a mere piece of paper, underestimating these two too much.
Moreover, the paper was borrowed from Zhao Mian.
It's equivalent to the female lead not spending a penny, just mouthing off!
Isn't this freeloading?
And she still expected a reward; what a joke!
Zhao Mian not driving her out directly was already giving her face!
In contrast, Yao Qing was much wiser.
She revealed the female lead's actions but didn't hit her while she was down; even being used as a stepping stone by the female lead, she merely laughed it off.
Clearly, she had investigated the second prince and his consort, knowing their preferences.
In Yao Qing's view, the female lead's little tricks were nothing more than a clown's act, not presentable at all.
Yao Qing's disregard made her appear magnanimous.
The two, compared side by side, clearly showed the difference in their standings!
Even until the end of the banquet, the female lead couldn't understand.
As she envisioned, she stepped over Yao Qing, winning applause and expecting the Second Prince to regard her with special favor.
But from the second prince's reaction, it appeared not to be the case.
The second prince favored Yao Qing far more than her!
The female lead planned to go back and ask her father.
Her father, being an official for many years, must understand what the second prince was thinking.
Upon leaving the official residence, the female lead intended to go home.
Just as she stepped out, she halted.
Outside the door.
Yao Qing was speaking with the male lead, who was wearing a moon-white monk's robe.
When the female lead came out, both of them saw her.
The male lead turned his head, looking impatient.
Yao Qing glanced at the female lead, with a hint of sternness in her eyes.
If this woman dared to entangle further, Yao Qing would definitely need to teach her a lesson!
The female lead ignored Yao Qing. She looked at the male lead's cold expression, bit her lip, bypassed them, and walked down another alley!
The male lead, seeing that the female lead did not approach, immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
Yao Qing noticed and frowned, saying, "Jing'er, your current identity is that of a monk. Do not entangle with such a woman to avoid unwanted gossip!"
"I hardly know her!" The male lead replied with a cold face.
The male lead harbored resentment within.
Because of the female lead, not only was he being referred to behind his back as a "flirtatious monk," but major affairs were almost delayed!
If he were truly involved with the female lead, it would be excusable.
But he wasn't at all!
The male lead had only encountered the female lead once.
At the time, he was distributing porridge and offered her a bowl when he saw she hadn't eaten.
That was all!
If he had known that bowl of porridge would cause trouble, he wouldn't have given it, no matter what!
Yao Qing, noticing her nephew's expression, saw he didn't seem to be lying and thus felt relieved.
Yao Qing nodded approvingly, saying, "That's good! This woman won't live long; once she's dead, your troubles will be over!"
Hearing this, the male lead was momentarily taken aback.
He frowned at Yao Qing, displeased, and said: "Are you planning to kill her? This monk can solve his own problems; I don't need you meddling! If you dare to create a killing spree, don't blame this monk for vanquishing evil!"
Yao Qing was startled, then shook her head: "It's not me!"
She smiled bitterly, saying: "This is Shengjing City, the territory of the Great Xia royal family. No matter how ruthless I am, I dare not commit murder here arbitrarily!"
The male lead's expression softened slightly: "Then what do you mean that Donor Su won't live long?"
Hearing this, Yao Qing turned serious: "The Imperial Consort's impurity has disgraced the royal family's dignity. Do you think the Great Xia royal family would let this go easily?"
"Jing'er, growing up in West Mountain Temple, with its close proximity to Shengjing City, you should have heard of the empress's methods in the harem!"
"Su Qianqian has shamed the Sixth Prince Zhao Yi, and the empress won't spare her!"
"Just wait and see, once the emperor endorses the annulment document, it will be the death sentence for Su Family!"
Saying this, a worried expression appeared on Yao Qing's face.
She said to the male lead: "Jing'er, the empress is domineering. After dealing with Su Qianqian, she may not spare you from involvement! Why not go into hiding for now and go to the Four Seas Commerce Headquarters to find your mother? Your mother's now an elder in the Law Enforcement Hall; she has the ability to protect you!"
The male lead remained unmoved.
Looking at Yao Qing, he coldly replied: "I have no mother!"
"And if the empress wants me dead, can you really protect me?"
"The tyranny of the Great Xia royal family is unrivaled!"
"If the empress demands me from the Four Seas Commerce Association, would you dare not to comply?"
The male lead continued with a sarcastic expression: "At that time, just like before, wouldn't you all abandon me again to save yourselves?"
Yao Qing's expression changed: "Jing'er, the past is not what you think, your mother had her reasons!"
The male lead raised his hand to interrupt her, speaking coldly: "What's past is past, I don't want to mention it again! Also, this monk is Fajing, the Buddha's Son of West Mountain Temple, not Yao Jing, remember that, Donor Yao!"
With that, he turned and walked towards the city gates.
Yao Qing's expression changed once more.
She reached out to grab the male lead's sleeve but withdrew her hand halfway.
"Alas!"
Yao Qing sighed deeply, turned, and left in the opposite direction.
Within the male lead's mind.
An ancient voice asked: "Why did you not present the Beauty Pill at the banquet earlier?"
The male lead shook his head: "The timing wasn't right! Second Prince Zhao Mian rewarded that woman with the Rouge Pill and admitted that the Rouge Pill was inferior to the Beauty Pill. If I took out the Beauty Pill, wouldn't that be slapping his face? It might have backfired!"
"I see!"
The ancient voice praised: "You, young monk, are keen and strategic, destined to be accomplished in the future!"
"Amitabha!"
The male lead put his palms together, respectfully saying: "You overpraise, Master!"
The ancient voice laughed heartily.
The male lead also smiled.
Only nobody saw the quick flash of golden-red light in his eyes.
This was a sign of the Mad Dragon Technique at work!
PS: A big brother commented that these chapters are too slow. Unfortunately, some transitions and foreshadowing must be set properly; it's about to get exciting!