Nalan Xiao immediately turned around, his expression even more anxious than before. "Why? Didn't you just say that the woman left this poem because she admired my painting and felt a spiritual connection to it?"
Master Bai's face was full of helplessness. "Even so, for the sake of the prince, I cannot reveal any information about this woman to you."
Nalan Xiao frowned. He knew Master Bai's personality well and feared something was being hidden. "Could it be that this woman is already promised to someone else? If so, I can just take her!"
Master Bai couldn't help but bow slightly, offering only a faint smile. "The poetry recitation competition is about to begin. I wonder who will take the first prize this year. Your Highness, please proceed."
"You…" Watching the man turn and walk away, Nalan Xiao's eyes were filled with frustration. Just how mysterious was this woman's identity?
Carefully storing the scroll away, Nalan Xiao stepped back, uncertainty clouding his mind.
From a corner, a woman cautiously peeked out.
Su Wanwan stared in awe at the figure disappearing into the distance. She had overheard everything that had just happened.
Su Yiyi, that shameless harlot, dares to spy on His Highness Prince Xiao? How immoral! What's more, the prince had already fallen for someone—but fortunately, he didn't know who she was.
The Peach Blossom Cottage in Peach Blossom Valley? Hmph, how hypocritical. She didn't see anything special in the poem. Why was the prince so hung up on it? Just from hearing it, she could tell the woman was fickle and not worthy of the prince. And writing poetry for his painting? How brazen!
Su Wanwan adjusted her clothes a little, considered the direction Nalan Xiao had gone, calculated her next move, then walked away to the opposite side.
The handsome man furrowed his brow. He wasn't interested in the poetry gathering—he was here for that woman. He wondered… would she appear again this year?
"There is a Peach Blossom Shrine in Peach Blossom Valley, and in the Peach Blossom Shrine lives a Peach Blossom Fairy. The Peach Blossom Fairy plants peach trees and picks peach blossoms to trade for wine."
A soft voice echoed from ahead. Nalan Xiao suddenly stopped. He raised his eyes and stared at the water-colored figure not far away. He murmured to himself, "When awake, I sit among the flowers. When drunk, I sleep beneath them. Half-sober and half-dazed, I live day by day, while the blossoms bloom and fall year after year."
The woman, who had been gazing at the sky, turned around in surprise. "Huh? Why is Your Highness reciting Wanwan's poem?"
Nalan Xiao's voice trembled. "Is this… your poem?"
Su Wanwan's beautiful face blossomed with a spring-like smile. "It's a poem I wrote last year. At the time, I saw a painting with such rich artistic meaning that I couldn't help leaving behind these lines to match the scene."
Nalan Xiao couldn't stop himself from stepping forward, his voice tinged with joy. "That painting was mine."
"What?! That was actually Your Highness's calligraphy? What should I do?" Su Wanwan looked shocked, then lowered her head in guilt. "Wanwan did not know her place. Please punish me, Your Highness!"
Two gentle hands reached out from the opposite side, helping her up. "Miss Su has done nothing wrong. In fact, it was your lines of poetry that gave the painting meaning."
Nalan Xiao's eyes were ablaze. For the past year, he had often imagined what the poet might look like. Now, looking at the gentle and elegant woman in front of him, he was not disappointed.
Rumors had long described the Prime Minister's eldest daughter as scholarly, graceful, and ethereally beautiful. How had I never noticed before?
Su Wanwan's heart pounded wildly. She glanced up shyly at the man she admired, a blush blooming across her fair cheeks, adding to her charm.
"If Miss Su does not mind, would you do me the honor of sitting with me in my private room? The poetry gathering is about to begin—it would save time."
To sit at the same table with Prince Xiao was the dream of countless women in the Kingdom of Qi. Su Wanwan nearly floated from joy, but she kept her composure, acting like a refined lady at such a critical moment.
"This… Wanwan is afraid she might disturb Your Highness."
"How could that be? It would be my honor to sit beside a woman as talented and beautiful as you." The usually aloof man smiled, instantly capturing Su Wanwan's heart. Letting him take her arm, she followed him into the private chamber.
However, as they walked side by side, their closeness drew the eyes of countless onlookers.
"Look! Isn't that His Highness Prince Xiao? And the lady beside him—the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister's residence!"
"Heavens… does that mean I no longer stand a chance?"
Whispers of envy and disbelief spread throughout the room. Nalan Xiao's gaze held a hint of pride. He knew Su Wanwan had countless suitors in the capital, but now, with his own status as the number one war god, she belonged to him.
Only a woman like her is worthy of me!
As they walked, the young ladies attending the event looked on with stunned, despairing expressions. Su Wanwan leaned closer to Nalan Xiao's arm like a delicate bird, proudly staking her claim.
She had heard that His Highness would be attending today, and she had carefully planned her moment to shine. But never did she expect such a surprising turn of events! She had already resolved—she would become Princess Xiao.
"Your Highness, your private room is ready…" Master Bai turned around, stunned to see the pair approaching him.
Wasn't that the Prime Minister's eldest daughter? Why was she with the prince…?
Nalan Xiao gave him a satisfied look. Even if Master Bai didn't say a word, fate had already decided. He had found the one who wrote the poem.
"Master Bai, I'll be sitting with Miss Su. Please prepare an extra portion of pastries."
"Your Highness…"
Nalan Xiao still held a grudge about earlier. He didn't spare Master Bai another glance, guiding Su Wanwan in like she was a treasure.
What just happened? Hadn't the prince been asking about another woman earlier? Why was he now with a different beauty?
At that moment, a man dressed in black appeared before Master Bai. His face darkened, and he quickly followed the man.
In a secluded corner, Master Bai raised an eyebrow slightly. "The Left Protector is here. Has the Master also returned…?"
The cold-blooded man looked over the neatly dressed Master Bai and sneered. "Such fake courtesy—how revolting."
"…" Master Bai's eyes turned grim. "What are your orders, my lord?"
"The remnants of the Flame Clan have infiltrated your ship. If you find anyone suspicious, report it immediately. I'll take care of the rest."
Master Bai, usually calm and graceful, showed a rare trace of disdain and coldness, completely unfitting his temperament. "Your arrogance is truly insufferable."
With that, the man in white turned and walked away under the Left Protector's mocking gaze.
"Cousin, you're finally back!" Jiang Yunting stepped forward in surprise. He had truly been worried after Su Yiyi had disappeared for so long.
A beautiful melody floated from the main hall, just faintly audible inside the private rooms. Su Wanwan's expression dimmed slightly. Had Cousin Jiang brought the third sister along?
Yes, with Cousin Jiang's knowledge and talent, he was certainly qualified to participate in the poetry competition. But why does he always look at that idiot girl differently? He really has no taste.
"Miss Su, are the pastries not to your liking?" The gentleman beside her asked with genuine concern. Seeing Su Wanwan hadn't moved in a while, he signaled someone to bring a replacement. He didn't realize she was simply restraining herself from showing any lack of elegance.
By Prince Xiao's side, she had to maintain her grace and nobility at all times.