Ahead, several servants carrying trays of pastries caught Su Yiyi's attention.
"Careful! These are top-grade pastries specially ordered by the Prince. We can't afford a single mistake." They treaded cautiously toward the private room where Nalan Xiao was waiting. Su Yiyi's eyes sparkled. Her chance had come!
She quickly caught up to the last servant and suddenly bumped into her, letting out a dramatic cry.
"Oh no! Are you hurt, young lady?" the servant quickly steadied herself, only to find an elegantly dressed woman with a silk veil sitting on the side, her expression filled with pain. Su Yiyi raised her small, delicate face pitifully, eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
"I-I think I sprained my ankle…"
"I'm so sorry! It's all my fault!" The servant knelt at once, hurriedly setting the pastry tray aside. Su Yiyi leaned forward and whispered, "If you could help me rub it a little, maybe it won't hurt so much."
Most attendees at the poetry gathering were nobles or high officials. How could a mere servant afford to offend anyone? Apologizing profusely, she gently massaged Su Yiyi's ankle—completely unaware that the woman had already tampered with the pastries nearby.
"Thank you, little sister. I feel much better now." Su Yiyi stood up with a smile. "You must have things to do. I won't hold you up."
As her figure swiftly disappeared into the distance, the servant blinked in confusion, not quite able to register what just happened.
"Why are you still standing there? Hurry up!" The other servants had already exited the private room and just now realized one of their own had fallen behind.
Inside, the table was adorned with luxurious and tempting treats. Nalan Xiao carefully selected one and placed it onto a plate for Su Wanwan.
"This last one is a triple-layer golden blossom cake—an imperial favorite. Would you care to try it, Miss Su?"
"Your Highness, Wanwan doesn't deserve such honor."
Her voice was as soft as a petal drifting in the spring breeze, falling gently into Nalan Xiao's heart and stirring ripples. "Wanwan may have unique tastes. I'll make sure something more to your liking is brought just for you!"
Su Wanwan's cheeks flushed as the prince called her by her given name. She darted a glance to the side, wondering if that crazy fool next door overheard.
"Your Highness is so kind to Wanwan. If my third sister heard this, I fear she'd be heartbroken." Though they had clearly argued earlier, now she acted as though Su Yiyi wasn't even present.
"Heartbroken? She's not even qualified!"
"Your Highness…" Su Wanwan leaned delicately against his shoulder, fragile and helpless, as if terrified their sweet whispers wouldn't reach the ears next door. "Your shoulders are so broad… it makes Wanwan feel like nothing in the world can ever harm her again."
"Don't worry. I'll protect you."
Jiang Yunting's impression of Nalan Xiao was plummeting fast. How could the prince dislike his brilliant Third Cousin so much while treating Su Wanwan like a celestial goddess? Thankfully, his cousin had just stepped out and hadn't heard the sugar storm happening next door.
"Cousin, you're back!"
Just as Su Yiyi lifted the curtain, she saw Jiang Yunting frowning with visible annoyance. Blinking in confusion, she quickly lowered her voice, "What's wrong? Did that neighbor upset you again?"
"You—how did you know?!"
Her cousin was usually gentle and polite—rarely emotional. Something definitely happened while she was gone.
Just then, the music in the cabin ceased, and the surrounding chatter fell silent.
A gentle laugh echoed, and through the translucent veil, a faint image of an elderly man with white hair slowly emerged. "The blossoms are in full bloom again this year, and today is a fine day for poetry. Thank you all for coming. This year, Master Bai has prepared a mystery prize for the winner."
A mystery prize? The crowd buzzed with curiosity, but the old man kept a sly smile.
"As for the reward… that depends on whether the winner is willing to share it."
Jiang Yunting's heart thumped. Master Bai's prizes were never ordinary. What could it be? He turned toward the woman beside him with utter confidence. His eyes practically declared: The winner is sitting right here.
Su Yiyi clearly noticed his eager expression and grinned. "No showing off, no showing off!"
"Now then, the first riddle—"
Silence fell once again as the old man's voice rang out:
'Four-gilled sea bass floods the Songjiang prefecture…'
"Please provide the next line."
Even the first line had people deep in thought.
After pondering for a moment, Jiang Yunting's face lit up. "Cousin, have you figured it out yet?"
Su Yiyi's eyes shimmered with emotion. As a modern woman raised on a diet of virtue, intellect, beauty, and hard work—not to mention the words of countless ancient poets—it would be a crime to let her brilliance go to waste!
"If the neighbor lady already has a line ready, please don't hold back." Su Wanwan's laughter came from the other side, slightly mocking. She couldn't believe she'd lose to this flower-obsessed idiot in terms of talent.
Unexpectedly, Su Yiyi cheerfully replied, "You're too ugly. Why don't you go first?"
"You—" Did she just call me ugly?! Su Wanwan sucked in a sharp breath. No! She had to stay graceful in front of the prince. Graceful!
Nalan Xiao, ever attentive, pushed brush, ink, paper, and inkstone toward her as though expecting a masterpiece.
Su Wanwan blushed and whispered, "Thank you, Your Highness."
She picked up the brush, her posture elegant like a scholar immortalized in paintings. She could feel the prince's burning gaze on her—she must look flawless right now.
But then… a dull ache spread through her belly.
Her brows knit as the brush paused mid-stroke.
"Wanwan, what's wrong?"
She forced a laugh, clearly uncomfortable, but resumed writing.
"'Six embroidery styles of Jiangnan thrive on Suzhou's shores.' Very good, excellent!" the old man praised.
"Thank you, Your Highness." Su Wanwan lowered her gaze, unaware of the flicker of doubt in Nalan Xiao's eyes. The calligraphy… it didn't quite match her usual style.
Gurgle—Su Wanwan's face stiffened. She looked to the man beside her, who seemed absorbed in crafting his own poetic line, completely oblivious to her abdominal turmoil.
What's going on? Don't tell me I'm having a stomach emergency—now?!
Just then, a servant entered and respectfully accepted the scroll from Nalan Xiao. But before he could turn—
"Pffft——"
"Cough! Cough! Cough!!" Su Wanwan instantly broke into a coughing fit to cover the embarrassing sound. But the servant was not helpful in the slightest.
"…Why does it smell funny in here?"
The servant wrinkled his nose in visible disgust, utterly ignoring Su Wanwan's mortified expression. He quickly retreated with his companion.
Nalan Xiao's smile turned a bit stiff.
Su Wanwan could practically hear the sound of his heart shattering. No… I can't give up here!
"Ahem, ahem… Your Highness, Wanwan's been feeling unwell today…"
She coughed harder, tears welling up in her eyes—anyone watching would've been moved to sympathy, easily forgetting what had just transpired.
Nalan Xiao quickly poured her a cup of tea. "Why didn't you say so earlier? It's my fault. I'll summon the royal physician right away!"
"There's no need to trouble Your Highness. Wanwan just didn't want to make you worry…"
As the saying goes, even heroes fall for beauties. And right now, Su Wanwan was fully convinced her charm had truly captured Prince Xiao's heart.