The Virtuous Concubine

Nalan Rongruo followed the order and found a convenient angle to start painting with Kangxi's permission. This position not only allowed him to have a panoramic view of the entire banquet, but also allowed him to see Concubine De not far away.

Sitting not far away, Malu's gaze passed through the crowd and fell on Nalan Rongruo.

The system was extremely excited, as if it had discovered something incredible: "Yo yo yo————"

Malu felt a little embarrassed: "Why are you doing this? Can't you just admire the handsome guy?"

The system replied awkwardly: "Of course, of course, but he seems to be looking at you in front as well."

Malu recalled the conversation by the pond that day and said with a smile, "He even confessed his love to me when you were away—"

The system screamed: "What the hell - why didn't you tell me the first time!!"

Malu's smile deepened, and it was unclear whether he was laughing at the system or at Nalan Rongruo: "And he is engaged. He will soon marry the daughter of the Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi."

The system's screams and excitement suddenly stopped. What? Even though it had become more intelligent after the upgrade, it couldn't understand what Nalan Rongruo was doing.

"I love you, but I'm going to marry someone else? What kind of love is this? Is this love that is beyond your control? Then why did you come up to me and say it?" The system asked Malu in confusion.

She patiently explained: "In this world, sometimes love is not the only determining factor. Identity, status, family expectations... these will influence a person's choice. Nalan Rongruo may have his own difficulties. Of course, most of the time, love is frivolous, especially the love of this kind of person."

Malu paused and added, "What's more, he only says he loves you, but his actions don't show love. If he really takes action, it's blind and wishful thinking, which will put the other person in danger."

The system was silent for a while, as if it was processing this information. It also remembered the jade pendant and agreed with it. The tasker had spent a lot of time to deal with it. Then it said, "I understand that human emotions are really complicated. However, I still hope that everyone can find their own happiness."

Malu nodded. She looked at Nalan Rongruo's figure, and a complex emotion surged in her heart. "Yes, I hope so." She said softly.

Nalan Rongruo stood in a corner of the banquet. He was tall and straight, like a pine tree. In the lively atmosphere around him, he seemed particularly calm. His posture was calm and his expression was focused. This kind of transcendent temperament naturally attracted many people's attention.

Especially the noble ladies from Mongolia, who usually see bold and rough men, and rarely see such delicate and profound literati, so they are full of curiosity and interest in Nalan Rongruo. The Mongolian noble ladies looked at Nalan Rongruo from time to time, and they whispered to each other, discussing the elegance of this elegant gentleman.

The Mongolian ladies were indeed free and easy. Some of them looked at him, trying to catch every moment of his concentration, while others shyly watched from afar, blushing from time to time. The bolder ones even wanted to approach him to chat, but were stopped by their fathers and brothers. It was still the stage of music, and ordinary people were not allowed to leave without Kangxi's permission.

Nalan Rongruo only roughly drew a rough outline of the scene, and only Malu had a clear outline and eyebrows in the painting. Nalan Rongruo was afraid of being discovered, so he changed her position, but every stroke was full of affection. In this painting, it seems that the whole grand banquet is a foil for this woman. She is like a clear stream in the vanity, and people can't help but focus on her.

When he was about to start painting, Nalan's arm "accidentally" spilled the ink, and half of the rice paper was stained by the ink, so the painting had to be scrapped. He pretended to feel sorry, crumpled the painting into a ball and put it in his sleeve, and started to paint quickly again.

The Shibang music ended with the clinking of glasses, and everyone began to prepare for sumo wrestling. But before the sumo wrestling, Zasak Gendun Darza of the Keshiketeng tribe stood up and bowed to Kangxi above him. Kangxi exempted him from the greeting and motioned him to speak.

Gendun Darza cleared his throat and said, "Your Majesty, on the Mongolian grasslands, we all speak our minds. I have a happy event, and I hope Your Majesty will fulfill it."

Kangxi nodded. He was in a good mood today, so his attitude was naturally tolerant: "If you have any good news, just tell me. If it's not excessive, I will definitely fulfill it."

Gendun Darza smiled heartily and continued, "Your Majesty, my sister Surina has been loved by our family since she was young. I want to find her a suitable husband, one she likes, so the marriage has not been decided yet. Today, I saw the talent and style of Mr. Nalan, who is beside the emperor, and I admire him. I dare to ask Your Majesty to grant us a marriage and betroth my sister to Mr. Nalan."

As soon as these words came out, the Mongolian girl next to him, who was covered in gold and elegant jewelry, pushed her brother and said, "Brother, what are you talking about?" Although her words were shy, she kept glancing at Nalan Rongruo from time to time, and it was obvious that she did have a good impression of this talented young man.

The Mongolian nobles nearby couldn't help laughing when they saw this. They were very generous and enthusiastic. In their opinion, this was really a good thing. However, there were also two or three bold girls who pulled their fathers or brothers to stand up and shouted loudly: "Our daughters are also willing to marry Master Nalan. I hope Your Majesty will not be partial to them, hahahaha."

Oh, this is really lively! The drama of many women competing for one man is not something you can see in the Qing Dynasty! Ma Lu, Rong Fei and Hui Fei looked at each other and couldn't help but smile. After the three of them discussed it, they simply quietly removed the screen and started eating melons directly behind Kangxi.

It was a bit rude, but eating melons was more important. At most, the emperor would say a few words to them! Their faces were filled with excited smiles, especially Rong Fei and Ma Lu. After all, Nalan was also from Hui Fei's family. Rong Fei also teased Hui Fei, saying that you Nalan are really a family with a son that is sought after by hundreds of families.

Kangxi heard the laughter behind him and turned his head slightly. He saw the three concubines watching this scene with great interest. He couldn't help but smile and shook his head, but he didn't mean to blame them. Today was just a family dinner, so it was fine. What's more, he also loved watching this kind of excitement!

Nalan Rongruo stood in the middle of the field, facing this sudden "competition", he kept a polite smile on his face, but he was desperate in his heart. Since the day of Mulan's hunting, he had been asked about marriage by many people, and many Mongolian noble ladies had shown their favors to him, but he treated them politely and declined them tactfully.

I really don’t know if I can escape this disaster today!

Kangxi was also very happy. He looked between Gendun Darza and Surina, and said with a smile, "Gendun Darza, you are so reckless! Didn't you ask before asking? She is already married."

Su Rina's face turned pale, and a trace of disbelief and disappointment flashed in her eyes. Her heart, which was originally full of expectations, turned cold. She bit her lower lip tightly and looked at Nalan Rongruo, as if urging him to give her an explanation.

Gendun Darza was also stunned. He obviously did not expect this result. He immediately showed embarrassment: "Your Majesty, I... was negligent. I really didn't know. Then..."

Kangxi waved his hand, indicating that he didn't need to mind it, and he would just pretend that he had never said it: "Ignorance is not a crime. Please sit down!"

Everyone understood at once that Su Rina's status was indeed very high. Marrying Nalan was a marriage of low status because of his character and looks, and it was even more impossible for her to be his concubine.

Nalan Rongruo stepped forward and bowed respectfully: "Thank you, Prince and Princess, for your kindness. However, as Your Majesty said, I already have someone in my heart..."

As he said this, he raised his head and glanced upward.