Oops, the princess is surrounded by the male protagonists

"Crown Princess Chenyun? It's actually her, the legendary laughingstock of the Hundred Flower Nation—Princess Baiyue?"

"Oh, this is really strange! Isn't it said that the princess is a stupid and ugly joke? Could it be that this invitation was sent to the wrong person?"

"Impossible! I have seen the Crown Princess Chenyun with my own eyes. She is definitely not the same person as this one!"

As soon as the housekeeper said this, the outside of Duke Qi's mansion became as lively as a boiling oil pan.

The nobles of Wulie Kingdom were talking about Bai Yue. After all, they refused to believe that the Bai Yue in front of them was the third Princess Baihua who had become the laughing stock of the seven countries.

However, Bai Yue turned a deaf ear to it. She smiled indifferently and walked into the gate of Duke Qi's Mansion with Xiaoyi.

Just as Bai Yue was thinking about how to go through the motions like an invisible person, a crisp prompt tone suddenly rang in her mind.

"Congratulations, player, for successfully triggering the side quest - 'Instant Fame'! As long as the player can stand out in today's poetry gathering, the system will grant the player a valuable chance to win a prize!"

"Lottery? What's the prize?"

Bai Yue, who was originally nonchalant, was immediately excited by this notice.

And Xiao 1 said proudly.

"Don't worry, anything produced by Xiaoyi is bound to be the best of the best! As long as players can complete the side quests, I guarantee that the prizes will absolutely make you overjoyed and extremely satisfied!"

"Well, I hope I can get a martial arts manual or surgical equipment!"

Bai Yue pondered as she walked through layers of courtyards under the guidance of the servants of Duke Qi's Mansion. Finally, they arrived at their destination, a pavilion and waterside terrace located by the lake.

Perhaps the poetry reading had not yet begun, people were gathered in groups of three or four, some leaning on the railings to admire the view, some whispering to each other, creating a picture of harmony and tranquility.

Bai Yue took Xiao Yi for a leisurely walk along the lake, enjoying this rare moment of tranquility.

Just then, a light breeze blew by, and from the shade of the trees in the distance, bursts of crisp laughter came.

Bai Yue glanced sideways and saw a group of noble ladies whispering under the shade of a tree, their faces full of contempt and disdain.

"Oh, this is so puzzling! What's Madam Lin up to? Why would we invite the hostage consort of Wenqu Kingdom, and the infamous Third Princess of Baihua Kingdom, to our Wulie Kingdom's poetry gathering?"

One of the noble ladies grumbled in dissatisfaction.

"What's the big deal? The more she embarrasses herself, the more incompetent the Wenqu Kingdom appears. Our own crown prince has been sent to us as a hostage, and the crown princess is a woman as stupid as a pig! This is ridiculous no matter how you think about it!"

The other noble lady sneered repeatedly, her words full of sarcasm.

"But I heard that Crown Prince Chenyun is an extremely handsome man, and his looks are no less than our Majesty's!"

Another noble lady whispered.

"Humph, how can a lame man with a broken leg be compared to our Majesty?"

A noble lady curled her lips in disdain.

"By the way, have you heard? It seems the palace is selecting concubines again. If you are lucky enough to be chosen, you will truly be transformed into a phoenix!"

"Don't dream on. I think this position is reserved for Su Mengqi, the eldest daughter of the Su family!"

An insider said mysteriously.

"Her father is the prime minister of the dynasty, and she herself is the most talented woman in Wulie country. She is both virtuous and talented. Who can rival her?"

Upon hearing this, the noble ladies showed expressions of envy and jealousy, while Xiaoyi, who was not far away, was trembling all over because of the gossip. She clenched her fists so tightly that her fingertips turned slightly white.

Seeing this, Bai Yue gently reached out her hand and stroked Xiaoyi's trembling shoulders lightly, as if comforting a wounded little animal.

"Xiaoyi, relax a little. It's not worth ruining your health over those gossips."

"They said you were as dumb as an ox, and that my prince was a good-for-nothing... Aren't you angry after hearing these words?"

Xiaoyi's voice was full of grievance, and tears sparkled in her eyes.

When Bai Yue saw it, she quickly asked with a smile.

"So, in your opinion, is your prince really useless?"

Xiaoyi quickly shook her head, a determined glint in her eyes.

"My prince is definitely not a useless person. I have witnessed with my own eyes how wise and brave he once was, and how high his spirits were."

"If it weren't for that horse-scaring incident...sigh..."

Thinking of Yun Qingchen's unyielding spirit after breaking his leg, Xiaoyi's eyes became red again.

Bai Yue sighed softly and continued to comfort her.

"Since you know the Crown Prince's true character, why do you care about those people's groundless accusations?"

“Remember, never believe what others say, but believe what you see!”

"Crack, snap, snap!"

Three crisp applause sounds were heard not far from Bai Yue. When she looked towards the source of the sound, she saw an elegant old lady looking at her, smiling and nodding continuously.

"Crown Princess Chenyun is truly an interesting and wonderful person. Your words just now really did not disgrace your royal family!"

The old lady's voice was like a spring breeze, warm and kind.

"what?"

Bai Yue was caught off guard by this sudden praise, while the maid beside the old lady came forward and introduced her loudly.

"My master is none other than Old Madam Lin, the mistress of the Duke of Qi's mansion. Moreover, she is the younger sister of the current Empress Dowager, and her status is extremely noble."

After the maid finished the introduction, I thought Bai Yue would panic and bow to greet her, but she just nodded slightly and said softly, "Hello, Madam Lin." Then she took Xiao Yi and walked away calmly along the lake.

"Madam, how could this Crown Princess Chenyun be so arrogant and disrespectful? She's so rude! Doesn't she see that you, Madam, have condescended to come here just to greet her?"

The maid's eyes widened and she grumbled to Old Madam Lin with an indignant look on her face.

Although Madam Lin frowned slightly, her voice was still dignified.

"Shut up! She's a princess of a certain country, and the Crown Princess too. She's a noble person, how can a servant like you make such irresponsible comments?"

"Yes, yes, I know I'm wrong!"

The maid quickly shut her mouth because of Madam Lin's scolding, and Madam Lin looked at Bai Yue's receding back and couldn't help but think of the commission from the palace yesterday.

In fact, when the chief eunuch in the palace asked her to invite Princess Baiyue to her poetry party at home, Mrs. Lin was a little unhappy.

After all, this princess is known as a "stupid" princess in all seven countries, and after coming to Wulie Kingdom, she has tried her best to integrate into the circle of aristocratic clans.

Especially some time ago, rumors spread in the palace that she had secretly slept with the emperor in an attempt to ruin the reputation of the royal family. If such a woman appeared in his own poetry meeting, she would undoubtedly attract ridicule and criticism from other nobles.

But when she learned that it was Mo Xuanche who specially arranged to invite Princess Baiyue to the party, she couldn't help but feel a little curious.

"My nephew has always been mysterious. I don't know why he is so concerned about this Crown Princess Chenyun. What exactly is his intention?"

Just as Old Lady Lin was thinking, the group of noble ladies under the shade of the trees swarmed over to greet her as soon as they saw her appear. After Old Lady Lin nodded casually at them, she felt that Bai Yue's attitude just now was really different.

"Crown Princess, you just bowed briefly to the powerful lady of Qi State. Will this cause dissatisfaction on her part?"

After the two of them walked away, Xiaoyi approached Bai Yue and asked.

"Hey, haven't you always looked down on those nobles of the Mulie Kingdom? I thought you would just turn your nose up at them!"

Hearing this, Bai Yue's lips curled up slightly, and a hint of teasing flashed in his eyes.

When Xiaoyi heard this, her cheeks turned slightly red and she said angrily.

"Of course I look down on those martial nobles. I'm just worried about you...you'll cause trouble for our hostage house."

Bai Yue chuckled when she saw this.

"It's okay, it's okay. Everyone knows that I, Bai Yue, am dull and ignorant of etiquette. If that's the case, isn't it reasonable for me to be perfunctory towards that Old Madam Lin?"

Xiaoyi widened her eyes, looking at Bai Yue's calm appearance, and actually felt that her twisted logic seemed to make some sense.

"Actually, the most important thing is what the maid just said. Madam Lin is the current empress dowager's biological sister, so isn't Mo Xuanche her nephew? And the reason I was invited here must be Mo Xuanche's trick. I really don't know what he's trying to do!"

Bai Yue really couldn't figure out what this man was trying to do.

"My dear nobles, this gathering of poetry and wine is in full swing. In Linyuan Pavilion, elegant music is about to begin. I hope you will quickly return to your seats and join us in this grand occasion!"

The servants of the Duke of Qi's Mansion loudly announced to the scattered crowd by the lake.

Seeing this, Bai Yue followed the crowd and walked towards Linyuan Pavilion.

"Dear guests, please ascend the stairs and take your seats. Servants, please remain outside the pavilion to maintain the serenity of this gathering."

The waiter in front of the attic door spoke humbly, behaved respectfully, and bowed to everyone.

Seeing this, Bai Yue said to Xiaoyi, "Wait a moment," and stepped onto the stairs leading to the attic.

When Bai Yue went up to the second floor, a servant with sharp eyes and a careful mind came forward with a smile as beautiful as a flower and saluted.

"May I ask which family this young lady is from, so that I can arrange a private seat for you."

Bai Yue thought for a moment and said.

"I am the consort of Crown Prince Chenyun, so I should be considered a hostage!"

"Oh, it turns out to be Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Chenyun. My old lady has already prepared the chief seat for Her Royal Highness. Please follow me."

When the servant heard that Bai Yue was the Crown Princess of Chenyun Kingdom, he hurriedly stepped aside to lead the way and led her to the most prominent position in the house.

He walked forward lightly and pointed to the most conspicuous of the three luxurious tables and said.

"This seat is specially reserved for Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess. It is the seat of honor for today's distinguished guest. Please do me the honor of taking a seat."

Bai Yue frowned slightly, looking at the seat that was obviously independent of the crowd, and couldn't help feeling suspicious.

"Shouldn't I sit with the others?"

Upon hearing this, the servant bowed hurriedly and explained respectfully.

"Your Highness is a member of a royal family, so you should sit at the head of the table, distinguishing yourself from the others. This is a sign of respect for your status and for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

After hearing this, Bai Yue shrugged lightly. She guessed that this was a trap set for her by some old lady.

But since she was already here, she decided to make the best of it. She took a step forward and sat down gracefully.

"The snacks at Duke Qi's Mansion are quite delicious!"

Bai Yue looked at the fruits and exquisite snacks on the table, picked up one and put it into her mouth to savor it carefully.

And just as she was enjoying her meal, the eyes of everyone else in the room secretly turned to her.

"Who is this person? How dare he be so bold as to sit at the head of the group?"

"Yes, the position of chief has always been reserved for the most talented men and women in our Wulie Nation. Who is she to dare to overstep her bounds?"

"I know her background. I just heard the butler say outside the Duke's Mansion that she is the Crown Princess Chenyun!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the whole room was in an uproar, and everyone looked at Bai Yue with contempt.

"What? She's the third princess of Baihua Kingdom, known for her stupidity?"

"Oh my god, why would the Duke of Qi invite such a person to participate in such an elegant gathering? Doesn't this bring shame to the poetry gathering and go against the spirit of literati and scholars?"

"Look at that woman! The poetry reading hasn't even begun yet, but she's already feasting like she's trying to fill her stomach. How can this attitude possibly indicate any reverence for poetry?"

"How ridiculous! We must protest to the Duke of Qi's Mansion. This behavior is truly a disgrace to this elegant place. This person must be expelled from the poetry gathering to set things right!"

Just as everyone was indignant, there was a sudden noise and someone shouted loudly.

"Miss Su and the young marquis are here!"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone stood up from their seats as if awakened by the morning bell and evening drum. They looked expectantly at the two figures who were slowly walking up the stairs.

The woman among them, wearing a pink palace dress, looks like a blooming peach blossom, pure and elegant.

She walked gracefully, and every step seemed to be on the clouds, light and elegant.

Beside her was a handsome and elegant young man.

The man had a face as rosy as a peach, skin as white as cream, and a heroic and handsome look between his brows.

His posture is upright, like a jade tree in the wind, and his every move reveals an indescribable nobility and charm.

"Dear players, great news! A new strategy character has made its debut!"

"He is Chu Xingyu, the only son of the general who guards the country, and he is also the most talented person praised by everyone in Wulie country!"

"But right now, his favorability towards you is at a very low -50!"

At this moment, Xiao 1's energetic and gossipy voice rang in Bai Yue's mind, and Bai Yue couldn't help but wonder when she heard it was negative again.

"Negative again? Xiao1, what did I do to Chu Xingyun?"

"Hehe, it's actually nothing serious. It's just that after you arrived at Wulie Country, you once threw yourself into the arms of this Mr. Chu at a banquet and even made advances on him."

"As a result, the other party naturally looks down on you, and his good impression of you, well... plummets!"

Xiao 1 explained with a giggle, as if he was telling a funny joke.