You're the one who wants to marry a mistress, and I'm marrying someone else, yet you still

Lou Yao came with Xiao Yan today, and it would be proper for her to prepare a congratulatory gift, but when she entered, no one presented her with a gift.

Lou Yao's expression changed. She hadn't prepared a gift for today. She had just been picked up from the Lou family by Xiao Yan, and she originally thought that Xiao Yan was just visiting and she would just come along to show her face. She never expected that Xie Wanru would suddenly bring up the topic to her.

"I..." Lou Yao was speechless for a moment, and looked at Xiao Yan for help.

Xiao Yan coughed lightly, trying to smooth things over: "Yao Yao is not feeling well today, so regarding the congratulatory gift..."

He was preoccupied with how to coax Lou Yao to come here today, forgetting that he was attending someone's housewarming party and should have brought a gift.

"Your Highness is mistaken. The Third Princess Consort is unwell but still came with you, which shows how much she values ​​Wanru. The gift is just a token of her affection. I believe the Third Princess Consort will not disappoint me, is that right, Third Princess Consort?"

Xie Wanru interrupted Xiao Yan, looking at Lou Yao with a smile, appearing confident and determined.

Lou Yao originally wanted to embarrass Xie Wan, but now it's Lou Yao herself who's in the awkward position.

Lin Qing looked at Wu Xuanyi and couldn't help but chuckle. Her Wanwan really didn't disappoint. Wu Xuanyi quickly covered for her. In front of everyone, even if you were laughing at someone, it wasn't appropriate to do it too obviously.

That is, the refinement of a lady from a respectable family.

Lou Yao was clearly in a bind, so she had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, "I... I left in a hurry today and didn't prepare a gift. How about this, I'll write a piece of calligraphy for the Princess on the spot? I studied under a master, and my calligraphy is precious. However, if Princess Yongchang doesn't like it, I can present another gift another day..."

"Oh? The Third Princess Consort can also write calligraphy?" Xie Wanru feigned surprise, then smiled and said, "That's wonderful! I've never seen the Third Princess Consort's calligraphy before. It's a great honor to be able to feast my eyes on it today."

Lou Yao thought Xie Wanru would say she didn't want it, after all, she was now Xiao Yan's principal wife, and Xie Wanru should hate her to the core, so how could she possibly want her calligraphy?

As it turned out, Xie Wanru didn't play by the rules and actually wanted her calligraphy. So she had no choice but to have someone prepare the brush, ink, paper and inkstone and bite the bullet to get started.

She studied music, chess, calligraphy, and painting from a young age, but ultimately she couldn't compare to those masters who had been immersed in these arts for many years. Her calligraphy could only be described as mediocre, and in fact, anyone who knew the art would know that it had no highlights.

Xie Wanru accepted Lou Yao's calligraphy and examined it for a moment before slowly saying, "The Third Princess's handwriting is neat, but it lacks a bit of charm. It's very proper, but it's sincere, so Wanru will accept it. Thank you, Third Princess."

These words not only gave Lou Yao face but also cleverly pointed out the shortcomings in her writing, leaving Lou Yao with no way to express her grievances.

This also directly shattered the impression that Xie Wanru was ignorant of calligraphy and painting and lacked talent; Princess Yongchang was quite adept at handling these matters.

Watching from the side, Xiao Yan suddenly realized that Xie Wanru was indeed intelligent and witty, and should not be underestimated. It seemed that he would have to find a way to trick her into his hands in the future.

"Although Yao Yao's calligraphy may not be considered a masterpiece, it is still better than yours, Princess Yongchang, which has an unknown origin. Why don't you put it away and hang Yao Yao's instead?"

Xiao Yan looked smug and didn't care about other people's opinions. He just wanted to provoke Xie Wanru and show her how he would protect his woman.

While he was showing off, Xiao Long and Shen Cong'an smiled knowingly. Although they didn't know who painted the painting, they could tell that it was no ordinary painting. But in Xiao Yan's mouth, it was not even as good as Lou Yao's calligraphy. Wasn't that ridiculous?

"Yan'er, what brings you here today? Aren't you busy suppressing bandits and trying to earn merit?"

Xiao Yunli, dressed in a white robe, with an androgynous appearance, attracted everyone's attention as soon as he appeared. Even children as young as Shen Mo were drawn to him and stared at him intently.

After being cared for by Shen Cong'an for some time, Shen Mo was sent to Mount Xuwu to be raised. He was no longer as thin as before, and his height had increased considerably.

She even... looks somewhat like Shen Cong'an.

Otherwise, even if he wanted to come back to participate in Xie Wanru's relocation, Shen Cong'an would not have agreed to let him go down the mountain, since people are safest on Mount Xuwu.

"Uncle Emperor."

Xiao Long immediately came over to pay his respects, and seeing that the folding fan in his hand was similar in style to the painting, he immediately understood.

That painting was created by his rarely seen imperial uncle.

Xiao Yan seemed to be choked by something, and dared not speak. Why was his royal uncle here, and why did he seem to be looking at him with some ill intent?

He was often disciplined by this royal uncle when he was a child. When he saw his royal uncle, he was like a mouse seeing a cat.

Xiao Yunli had overheard Xiao Yan's words from outside, and now he simply glanced at Xiao Yan and didn't bother to look at him and Lou Yao.

"Greetings, Your Highness Prince Rui!"

Everyone present stood up and bowed.

The current emperor has only one younger brother, whose status is undoubtedly of high rank.

Prince Rui, Xiao Yunli, gently raised his hand, signaling everyone to dispense with formalities. His gaze lingered on Xie Wanru for a moment, and a faint smile appeared on his lips. "Princess Yongchang has moved her residence. I was late due to other matters, so I have prepared a small gift. I hope Princess Yongchang will not find it offensive. It seems that Princess Yongchang likes my painting, otherwise she would not have hung it in such a conspicuous place."

Clearly, he was pleased that Xie Wanru had placed his painting in the most prominent position.

After he finished speaking, the servant behind him presented an exquisite long box. Xie Wanru stepped forward, took it, and gently opened it. Inside lay a jade pendant with a smooth and warm texture, carved with intricate and beautiful patterns, exuding an extraordinary aura.

"Thank you very much for your kind gift, Your Highness. I am deeply grateful."

Xie Wanru bowed slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes. This Prince Rui is not only handsome, but also loves to spend money!

This jade pendant is clearly a rare treasure, and Prince Rui's gift is of great significance.

Lou Yao watched from the side, gritting her teeth in hatred. She had thought that because she had come with Xiao Yan, she was already superior to Xie Wanru in status, but now, with the arrival of Prince Rui and his gifts...

"Who just said my painting is inferior to this lousy calligraphy? Hmm?"

With a flick of his folding fan, Xiao Yunli casually lifted Lou Yao's calligraphy.

Lou Yao's face turned deathly pale instantly. She never expected that Prince Rui, Xiao Yunli, would so directly humiliate her calligraphy in public, and she never expected that the painting without an official seal would be painted by Prince Rui himself.

The gazes of the surrounding guests were like sharp blades, making her feel as if her layers of disguise had been peeled away, leaving her naked and exposed to everyone.

The feeling was indescribably embarrassing; Lou Yao wished she could disappear into a crack in the ground.