The eldest daughter's scheming, the crown prince's exclusive favor to the venomous concubi

However, he did not lash out. He quickly regained his composure and continued to laugh, "Oh dear, the Crown Prince is the Crown Prince. He can't be compared to us idle princes. Fine, I'll continue drinking my wine. Let's each do our own thing."

After saying that, Murong Yu forced an extremely ugly smile and then stopped looking at Murong Chuan. Murong Chuan also ignored Murong Yu, sipping his tea while glancing at the people who had arrived out of the corner of his eye.

The Qiu family arrived early, but the woman who was engaged to the heir of the Marquis of Qingyan was not there. He frowned slightly, and then his eyes met Qiu Lingfeng's affectionate gaze.

Qiu Lingfeng saw Murong Chuan as soon as he entered, but because she was a woman, she could not leave her father's side, nor could she talk to a man in public. Therefore, her beautiful eyes never left Murong Chuan.

At this moment, Murong Chuan looked over, and she immediately beamed with joy, her eyes filled with nothing but longing.

However, Murong Chuan's expression seemed rather displeased, and this was only after he looked at the Qiu family.

Qiu Lingfeng looked around but found nothing amiss. She was a little puzzled, but still smiled slightly at Murong Chuan and offered him a toast from afar.

Seeing this, Murong Chuan raised his teacup and returned Qiu Lingfeng's smile.

Qiu Lingrong saw this and, laughing, whispered in Qiu Lingfeng's ear, "What are you looking at, elder sister? Has some young man stolen your soul?"

Upon hearing this, Qiu Lingfeng blushed and lowered her eyes, scolding, "Don't talk nonsense, or people will criticize you."

Qiu Lingrong curled her lips and said, "Tch, what's there to complain about? Eldest sister is the Empress's chosen Crown Princess, that's something that's been made public, what can't be said?"

Qiu Lingfeng shook her head and said, "Stop talking. Do you even know what kind of trouble it will cause if someone hears you talking like this? Have you forgotten all the lessons your mother taught you?"

Qiu Lingrong listened with some disdain and was about to continue refuting when she heard Qiu Lingfeng say in a low voice, "Such a magnificent scene is hard to come by. Why don't you check if that little prince has come?"

Upon hearing this, Qiu Lingrong hurriedly looked up and glanced around. After a while, she frowned and said, "There are too many people. How can anyone know which one is the young prince?"

Qiu Lingfeng pointed towards the direction above and said, "Most of the princes and nobles are over there. The young prince, who is of a different surname, is similar in status to the heir of the Marquis of Qingyan, so they will probably be together."

Today is the welcoming banquet for the Marquis of Qingyan's heir. The Marquis of Qingyan's heir will certainly sit in the seat closest to the Emperor, alongside the Eldest Princess. Look carefully downwards, and you'll find it. Then you'll have a plan for what you want to do.”

Qiu Lingrong nodded, then stopped bothering Qiu Lingfeng and stared at the seats at the head of the table with shining eyes.

A moment later, a commotion arose in the crowd, with many women exclaiming in surprise. Qiu Lingrong was puzzled, but then she saw Qiu Lingfeng wink at her and whisper, "Look at that person at the door? It should be."

Qiu Lingrong looked over and was immediately captivated. At that moment, she could see no one else but that handsome face.

"Big sister, I think I've fallen in love with him."

Qiu Lingfeng frowned slightly, looked around, and seeing that no one was paying attention, she felt relieved and approached Qiu Lingrong, saying, "Some things are better left unsaid. If you say them out loud, you'll become the target of everyone's criticism."

However, Qiu Lingrong seemed not to hear, her eyes fixed on Chu Tianyi.

Chu Tianyi was very uncomfortable with this kind of occasion. Ever since he entered the main hall, he had been in a tense state. Now, he was being stared at by countless eyes, all of which were of women he disliked the most. He was like a hawk with its feathers standing on end, standing at the door and not taking another step inside.

Seeing this, the attendant beside him was puzzled and stepped forward cautiously to ask, "What's wrong, Your Highness?"

Chu Tian's expression tightened, his hand already gripping the hilt of the sword. With a swift motion, he drew the sword halfway out.

Instantly, a cold light flashed, silencing everyone around and giving Chu Tianyi a temporary respite.

"Quarrel."

He uttered a single word, then strode to his seat. After sitting down, he remained upright, his eyes fixed straight ahead, gleaming coldly like his sword.

The ministers' daughters, who were initially attracted by his dashing appearance, all intended to approach him and strike up a conversation. However, his performance just now made many of them hesitate and become timid.

But Qiu Lingrong wasn't among these people; she was completely captivated by Chu Tianyi's charm, especially the moment he drew his sword—he was simply too handsome.

She suddenly stood up and was about to walk towards Chu Tianyi when Qiu Lingfeng saw this and quickly grabbed her, scolding her in a low voice, "What are you doing? What kind of occasion is this? How dare you be so insolent? Sit down right now."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Lingrong pouted and said, unwilling to give up, "I just wanted to go over and say hello, it's okay, big sister."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Lingfeng immediately retorted angrily, "What nonsense! You are a daughter about to be married. How can you talk to a strange man like that? Won't people gossip? Sit down quietly. Father will handle this matter in a moment."

Qiu Lingrong was indignant, but she still sat down, though her eyes never left Chu Tianyi, burning with an intense intensity.

Chu Tianyi naturally felt the burning gaze. Since childhood, such gazes had always surrounded him, but no one had ever been so bold. He frowned and locked his gaze on Qiu Lingrong at a glance.

When Qiu Lingrong saw Chu Tianyi looking over, her eyes widened with joy, and she was almost ready to stand up and shout. However, the next moment, she was frightened by his gaze.

"Big...Big Sister."

"what happened?"

Seeing this, Qiu Lingfeng followed her gaze, frowned slightly, and said with a dark look in her eyes, "Stop staring. If you provoke her, you'll be in for a world of hurt. She's not an ordinary person."

"But people just can't help it."

Qiu Lingrong had already looked away, but she still stole a glance at Chu Tian.

Just now, although Chu Tianyi looked at her with murderous eyes, it still couldn't stop her from secretly falling in love with him. At this moment, her heart was pounding, and she pointed to her finger and said, "Do you think Father will really go and talk to him?"

Upon hearing this, Qiu Lingfeng laughed and said, "What? Worried? Why don't you go and ask him now? That young prince is not a playboy like the Marquis of Qingyan who likes women. The sword he holds has actually seen blood."

"Don't end up not winning her heart but being rejected instead. Losing face is a small matter; losing your life is a big deal."

Just from that one glance, she understood that this person was not someone that Qiu Lingrong, this silly little girl, could handle. However, her father intended for the Qiu family to form a marriage alliance with a prince of a different surname, and besides her, the only other person who could be Qiu Lingrong was her.

Thinking of this, she frowned slightly and lowered her eyes.

"The Emperor has arrived! The Empress has arrived!"

The eunuch's loud voice silenced the noisy crowd, who all stood up and bowed to the head of the table.

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress!"

"Everyone loves you."

Murong Qianqiu smiled slightly, raised his arm and sat on the dragon throne. Sun Rouxiang sat below him in the Empress's seat. Murong Chuan stepped forward and said, "May Father Emperor and Mother Emperor enjoy boundless blessings."

Murong Qianqiu nodded: "Hmm, what's wrong? Everyone's quiet now that I'm here? No need for formalities. Today is a welcome dinner for the heir of Qingyan Marquis, and also a chance to congratulate him on his upcoming marriage. Feel free to have fun."

As he spoke, he suddenly stopped, looked around for a moment, and said, "Where is he?"

Murong Chuan bowed his head and said, "Reporting to Father Emperor, the heir of the Marquis of Qingyan has indeed not arrived yet."

Upon hearing this, the crowd began to whisper among themselves, wondering if the heir of the Marquis of Qingyan was truly so arrogant. He was even late for the victory banquet hosted by the Emperor himself? Was he about to cause an uproar?

However, the Emperor's fury that everyone expected did not come. Murong Qianqiu only frowned slightly, then smiled and said, "Never mind, that's just how the child is. We can't blame him. My dear ministers, please do as you please. We'll get to the point when he arrives."

Murong Chuan's eyes flickered slightly, and he frowned slightly.

Originally, he thought that no matter how favored Bai Jianan was, his father should be angry and punish him for what happened today. However, his father said nothing and even made excuses for him.

what is this?

Murong Chuan was quick-witted. Murong Yu looked at his changing expression, smiled slightly, and sighed, "Alas, Father is not angry at all. If I didn't know he was Aunt's biological son, I would have thought he was Father's illegitimate son. Tsk tsk."

Murong Chuan paused, then turned to Murong Yu and scolded, "How dare you be so rude! How dare you say such things?"

Murong Yu immediately begged for forgiveness, saying, "Brother Crown Prince, please calm down. I was wrong. I was just bored and wanted to talk. Normally, Father loves all of us brothers dearly, but he has never treated us like he does Canaan. Brother Crown Prince, do you think this is right?"

He narrowed his eyes, his gaze filled with malice. Murong Chuan met his gaze, and after a moment, the corner of his lips twitched slightly as he said, "What do you want to say? Are you questioning Father's decision?"

If he really is the Emperor's son, why doesn't he directly acknowledge his lineage and return to the family? Instead, he's being raised under his aunt's name? Between a crown prince and a prince, which is more noble? Besides, you and I both know that your aunt gave birth back then, and we witnessed Canaan's birth with our own eyes. How can you be so sure that's what happened?"

Upon hearing this, Murong Yu shook his head and clicked his tongue, saying, "Who knows? But even so, it doesn't matter. You are still the Crown Prince, and I am still a Prince. Nothing will change, so there's no need to think about it."

Murong Chuan didn't move, but Murong Yu suddenly leaned closer to him and whispered with a smile, "By the way, Crown Prince, have you found that blood-red coral yet? Do you know who stole it?"