Abandoned Woman Busy Farming
Chapter 1580: Ulterior Motives_1

Chapter 1580: Chapter 1580: Ulterior Motives_1

The atmosphere instantly became incredibly awkward. Princess Yingtong took a disdainful look at Saihan and said, "Even in an arranged marriage, it should be based on mutual consent. Prince Saihan didn’t even ask if Lady Diao Yao was willing and just shamelessly babbled on; it really lacks grace. I’ve heard that the princes of the Turkic are genteel and courteous. Why is there such a big gap with Prince Saihan?"

Bai Ruozhu, hiding behind, stifled her laughter and secretly gave Princess Yingtong a look of admiration. Those few words were so lethal! When she had first met Princess Yingtong in the Western Regions, she had thought her somewhat stubborn, and indeed, her stubbornness had not diminished at all.

Saihan arrogantly glanced at Yingtong and said, "It’s better for a woman to speak more gently, otherwise, there will come a time when you’ll cry."

"Alright, alright, stop focusing solely on chatting. The self-service dinner has already started. Everyone, go and get something to eat and talk, don’t restrain yourselves," the Empress Dowager interjected hastily, fearing that Princess Yingtong might provoke Saihan, that evil demon.

The Empress also said with a smile, "I wonder if Prince Saihan and Princess Yingtong like the self-service style. This method is also meant to make you young people more comfortable. There will be singing and dancing later to add to the enjoyment."

Princess Yingtong gave a sweet smile to the Empress Dowager and the Empress, saying, "This self-service meal is really fun. Yingtong has gained quite a bit of insight from this outing."

The Empress Dowager and Empress’s impression of Princess Yingtong improved a bit, of course, also because Yingtong was not entering the palace. Otherwise, the Empress wouldn’t have been so polite.

Yingtong no longer paid attention to Saihan and rose to walk towards the food racks. Bai Ruozhu didn’t want to seem too close to her in front of everyone, so she did not join her, but instead exchanged a few words with the Empress Dowager before going down to get her meal.

Bai Ruozhu was there to accompany others, similar to those women who had brought their children, while Jiang Yichun, being a married man, did not attend the banquet.

"This is very nourishing for women. You should try it." A soft voice sounded from beside her; Bai Ruozhu turned to see that the person speaking to her was none other than Gai Yalai!

Gai Yalai looked very sincere. Bai Ruozhu was stunned for two seconds before she hurriedly replied, "Okay, I’ll try it."

She was somewhat unsure of how to face Gai Yalai. After all, there had been no direct conflict between them, but previously, due to her cold attitude, she thought Gai Yalai was selfish and unfit to be a mother.

Because of the issues with Hua Hao and Yueyuan, Jiang Yichun had also talked to her about Gai Yalai’s attitude. She couldn’t say her views on Gai Yalai had changed, but she also bore no animosity.

However, Gai Yalai had remarried and was now the wife of Xue County King. And since she and Achun had not reacquainted themselves, how should she interact with Gai Yalai?

Gai Yalai nodded gently at her and then continued walking to other racks, behaving very naturally.

Bai Ruozhu let out a huge sigh of relief; she truly did not know how to deal with a mother-in-law relationship.

She took some food and stepped aside, while her eyes discreetly swept in the direction of Princess Yingtong.

Many young talents surrounded Yingtong, including Xue Wenqian, the young Prince of Xue.

The situation for Yingtong was different from Saihan. Most aristocrats of Danliang were unwilling to give away their daughters to a faraway place like the Turkic, especially given Saihan’s character. Those who did were usually from families who had fallen on hard times, seeking a way out.

Conversely, Yingtong was marrying into Danliang, and unlike marrying a Danliang princess who cannot hold an actual position, marrying a princess from the Western Regions could bring more honor to one’s family.

Xue Wenqian appeared cultured and mannerly. Bai Ruozhu didn’t know what he said to Yingtong, but a brilliant smile bloomed on Yingtong’s face, causing Bai Ruozhu to frown slightly.

Because they were too far away, coupled with the surrounding noise, Bai Ruozhu couldn’t hear clearly what Xue Wenqian was saying. But she really felt that Xue Wenqian wasn’t a good match.

He was too calculating and self-interested. She remembered from her first time entering the Capital how Xue Wenqian had pretended to befriend her.

And Du Zhongshu was also nearby—he even had to check Princess Yingtong’s pulse, but it was another woman who spoke up and stopped him.

The woman was petite, with a playful look on her face.

Soon, the woman pulled Princess Yingtong aside to eat and chat.

"Those men are really too enthusiastic; they’re all drawn by the princess," the woman giggled.

Princess Yingtong was not shy, and with a hint of arrogance, she said, "That’s not necessarily true. It’s the status of the princess that attracts them."

The woman laughed dryly twice and quickly changed the subject, "What kind of man do you like, Princess Yingtong? How about I help you look for a good match?"

It seemed that Princess Yingtong was a bit annoyed by the men crowding around her, and she pouted as she said, "Someone with a stable personality, not too talkative, and of course, he must have good looks, otherwise it affects my mood."

Bai Ruozhu happened to overhear their conversation and nearly couldn’t help but laugh out loud. She had never realized before that Princess Yingtong had such an amusing personality.

But her mood instantly went from sunny to overcast with the woman’s next words.

"Has the princess seen this year’s newly acclaimed second top scholar? He’s the younger brother of Bai, the chief doctor. He’s handsome and steady by nature, and what’s more, the Bai Family has a family rule of not taking concubines. You don’t know how many girls in the Capital want to marry the second top scholar," the woman said excitedly, "It’s just a pity that he simply won’t look my way."

Bai Ruozhu narrowed her eyes. The Emperor had already said he would grant marriages to the top three scholars, and looking at the calendar, that date wasn’t far off. Her brother had already decided on Si Yihuan, and the Emperor hadn’t issued the decree immediately, probably waiting to arrange marriages for the top three scholars at once. Meanwhile, Tang Feng was still on his way back to the Capital.

As a noble lady of the Capital, there was no way this woman could be ignorant of this matter. So what was her intention in saying these things?

She looked towards a palace maid pouring wine and asked quietly, "Do you know which family the woman speaking with Princess Yingtong comes from?"

A palace maid able to serve wine at such a banquet would also have some insights.

"In reply to Miss Bai, that is the third daughter of the Ma Family; I believe her given name is Linglong," the palace maid replied in a low voice.

"Do you know anything about the Ma Family?" Bai Ruozhu continued.

The palace maid shook her head, "This servant does not know."

Whether she truly did not know or it wasn’t convenient to say, Bai Ruozhu didn’t press further. She rewarded the maid with a purse and let her get back to her tasks.

Meanwhile, the other woman continued, "I’m afraid Princess Yingtong may not be aware of the second top scholar, Bai’s household situation. They are very harmonious, and the Capital’s most renowned Weaving Pavilion, Beauty Pavilion, and the Bai Family Toy House, among others, are all owned by the Bai Family."

Humph, first she talked about the ranking, then about good looks, and then about wealth—it seemed this woman really knew how to gild the lily for her brother. She did like listening to people singing her brother’s praises, but this was not the time for that.

Sure enough, a look of longing appeared on Princess Yingtong’s face, and she said excitedly, "I was treated by Bai, the chief doctor, for acclimation sickness before. I really like her straightforward personality. I had no idea her brother was quite so remarkable."

If she could become Bai Ruozhu’s sister-in-law, wouldn’t life be interesting in the future? Princess Yingtong thought excitedly.