My Aloof Lord Ex-Husband Begs for Remarriage
Chapter 118: Everyone Stands Up to Toast

Chapter 118: Chapter 118: Everyone Stands Up to Toast

Under the gaze of the assembled crowd, Chu Nanli pondered for a moment before looking toward the Princess Consort and saying, "Indeed, there is one thing for which I would ask for Your Highness’s assistance."

Upon hearing this, Lin Fuying couldn’t help but sneer inwardly.

A coarse woman of lowly birth simply lacks depth; the Princess Consort had only spoken out of courtesy, and yet she took it seriously, eagerly seeking favors.

Immediately, she turned to Ye Yunting with a look of concern, "Prince, my sister won’t make an excessive request, will she? That would be more trouble than it’s worth."

Ye Yunting furrowed his brows.

Based on Chu Nanli’s behavior at the palace banquet, he surprisingly felt that Chu Nanli wouldn’t act rashly at this moment.

Therefore, he remained silent.

"But please speak," the Princess Consort said with a smile.

Chu Nanli spoke earnestly, "Nanli boldly asks that Your Highness grant auspicious names to the girls from the Bright Moon Building."

This was a decision she had made after careful consideration.

The girls of the Bright Moon Building needed to break free from the world’s judgment—this was the last spark they required. Perhaps, this was an excellent opportunity.

With the favored consort of the current reign bestowing names, the girls would not only gain fame in the future but would also possess more confidence and backing.

Little did she know, her words rendered everyone present momentarily stunned.

Ye Yunting’s gaze landed on Chu Nanli, his eyes taking on a deeper quality.

Using the Princess Consort’s opportunity for patronage to pave the way for dancing girls and singers... that was a boldness many lacked.

Today’s Chu Nanli, with such a drastically different demeanor from the hysterical and ignorant image he had in mind, left him wondering.

Which one was the real her?

"You truly only wish for me to bestow auspicious names on those girls?" The Princess Consort regained her composure and asked again with uncertainty.

Chu Nanli’s answer was very firm.

"Yes, they need the chance to be reborn anew."

Reborn anew...

The Empress silently repeated these words in her heart, and when she looked at Chu Nanli again, her eyes showed a hint of admiration.

Peaceful and uncompetitive, with a heart full of love—she was a rare good girl. How had the outside world come to slander her so?

The same thought surfaced in the minds of many guests.

"Alright, I agree," the Princess Consort said. "However, I also respect the choices of each girl from the Bright Moon Building. If they wish for me to bestow a name, I shall do so. If they prefer to keep their original names, I will not insist," the Princess Consort declared.

Chu Nanli quickly expressed her gratitude, "Thank you, Your Highness."

The Princess Consort looked at the Empress, who said with a smile, "I will have someone call the girls to come in once more."

The Princess Consort also smiled, "Thank you, Empress."

The atmosphere was harmonious.

At that moment, Lin Xuanxuan unexpectedly rose from her seat to offer a toast to Chu Nanli.

"Princess Consort Chu, there is no need for you to return the gesture. This cup is to honor your timely and kind assistance," she said.

To Chu Nanli’s surprise, following Lin Xuanxuan’s toast, one after another, guests stood up to show their goodwill towards her.

Chu Nanli was somewhat baffled.

It wasn’t until she returned to her seat that Ye Yunting spoke up beside her.

"The girls of the Bright Moon Building are all daughters of convicted officials. Many in the hall have connections to those families, some even by blood or marriage. You’ve done the girls of the Bright Moon Building a great favor, and naturally, they are grateful to you."

Chu Nanli looked at him with surprise etched across her face.

Caught off guard, Ye Yunting met a pair of clear, bright apricot eyes, and his gaze paused for a moment.

Immediately, his brows knitted slightly, and with a hint of gravity in his voice, he warned, "Why do you look at me like this?"

Lin Fuying sat with her head down, gazing at her wine cup as though she hadn’t noticed the conversation beside her.

Chu Nanli honestly replied, "This is the first time I’ve heard the Prince speak so much to me, and even in such a calm manner."

Ye Yunting: "..."

The man chuckled in exasperation, mocking, "Your mouth really can’t say anything pleasant, can it?"

Chu Nanli pointed to a seat on his other side and said, "It’s probably for the best if the Prince speaks less with me. I’m worried she will hold a grudge against me again and proceed to frame me."

Ye Yunting instinctively turned to look and, upon seeing the trembling Lin Fuying, his expression turned grave. He turned back and warned, "Watch your mouth, speak less nonsense. Do you want to give the spectators even more of a show?"

Oddly enough, he didn’t directly scold Chu Nanli for bullying Lin Fuying.

At this point, the Palace Attendants led Xinlian and others back into the hall.

On the way, the attendants had already explained the situation to them.

At that moment, pairs of slightly reddened eyes turned toward Chu Nanli.

Chu Nanli responded with a smile, her expression calm and gentle, with a soothing power to reassure hearts.

In the end, five girls including Xinlian, Yuan Qiu, and Mei Yi did not change their names; the rest allowed the Princess Consort to bestow upon them auspicious names.

After the girls from the Bright Moon Building left the scene, the Empress chatted with everyone for a while, and then the banquet came to an end.

Chu Nanli was invited by the Princess Consort to sit for a while in her palace chambers.

Given the opportunity to foster a good relationship with the Emperor’s favored consort, Chu Nanli saw no reason to refuse and readily agreed.