Cold sweat ran down Qin Guilu’s forehead.
Even he was intimidated when the crown prince was silent, and he felt as if an incorporeal hand had tightly squeezed his heart.
“Family Head Qin is the birthday celebrant today, so there’s no need for so many formalities.”
Mo Lian only said this in a low voice after quite a while, waving his hand to forego the formalities.
Qin Guilu felt as if he had received amnesty, and he hurriedly straightened his body while putting on a wide smile. “The crown prince has honored this humble one with your presence, bringing light to my humble dwelling. Please pardon this humble one, Your Highness, for any negligence.”
“Family Head Qin, you don’t need to go through the conventional greetings. We came today…”
“Ha ha, the crown prince has come.” An insipid and drawn-out voice abruptly cut off Mo Lian’s words.
A man, around thirty years of age and wearing a large, bright yellow, deerskin cloak, walked over while surrounded by other guests. He stood at the center of attention, just like how the stars worshipped the moon.
Mo Lian coldly cast a glance at him. “Eldest Royal Brother.”
“Ha ha, it’s not that Eldest Brother purposely wanted to steal your limelight and offer birthday congratulations to the Qin Estate’s patriarch in your stead, but it’s that Royal Father had especially instructed me to make this trip. I didn’t expect Sixth Brother to be interested, too. But that’s right, that’s right. Many people from the various large patrician families have come today, Sixth Brother should also come out to socialize more…”
Even though the eldest prince hadn’t yet finished his spiel, the crown prince had already strode towards the interior.
As soon as he started moving, Family Head Qin led the two young masters, as well as the rest of the procession, to shuffle along. It immediately landed Mo Jiao into an awkward situation, and his fists clenched tightly within his sleeves.
This was the crown prince’s attitude towards the other princes: willful, prideful, and treating them as nothing.
When he was willing to give you a second glance, he would. If he wasn’t willing, then he wouldn’t speak an extra word of nonsense with you.
“Your Highness, this way, please.” Qin Guilu bent his waist slightly as he personally guided the crown prince towards the banquet hall.
When the procession was only halfway to their destination, they heard a series of dainty and delicate voices coming from the flower garden. Evidently, the group of missuses and young ladies were admiring the plum blossoms in the rear garden at the moment.
When Eldest Prince Mo Jiao remembered his purpose for coming today, his eyes shifted, and he quickly caught up to the crown prince, egging him on. “Sixth Brother, since there’s still time before the banquet starts, why don’t we first take a stroll around the flower garden? I’ve always heard how the Qin Estate’s plum blossoms bloom the most beautifully. It also just so happens to be the best season to admire plum blossoms, too.”
Qin Guilu immediately smiled and concurred. “Your Highnesses, please follow me. The estate has a rare thousand snow plum tree that is in full bloom at the moment. It is indeed worth a look.”
However, Crown Prince Mo wasn’t in the mood to admire any plum blossoms.
Just as he was about to refuse in impatience, he lifted his eyes and saw Duan Yue that guy walking over with Situ Yi as a pair.
A young adult man with average looks also followed closely behind the two. He trailed behind Duan Yue, wanting to speak up the entire time, but he couldn’t find the opportunity to chime into Duan Yue and Situ Yi’s exclusive conversation.
“Youngest Young Master Duan, Young Master Situ.” Qin Guilu cupped his hands with a chuckle.
Duan Yue nodded, his apathetic gaze sweeping across the crowd. Suddenly, he started picking a bone with Second Qin. “Second Young Master, just now, your mischievous maidservant smashed the Marquis of Su’an’s family’s fifth young master with a flowerpot. Shouldn’t you ferret her out to give Marquis of Su’an’s Fifth Young Master an explanation?”
Second Qin: …
Eldest Qin was instantly speechless. How many people had the little lass smashed up these two days now? She really had some fearless guts.
How could Qin Guilu stay unperturbed after hearing this? “What? How is the situation of the Marquis of Su’an’s family’s fifth young master right now? Which maidservant is so audacious! Quickly track her down!”
The group of servants from the Qin Estate involuntarily rolled their eyes: Master, those are some nice acting chops you have there!