An Rushuang felt the coldness was better than the previous ones, but it was still much colder than she was in the capital.
She could not help shouting out “My goodness!” Then she slowly opened her eyes, only to find Yun Ran’s scarred face in front of her. Seeing his face, An Rushuang was struck by such a mixed feeling all of a sudden that she almost forgot to breathe.
Looking at her, Yun Ran stroked her furry head with his big palm.
Subconsciously, An Rushuang stepped backwards, but when she looked down, she saw her hoofs. So she’s turning to the horse again!
“Maybe he is right.” said Yun Ran abruptly, with his eyebrows knitted.
Who is he? What did he say? Hearing this, An Rushuang was curious. However, she was now a horse. Even if she wanted to ask something, she couldn’t do anything.
Then she saw Yun Ran sighing and looking at somewhere out of the stable. “If she managed to cast the spell smoothly, would she come here again?” Saying so, he shook his head, “No. She didn’t intend to come to the battlefield last time.”
“But if she does not come…”
Talking back and forth, Yun Ran looked so vexed and frustrated.
An Rushuang looked at him in such a confusion that she even wanted to kick his head with her hoofs. What on earth was he talking about? Was he mad?
“If she does not come, I…” said him.
So what? An Rushuang held her breath and listened to him carefully, but suddenly she heard a much louder voice.
“Miss An, we are arriving at Rong Manor,” Said Hong Yu.
Seeing An Rushuang muddled, Hong Yu couldn’t help giving out a sigh and then wiped her face with cold towel.
Soon An Rushuang turned wide awake and looked out of the coach window. However, there was not a single coach parking outside. How desolate it was! Seeing this, she couldn’t help frowning.
It seemed like most ladies went to Princess Mingxi’s Anhe Garden.
Actually, it made sense. Princess Mingxi’s banquet was of course different from that held by Princess Anyang who was considered as the shame of the royal family. Going for Princess Mingxi’s banquet could not only increase their chances to meet Princes and Royal highnesses, but also was a good way to establish a favorable relations.h.i.+p with the Princess so as to pave the way for their families. This was something almost everyone would go after. Or at the very least, no one dare to refuse Princess Mingxi’s invitations.
Looking at the gold plaque hung over the gate of the Rong Manor, An Rushuang slowly drew the curtain and got off the coach.
Today Zhu Xianxian was dressed in a green light s.h.i.+rt and a water-mist fine pleated skirt, setting off her snow-white skin and mild temperament, making her look even prettier than the ancient beauty. With Bai Zhi’s company, Xianxian slowly walked to Mingyue. One was like a jade tree and the other a phoenix flower. Standing together, they were indeed attractive.
However, they both looked a bit worried. Lu Mingyue said, “Are we really going to attend this banquet? I heard all ladies went to the Princess Mingxi’s. If we do not attend Princess Mingxi’s banquet, we will more or less offend her and also the Emperor… I have no preference to either of these banquets. I’m just afraid of my father would beat me…”
Lu Mingyue always spoke her mind directly. Hearing her words, Rushuang and Xianxian couldn’t help laughing out.
An Rushuang was not surprised that she would say such things. Xianxian didn’t make any comment; instead she turned to An Rushuang and looked at her.
While Hong Yu standing at Rushuang’s side felt a little uncertain after hearing what Mingyue said. She whispered, “Miss An… Let’s go back home. It might be better not to attend either of the banquets than attend this banquet instead of Princess’s Mingxi’s…”
Saying so, Hong Yu turned pale. Obviously, she was indeed concerned about this issue.
When they were in the coach, Hong Yu was planning to ask about this, but An Rushuang fell asleep. She didn’t even have a chance to mention about the banquet stuff.
Hearing this, An Rushuang chuckled and said, “It’s just a flower banquet, rest a.s.sured. Princess Anyang sent the invitation first. First come, first attended, right?” Against the daylight, there seemed be some moisture around the corner of her eyes.
“As for Princess Mingxi’s, it was she who sent the invitations to the ladies in the capital. It even has nothing to do with the Empress. How could it be related to the Emperor then? Mingyue, be at ease.”
Saying so, An Rushuang pointed at Hong Yu’s forehead and said, “And you! Do you really think I have such a privilege that I could turn down both of their invitations?”
Hearing this, Xianxian couldn’t help laughing, “If so, let’s get in now. Do not waste time here. Perhaps Princess Anyang has already prepared everything, waiting for us inside.”
When they were about to get in, they were stopped by a guard at the gate who asked, “Ladies, may I ask why you come here? If you are not invited or do not have a justified reason for admittance, you are not allowed to get in.”
Stepping forward, Hong Yu showed him the bright red peony invitation and said, “This is the invitation from Princess Anyang. Please lead us to the banquet.”
Holding the invitation, the guard seemed to be in great shock and did not know what to do. He looked at the invitation and them back and forth.
Seeing his response, Hong Yu frowned at him and said, “How rude you are! You didn’t pay respect when seeing the ladies. And now you’re standing here like a wood. Would you please lead the way for us?”
Suddenly, a high-pitched female’s voice was heard, “Chang Sheng, who are these ladies? Why are they here?”
The guard, called Chang Sheng, was literally sweating when answering the question, “Miss Luoxia, they are invited by Princess Anyang to attend the flower banquet in the Changchun Pavilion today.”
The woman called Luoxia, though not beautiful, was in good shape, with a long face, drooping eyes and thin lips.
She slightly nodded and looked at them with a slightly confused face. She bowed to An Rushuang, Lu Mingyue and Zhu Xianxian before saying, “Ladies, I’m sorry to inform you that the flower banquet has been canceled today. Apologies to all of you!”
Hearing this, An Rushuang couldn’t be more surprised.