Chapter 327 Exchanging Four Beauties for One, Commandery Princess Mingya’s Thought
“No!” He decisively put an end to Mingya’s suggestion in a drawling voice.
“Cousin, I’m going to trade four unique beautiful women for a concubine of yours. Won’t you agree?” Mingya was already prepared. She reached out and clapped her hands. The door of the hall was wide open and the music was melodious. Everyone could not help but look outside the door, only to see four women appearing in front of them.
One was holding the zither, the other was playing the flute, and another two were dancing, as they made their way in.
The one who sat down to play the zither, the other who leaned toward one side to play the flute charmingly, as well as the other two beautiful women who danced lightly, were all very good performers. What was most surprising was that these four beauties were identical in looks. They were cute, elegant, charming and aloof. They had different facial expressions, but their facial features were the same.
They were all beautiful, endearing, and delicate. However, they had different expressions on their similar faces. Furthermore, they were so beautiful that they were definitely worthy of what Princess Mingya meant.
They were quadruplets.
Twins were rare, not to mention quadruplets. The most unusual fact was that all of them were women and exceedingly beautiful, no mistake about that. It was already difficult to find a sole beauty, let alone four. Any man would be tempted to exchange four of them for one.
Moreover, each of them was beautiful in their individual way.
“Cousin, do you think it’s appropriate? Can I exchange these four for one?” Princess Mingya pointed at them proudly. The four beauties, who were performing exuberantly, raised their heads. In her opinion, it was cost-efficient for anyone. She did not miss the excitement in Ao Chenyi’s eyes.
All were playthings, but the four in her hands were obviously much superior to the one in Ao Chenyi’s arms.
“Prince Yi…” Ning Xueyan, who was in Ao Chenyi’s arms, seemed to be afraid. She cried piteously and raised her head. Although n.o.body could see her face, they could sense the sadness, fear, and panic from her voice.
“Mingya, are you going to trade these four beauties in exchange for my favorite concubine?” Ao Chenyi did not look at her. With a sideways glance, he looked from the beauties to Commandery Princess Mingya. He smiled slightly and drawled, “Why?”
“I’m your cousin. I can’t bear to see your reputation ruined by a humble woman. Besides, you’re going to marry a consort and co-consorts, who are all on the royal list. You can’t treat those real n.o.ble ladies lightly just because of this woman.” Commandery Princess Mingya looked at Commandery Princess Xianyun and County Princess Yuanyun, who were sitting at her side. She said this as if she was deciding for others.
She and Commandery Princess Xianyun were close friends, and County Princess Yuanyun was her cousin. Thus, she could not bear to see such a despicable woman stealing their limelight, before they got married. Now, many people were talking about Prince Yi’s favorite concubine. It was said that she was spoiled. According to Sister Xianyun and Sister Yuanyun’s disposition, they would suffer losses if they entered the mansion.
Compared to this woman who came nowhere, it would be easier to deal with these four women.
That was why she was so generous in giving out these four beauties in her hands. She found them by accident. Now, she wanted to use them in exchange for this mysterious “favorite concubine.” The Third Prince said that Prince Yi favored this woman very much. She did not believe it before, but now she did.
Just look at how this woman leaned against Ao Chenyi’s arms, as if she was boneless. From that, she knew that the woman was a coquette. She’d better deal with such a woman as soon as possible, so that there would not be any general turmoil. And, Sister Xianyun and Sister Yuanyun would suffer losses when they confronted this woman.
Ao Chenyi did not answer. He kept looking at the woman in his arms and the four women who were performing. He had an interesting expression on his face. It seemed as he would push his favorite concubine aside, not caring about her as much as he did when he first came.
“Prince Yi, Prince Yi,” Ning Xue Yan spoke with a hint of charm in her trembling voice. It was apparent that she was scared to death. If she were sent to Commandery Princess Mingya in exchange, she would not be able to live anymore. Everyone present knew this. Hearing her quaking voice and looking at her trembling shoulders, Ao Mingyu showed a trace of darkness in his eyes, but then he hid it behind his natural gentle demeanor.
Now, it was Commandery Princess Mingya who started a revolt, which had nothing to do with him. His lips were set in a gentle smile.
Wen Xueran turned his eyes from Commandery Princess Mingya to Ning Xueyan in Ao Chenyi’s arms. There was a smile on his handsome face, which was like a woman’s lovely face. With his amorous eyes, he stared unblinkingly at Ning Xueyan, whose shoulders were trembling. She was screaming in his ear. No one could see the hint of amus.e.m.e.nt in his eyes.
It would be surprising if Ao Chenyi did not agree under the current situation. Would a man be able to resist these beautiful women who were as pretty as flowers? Mingya looked at Ao Chenyi confidently and waited for his reply. She looked at Ning Xueyan with disdain. As for the coquette in front of her, she would ask someone to kill her the moment she got her. Otherwise, her cousin would ask for her back after a few days.
“Mingya, I have to thank you for your painstaking efforts. Unfortunately, I can’t bear to part with her…” Before Ao Chenyi could finish speaking, Commandery Princess Xianyun’s unhappy voice could be heard.
“Sister Mingya, what are you doing? Why do you want to interfere in Prince Yi’s family affairs?” Commandery Princess Xianyun, who was sitting by the side, seemed to realize something and asked unhappily. She was indeed a gentle beauty. Even though she was a little angry now, she still looked dignified and tender. She was indeed the best candidate to be the main wife.
She seemed to be standing on Ao Chenyi’s or Ning Xueyan’s side.
No one noticed when she spoke. It was when Ao Chenyi said, “unfortunately.” Except for Ning Xueyan, no one noticed that because they were all talking at the same time. Wailing in Ao Chenyi’s arms, Ning Xueyan, showed a faint smile on her face under the veil.
She was the legal wife whom Ao Chenyi would marry. She seemed to be a “sensible” and generous woman. She was much wiser than the County Princess Yuanyun, who hated Ning Xueyan.
“Sister Xianyun, I…” Beyond Mingya’s expectation, Commandery Princess Xianyun came out to stop her, so she stamped her feet and said angrily.
“Younger Sister Mingya, we should not interfere with Prince Yi’s family affairs. You’d better sit down and watch the show.” Commandery Princess Xianyun reached out and pulled Commandery Princess Mingya, who had already stood up, and interrupted her gently.
“You… you’re…” Princess Mingya was furious. She glared at her and sat down with a cold face. She waved her hand to ask the four beauties to leave. Since they could not be exchanged, she would not give them away for free.
According to the news from the imperial palace, it was said that Sister Xianyun was the consort, and Sister Yuanyun was the co-consort. However, she was dissatisfied with the fact that Prince Yi had a favorite concubine. Therefore, Commandery Princess Mingya decided to stand up for them. She almost succeeded, but it was destroyed by Commandery Princess Xianyun. How could she not be angry? Her kindness was considered as an ill intention. She did not talk to Commandery Princess Xianyun, and she turned to chat with the County Princess Yuanyun.
In this way, she showed her dissatisfaction with Commandery Princess Xianyun.
The banquet went on smoothly. Ao Mingyu had arranged for singing and dancing performances. Although Ao Chenyi did not say much today, he put on a good show. He chatted with others from time to time, which made him neglect the beauty in his arms. Maybe because of the previous shock, everyone found that his favorite concubine was particularly quiet.
She was not as impudent as when she first entered the hall, nor did she take the initiative to speak. She was much more at ease.
After three rounds of toasting, Ning Xueyan suddenly whispered in Ao Chenyi’s ear. Then, Ao Chenyi was talking to Ao Mingyu. He nodded and loosened his hands. Ning Xueyan got up and looked around. She had not brought any maid with her, so she could only look for the maid here. When she saw a maid standing in the corner, she hurried over and asked where the changing room was, in a low voice. Under the maid’s guidance, she walked out of the side door.
When she left, the County Princess Yuanyun on the other side, also got up and went out, accompanied by one of her maids.
Ning Xueyan followed the maid and took a long detour. When they arrived at the place, the maid guided her in. After she changed and came out, Ning Xueyan found that the maid who was standing outside had already gone, so she had to go back through the previous route she took. It was not complicated. Ning Xueyan remembered that she had been walking inside all the time. She pa.s.sed through a garden and then turned round a corner.
Ning Xueyan pa.s.sed by a flower rack in front of her, and suddenly heard someone talking. They seemed to mention “favorite concubine” and so on. Ning Xueyan could not help but stop.
“Prince Yi was almost going to replace this ‘favorite concubine’ with someone else.” Someone teased with a hint of sarcasm.
“That’s right. It’s not the first time. Prince Yi is not a man of lasting affection. There was always some ‘favorite concubine’ from time to time in his manor. They were either sent away or missing. How could such a low-status woman be t.i.tled?” Another contemptuous voice could be heard, filled with disdain.
“County Princess, take it easy. He was embarra.s.sed to say that after hearing Commandery Princess Xianyun’s words, but Prince Yi will ask Commandery Princess Mingya to do an exchange, in private. That woman is a plaything. Did she want to become His Highness’ concubine? If it had been possible, she would have been his concubine. Why would she wait until now?”
“How dare she, a plaything, dare to have such a high profile? Is she not afraid of death? Does she think that Prince Yi likes her?” Ning Xueyan could tell from her tone that she was the County Princess Yuanyun. It was said that she was the niece of the Great Elder Princess’s husband. Her t.i.tle was County Princess because her father also died in the battle with the emperor’s son-in-law.
When they were talking in the seats just now, Ning Xueyan had already figured out everyone’s ident.i.ties.
As soon as she left, the County Princess followed her. Her words were full of disdain for Ning Xueyan. It seemed that the County Princess was going to marry Ao Chenyi. She sighed helplessly. As expected, Ao Chenyi asked her to come here to create trouble today. However, she seemed to be here to cause trouble on purpose…