Chapter 161: Toasting

Chapter 161: Toasting

Xin You bowed to Princess Xuan, “Greetings, Your Highness.”

Princess Xuan lowered her eyes, her voice as delicate as her appearance, “Miss Kou, there's no need for such formalities.”

After that, there were no more words.

Prince Xiu smiled and asked Kong Fu, “Why did you come from this side, Fu'er?”

“I brought Sister Kou to see the little mountain pig.”

Prince Xiu couldn't help but glance at Xin You, his tone becoming even gentler, “It's too cold outside. You and Miss Kou should go back inside soon.”

“Are Big Brother and Cousin Xuan going back too?” Kong Fu asked casually.

Prince Xiu turned his head, “Xuan'er, are you going back?”

Princess Xuan nodded slightly.

Prince Xiu smiled at Kong Fu and Xin You, “Then let's go together.”

The weather was cold, and most of the people strolling outside were young people from various households who had come with their elders. Seeing Prince Xiu and his group, they all greeted them warmly, their curious gazes falling on Xin You.

As the group walked past, whispers began to spread.

“That must be Miss Kou. Why is she walking with Prince Xiu and Princess Xuan?”

“It must be because she saved Miss Kong. I noticed Miss Kong has been walking beside Miss Kou, looking even closer to her than to Princess Xuan.”

“Miss Kou really has good fortune.”

Thinking of the thriving Qingsong Bookstore, the numerous shops scattered throughout the capital, and the royal connections she had forged, these young men and women, born with silver spoons in their mouths, couldn't help but feel envious.

Xin You encountered King Qing at the entrance.

King Qing glanced over the group and approached Prince Xiu, “Brother, you arrived early. Did you go for a walk in the plum garden together?”

“It was just a coincidence.” Prince Xiu's attitude towards King Qing was polite and respectful.

Xin You watched silently, thinking that Prince Xiu was indeed the one the emperor had neglected, otherwise King Qing wouldn't be so casual.

This kind of casualness wasn't the comfortable ease of familiarity, but rather the dismissive attitude of someone in a higher position.

It seemed that King Qing treated Prince Xiu this way, and Princess Xuan as well.

When King Qing glanced over Princess Xuan and spoke to Xin You, she thought this.

“Miss Kou is here too.”

“Your Highness, King Qing.”

King Qing looked at the composed young girl with a half-smile, feeling a surge of anger.

He always despised those who didn't know their place.

This girl looked like his aunt and had caused trouble for his mother. Did she really think that being neither humble nor arrogant would make her stand out among the nobility like in a storybook?

How ridiculous.

Xin You wasn't dull; she sensed the considerable malice King Qing harbored towards her.

Just then, Kong Fu spoke up, “Big Brother He.”

Everyone turned to see He Qingxiao striding over.

He was wearing a light green robe today, with a dark black cloak over it. The dark color contrasted sharply with the snow-covered ground, making his attire, though not particularly outstanding, impossible to ignore.

Seeing Xin You next to Kong Fu, He Qingxiao's expression didn't change, but he felt a strange sense of guilt.

Miss Kou had warned him to avoid the recent banquets.

But he had also considered that the Eldest Princess’s Residence would likely invite Miss Kou.

“Greetings, Your Highnesses.” He Qingxiao bowed to the two princes and the princess, smiling at Kong Fu, then nodding to Xin You, “Miss Kou.”

Xin You's gaze fell on the light green robe beneath his cloak, confirming that the incident had occurred today.

“Mr. He.” She returned the greeting, glancing at King Qing out of the corner of her eye.

Mr. He was a man who could keep his composure. What could have happened to anger this prince?

Another voice sounded, “Big Brother, Second Cousin, why are you all standing here instead of going inside?”

Kong Fu's voice was cheerful, “Big Brother.”

Marquis Jing'an Kong Rui walked over and took Kong Fu's hand, “It's cold outside. Let's go in.”

At this point, most of the guests had arrived and were seated in different halls according to their status and relationships.

Xin You hadn't expected to be seated with Princess Xuan, along with several other young women she didn't recognize.

The young women clearly knew each other well. After greeting Princess Xuan, they focused their attention on Xin You.

“Are you Miss Kou?” A red-clad young woman's eyes sparkled with curiosity.

Xin You responded openly, “Yes, I am.”

"Have you really got many shops?"

"Not that many, just over a dozen."

"So it's true!"

Another girl in a light apricot jacket asked Songling enthusiastically, "When will Mr. Songling’s new book be released? How old is Mr. Songling? What does he look like?"

A barrage of questions came at Xin You, but she only answered one: "Mr. Songling’s new storybook is tentatively scheduled for release at the beginning of the twelfth month."

Having gotten her answers, the girls turned their attention away from Xin You and chatted among themselves.

At the table, Xin You and Princess Xuan suddenly seemed quite alone.

Xin You didn’t mind and quietly continued eating.

She had long realized that these noblewomen weren’t truly enthusiastic; they were just curious.

After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere in several banquet halls became lively.

King Qing had drunk quite a bit and was feeling tipsy. He patted Kong Rui on the shoulder, "To have invited Miss Kou to such an occasion today, it seems Aunt values Miss Kou greatly."

Kong Rui, suppressing his discomfort with physical contact, replied coolly, "Mother naturally values the person who saved Fu'er’s life."

King Qing raised an eyebrow, "If that’s the case, I should also thank Miss Kou."

With that, he picked up a cup of wine from the table and walked over.

Kong Rui, knowing King Qing’s unpredictable temper, hurried after him.

Rounding a row of embroidered screens, King Qing immediately spotted Xin You sitting quietly.

The noblewomen also saw King Qing and their laughter and chatter ceased.

King Qing, holding his wine cup, walked over, ignoring the bows of the other noblewomen, and fixed his gaze on Xin You.

"On the occasion of my aunt’s birthday banquet, I wish to toast Miss Kou."

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at Xin You in surprise.

Xin You wore a puzzled expression, "This humble woman dares not accept, Your Highness, it would be too much honor."

"How could you not accept? Without Miss Kou, my cousin would have been injured, and my younger cousin Dai Ze’s mistake would have been even greater. Miss Kou has helped two of my relatives today. Please, do not refuse this cup of wine."

King Qing summoned a servant and took a cup of wine from the tray, offering it to Xin You.

On Xin You’s table, there was also wine, a fruit wine suitable for women, while the cup King Qing offered was a strong liquor.

Everyone in the room looked at King Qing, then at Xin You, sensing the drama about to unfold.

"Second cousin, I see Miss Kou already has a cup of wine—"

King Qing, with a hint of drunkenness, interrupted Kong Rui, "If you want to toast Miss Kou, wait until I’m done."

Kong Rui’s eyes darkened, but he didn’t dare start an argument at his mother’s birthday banquet.

Xin You didn’t quite understand why King Qing was acting so drunk in front of her, but she caught a glimpse of He Qingxiao approaching.

The scene from earlier flashed through her mind.

It all made sense now.

Xin You took the cup of wine from King Qing and drank it in one gulp.

Her boldness not only surprised King Qing but also everyone who witnessed it.

He Qingxiao paused in his steps.