Chapter 130: A Warm Smile as Their Eyes Met

Chapter 130: Chapter 130: A Warm Smile as Their Eyes Met ???? Important Note : For the continuity of this story consider to Support us on Patreon.com/Flokixy to access +200 advance Chapters and To Support The Daily Update Gazing upon the one standing in the center of the grand hall, she was truly a "beauty from the north, peerless and independent." No wonder she could attract two imperial princes and various noble young masters to come to her door seeking marriage. Jun Mo said to Jun Ce beside him, "Third Imperial Brother, lend me your flute for a moment." Jun Ce smilingly handed him the flute. Su Li had originally intended to ask Wei Yuanyao to play the qin for her, but unexpectedly, Jun Mo spoke up first. "Li’er, I will accompany you." Su Li, unaware of his skill level, hesitated for a moment, then nodded. Su Li veiled her face with a wide sleeve. Her moonlight brocade gown flowed with her delicate, quick steps, ethereal as the light evening clouds filling the sky. She was as elegant as a fairy from the Ninth Heaven, each step seemingly birthing a lotus flower. Jun Mo put the flute to his lips, and a soul-stirring melody, clear and soaring, arose. Her posture was graceful, her dark hair dancing with her movements. Her clear eyes, like the limpid autumn waters of a jade-green pool, were full of spirit, making her seem both celestial and ethereal. The crowd watched, entranced, hardly daring to breathe for fear of startling this fairy who had secretly descended to the mortal realm. At this moment, the sound of the xiao suddenly took a sharp turn. The young woman gently extended her wide sleeves, and using her foot as an axis, her delicate body began to spin. Suddenly, she leaped into the air. The young woman was suspended mid-flight, her slender feet tapping lightly, her robes fluttering like a fairy treading on waves. Jun Mo watched the woman in the hall, the lines of his face softened, his eyes gentle, a doting smile playing on his lips, as if only the two of them existed in the world. The xiao music gradually slowed. She bent backward in a graceful arch, her body as soft as cloud-like catkins, her arms seemingly boneless and supple. She was a butterfly dancing among flowers, she was the murmur of flowing water, she was the bright moon in deep mountains, she was the round dewdrop on a lotus tip at dawn. Like well-aged, fine wine, she was intoxicating. A gentle breeze wafted in, carrying with it wisps of red plum blossom fragrance, making the entire palace seem fresher. As the piece concluded, Su Li froze in a final spin, gazing at Jun Mo from afar. Her face was flushed from the dance, her eyes holding threads of deep emotion. It took a long moment for the crowd to return to their senses. Thunderous applause filled the grand hall, and cries of admiration were endless. Father Su, Mother Su, and the members of the Wei family all wore expressions of pride. Consort De was beaming with smiles. She was not one to readily display her emotions, but tonight, her anger and joy were all for Princess Changning. Everyone could see how extremely pleased she was with this future daughter-in-law. "Excellent! Excellent! Changning is truly a remarkable woman," the Emperor laughed, clapping his hands. The Empress also smiled. "Minister Su has truly raised his daughter well. The young ladies of Tianqi should all be like this!" As she spoke, she glanced, intentionally or unintentionally, towards Prince Zhao’s seat. Su Li gracefully curtsied, offering a shallow bow, and said softly, "Your Majesty the Empress overpraises me." The Emperor suddenly spoke, "The imperial edict for the marriage has been issued, but the wedding date has not yet been set. In Zhen’s opinion, Changning will reach the hairpin ceremony age next year. Let the wedding be set for next year. The Imperial Astronomy Bureau is ordered to select an auspicious date and present it!" As soon as these words were spoken, Su Li clearly felt two gazes fall upon her. Jun Hui tightened his grip on his wine cup. Father Emperor is truly biased! He thinks of Jun Mo for everything good! However, it doesn’t matter. What he wants, he will seize himself! Zhao Wange stared at Su Li with such hatred it almost overflowed. Jun Mo quickly bowed in gratitude. "Thank you, Father Emperor!" Su Li returned to Consort De’s side. Consort De smiled and took her hand. "Hurry and eat. I saw you barely ate anything tonight, and you must be tired after such a dance. You must be hungry." Su Li was indeed hungry, but her right hand was held by Consort De. Seeing her just smile without moving, Consort De realized and released her hand, chuckling, "Look at me, I’m so muddle-headed. Come, Li’er, eat quickly. This Quail in Crystal Aspic and this Secret Recipe Fried Dough Twists are good, try them." Seeing Consort De personally serve her food, a warmth spread through Su Li’s heart. "Your Highness, please have some as well." "I am not hungry. You are too thin. Come, eat more," Consort De said, her eyes crinkling with a smile as she watched her. The way the young girl’s cheeks puffed out slightly as she ate was truly adorable. Under Consort De’s eager feeding, Su Li had long forgotten Siqin’s advice not to overeat at palace banquets. When the banquet ended and it was time to rise, Su Li belatedly realized how uncomfortably full she was. Consort De beckoned Jun Mo over. "You escort Li’er back to her residence. I will return to the palace as well." She then looked at Su Li. "You have a token, come to the palace often to keep me company. Alright, go on, your mother is waiting. Sulan, back to the palace." The palace attendant behind her quickly stepped forward to support her as she walked out. "We bid farewell to Mother Consort." "We bid farewell to Your Highness, Consort De." Seeing Consort De exit the hall, Jun Mo said gently, "Li’er, let’s go." Su Li nodded and walked towards her mother. "Mother, Aunt, Elder Cousin." Wei Yuanyao stared at Su Li, her eyes unblinking. "Younger Cousin, you look even better up close." With that, she reached out a hand. Madam Wang slapped her daughter’s hand down. "No manners!" Then, looking at Su Li, she smiled. "Ah, Li’er, after today, I’m afraid your fame will only grow greater!" Su Li smiled. "Aunt is teasing Li’er." Madam Wang said, "How is this teasing? This is the truth. I truly envy my sister-in-law for having a daughter like you, unlike mine, who’s a little monkey." Wei Yuanyao protested, "Mother! I have no objection to you praising Younger Cousin, but you can’t disparage your own daughter!" Mother Su smiled. "Yao’er is so adorable like this. Sister-in-law, you truly don’t know how to be content." Madam Wang’s eyes held a smile. Seeing Prince Jing approach, she said, "Alright, Yao’er and I will leave first. Be careful on your way." "Take care, Sister-in-law." "Take care, Aunt." Wei Yuanyao suddenly turned back and quickly touched Su Li’s cheek. "So smooth and tender! Hahaha..." Su Li smiled as she watched her cousin’s retreating figure, faintly hearing her aunt’s chiding voice. Mother Su shook her head with a helpless smile. "Let’s return to our residence as well." Su Li supported her mother, with Jun Mo following behind the mother and daughter. Wangxia, Miaoyan, and Miaoyu also helped Mother Su fasten her cloak and hold an umbrella. Jun Mo took the cloak from Zhishu’s hands, personally draped it over Su Li, and fastened it for her. Mother Su and the officials’ families outside the hall all looked at them. The woman only reached the man’s shoulder. The man, with his head lowered, carefully fastened her cloak. Occasional snowflakes, carrying the scent of plum blossoms, drifted down, making the pair appear even more picturesque. Plum blossoms like snow, snow like a person. Both without a speck of dust. Mountains like jade, jade like the gentleman. Their eyes meet, a warm smile exchanged. After fastening the cloak, Jun Mo said, "Alright, let’s go." He took the umbrella from Siqin’s hand and held it over the young woman’s head. Mother Su walked in front, Su Li and Jun Mo followed behind, with Siqin and the other maids trailing at the very end. The group headed towards the palace gates. Jun Ce and Jun Hui saw the picturesque scene as soon as they came out. Jun Ce clicked his tongue in amazement. "Seventh Brother actually has such a tender and affectionate side. Tsk tsk, no wonder." Jun Hui narrowed his eyes, a fierce urge rising within him. He wanted to violently tear apart this an eyesore scene! Jun Hui clenched his fists, lowered his gaze, and walked away. "There are matters at my residence. I’ll take my leave first."