FID – Chapter 1064

Chapter 1064: Are You Trying to Call Me ‘Little Woman’?

“Rest assured, Elder, there will be no next time,” Ba Nian said with a smile.

Servants in the prince’s residence brought tea, and the topics Ba Nian raised naturally revolved around the Saintess Tribe. Speaking about what he was familiar with, the awkwardness and restraint that Qian Lan and Qian Xue initially carried gradually faded. Before long, they were able to converse freely with Ba Nian and the others.

Liu Yusheng spoke very little. She had never underestimated members of the royal family. Just seeing how Ba Nian could make Qian Lan and Qian Xue unconsciously lower their guard was enough to let her know he was a man of considerable skill.

On the surface, Liu Yusheng still acted as Qian Mei should in front of outsiders—quiet and reserved, slightly apart from the group.

“Among the young women you’ve brought this time, Elder, it seems that only Miss Qian Mei is already married. Until now, I had assumed that those who accompanied you into the palace were all unmarried,” Ba Nian suddenly shifted the topic toward Liu Yusheng, drawing her gaze. She met his clear, refreshing smile directly.

“Saintesses brought into the palace naturally need to be unmarried, but other attendants have no such restriction,” Qian Fang explained, her smile slightly waning. “As Your Highness knows, the Saintess Tribe must select new Saintesses each year. Our clan is small, and the population isn’t large. In a few years, there may be even fewer candidates to choose from.”

Each year, at least two girls must be offered to the emperor. This requires that the Saintess Tribe have at least two newborn girls every year—but how could such a thing be guaranteed?

Liu Yusheng lowered her eyes slightly and did not respond to Ba Nian.

She had a strong sense that Ba Nian’s invitation this time was, in reality, aimed directly at her.

She pondered deeply on what had caught the prince’s attention about her and resolved to improve.

“Elder need not worry. The Saintess Tribe has a close relationship with the royal family and enjoys their favor. No difficulty can truly trouble the clan,” Ba Nian said, slyly sidestepping Qian Fang’s caution. With a few deft words, he redirected the topic, smoothly deflecting her concern.

Qian Fang could only nod and smile, slowly sipping her tea amid the enthusiastic attention of the young noblemen.

Qian Lan and Qian Xue were also included in their greetings.

Only Liu Yusheng seemed to have been overlooked. Finally, Ba Nian personally addressed her, fulfilling the role of host.

“Miss Qian Mei, I see you are not very old, yet you have already been married for three years. I must admit, I am surprised. Women remaining in the Saintess Village bear the responsibility of producing offspring, yet you do not seem at all like someone who has become a mother.”

He skillfully steered the topic back to her. Liu Yusheng lifted her eyes and replied, “Qian Mei has been unproductive and has yet to bear children, failing to live up to the elders’ expectations.”

Saintesses brought into the palace were tools of the emperor, while those who remained behind served the clan. They all carried a tragic burden.

The saddest part was that many Saintess Tribe girls were completely unaware of this reality.

“Sister Qian Mei, once you return, you must work hard. When your little one is born, I’ll come to see you!” Qian Lan encouraged her. “Don’t worry. Even if you don’t have a daughter, the elders will surely not blame you.”

Liu Yusheng: “……” Was she supposed to say thank you?

Meanwhile, Qian Fang had already scolded Qian Lan. In front of the prince and all the other young men, how could she openly talk about having children? She had no sense of occasion, no decorum. She was not just naive, but downright foolish.

Ba Nian’s gaze remained fixed on Liu Yusheng’s face. He caught the fleeting look of exasperation across her features and couldn’t help but chuckle aloud.

His sudden laughter startled those around him. Liu Yusheng, her expression similar to theirs for a moment, then lowered her head, hiding half her face in shadow, revealing nothing of her true emotions.

Yet he had an instinct that this girl, Qian Mei, was far from the dull, unremarkable person she appeared to be. Beneath her calm exterior, there was a spark that others could not see.

The more he noticed it, the more curious he became.

And the more he wanted to probe.

Amid his laughter, the young noblemen around exchanged glances, eyes flashing with understanding.

Since it was a banquet, naturally, the gathering would extend into a proper meal.

At the table, only those present were seated. None of Prince Shunyang’s female relatives attended.

After the banquet, the group moved to the rear garden at the prince’s invitation, still walking and chatting casually.

The young noblemen seemed especially interested in the Saintess Village. They kept asking questions all along the way, leaving Qian Fang and Qian Lan surrounded. Out of courtesy, they had to answer each query, gradually falling behind Liu Yusheng.

No one noticed that Liu Yusheng had been left out on the sidelines.

Her brows unconsciously knitted together. Every time she tried to walk closer, someone would—whether intentionally or not—block her path, keeping her outside the circle. Behind her, the Prince Shunyang followed at a measured pace.

The exclusion was so blatant that Liu Yusheng’s eyes glinted coldly.

“They’re having a lively conversation. If you can’t squeeze in, don’t bother, lest Miss will be accidentally offended,” a voice came from behind, laced with teasing.

“I am already married; it isn’t proper for Your Highness to keep calling me ‘Miss,’” Liu Yusheng replied calmly, no longer wasting effort.

“Then what should I call you? In the Saintess Tribe, only unmarried adult women can be called Saintesses. Shall I call you ‘little lady’ instead?”

The jab was obvious, even playful. Liu Yusheng’s fingers twitched. She almost wanted to quietly administer some medicine to the man behind her.

In the end, she forced herself to restrain the impulse.

If she weren’t afraid of revealing her abilities and arousing suspicion, she truly would have turned Xue Qinglian’s oft-repeated catchphrase into reality.

She guessed that this high-ranking prince had likely never been treated with coldness before, which is why he was intrigued by her reaction. But if she had to feign compliance just to dampen his curiosity, she knew she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

The girl’s resolute refusal to cooperate only deepened the interest in the man’s eyes.

He walked at the back, not rushing ahead to tease anyone, but observing her from behind.

Slender and graceful, light and elegant, her figure’s beauty seemed at odds with her otherwise plain face.

Most striking was the calm and composed aura she exuded.

It clashed with her appearance.

It was as if a precious jade had been placed in a rough, cheap box, diminishing its overall refinement.

Unconsciously, he quietly stepped closer, just two steps behind her.

He caught a faint, elegant fragrance emanating from her, a pleasantly subtle herbal scent.

Strangely, the scent brought a sense of serenity and peace.

Ba Nian’s eyes flickered.

“Ah-choo! Ah-choo!” The young noblemen surrounding the Saintess Tribe ladies suddenly sneezed in quick succession.

The formation immediately broke. The girls instinctively stepped aside to avoid them, scattering the perfectly arranged circle. The girl at the back used this opportunity to slip into the group.

Ba Nian’s gaze on her deepened, yet he did not notice the flicker of frost in her eyes as she turned away from him.

Yun Palace

Someone reported to the women inside the hall, “Master, the Prince Shunyang’s Manor has invited the Saintess Tribe members to a banquet today. The prince’s carriage personally went to fetch them.”