After having her laugh, Yang Mengchen finally admonished Yang Chengxuan with a serious face, securing his promise, and then she went to find Nangong Lingyan. Afterwards, the two resumed their relationship as before.

The Yang family hadn't yet waited for the Nangong family to arrive when Long Xuanmo suddenly returned.

Long Xuanmo emerged from the bathroom and saw the meal on the table, and Yang Mengchen seated at the table reading a book, her lips curling into a faint smile. Warmth and happiness surged in his heart as he took a seat at the table, picked up the chopsticks, and began to eat gracefully. It wasn't long before he set down his utensils, and Bai He promptly came forward to clean up.

Gazing at the side profile of Yang Mengchen, who, although still young, was already showing signs of unrivaled beauty, Long Xuanmo couldn't help becoming entranced.

"Does the Prince have something on his mind?" The gaze was too intense, and even though Yang Mengchen was immersed in her book, she felt it and set down the medical text.

Taking a shallow sip of tea from the table to conceal her agitated feelings, after a moment, Long Xuanmo calmly replied, "Ah Jiu, the matter has been resolved."

"Oh?" Yang Mengchen raised an eyebrow, listening with interest—though she had already received the news.

"Half a month ago, Imperial Aunty Ning hosted a flower-viewing banquet, which included Xiao Mingyan and Xiao Mingya, the legitimate daughters of the two branches of the Xiao family, and naturally Prince Su was there as well." Seeing Yang Mengchen's eager expression, Long Xuanmo's eyes held a doting look: "Somehow, Xiao Mingyan and Xiao Mingya fell into the pond, and just as Prince Su was passing by, he saved them;

"Their dresses were already soaked through, and because of the struggle in the water, they were somewhat disheveled. Coincidentally, they were seen by people who arrived upon hearing the news, seeing the three of them embracing, leaving Prince Su no choice but to marry both women;

"Prince Su originally planned to take the two as concubines, but Old Master Xiao had contributed much to the state, and naturally, the Emperor did not agree;

"Since Xiao Mingyan is the first branch's legitimate daughter and Xiao Mingya the second branch's, all manner of schemes were employed by both branches for the position of the Official Wife. It even almost led to loss of life, angering Old Master Xiao to the point of spitting blood. He's still bedridden;

"Eventually, the Emperor, having heard of the disgraceful commotion, decreed that Xiao Mingyan would be the Official Wife and Xiao Mingya the Concubine. Considering Old Master Xiao's illness and the fact that the Virtuous Consort (Prince Su's mother) was also unwell, the wedding was set for the tenth of April, with the intent of bringing luck."

Long Xuanmo was not one to enjoy gossip, but Ah Jiu liked to hear it, so he took on the role of the storyteller.

Yang Mengchen's smile blossomed, her lips tracing a barely visible sneer: "Now there will be some good drama to watch."

"Indeed," Long Xuanmo humored in agreement.

Xiao Mingyan, true to her name, was dazzlingly beautiful and charming but also arrogant and brash without any cunning. Xiao Mingya, on the other hand, was graceful and demure, but in reality, haughty and prideful, especially devious in her schemes. Now that she could only be a concubine, she surely wouldn't be content. One could imagine just how eventful Prince Su's household would be.

Mengchen's face still wore a smile, but inwardly, she pondered.

That such a minor incident had so many people assisting Long Xuanmo, it seemed he indeed had won the people's hearts. Most crucial was that it showed the Emperor did not favor Prince Su at all; otherwise, he would not have contradicted Prince Su's wish to marry both women as concubines, nor would he allow someone like Xiao Mingyan to become the Official Wife.

Clearly, he wanted Prince Su's household to fall into chaos, indicating that the Emperor's preferred candidate was likely Prince Chen.

"What's on Ah Jiu's mind?" Catching a fleeting glint in Yang Mengchen's eye, Long Xuanmo couldn't help a sudden tightness in his heart.

"I was thinking that with the Xiao family embroiled in internal strife, they shouldn't have the heart or energy to bother Uncle Xiao's family anymore." Yang Mengchen changed the subject and asked, "Why didn't the Prince stay in The Capital to enjoy the show and decided to come back suddenly?"

Long Xuanmo's gaze darkened slightly: "Does Ah Jiu not want me to come back?"

"No, not at all." Although Yang Mengchen genuinely did not want Long Xuanmo to return, hearing him say it outright made her inexplicably feel somewhat guilty.

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