59 Attention

"Where is your other daughter?"

When XuanFei heard Xu Ji An's words, she turned deaf. She could even feel her face started burning due to embarrassment. She could not help but froze on the spot. Since Xu Ji An did not tell her to raise, she could only continue bending her knees. She pleadingly stared at him, but Xu Ji An did not pay any attention to her. Unable to bear the humiliation of being neglected, XuanFei's eyes started stinging. Her eyes were glistering with tears as she bit her lips, trying stop herself from crying. If one would see her beautiful face smeared with tears, one would definitely feel pity for her. Unfortunately, Xu Ji An was treating her like air, as if she was invisible.

"*cough* Uhm… Y-Your Highness..." XuanLi noticed his beloved daughter being neglected and tried to remind Xu Ji An that his daughter was still bending her knees. He also could not help but look at his wife who was discreetly looking at them while speaking with someone.

Xu Ji An turned his head towards XuanFei and indifferently said, "Rise."

"Fei'er thanks His Highness for his grace."

XuanFei could only glare at Xu Ji An secretly. Being neglected like this made her heart bleed, destroying her self-esteem. Although she was akin to a small bud that had not fully bloomed yet, XuanFei could proudly say that she was a beautiful young girl. Among the noble maidens in Zhong Yang[1], she was the best. She had a beautiful face which was quite similar to her mother, the most beautiful woman in her generation.

Unfortunately, even if she was beautiful, the people's attention was stolen from her. This evening, XuanFei felt like she had become the greatest joke of the entire capital. Ever since XuanRong arrived, she had turned into a wall flower and could only sit in a cold corner as she stare at her dear eldest sister being surrounded by Furens and young noble ladies. Even Xiao Lou could not help but feel somewhat helpless and could only pull XuanFei along with her to personally introduce her with her friends.

It was the first time that XuanFei had been neglected like this ever since she started appearing on banquets a year ago[2]. After her eldest sister came back, the people were once again reminded that although her mother was now the first branch' Xuan Furen and the female master in the prime minister's inner courtyard, she was once a low-rank yiniang[3] who was not even allowed to be called 'mother' by her own children.

Looking at the handsome Crown Prince who was standing in front her, XuanFei felt vexed. The banquet was prepared for her to show-off her talent and display her wonderful self, but it only took a few words from that mountain girl before she turned to be the laughing stock of the entire evening. And now, even the Crown Prince was looking for her!

She could not accept this!

She was raised carefully inside the Prime Minister's residence with a standard of a princess, carrying the ambition to become the future master of the imperial harem. Since young, she was mindful with her own proper decorum and she knew how to act like a noble lady, even the retired palace mama who was renowned in teaching etiquettes on the young maidens of the noble families was very satisfied with her. No one in the capital could even compete on her, much less her dear sister who stayed in the suburbs, only knowing how to plow lands and fields instead of plucking the strings of a guqin[4].

She, XuanFei, stand above the masses.

So, how could the Crown Prince treat her like this?

This was simply a slap on her face!

While XuanFei was trying her best to look dignified even after being ignored, Xu Ji An was starting to lose his patience. Not planning to waste his time, he only glanced at XuanFei before turning back his attention to XuanLi.

"This Prince heard that Prime Minister Xuan's eldest daughter came back to the capital after staying in the suburbs. As a part of the Royal family, This Prince is interested in knowing the life of the commoners at the suburbs near the border. May Prime Minister Xuan call Eldest Young Miss Xuan to exchange pointers with This Prince."

Not receiving a reply, Xu Ji An once again called XuanLi's attention.

"Prime Minister.."

Xu Ji An was now starting to get impatient looking at XuanLi who was staring blankly at him, acting like a stupid retard. He only wanted to meet XuanLi's eldest daughter out interest. Ever since he left the capital's gate, he could not help but be curious of that person inside that carriage. Even when he arrived at the Imperial Palace and met his Imperial Mother and Imperial Father, Xu Ji An could still not forget the event that happened at the capital's gate. Since birth, he was accustomed of being worshipped unceasingly and it was the first time that someone was arrogant enough to give him a cold shoulder. He was curious to know how high was that person's arrogance that even he, the country's Crown Prince, could not even enter her eyes. He did not like the feeling of being ignored like he was unworthy of her attention.

"Y-Your Highness… I-Is Your Highness talking about my e-eldest daughter?"

XuanLi turned dumb after hearing Xu Ji An's words. He foolishly stared at the Crown Prince, thinking that he had misheard his words.

"Mmm.."

When XuanLi heard Xu Ji An's conformation, he almost swayed and fell on the floor.

How did XuanRong know the Crown Prince?

Was the Crown Prince interested with his eldest daughter?

When did they met?

What should he do? Would he call XuanRong?

XuanLi was trying to think thoroughly and at the same time, he could not help but resent XuanRong for catching the Crown Prince's attention and destroying everything. He had been planning to make the Crown Prince fall for his beloved daughter, XuanFei, and push them to a matrimonial tie once she reaches the marriageable age, making her the Imperial Consort of the Crown Prince.

Who would have thought that the Crown Prince would not even spare a glance at her and would demand to meet XuanRong, this arrogant and stupid daughter of his?

Sensing the hidden alienation coming off from XuanRong when she exchanged words of ridicule with his wife few moments ago, XuanLi knew that his eldest daughter was not fond of him and the Xuan family. A piece he could not control should be discarded without having any second thought.

'No! I won't allow this! Both of them should not meet!'

Thinking of the long-term result, XuanLi knew that if he wanted to become the father of the Empress, he should not allow any unwanted person to destroy the plot he painstakingly planned.

"Err… Your Highness ahh… m-my eldest daughter has already retired to her own courtyard. This lowly official is afraid that she is already asleep. May Your Highness pardon this lowly official for refusing Your Highness' good intention."

XuanLi was secretly wiping his sweat. He feared that Xu Ji An would certainly get angry at him for rejecting his proposal.

Xu Ji An's face turned dark when he heard XuanLi's refusal. He opened his mouth, wanting to show his anger when XuanFei spoke.

"Father, why not send someone to inquire if DaJie is still awake or not? Fei'er is also curious about DaJie's life in the suburbs. If she is already asleep, we can just tell her maidservants to wake her up. I believe DaJie would wholeheartedly comply once she learns that the Crown Prince is here to exchange pointers with her."

Hearing XuanFei's sensible statement, Xu Ji An could not help but stare at her, making XuanFei bashfully smile back at him.

[PLEASE ADOPT ME \(T^T)/ and DONATE @ paypal.me/sayurihyuuga and ko-fi.com/sayurihyuuga]

--------

[1]. The capital of Qian Zou.

[2]. Female children aged 12 and above will start appearing on celebratory banquets in order to familiarize themselves in social gatherings. Appearing in banquets is very important because the Furens from other family will start looking prospects for their sons' future brides.

[3]. (Concubine)- a concubine's status is half-master and half-servant. They are not included in the family's genealogy and had no right to raise their own children.

[4]. Guqin is a Chinese musical instrument of the zither family. It is a seven-stringed Qin without bridges.

[Unedited Chapter]