She Was So Good at This!

"The jade pendant?"

Seeing Gu Chenfeng look at the jade pendant at her waist,

Shangguan Bingxin readily explained, "You misunderstand, Young Master Gu. This is an heirloom of the Shangguan Lineage. It is said to calm the mind and promote restful sleep. I have worn it since childhood."

"Oh..."

Gu Chenfeng appeared indifferent, but inwardly, he was pondering.

Since it was a family heirloom, asking for it or buying it was clearly out of the question.

Generally, such things could only be given between parents and children, or between spouses.

Surely I don't have to marry this woman just for that jade pendant?

Gu Chenfeng thought that rather unrealistic. Besides, a woman like Shangguan Bingxin was hardly easy to fool.

Looks like I'll have to find another way.

Gu Chenfeng immediately changed the subject, chatting casually with Shangguan Bingxin.

Meanwhile, in the highest pavilion at the very center of the venue,

two pairs of eyes occasionally glanced toward the pavilion where Gu Chenfeng and his two companions sat.

Imperial Uncle Xiao's reasons went without saying.

When rivals in love met, their eyes burned especially red. He repeatedly shot hostile looks at Gu Chenfeng.

But Princess Yaoyin, too, kept looking in that direction.

To be precise, Princess Yaoyin had been watching that pavilion ever since arriving at the venue.

That hateful fellow had actually shown up at the Golden Kylin Gathering too.

After their last encounter at the Rare Beast Garden, Princess Yaoyin had secretly sworn never to speak to Gu Chenfeng again for the rest of her life.

Yet somehow, during these past few days in the palace,

she kept recalling how Gu Chenfeng had composed a poem for Shangguan Bingxin.

And how he had given her that adorable Silvermoon Demon Wolf cub.

Initially, she had comforted herself inwardly.

I've finally shaken off that annoying fellow. He only started pestering Bingxin because he realized he had no hope of winning me over.

Although that was what she told herself, whenever Princess Yaoyin was bored, she would occasionally recall

all the foolish things Gu Chenfeng had once done to please her.

When he heard she liked seashells, he had spared no expense, sending people to the shores of the southern sea to collect hundreds of varieties and make them into a screen;

when he heard she liked the snowy scenery of the north, he had actually transported vast quantities of northern plants and trees, turning a mountain outside the city into a snowy landscape;

when he heard she had lost her pet beast, he had even sneaked out of the Imperial Capital to hunt in Great Wilderness Ridge with a hunting party.

He had fallen off a cliff because of it and nearly lost his life.

Every single one of those foolish things Gu Chenfeng had done for her

had once made Princess Yaoyin feel irritated and burdened, wishing he would simply vanish into thin air.

But ever since their meeting that day at the Rare Beast Garden,

Gu Chenfeng had seemed like a different person, ignoring her, treating her coldly, and even showing a little impatience.

Princess Yaoyin, however, had experienced a complicated feeling she could not explain.

She had thought she would feel nothing but relief and happiness.

Yet whenever she imagined Gu Chenfeng devoting himself so eagerly to another woman in the future,

an inexplicable discomfort welled up inside her.

I clearly hate him. Why do I feel this way?

It must be because the person he's pursuing is Bingxin, my best friend. That's why I feel this way!

Princess Yaoyin was certain her emotional turmoil was all because of her close friend.

And so she secretly made up her mind.

I absolutely cannot let Bingxin be deceived by that fellow and fall into his trap.

As long as he stops pestering Bingxin, what does it matter to me if he pursues another woman?

With that thought in mind, she had come to the Golden Kylin Gathering today.

Upon noticing Gu Chenfeng was here as well, Princess Yaoyin had paid particular attention.

That fellow must be here to pester Bingxin again. I absolutely cannot let him succeed.

Princess Yaoyin kept glancing toward the pavilion, watching Gu Chenfeng's movements.

Especially after she saw Shangguan Bingxin

enter that pavilion, the Princess's attention became intensely focused.

At first, when she saw Shangguan Bingxin exchange a greeting and prepare to leave,

she had just breathed a sigh of relief when Bingxin actually returned, entered the pavilion, and began talking to Gu Chenfeng.

Princess Yaoyin's heart immediately rose into her throat.

What's that girl going back for? What could she possibly have to say to someone like him?

She had assumed they would merely exchange a few pleasantries.

Unexpectedly, the two seemed to get along splendidly.

Because Gu Chenfeng happened to have his back to her, she could only see Shangguan Bingxin's expression in profile.

At first, she had worn her usual cool demeanor, showing little expression.

But who knew what they were discussing? Their conversation grew increasingly animated.

Shangguan Bingxin's expression also changed from its initial cool indifference to surprise and curiosity.

Later, even her lovely face began to blush.

Her large eyes stared fixedly at Gu Chenfeng, as though she were utterly spellbound by his words.

Princess Yaoyin was too far away to hear what they were saying, and anxiety surged within her.

What on earth are they talking about? Could Gu Chenfeng be using sweet words to deceive Bingxin?

That girl had better not go soft and believe that fellow's nonsense.

But come to think of it, Bingxin always acts so cold when she's with me.

Why does she not only blush around this fellow, but show so many expressions too?

Hey, covering her mouth in surprise like that is a little affected, isn't it?

And why is she staring so intently at Gu Chenfeng, with her eyes practically shining?

Oh, she's so good at this!

Princess Yaoyin's attention began to stray, and she grew as frantic as an ant on a hot pan.

What had started as an occasional turn of her head and a casual glance

became frequent turns and burning stares.

Even the Third Prince beside her, who had been enjoying the songs, dances, fine wine, and delicacies, could not help looking at her.

"Fourth Sister, what are you looking at?"

"N-nothing," Princess Yaoyin replied guiltily.

"Really? You're turning your head so much you could fan the air with it."

Meanwhile, in the distant pavilion,

"Look, Miss Shangguan. Crescent likes it when you stroke its head and body this way."

At that moment, Gu Chenfeng was teaching Shangguan Bingxin

how to pet Crescent to strengthen their bond.

Having witnessed Gu Chenfeng's skill at raising Origin Beasts,

Shangguan Bingxin fully trusted his advice.

As she watched Gu Chenfeng's petting technique and saw how much Crescent clearly enjoyed it, her eyes immediately lit up.

"Let me try."

She had intended to take Crescent into her own arms and try stroking it.

But Crescent clung tightly to Gu Chenfeng's thigh with both paws, stubbornly refusing to leave.

So Shangguan Bingxin moved closer to Gu Chenfeng of her own accord and reached out to stroke Crescent back and forth as it lay on his thighs.

Gu Chenfeng taught earnestly, thinking nothing else of it.

Shangguan Bingxin learned attentively, likewise thinking nothing else of it.

But in the distance, Princess Yaoyin, who had been watching them constantly like a "mobile 5G camera,"

suddenly shot to her feet in shock.

From her angle, she could not see Crescent on Gu Chenfeng's lap.

She could only see Gu Chenfeng leaning back, both hands resting against the railing, while Shangguan Bingxin reached out and rubbed up and down.

Thus, from her perspective, their current position

was simply an outrage against decency, scandalous beyond belief!

"They...!"

"Fourth Sister, what's wrong?"

Both the Third Prince and Imperial Uncle Xiao in the pavilion were startled by her.

"N-nothing. I find these performances too boring. I'm going to chat with Bingxin."

At the critical moment, Princess Yaoyin still instinctively protected her friend's reputation first.

With that, Princess Yaoyin rushed toward the pavilion in a blazing hurry.

Before she had even climbed the steps, she lowered her voice and snapped angrily,

"You two, in broad daylight, how could you..."

The next instant, the three people in the pavilion

wore the same stunned expressions as the Third Prince and Imperial Uncle Xiao.

"Princess."

With her hand still resting on Crescent, Shangguan Bingxin looked up at Princess Yaoyin in surprise.

And at that moment, when the Princess saw the demon wolf cub on Gu Chenfeng's lap,

the grief and fury on her face at their failure to live up to her expectations froze solid.

"Princess, did you need something?" Gu Chenfeng asked with a frown.

Ouyang Cai also scratched his head, looking utterly bewildered.

"Uh..."

The scene before her instantly crashed Princess Yaoyin's brain.

Stupid brain, hurry up and work!

A few seconds later, the Princess finally managed to squeeze out an extremely unnatural smile.

"Ahem... I meant to say, the daylight is lovely today. What... are you doing?"

Shangguan Bingxin explained with a faint smile.

"I'm asking Young Master Gu for advice on raising Origin Beasts. Young Master Gu is an expert in this field."

"Him? An expert?"

Princess Yaoyin expressed the utmost mockery in just three words.

"Young Master Gu truly is proficient in this field," Shangguan Bingxin insisted with complete conviction.

Oh no, oh no! That bastard has brainwashed her. She's even started arguing with me!

Princess Yaoyin inwardly cried that things were going badly, realizing she had to intervene.

She immediately said, "Bingxin, I have something to tell you. Let's go somewhere else to talk."

"Well..."

Shangguan Bingxin hesitated a little. She still wanted to keep learning.

In Princess Yaoyin's eyes, however, this was a sign that the "poison had already sunk deep."

She hurried forward, grabbed Shangguan Bingxin, and tried to lead her away.

Just then, a clamor of cheers suddenly erupted throughout the venue.

The final "headline guest" of the Golden Kylin Gathering's talent performances had taken the stage.

The previously lively atmosphere suddenly boiled over into a frenzy.

The men in the audience, in particular, seemed to have been injected with chicken blood, regardless of their age.

Even Gu Chenfeng, who held Crescent in his arms and sat composed and unmoved by temptation,

was startled when he saw the headline guest onstage.

Why is she here too?!