Cai Yixue's eyes narrowed when she saw Li Yuan entering the place.

A yellow imperial robe with a pattern of blooming lotus engraved on the back, Li Yuan walked proudly among his entourage.

Suddenly, his eyes moved as he looked at where Cai Yixue was standing. Cai Yixue huffed as she looked away, without sparing an ounce of attention to Li Yuan.

Pursing his lips, Li Yuan looked back and walked forward. Du Caicheng rushed towards Li Yuan and bowed before him.

" Greetings, Your Highness Third Prince. I am Du Caicheng, the second son of the Du Family."

" Ah, you are Du Xiang's younger brother." Li Yuan raised his brows. " Where is your brother?"

" Elder brother is still resting after his seclusion. He will join your highness in tomorrow's banquet." Du Caicheng answered hurriedly.

" Greetings, Third Prince."

" Greetings, Your Highness."

When Li Yuan arrived, all the young masters and ladies there walked to him, greeting him with smiling faces.

Lian Luoqiu grinned as she walked to Li Yuan. She didn't forget to put an extra sway to her hips. Despite wearing a face veil on the lower half of her face, Lian Luoqiu certainly didn't bother to hide the little peek of her cleavage.

" Greetings, Your Highness. May fate always bestow prosperity on you." Lian Luoqiu bowed gracefully before Li Yuan.

" En, it's been a while since we met, Lady Lian." Li Yuan nodded. " Hope you've been well."

" Well, Prince Yuan remembers me, that's what matters for me." Lian Luoqiu smiled as she stood beside Li Yuan. " Please, come with me. I have already arranged things for you."

Li Yuan nodded as he walked with Lian Luoqiu. Seeing Li Yuan giving her importance, Lian Luoqiu couldn't help but grin widely.

Like a peacock flaunting its tail, Lian Luoqiu flaunted herself beside Li Yuan.

However, Li Yuan's steps paused when he reached near Cai Yixue.

Cai Yixue placed her cup on the table and gave a perfunctory greeting to Li Yuan, " Greetings, Your Highness."

" En, Lady Cai, I didn't think you would come to the banquet." Li Yuan smiled.

" How could the Cai Family dare to neglect the imperial edict?" Cai Yixue spoke with a calm voice. " Though it's certainly unfortunate that my husband couldn't come with me."

Li Yuan's lips twitched when he heard that. He realized that in a single breath, Cai Yixue expressed that she only came here because of the power of the imperial edict, not because of Li Yuan.

Also, she reminded Li Yuan that she is already a married woman.

" It was truly unfortunate that I was unable to meet Mr. Jia." Li Yuan chuckled. " His investigation works in Qingyang County has pleased Father Emperor."

" Indeed, I know my husband is anything but ordinary." Cai Yixue spoke with a tinge of pride. But then, she turned around, " I won't be hogging the precious time of Prince Li Yuan. Please, allow me to leave."

" Cai Yixue, stop…"

Li Yuan tried to engage in conversation with Cai Yixue, but Cai Yixue simply turned and left.

" Ahem, Prince Li, Patriarch Du wishes to see you." Lian Luoqiu spoke softly. However, her eyes couldn't help but burn with envy and jealousy when she looked at Cai Yixue's departing figure.

However, keeping her face professional, Lian Luoqiu kept her smile.

Li Yuan nodded as he turned back, following Lian Luoqiu. Cai Yixue stared at him with a sigh of relief.

" As long as that bastard doesn't try to pull something off, it should be alright." Cai Yixue murmured.

She wanted to leave early as Li Yuan had already arrived. However, to show courtesy to the imperial prince, she was unable to leave till Li Yuan gave a speech.

Not long after, Du Caicheng walked out, ringing his jade cup with a chime.

" Attention, everyone. I hope you are enjoying the gathering."

Du Caicheng smiled as he looked at everyone. " However, such a gathering is boring without any real event. Since all the stars of the young generation have gathered here, why not have a sparring tournament?"

" After all, tomorrow is the official banquet. We can't fight there before all the elders, right?"

Hearing Du Caicheng's words, everyone in the gathering erupted with cheers. After all, with so many noble ladies gathered here, the young men were trying to look for a chance to show off their powers.

How else are they going to woo these fine maidens?

Swiftly, everyone gathered around the Du Family training ground. It was already decorated for sparring matches.

Cai Yixue was also there as she saw the sparring matches beginning.

At first, it was friendly spars, with many young masters testing their peers.

However, it also opened the chance for rival young masters to beat down their opponents.

" Li Fan, you still dare to visit Lady Wang after I warned you last time?"

" Hmph, just because you said, you think I will follow it?"

" Li Fan, if you dare, then come here. Let me show you my Purple Vine Sword Art!"

" Hmph! Let's see your might then!"

And just like that, for another woman, two young masters of the Qizhou City fought on the sparring ring.

As Cai Yixue was observing the match, some voices fell into her ear.

" Hmph, I think these are all lies spread by the Cai Family."

Hearing the Cai Family's name, Cai Yixue's ears perked up naturally. Looking back, she saw a young man talking arrogantly.

" I am telling you, killing off the monster tide of Nanhai Mountain is a hoax spread by the Cai Family." The young man spoke. " Or say, even if it was true, the monster tide must be very small."

" Why? I didn't see any carcasses of otherworldly monsters in Qizhou City. Not to mention, the Cai Family didn't report to the Province Governor either."

" Young Master Wu, how can you say that?"

" Hehe, Young Master Wu, the eldest daughter of the Cai Family, is attending the banquet. I don't think you should speak such brazen words."

Cai Yixue was speechless when she saw the scene. Looking at the young man, Cai Yixue deduced that he must be some relative of Governor Wu of Western Province.

She was angry inwardly, but Cai Yixue didn't take any action at all, because she was skeptical of the situation.

' Is this the ploy of yours, Li Yuan?'