This question is obviously directed at Mu Qingge.
The transparent figure smiled bitterly, "That was four or five years ago. At that time, I was naïve and hadn't become so arrogant and presumptuous, nor had my temperament become so eccentric. It was during the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet. I was strolling in the palace and happened to pass by a flowerbed. To my surprise, the buds suddenly bloomed, attracting countless colorful butterflies. This spectacle naturally drew the attention of the palace dignitaries. At that time, the Empress Dowager, seeing the phenomenon from afar, remarked to those around her: 'This palace is full of exotic flowers and rare plants. Although it's not yet time for them to bloom, they are competing to blossom because of the little one from the Mu Family. It is evident that our young Lord of the Mu Family is truly an unparalleled beauty in Luodu. Even the flowers can't help but compete with him!' And after that, the story spread. Every time I left the mansion, I would attract a lot of curious glances."
Mu Ge was dumbfounded upon hearing this. The origin of this 'first beauty of Luodu' title is just too fantastical. Why did it remind her of the scene where the Great Zhou Empress Wu ordered all the flowers to bloom during a winter garden stroll?
For the Empress Wu, at least she issued an imperial decree as a threat. But for her, the young Lord Mu, there's no need to do anything; just standing there is enough.
"Cough cough, after that, did such phenomena occur again?" Mu Ge curiously asked.
Mu Qingge rolled her eyes at her and replied, "I don't have time for that." She then laughed at herself, "Later, my reputation as a dandy gradually rose, causing people to forget my looks, remembering only me as the first bully in Luodu."
Mu Ge was speechless.
Mu Qingge smirked, "Today, if Prince Rui hadn't accompanied you, you would have witnessed another strange spectacle."
"What?" Mu Ge instinctively asked.
Mu Qingge raised her chin, "A spectacle of everyone avoiding you like the plague, with the main street of Luodu turning into an empty alley."
"..." Mu Ge was depressed.
...
In the teahouse, Qin Jinhao was already in the elegant room, having prepared exquisite refreshments for the last entrant, Mu Ge. Such attentiveness is hard to resist for many young maidens.
Especially since these actions were carried out by a cold-faced prince.
Sure enough, as soon as Mu Ge entered, she received a glance filled with jealousy and resentment from Bai Xiyue.
Bai Xiyue did not sit down but instead took the teahouse attendant's tea scoop, taking over the task of brewing tea.
Mu Ge was not very interested in drinking tea.
Sitting boldly opposite Qin Jinhao, she played with the teacup in her hand, waiting for what Qin Jinhao would say next. After entertaining him for so long, she didn't believe that this man would continue to have the patience to hold back from speaking.
As expected, after Bai Xiyue brewed the first pot and served the tea to the two of them, Qin Jinhao slowly began, "Qingge, you were quite shocked this time, and it's all He Cheng's fault. But he was unintentional. He's been confined in the Mu Mansion by the old lord, and his father has asked me to plead for him several times, but I've been too lazy to deal with it. However, now that you've returned safely, why not release him to spare the old lord from difficulties in court."
Was he finally stating his true agenda?
Mu Ge sneered inwardly. What visit or gifts to comfort her? It was all just to have her release He Cheng.
"Even if Grandpa didn't want to kill He Cheng, he shouldn't be let off so easily!" Suddenly, a voice full of hatred sounded beside Mu Ge.
Mu Ge was somewhat surprised. She assumed that with Qin Jinhao's personal appeal, Mu Qingge would soften her stance.
"He Cheng, huh..."
"Boss Mu, Boss—! Are you in there? I heard you're inside, so I'm coming in!"
Before Mu Ge could respond to Qin Jinhao, a male voice, still in voice change, interrupted. As the voice faded, the room's door was pushed open, and the guards from Prince Rui Mansion immediately drew their swords and pointed them at the intruder.
And the interrupted Qin Jinhao frowned unhappily, with the temperature in the sophisticated room dropping several degrees.
Only Mu Ge, unfamiliar with the voice's owner, looked towards Mu Qingge, only to see her peculiar expression...