The atmosphere in the room immediately eased considerably.
Yaoguang and Zi Yue were both puzzled, not understanding why Xia Chen's attitude had changed so quickly.
"It's my first time seeing a Princess's majesty, so I was a bit nervous!"
As if knowing what they were thinking, Xia Chen smiled and explained.
"You're not nervous now, are you!"
Yaoguang's red lips parted slightly, and as soon as these words left her mouth, even she was slightly surprised at how she was acting like a young girl.
"Upon first seeing Your Highness, I felt that Your Highness was like a Phoenix from the Nine Heavens, radiating brilliance and dominating the world, so I was inevitably apprehensive and at a loss.
However, after just sitting down, I clearly saw the Princess's peerless beauty, and that's why I relaxed a lot!"
Xia Chen smiled, his demeanor dignified, sitting opposite Yaoguang, very close, his gaze gentle but not fervent as he stared at Yaoguang.
He handled the situation with perfect measure.
Yaoguang had originally met his gaze, but at this moment, she slightly shifted her eyes, feeling a bit unnatural; this feeling was very strange, she had never experienced it before.
"My Princess's appearance is naturally the most beautiful in the world!"
Li Wei suddenly spoke up at this moment, looking at Xia Chen and saying seriously.
"While my Princess is the most beautiful in the world, 'dominating the world' is a bit of an exaggeration!"
Zi Yue smiled from the side, she always felt that the Consort's phrase 'dominating the world' wasn't just a casual remark or flattery towards the Princess.
It was just like how the Consort had been very concerned about the words 'Heavenly Phoenix' earlier.
"With the ambition of a great bird, who's to say one cannot soar into the sky in the future!"
Xia Chen picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of Phoenix claw, and after eating it, he said with a smile.
His words were casual, as if he was just chatting and joking.
But Yaoguang, sitting directly opposite Xia Chen, suddenly had her eyes sharpen, staring at Xia Chen, who was lowering his head and eating breakfast.
The room fell into a brief silence, with only the elegant chewing sounds of Xia Chen eating breakfast.
"As a woman, what does it matter if one has grand ambitions?"
Suddenly, Yaoguang smiled, and instantly the entire room was like spring flowers blooming, the sun shining brightly, so beautiful it was captivating.
Yaoguang had truly developed an interest in this man in front of her; if she still thought he was just speaking casually, then she would truly be incredibly foolish.
Was Yaoguang foolish?
Of course she wasn't foolish; on the contrary, she was extremely intelligent. Xia Chen felt that perhaps not many people in the entire Great Wu Dynasty were smarter than her.
Therefore, Yaoguang was very certain that her Consort understood her very well, even knowing some of her background, but... Yaoguang felt a strong sense of insecurity in her heart; she felt as if she had been seen through by this man, and in front of him, she had no cover, completely exposed.
And even more crucially, she didn't really understand this fiancé at all. Many of the previous pieces of information didn't match up; that man seemed to be shrouded in mist, making it impossible for her to see him clearly for a moment.
"You really like eating Phoenix claws?"
In an instant, Yaoguang's thoughts raced, but she quickly recovered and regained her composure and naturalness.
She didn't ask more about that topic, but instead changed the subject.
"Phoenix claws are delicious and juicy, especially these Phoenix claws from the Princess Manor; they have a unique flavor!"
Xia Chen had already had a bowl of mutton soup before coming this morning, so he was already eighty percent full, but he genuinely felt that these Phoenix claws were indeed good.
In this exquisite small dish, there were only three Phoenix claws, and he had eaten two of them.
Yaoguang looked at him in silence, she didn't know why, but she always felt that there was an ambiguity in Xia Chen's words.
...
"I heard that Young Master Minister Lin will be attending the literary gathering today. Recently, there have been rumors in the capital that the Consort is exceptionally talented, even more so than Minister Lin. Young Master Minister Lin will probably make things difficult for the Consort today!"
Zi Yue had to find another topic. She sighed inwardly, feeling like she was becoming the lubricant between the two of them.
"Those are just rumors from the streets. Young Master Minister Lin is coming today, so it's a good opportunity to meet him and see if he has Minister Lin's demeanor."
Xia Chen was indifferent, focusing on the delicious food on the table.
As he ate, he suddenly looked up and asked, "Who all will be attending the literary gathering today?"
"Replying to the Consort, some sons of high-ranking officials, some young talents from the Imperial College, some Great Masters from White Deer Academy will also bring some students, and also Master Tianhai from Tianlong Temple, and Tianshi Mansion might also come!"
As Zi Yue reeled off a string of names, Xia Chen couldn't help but glance at her.
His originally uninterested heart suddenly found some interest.
It wasn't surprising that sons of officials and students from the Imperial College and White Deer Academy would come, but the fact that Great Masters from White Deer Academy would also attend meant that the literary gathering was of no small scale.
More importantly, people from Tianlong Temple and Tianshi Mansion would also participate.
This was a bit unusual!
Abbot Longshu of Tianlong Temple and Old Celestial Master of Tianshi Mansion are currently First Grade powerhouses in the world. In the current world, humanity dominates because humans possess five great First Grade powerhouses, known as 'Land Immortals'.
Each of them possesses unfathomable strength.
Tianlong Temple and Tianshi Mansion are both within the capital's jurisdiction, but these two factions do not involve themselves in worldly affairs, holding a very transcendent status.
Xia Chen gave Yaoguang a deep look. It was truly not simple for a literary gathering to be able to invite both of these factions.
"Consort, why aren't you eating anymore?"
Li Wei was about to call a maid to bring more Phoenix claws, but seeing that Xia Chen had already put down his chopsticks, she asked curiously.
"These Phoenix claws are so delicious, I'm afraid if I eat too many, I'll get addicted, and then I won't be able to eat them every day, that would be too uncomfortable!"
Xia Chen smiled and made a joke.
"Oh, I see!" Li Wei was a bit naive.
"If you like eating them, you can come often!"
Suddenly, Yaoguang's beautiful eyes looked at Xia Chen and said such a sentence.
Xia Chen looked at Yaoguang in surprise. Come often?
Why not just move into the Princess Manor directly?
Xia Chen thought to himself, but ultimately didn't say it out loud.
"We are not yet married. If I frequently enter and exit the Princess Manor, I'm afraid it will invite gossip!"
Xia Chen hesitated for a moment and then said.
"Then are you afraid of gossip?"
Yaoguang's beautiful eyes looked directly at Xia Chen, not avoiding his gaze, her eyes firm.
...