"Your Highness..." Shen Yizhen called out anxiously, wanting to catch up, but Qi Jingyi had already quickened his pace and disappeared around the Moon Sect without a trace.
Shen Yizhen was left stomping her feet in embarrassment and frustration, yet helpless to do anything else. She could only stare at the empty courtyard, twisting her handkerchief beyond recognition.
"Miss Third, why are you standing here?" At that moment, Ge Yunfang walked over. "I just saw Prince Jingyi heading that way; hurry and follow him..."
Shen Yizhen remained still, her face quickly regaining composure from its earlier embarrassment.
"You child..." Ge Yunfang frowned immediately. "When will you stop being so stubborn?" she paused, then lowered her voice, "You need to make Prince Jingyi like you..."
Shen Yizhen kept her head down, saying nothing.
"Miss eldest..." Ge Yunfang grew impatient. "Don’t tell me you want to lose to Shen Yilan?"
"Aunt, stop it," Shen Yizhen looked up, "I have my own plans..."
"What plans do you have?" Ge Yunfang frowned even more.
"Aunt." Shen Yizhen looked around, then leaned closer to Ge Yunfang, "Our family now has the attention of two princes. Just because Prince Jingyi doesn’t fancy me doesn’t mean Prince Rong won’t."
"You..." Ge Yunfang looked at her daughter in surprise, seemingly unable to react.
"Alright, Aunt, no need to meddle in these matters." Shen Yizhen waved her hand impatiently, "Otherwise, if father finds out, he will scold you again."
Just then, a figure approached from the distance.
Shen Yilan saw it and a smile instantly appeared on her face. She glanced at Ge Yunfang: "Aunt, Prince Ten is coming. You better hide yourself." As she spoke, she turned and walked towards the back.
Ge Yunfang watched her daughter’s retreating figure and sighed softly. Yet, she obediently scurried off in the opposite direction. However, just as she passed through the Moon Sect, Hun Ling came walking towards her, causing Ge Yunfang’s face to darken. She wanted to pretend she hadn’t seen her and leave.
"Sister Ge." Hun Ling came straight up to her, smiling brightly as she gave a deep curtsy.
"Sister Jiang, not hanging around at the front, what brings you here?" Ge Yunfang lifted her eyelids slightly.
"Oh, Miss Fourth just ran into Prince Eight and is currently accompanying his Highness to stroll around the garden," Hun Ling beamed, "I was just on my way to greet the Madam, and by the way, to mention that Prince Eight might be a bit late to greet her..."
Ge Yunfang’s expression immediately darkened as her own daughter had just been snubbed by Prince Eight and now Shen Yilan had swooped in? How could this be?
Hun Ling seemed quite pleased with the other’s reaction and continued smiling, "By the way, where is the Miss eldest? The Master was asking about her just now."
"The Miss eldest is accompanying Prince Ten in the garden," Ge Yunfang smiled back, "I’m afraid she will also be delayed in greeting."
Hun Ling’s expression froze for a moment, but it was only a split second before she recovered, "Then I won’t keep Sister Ge from her leisurely walk."
"Leisurely walk? I was also on my way to greet the Madam," Ge Yunfang smiled, reaching out to take Hun Ling’s hand, "Come on, let’s go together."
Hun Ling, though resisting the urge to throw off the hand, walked out of the back garden with a forced smile, alongside Ge Yunfang.
Both women were pondering how to marry their daughters off to a prince and scheming how to mess up the other’s plans, fearing they would be overshadowed. Yet neither had a concrete strategy just yet, both planning to look for opportunities slowly...