Chapter 6: She... Has Changed

A man dressed in white stepped in slowly. He lightly swayed the fan in his hand, his narrow phoenix eyes narrowing slightly. His gaze was deep and clear, the corners of his eyes upturned, radiating a thousand layers of elegance with every flicker of his eyes. His thin lips were as pale as water, and his face appeared somewhat wan; his white attire further accentuated his celestial appearance. He was smiling, yet within those eyes lay a faint sense of detachment, and his entire being seemed to possess an invisible aura that kept others at a distance.

Looking at the newcomer, Meng Juese let out a soft sigh. This man was truly exquisitely beautiful.

As Bai Li entered the room, he carried a faint, refreshing fragrance. His gaze swept over the people present, and he broke into a smile. This smile was such that it seemed to make the very heavens and earth lose their color. "Bai Li feels truly honored to be able to add color to the competition between you two." Having said that, his gaze lingered on Meng Juese. "Miss Meng, it has been a long time."

Meng Juese was slightly stunned. Did they know each other? In her mind, her only memory of this State Preceptor was his white clothing; there seemed to be no significant friendship between them. Thinking of this, she merely gave him a slight nod as a gesture of politeness. A beauty—she had seen far too many in her past life, and having constantly acted alongside handsome men and beautiful women, she had long since developed an immunity.

Her indifferent reaction left everyone present stunned. They had originally thought that Meng Juese's lack of concern for the Crown Prince was a tactic of playing hard to get, but now it seemed that was not the case. The Second Miss Meng, who had always been fond of men, seemed truly different today.

"Hehe... Miss Meng seems to have changed a bit from before." The corners of Bai Li's lips curled slightly as his slender fingers slowly brushed through a stray lock of hair falling to the side. This movement caused the others to stare blankly. To think such a beauty actually existed in this world...

Hearing this, Meng Juese raised an eyebrow. "People change, don't they? Besides, Juese is merely a minor figure; how could I trouble the State Preceptor to keep me in his thoughts?"

Her gaze swept over the group, her eyes flashing slightly. She knew this competition was targeted solely at her, and she knew she was currently the meat on the chopping block. However, from this moment on, she was going to turn the tables completely!

Ignoring him, she simply turned her head, her gaze landing on the Crown Prince. "Your Highness, didn't you say there was a competition? I imagine those waiting below are getting impatient. Why not begin?" Her tone was very flat, without a hint of emotion.

Qiao Chuqi narrowed his eyes slightly. He suddenly realized that he could no longer read the woman before him. Wasn't she supposed to look at him and call him "Crown Prince Brother"? Wasn't she supposed to cling to him and prevent him from getting close to Xue'er? Yet today, from beginning to end, he felt as though he were merely a stranger to her.

Noticing Qiao Chuqi's distraction, a flash of ruthlessness crossed Li Yingxue's eyes. Her fingers dug into her palms, but in the next moment, she revealed an innocent smile. "Yes, it's a good thing Sister Juese reminded us. We all forgot. Isn't it just because we were so happy to see Sister Juese?" Having said that, she stepped forward and directly took her hand. "Then, Sister Juese, let us go down."

Pretentious! Affected! Seeing Li Yingxue like this, these were the only two words that flashed through Meng Juese's mind. She had never liked women who feigned weakness like this; it had been the same in her past life. Seeing her grab her hand once again, she calmly pulled away. "Miss Li, you are the number one talented woman in this capital. If you mingle with someone like me, I fear you might lose your status. Furthermore, I don't seem to have a sister as glamorous as you!" With that, she withdrew her hand again.

Li Yingxue lowered her head, a chill flashing through her eyes. She bit her lip, and in the next moment, the instant Meng Juese withdrew her hand, she fell straight backward.

"Ah—!" She let out a startled cry, but the moment she fell, she was caught by a pair of hands.

"Meng Juese, you truly cannot change your temperament!" Holding Li Yingxue in his arms, Qiao Chuqi looked up, his eyes glaring furiously at Meng Juese.

"Brother Qi, don't blame Sister Juese. It was just that Xue'er lost her footing." She buried her head in his chest and spoke in a low voice, though her trembling body betrayed her fear.

Seeing her like this, Qiao Chuqi felt even more heartache. "Meng Juese, in the future, if you have any grievances, direct them straight at this Prince. If you make things difficult for Xue'er again, do not blame me for being heartless!"

Meng Juese raised an eyebrow. How could she not remember doing anything? She swept a cold gaze over Qiao Chuqi and laughed. "Has Your Highness finished speaking?"

Qiao Chuqi was in the midst of his anger, only to see her speak these words so calmly, her eyes even faintly shimmering with mockery. Meng Juese continued, "Your Highness, do you intend to delay any longer? You may have plenty of time, but that doesn't mean I do." As she spoke, her gaze swept toward Chun'er on the side. "Let's go, Chun'er. We'll head down first."

Qiao Chuqi was stunned; Li Yingxue was surprised. A flash of astonishment also crossed Bai Li's eyes, but in the next moment, he smiled serenely, a smile as refreshing as a spring breeze. "Your Highness, Miss Li, then let us descend. It is getting late; we mustn't keep everyone waiting."

"Brother Qi—" Li Yingxue lowered her head. "It's all Xue'er's fault."

He held her and pressed a light kiss upon her forehead. "It has nothing to do with you. Don't worry, Xue'er. After today, this Prince will have no further connection with that ugly woman!"