Chapter 45: The King of Yu's Palace

  The sky had just turned dark, and the Guo Gong Fu was already brightly lit. Beautiful maidservants were holding trays of delicious delicacies, entering in a steady stream.

  In the garden of the banquet, rows and rows of seats with all kinds of delicious food and fine wine.

  Pang Guogong sat in the main seat, Yang Shi sat beside her, and three aunts sat next to them.

  Pang Luoxue and Pang Luoyu greeted the young ladies from various families. It was because Pang Ce had not yet established his own household, and he was a young and talented man, coupled with the fact that Prince Pang had only one son, so the future position of Prince would definitely go to Pang Ce.

  The position of Guo Gong's wife is a fragrant pastry, and several ladies who are close to Yang Shi intentionally or unintentionally inquired about Peng Ce's preferences, so that they can talk to their own daughters, this is a perfect golden son-in-law.

  The Yang family naturally has its own strengths, and as a parent, one cannot help but boast about their child. A good appearance is important, as well as having knowledge and a noble character, with a sense of responsibility. As for the son's marriage, it's only natural to worry, but fortunately, these few ladies are also from wealthy families, so there's no need to mention their upbringing.

  On this side they were in a flurry, on that side the housekeeper sang: The King of Yu has arrived.

  Although Duke Pong had prepared for the arrival of Yu Wang, he did not expect him to arrive so early. He hastily stood up and said: "Your humble servant has seen Your Highness."

  Yu Wang naturally didn't dare to accept the courtesy of Grand Duke Pang, and hastily said: "Grand Duke, you're too polite. Today is a banquet for the Pang brothers, I must come to congratulate them. Before leaving, my mother asked me to bring some gifts, please accept them with a smile."

  The two exchanged pleasantries, and the queen's gift was naturally valuable, aside from some genuine antiques, it was a landscape painting, which Yang had someone record and store in the warehouse.

  Pang Ce personally came over to receive Gong Ye and said, "Zheng Yang is like a brother to me. We often exchanged blows during our travels and studies."

  Pang Guo Gong Dao: Your Highness is always Your Highness, Zhan Er must not be presumptuous.

  Yu Wangdao said, "What Brother Ce said is right. When we were traveling and studying together, our interests were compatible. Duke Guo, don't be polite, it's just that Zhengyang doesn't often come to bother us."

  Pang Luoxue and Pang Luoyu paid their respects and are now by Guo Gong's side.

  Pang Guogong looked at his eldest daughter, Lu Yu, and thought that the Prince of Yu had not yet started a family. If Lu Yu were to become the Prince's concubine, it would still be a good match. He introduced her, saying: "This is my eldest daughter, named Lu Yu, who has just come of age this year. She is the child of me and my second wife."

  Pang Luo Yu bowed her head and curtsied: I have seen King Yu of Henan, young lady Pang Luo Yu has paid her respects.

  Yu Wang said, "I've met Miss Pang, no need to be polite." Yu Wang pretended not to understand the implication behind Prince Pang's words and smiled, knowing that his marriage would ultimately be decided by his parents.

  Pang Guogong saw that there was no chance, and it wasn't good to make excessive demands. Now he can only hope that Pang Luoyu can win some face back, as he had high hopes for the Prince of Yu's mansion.

  "This is my sister, Pang Luoxue, Snow, Zheng Yang is my good brother"

  Pang Luoxue looked up and took a glance at Yu Wang, indeed among the emperor's several sons, Yu Wang was more like an emperor and also had a few more points of elegance.

  Pang Luo Xue stepped forward and said: "Luo Xue has seen King Yu of the palace"

  Yu Wang Ruo had a pleased expression and said, "Shouldn't Xue Er call me brother?"

  Pang Luo Xue furrowed her brow. Logically speaking, Yu Wang shouldn't be such a frivolous person, could it be that she had mistaken him?

  Pang Ze frowned and said, "Zheng Yang, I am Xue Er's biological older brother, don't think about taking my sister away"

  Yu Wang shook his head: The Empress Dowager told me today that she has recognized the eldest daughter of the Peng State Duke's family, Peng Luoxue, as her adopted daughter. The Emperor had previously decreed to confer the title of Snow Princess on your younger sister, and since I am older than her, it is only natural for me to be called "older brother". This matter is absolutely true and cannot be denied.

  Although Pang Ce was unhappy in his heart, Yu Wang's words were also true. In just one year, he hadn't returned home and his own younger sister had already become a county princess.

  Pang Luoxue wasn't a pretentious person either, and Yu Wang's words just proved that the Empress still liked him quite a bit. Calling him "older brother" didn't put her at a disadvantage, so she changed her tone to: "Xue'er has met Older Brother Yu Wang."

  Can't help but think of my own brother being jealous, so I'll give him a title instead.

  Yu Wang smiled and said, "Sister, no need to be so polite. The Empress Dowager likes you very much. Yesterday, she specifically instructed me to bring you into the palace to accompany her today."

  Pang Luo Xue naturally nodded in agreement.

  Although Duke Ping felt sorry that Pang Luoyu had lost the favor of King Yu, he was relieved to see his second daughter getting along well with King Yu. Xue'er is the legitimate daughter of this duke's mansion, and if she marries King Yu, she will at least become a proper queen in the future.

  Yu Wang saw Pang Luo Xue for the first time and felt that this little girl was so beautiful, although she smiled with a childlike innocence, but gave people a cold feeling of keeping others at arm's length.

  She pulled out a white jade pendant from her bosom, carved in the shape of a lotus flower, and said: I had someone find it when I came today, and it's just right to give it to Xue'er.

  Pang Ce took it and said: Not bad, this is a famous snow jade, its body is crystal clear, pure white, as if it had been soaked in snow. What's even more strange is that this piece of jade feels warm to the touch, without the cold feeling of ordinary snow jade, one look and you can tell it's not an ordinary product.

  Yu Wang snatched a necklace and put it around Pang Luoxue's neck, saying, "This is a gift for Snowy sister, so it's not an ordinary item."

  Pang Luoxue reached out and picked up the peony-shaped jade pendant on her chest, with a delicate snowflake pattern carved on it. What's even more amazing is that this snowflake pattern blended seamlessly into the veins of the leaf, without looking out of place. At first glance, it just looked like a regular leaf, but when you took a closer look, the snowflake pattern suddenly popped out, truly a masterpiece of craftsmanship.

  Pang Ce looked at Pang Luo Xue's careful observation, and suddenly the vinegar flavor of being a brother came up. He stretched out his hand to his own sister, with a simple expression: "Quickly give it to your brother for me to see."

  Pang Luo's lips twitched slightly as she reached out and picked up the jade pendant, putting it into her inner garment.

  Pang Zetong's eyes almost popped out, you little scamp, such a fine piece of jade and you won't even let your brother take a closer look.

  Pang Luo Xue knew what was on his mind, and comforted him by saying: "When the day comes for brother to get married, Xue Er will definitely present this thing to you, and at that time, brother can look at it however he wants."

  Pang Ce was unable to, on the one side

  She was her own biological sister, on the other hand, she was her good friend. The two joined forces and she really couldn't defend herself. Helpless, she shook her head and invited King Yu to take a seat inside.

  Zhao Zhengyang glanced at Pang Luoxue and followed Pang Ce towards the banquet.

  Pang Luo let out a sigh of relief, knowing his brother's temperament, and that today was at least muddled through.

  Just as Yu Wang had taken his seat, the butler on the other side announced: His Excellency Jin Wang has arrived.

  Although Pang Guogong was strange, he just followed the usual procedure and sent a notice to the King of Jin. According to him, there was no connection between his mansion and the King of Jin, so it was rare for the King to come. As a guest, the King of Jin was also a talented person, and his birth mother, Consort Yi, had a noble status. However, as the family's fortunes had declined and he lacked maternal clan support, this imperial son ultimately had no prospects.

  When Pang Luo Yu heard that the King of Jin had arrived, she couldn't help but want to rush over and hug him tightly, telling him about her longing. Unfortunately, she could only think about it and didn't actually do it - she wasn't stupid after all. In her past life, she was able to toy with Pang Luo Xue because she had a deep understanding of the situation. She knew that the King of Jin liked her, but what men cared about more was whether the woman by their side could bring them power and status. That's why she disliked Pang Luo Xue - because she had this capital, whereas she herself did not. So all she could do was wait, bide her time, and when the opportunity was ripe, she would strike, biting down on her enemy's neck and completely eliminating her.

  Although she didn't want to see that scoundrel's face, it was also impossible for her to be one level higher than the official and crush people to death. She had no choice but to follow Pang Guogong to the banquet hall to welcome King Jin.