TCN: Mei Gongqing

Chapter 39: Banquet

Chapter 39: Banquet

Chen Rong paused to receive the veiled hat Nurse Ping had prepared for her and then entered the hall from a side door.

The hall was scented by its guests' garments; lights from crimson lanterns and candles intertwined. As the smoke wafted, the finely dressed youngsters all seemed as though they had come out of a painting. There were quite a few ladies within Chen Rong's peripheral view who were as beautiful as she, and therefore her arrival did not stir as much excitement as did Ran Min's.

She took several steps and passed her gaze over others' shoulders toward the host seat.

There, she saw Wang Qilang standing out like a crane among fowls. Ran Min was sitting at the same table. They were in rapt conversation, clapping and laughing from time to time.

Next to Wang Qilang were two dignified-looking men and a handsome young boy. Surrounding them were other people. They seemed to be members of the Lang'ya house of Wang.

Chen Rong was still looking around when Wang Wulang glanced over at her in the midst of chatting to other lads.

"Ah Rong."

Chen Rong halted and looked up.

Wang Wulang's handsome face seemed a little gloomy. "Come with me, your seat is over there."

Sensing the displeasure in his voice, Chen Rong followed behind after catching a brief glimpse of him.

Her seat was in the second row on the right side, close to the wall.

After Wang Wulang asked her to sit down at her table, several maids immediately stepped forward and blocked her area with a screen.

Not only her, but all ladies present would be enclosed behind screens as soon as they sat down. The screens were only a man's height, their surface made of a layer of gossamer silk. Due to the candlelight on the tables, the ladies behind these silk screens seemed to be brighter than the others, but of course, they also seemed somewhat hazier.

Wang Wulang turned to go after Chen Rong took her seat. But after just two steps, he paused to look back at her, saying in a low voice: "Your mind can be quite profound even though you are so young. Do you think someone like Qilang would fancy you?"

He stood in front of her screen with his head bowed. Contemptuously, he stared at Chen Rong with a slight ire. "With your status, it is already difficult to find an able man who will marry you. But you have no self-respect and did this unto yourself. In my opinion, your life might as well be over."

His voice was very low and the few nearby tables were empty. Except for Chen Rong, no others heard his remark.

Listening to these harsh words, Chen Rong's heart was lit with indignation. She whipped her head up to look at him.

She opened her mouth to counter, but when she saw his resentful and grudging eyes, she felt bad and bowed her head to softly say: "What does it matter whether my life is over or not? My uncle already intends to give me to the Prince of Nan'yang as his concubine."

Her voice was low, stifling back a choke while carrying a subtle hidden meaning. She seemed to be asking for his help while at the same time wishing to explain herself.

Wang Wulang was astounded.

This translation belongs to hamster428.wordpress.com

Pressing his lips together, he watched Chen Rong's vaguely fragile face under the candlelight and unknowingly softened his voice: "Give you to that old Nan'yang Prince who refuses to die? That fellow Chen Yuan must be mad! Does he not know the prince likes to collect pretty women but has no kindness for them? Your life would be ruined once you entered his inner quarters!"