His Royal Highness the Black Body

Helian Mei turned to the renowned lady behind her and asked with a smile.

They clutched their handkerchiefs, their thin lips slightly curled, and regarded Helian Weiwei with disdain, as if she were a pit of mud they couldn't even touch.

Helian Mei raised her chin triumphantly and said, "Hey, let's not dwell on this unpleasant environment. Let's go find the chef and have a private meal. Come on, sisters." She followed it up with a string of radiant smiles.

However, before Helian Mei could even take a step, she suddenly stumbled and fell to the ground unsteadily. Unbeknownst to her, she had spilled leftovers in front of her, leaving her face and hair covered in oil.

"My face, my hair! Helian Weiwei, you wait for me!" Helian Jiao'er screamed in frustration and rushed out of the dining hall in a frenzy.

Helian Weiwei calmly observed the untouched bamboo chopsticks in her hand and glanced at the disapproving gazes of the hundred prominent families. She quickly clarified, "It wasn't me."

Baili Jia Jue withdrew his hand, the water droplets on his fingertips still fresh, and casually wiped his hands with a white towel.

Helian Weiwei, considering herself an honest person, added, "I intended to act, but she fell before I could reach her."

"Hmm," Baili Jia Jue responded in a calm tone, taking a sip of herbal tea. "The floor was slippery."

Weiwei nodded, "Indeed, it was rather slippery. It's a bit disappointing that I didn't get to do it myself. I wonder why she fell."

As Helian Weiwei pondered, a shadow concealed in the darkness twitched its mouth. For some reason, the smile forming on the master's face felt chilling and ominous, making the shadow doubt any excuses like "the floor was slippery." The shadow couldn't help but wonder if His Highness had played a part in it.

"But if you think about it, Helian Jiao'er is about to marry the third prince, which is quite delightful," Helian Weiwei mused, suddenly bursting into laughter.

Baili Jiajue's grip on the teacup tightened slightly, his voice warming up. "Delightful? How so?"

"Huh?" Helian Weiwei looked at him meaningfully. "Don't tell me you're unaware of the reason."

The hidden figure in the shadows froze, feeling a sense of foreboding. Could it be that this eldest daughter of the Helian family would dare to personally criticize His Highness?

Should they intervene to prevent it?

Anticipating his thoughts, Baili Jia Jue cast a warning glance towards the shadow's position, his cold eyes carrying a stern message.

The shadow immediately shrank back, a cold sweat forming on his back.

Baili Jia Jue turned his head, his profile exuding elegance. With a nonchalant tone, he remarked, "I genuinely don't know. I would like to hear the reason behind her happiness when someone marries me."

"In that case, let me enlighten you. But keep it between us. I suspect that the Third Prince is... well, like Long Yang," Helian Weiwei said, glancing around and lowering her voice. "He is likely attracted to men."

The shadow almost choked upon hearing the term "Long Yang." The Third Prince, His Royal Highness, attracted to men?!

Terrified, the shadow looked at the man nearby and felt a chill in their heart.

This is bad, really bad. His Highness will definitely want to punish and silence this eldest daughter of the Helian family. It's even worse than using ten taels of silver to buy His Highness's kiss!

Baili Jia Jue was also taken aback, his well-defined eyebrows furrowing. It was unclear whether he was angry or something else, but a cold smile played on his lips. "What did you say?"

"I said that the Third Prince might be attracted to men like Long Yang," Helian Weiwei glanced at him from head to toe, her thin lips curling. "Helian Jiao'er won't gain any benefits from marrying him, but you, if you participate in the selection for consorts, you'll surely be favored. With your looks, it wouldn't be a problem to seduce the third prince."

"Favored, you say? Tempting, even?" Baili Jiajue's narrowed eyes revealed a dangerous glimmer. "Where did you get the idea that the third prince has inclinations like Long Yang?"

"Everyone knows that the third prince has never shown interest in women. It's rumored that even the attendants in his palace are all young men. If he doesn't have inclinations like Long Yang, he should at least have a female maid accompanying him in his daily life," Helian Weiwei presented her plausible doubts.

However, Baili Jia Jue couldn't help but find amusement in her conclusion. One day, he would make her truly experience his "fury and wrath"!

Observing Baili Jia Jue's silence, Helian Weiwei thought she had stunned him with her revelation.

As expected, whether in ancient or modern times, men and women alike never tire of gossip.

Helian Weiwei wore an expression of understanding and patted Baili Jia Jue's shoulder. "Don't be too shocked. If you feel unable to contain this news after hearing it, you can share it with others."

"Don't worry," Baili Jia Jue lightly glanced at her hand on his shoulder, his thin lips curving into a half-smile. "I will find the right time to share it with others." But the "others" won't be the people she expects... It will be her!

Helian Weiwei was about to respond when a muffled laughter emerged from the small doorway to the left.

Raising her eyebrows, Helian Weiwei looked at Nangong Lie standing at the door.

Nangong Lie raised his hand, barely suppressing his laughter, and cleared his throat. "Please, continue your discussion. Pretend I'm not here! Hahaha, luckily I came back early. Otherwise, I would have missed such an entertaining show. I must ask Ajue later how it felt to hear someone say he has inclinations like Long Yang. Hahaha!" "Oops!" He couldn't help but burst into laughter again.

"What is he laughing at?" Helian Weiwei wondered.

Baili Jia Jue glanced at Nangong Lie indifferently, raised the teacup to his lips, took a gentle sip, and remarked, "I am laughing at my own misfortune."

Nangong Lie froze in his spot.

"But," Baili Jiajue paused and then smiled suddenly, "I find what the Third Prince said to you quite intriguing and amusing."

"Why would I be foolish enough to go to him and disclose this information unless I wanted to meet my demise?" Helian Weiwei nibbled on a freshly roasted lamb chop, seemingly unbothered.

Nangong Lie and the shadow both chuckled. "Then what are you doing now? It's too late. You're absolutely, definitely, doomed!"

Unexpectedly, Baili Jia Jue's pale lips curled into a wicked smile, proud and mischievous, as if he had found a highly entertaining toy...