The moment Liu Wenyuan entered, the entire banquet hall held their breaths in awe. He sauntered gracefully across the floor, bowing his head in a respectful gesture to the guests, but never once bending his back in submission.
Liu Yichen's booming laughter was heard coming from the entrance. He strode the hall to escort his son to the middle of the room.
"I humbly introduce to everyone the most precious pearl in Wuyang Palace, my beautiful son Wenyuan."
The Liu family went to sit at the elevated platform at the end of the hall, with Liu Wenyuan sitting in the middle. The interested suitors were supposed to line up to present their gifts to the omega. This was their chance to impress the omega and the omega's family, with the hope that they might be allowed to court said omega.
Eyes were drawn to Xie Jianyu, who had yet to move from his spot. As the suitor who held the highest position in the entire empire, naturally, he was given the priority to greet Liu Wenyuan and his parents officially.
Xie Jianyu slowly walked toward the elevated platform. He gave a slight bow before the three people, who bowed in return. Xie Jianyu clapped once, and his servant stepped forward with a velvety pillow in both hands. On top of the velvety pillow was a red brocade box.
Xie Jianyu took the red brocade box and opened it. Inside was a shiny seven-colored stone bracelet that was brimming with pure, unadulterated cultivation energy.
"Greetings to Palace Master Liu Yichen, Lady Wen, and Prince Liu Wenyuan. On this auspicious day, I come with a humble gift. Let this Seven Star Qi Refining Bracelet represent my most sincere intention toward the prince."
"..."
What humble gift?
Zhang Fengxi was not the only suitor who gritted their teeth in indignation. That bracelet was made from spiritual stones of seven beasts that terrorized the Heavenly Realm for the past five hundred years! If Xie Jianyu referred to his gift as "humble", then the other gifts were more or less trash.
Liu Wenyuan gave the Crown Prince his sweetest smile. He then held his right hand in Xie Jianyu's direction and coquettishly said, "Will His Majesty The Crown Prince please put it on for me?"
Naturally, Xie Jianyu complied.
When he brushed Liu Wenyuan's silky hand in the process, Liu Wenyuan's cheeks were suffused with an adorable pink color. All the other suitors almost suffered from a heart attack on the spot, then and there.
Liu Wenyuan tucked a loose hair strand behind his ear and rubbed at the bracelet around his wrist affectionately.
"Thank you, Crown Prince, I love it."
Once Xie Jianyu was done with his greeting, all the other suitors automatically fell into a line. One by one, they offered their gifts to Liu Wenyuan. It did not surprise anyone when they saw no ripples inside the Liu family's eyes.
Zhang Fengxi too was greatly disappointed with his gift. How was he supposed to know that Xie Jianyu was going to come with such a grand offering? But wait, did this mean that Xie Jianyu was serious about pursuing Liu Wenyuan?
But he was born as an omega!
Two omegas would never sire a child. If Liu Wenyuan was mated to Xie Jianyu, he was going to be wasted. Zhang Fengxi curled his fingers into fists. He must prevent that from happening. Liu Wenyuan was his and his only!
Following the gift offering, all guests were asked to enjoy the banquet. While they sat behind their desks and enjoyed the most delectable dishes that Wuyang Palace had to offer, entertainers entered the hall and started performing one by one.
Zhang Fengxi watched with burning jealousy as Xie Jianyu was invited to sit with Liu Wenyuan and his parents. He did not need to eavesdrop to know what they were talking about. They were surely discussing the next step in this courting process. Truly, even if Xie Jianyu came with a cheap box of facial powder, Liu Yichen would still welcome him enthusiastically.
Why?
Because Xie Jianyu was the Crown Prince, the heir to the Dragon Throne.
Liu Wenyuan had the chance to become the future empress of all heaven!
Now, who in the room could compare to Xie Jianyu?
Of course no one.
Next to Zhang Fengxi, a noble young alpha from Ling'an Palace sighed heavily.
"I can't believe it," he complained. "With all the rumors surrounding the crown prince, I should have expected him to show up. I should have sold half of our treasure storage to buy a wonderful gift for Liu Wenyuan!"
His conversation partner snickered. "Oh well, there will be another."
Zhang Fengxi furrowed his brows. He turned his upper body to face the gossipy young alphas and asked, "Excuse me, what rumors are you referring to?"
The two alphas looked Zhang Fengxi up and down as if trying to decide if it were a trick question or not.
"Well," the first speaker then leaned closer and said with a conspiratorial tone, "According to the circulating rumors, the Crown Prince likes to surround himself with omegas."