Chapter 211: Preparations for the Banquet
Ye Ming was waiting patiently downstairs for Shi Lan.
He sat upright on the sofa, a glass of water in his hand. An inexplicable nervousness crept into his heart, and he took a sip from time to time.
Just then, he heard movement from upstairs. He subconsciously put down his glass, couldn’t help but stand up, and looked toward the source of the sound.
In that instant, Ye Ming was so stunned by her beauty that he was at a loss for words.
He was like an inexperienced young boy, staring dumbly at the woman he loved. When his gaze inadvertently swept over her chest, a flustered look appeared in his peach-blossom eyes, and he immediately looked away.
Shi Lan walked over to him, let go of the skirt she was holding, and gave a little twirl. "What do you think? Is it okay?"
The last time she wore a beautiful dress, for Jiang Yan’s wedding, she hadn’t thought much of it. But now, in front of Ye Ming, she couldn’t help but want to show it off to him, her heart filled with both nervousness and anticipation for his reaction.
Ye Ming was tall, so as Shi Lan drew near, he only needed to lower his eyes slightly to glimpse many alluring sights. At such a close distance, the impact was far greater than before, and it seemed to be accompanied by an intoxicatingly sweet fragrance that wafted to his nose.
His face flushed hot. He turned his head away slightly, not daring to look directly at her. His voice was a little hoarse, and he was so nervous his words came out stilted. "It’s... it’s beautiful."
’Just as I thought,’ he mused. ’This color suits her perfectly.’
’The original colorful dress would have looked beautiful on Shi Lan too, of course, but it wouldn’t have been suitable for this kind of banquet.’
Shi Lan was also very happy to hear his praise. Ye Ming asked her, "Is there anything about the dress that isn’t quite right?"
"It’s great, but it might be even better with shoulder chains, or if the neckline was a little higher."
After all, the dress was sleeveless with thin straps, and the neckline was a bit low. Adding shoulder chains could provide some coverage.
Ye Ming nodded. "I understand. I’ll go home and make some alterations."
He didn’t need Shi Lan to tell him; he was already quite dissatisfied himself.
’I used to think the dress I made was perfect,’ he thought, ’but now that I see it on her, I realize it has so many flaws.’
Ye Ming frowned to himself. Hearing his words, Shi Lan was surprised. "You made this dress?"
He snapped out of his thoughts and nodded.
Shi Lan’s jaw dropped, and her expression quickly turned into one of starry-eyed admiration. "Ye Ming, you’re amazing! You even know how to make clothes. Don’t tell me you embroidered these flowers yourself too?"
Ye Ming let out a soft "Mm." This time, Shi Lan was truly too shocked to speak. She stared at Ye Ming, never having imagined that as the Eldest Prince, he would deign to do such a thing with his own hands.
After a long moment, Shi Lan finally processed it all and praised, "You did a really wonderful job."
"By the way, how did you know my measurements?"
Ye Ming lowered his head slightly. Beneath his neatly styled black hair, his jade-white ears were tinged with a faint pink. The beauty mark under the corner of his eye also seemed to take on a hazy, rosy hue.
"Um, I... I looked at the clothes you usually wear and... guessed," he said softly.
Because he had watched her so often, he could clearly trace her figure in his mind.
And in the darkness of the prison, his love had grown wantonly with each silent gaze.
Shi Lan didn’t know all that. She simply marveled once again at how sharp Ye Ming’s powers of observation were.
Perhaps because he still needed to go home and alter the dress, he didn’t stay for long.
The next day, he returned with the altered gown.
Shi Lan had originally thought he would add shoulder chains. Instead, he had not only shortened the straps to raise the neckline, but he had also added a sheer, colorless shawl. Perhaps to better match the shawl, he had also added a layer of the same delicate gauze below the waist, with strands of white pearls draped over it. The overall design seemed even more exquisite.
"Wow, this is gorgeous."
Taking it in her hands, Shi Lan loved it even more.
She tried it on again, and as expected, it suited her perfectly.
Shi Lan put it on again to show Ye Ming. He could sense her heightened delight this time, but as he looked at the dress... he still seemed somewhat dissatisfied.
’If I had known, I would have made the shawl thicker.’
’Now, it looks even more alluring than before.’
Ye Ming’s Adam’s apple bobbed. Not having the heart to interrupt her joy, he took out a pair of high heels and the jewelry he had bought.
These were also indispensable for the banquet. The neckline of her dress was bare, so the jewelry would be a perfect match.
When Shi Lan opened the box and saw what was inside, she instinctively said, "This... this is too valuable. I can’t accept it..."
The high heels were one thing, but the jewelry looked magnificent and expensive. The chain wasn’t the usual silver color but a faint, warm gold. It was a finger’s width wide and inlaid with numerous transparent diamonds, but the most stunning part was the pink diamond in the center.
Even if she didn’t know much about gems, she could tell from its luster, exquisite cut, and the purity of its color that it was no ordinary piece.
Ye Ming’s gaze swept over the vase in the room, the bracelet on her wrist, and the exposed Space Chain around her neck. His lips parted, and he unhurriedly recited their prices. Finally, under Shi Lan’s shocked gaze, he looked up to meet her eyes. His emerald irises seemed to dim, his expression crestfallen. "So... is it because Lanlan sees me as an outsider? Is that why you’re willing to accept their things, but not mine...?"
Shi Lan felt that each of these men was more silver-tongued than the last. Even Ye Ming, who usually seemed quiet and reserved, could corner her into speechlessness. It was as if by not accepting his gift, she was the one who had committed a terrible crime.
She threw her hands up in surrender, no longer feigning reluctance. "I’ll take it!"
At her words, the light returned to Ye Ming’s eyes, and his lips curved upward. "Thank you, Lanlan."
"My birthday party is the day after tomorrow. It starts at around five in the evening. I might not be able to get away for a while, so I’ll have my Hovercar come pick you up, is that okay?"
Shi Lan nodded.
"By the way, will Mu Tangfeng and the others be there?"
she asked curiously. After all, they were members of the Four Great Families and had been imprisoned with Ye Ming.
Although Ye Ming was reluctant, as a member of the Imperial Family, he couldn’t sever ties with the Four Great Families. Naturally, these love rivals were included.
He nodded.
Hearing this, Shi Lan relaxed a little. If Ye Ming was busy socializing, at least she would have acquaintances at the banquet to keep her company and prevent things from getting too awkward.
Ye Ming understood her concerns. He said, "I remember you have a good friend named Jiang Yan. One of her Beast Husbands is from one of the great families, so she should be there too."
Shi Lan hadn’t asked much about the specifics of her friend’s two Beast Husbands, but Jiang Yan had previously delayed her return date. She was scheduled to arrive tomorrow, so perhaps they could meet up.
At this thought, she grew even happier. "Okay."
The next day, Shi Lan and Jiang Yan met for a private meal. When Jiang Yan heard that Shi Lan would also be attending Ye Ming’s banquet, she happily slung an arm around her shoulder and said, "That’s perfect! Why don’t we go together tomorrow?"
Jiang Yan didn’t think too much of it. After all, Shi Lan had been the Prison Director on Black Star, so she just assumed Shi Lan and Ye Ming were good friends. Besides, while she herself didn’t mind Shi Lan’s low spiritual power, the Monarch would never allow Ye Ming, as the heir, to become too involved with a female with such a condition.
Shi Lan thought it was a good idea, so she nodded and let Ye Ming know in advance.
Just then, Jiang Yan suddenly looked at her with concern. "Lanlan, you’re almost of marriageable age. Have you chosen a male yet?"