Since this was a public marriage recruitment, the arrival of other proposal processions was perfectly normal.
However, Palace Master Ning knew full well that apart from that outsider Qiao Baishi, there was no one else who could possibly be part of another proposal procession.
Everyone knew this public proposal was a scheme orchestrated by Palace Master Ning herself — it was meant to publicize the marriage alliance between Qianlan Northern Palace and Qianlan Southern Palace.
At the same time, it was a way to use Qianlan Northern Palace's prestige to pressure Qiao Baishi, forcing him to see reason, know when to back off, and keep his distance from her daughter.
Ning Qingyan's graceful figure shot upright in an instant. "Is it Baishi? Invite them in quickly!"
Palace Master Ning's expression darkened. "Qingyan, sit down! What Baishi or stone? Today, only Young Master Xiao Yu represents Qianlan Northern Palace in this proposal. Anyone else is beneath my notice!"
Ning Qingyan's face was full of grievance. "Mother, is it you getting married, or me? Whether you approve has nothing to do with me!"
"The matter of marriage is decided by the parents." Palace Master Ning's authority left no room for debate.
She barked an order: "Go! Throw that insolent boy out. Tell him that Qianlan Southern Palace does not welcome him, and he should give up on this idea immediately."
The messenger at the door stood there awkwardly, unsure whether to stay or leave.
Palace Master Ning's expression turned cold. "What? My words carry no weight? Go! Get some people to drive them away — as far as possible!"
"Palace Master… this is rather difficult."
"Difficult? How is it difficult?" Elder Ning slapped the table.
"Among the people who arrived… many of them are old friends of yours."
"Old friends?" Palace Master Ning was taken aback. "Who?"
"Elder Fei of Qingyang Valley, Deputy Sect Master Shi of Duobao Dojo, Deputy Steward Zhou of the Dragon Tooth Guard… and the current Crown Prince, Ye Rong. There are also several other influential figures. Quite a number, really."
"What?" Elder Ning's face was filled with astonishment. "What are they here for? Could it be they've heard I'm marrying off my daughter and came to congratulate?"
"From the way they're assembled, it looks like they're all here to propose on behalf of Qiao Baishi," the door attendant said honestly.
"Impossible!" Elder Ning shook her head immediately. "Qiao Baishi is nothing but an outsider. With his smooth talk, he managed to fool my daughter — but where would he find people of this caliber to propose on his behalf? It must be a coincidence that they all arrived at the same time to offer congratulations, and he saw an opportunity to borrow their prestige."
She turned to the Qianlan Northern Palace leadership and said, "Please, esteemed friends, remain seated. Since so many guests have arrived, I really can't ignore them."
Liu Chengfeng, Palace Master of Qianlan Northern Palace, furrowed his brow slightly. His instincts told him that even if these people had come as guests for the celebration, it was far too coincidental for them to all show up at the same time.
Though inwardly startled, he maintained his composure and gave a genial laugh. "Palace Master Ning, please attend to your guests."
Ning Qingyan needed no urging from her mother. Her face brimming with excitement, she hurried out behind her.
"Qingyan, why aren't you inside entertaining the guests? What are you doing following me out?"
"Mother, I was suffocating in there."
Palace Mistress Ning snorted: "You wretched girl, don't blame me for not warning you. If that Qiao Baishi dares cause any trouble today, I'll make sure he gets what he deserves!"
"Mother, then let me tell you—if I can't marry Qiao Baishi, I won't marry anyone!"
"You wretched girl, are you trying to work your mother to death?"
As the mother and daughter spoke, they arrived at the entrance.
The crowd of familiar faces took Palace Mistress Ning rather by surprise.
"Valley Master Fei, Deputy Sect Master Shi, Deputy Steward Zhou, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince... and who might this brilliant young man be?" Palace Mistress Ning had never met Jiang Chen. Seeing him surrounded by the crowd, she had no idea who he was.
"I am Jiang Chen. Greetings to Palace Mistress Ning." Jiang Chen offered a faint smile.
Elder Fei, however, bellowed out in his raspy, gong-like voice: "Palace Mistress Ning, you can't play favorites like this! I've heard that the Qianlan Northern Palace's proposal delegation has already been served fine tea and fine wine inside. And here we are, left standing out at the door drinking the wind! That's not fair, not fair at all!"
The old man had always been a master of mischief and shameless pestering. With that one shout, he appeared to be protesting Palace Mistress Ning's unfairness, but in truth he was conveying an important message—they were here to propose marriage as well.
Sure enough, Palace Mistress Ning was thoroughly stunned: "Elder Fei, what are you talking about?"
Elder Fei let out an eccentric laugh: "Palace Mistress Ning, this old man is quite displeased. If the Qianlan Northern Palace can come to you with a proposal, then my friend here has every right to do the same. I hear you want to drive my friend away while rolling out the red carpet for the Qianlan Northern Palace people. Now tell me—is my friend really inferior to some so-called genius disciple of the Qianlan Northern Palace?"
Shi Xiaoyao, never one to shy away from a spectacle, chuckled: "Palace Mistress Ning, playing favorites like this really isn't your best look. Young Qiao Baishi is my old Shi's friend too. You'd rather choose a Qianlan Northern Palace disciple whose relationship with your Qianlan Southern Palace isn't worth a damn, than choose the talented young man your daughter actually likes? Now why would you do that?"
Zhou Gui also chimed in with a smile: "Sister Ning, this young Qiao Baishi really is quite something. In this old man's view, his future prospects may well rival those of the Qianlan Northern Palace disciples."
Crown Prince Ye Rong smiled and said: "Let's not all crowd here arguing. Why don't we head inside to discuss it? Everyone here has come to propose—let's keep it fair and square!"