Roxy Shangguan did not respond, so Joyce Du continued, "Speaking of Miss Xu, she is the most talented woman in Sunflower Town after Wendy, though her looks are only considered pleasant. Still, many young gentlemen pursue her, so today's matchmaking competition is sure to be lively." As she finished, she glanced at Wendy Hua, seemingly worried about stirring up sad memories, but Wendy kept her head down, showing no reaction.
Besides her martial arts skills, Wendy Hua does possess some talents, enough to be considered a gifted woman in Sunflower Town.
However, Roxy Shangguan disagreed. Everyone here praised Wendy Hua as both accomplished in arts and martial arts, but in her view, Wendy's supposed skills were just like a three-legged cat trying to fight—a clumsy attempt, barely good enough to catch a mouse. So she didn't hold much hope for any other rumored talents.
Roxy Shangguan glanced at Quentin Hua, pursed her lips, and said, "Why haven't I heard anything about this?"
Quentin Hua kissed her on the cheek and replied, "It's nothing important." He knew that news from the Cloud Guild was always reaching Roxy Shangguan, but trivial matters like this wouldn't be included. Besides, they hadn't left the Hua Mansion, and the servants wouldn't dare gossip in front of them, so it was normal she hadn't heard.
Roxy Shangguan had only asked casually and wasn't truly concerned. Her attention was quickly drawn elsewhere. "Quincy, candied hawthorn!" She wrapped her arms around Quentin Hua's neck, shaking him playfully.
Quentin chuckled and glanced at her, then carried her over. Roxy grabbed a skewer in each hand, and as Quentin was about to pay, a hand reached out from beside them, handing the shopkeeper a piece of broken silver. A cheerful voice said, "Keep the change!"
Quentin Hua and Roxy Shangguan turned to look. The newcomer was dressed in finery, his handsome face adorned with a warm, inviting smile. "Quentin Hua, we meet again!" It was Nathan Saint, the sixth prince of Sainton Kingdom, whom they had met in Magnolia Town.
Roxy Shangguan handed him a skewer of candied hawthorn, smiling mischievously. "Here, have one!" Her eyes sparkled with cunning, clearly plotting something.
Last time she earned ten thousand taels of silver from the sixth prince—she wondered if she could make even more this time.
Nathan Saint had no idea what she was thinking and pushed the skewer away with a laugh. "I don't eat that!" he joked. This was a child's treat—he was a grown man, after all.
Seeing he refused, Roxy Shangguan pouted. "You were the one who didn't want it, not me refusing you!" She bit into a candied hawthorn with relish, even feeding one to Quentin.
Quentin Hua didn't care whether it was fitting for a grown man to eat candied hawthorn. If Roxy Shangguan fed him poison, he might just eat that too.
"So, Your Highness, what brings you here? Did you hear Master Xu is hosting a matchmaking contest and want to become his son-in-law?" Sylas Ren drawled, glancing lazily at Nathan Saint, a playful smile on his lips. His tone was familiar and unrestrained.
Nathan Saint finally turned to look at him. He hadn't noticed Sylas Ren before, but now he raised an eyebrow. "Sylas Ren?" He showed no surprise, just shook his head. "You're still the same! Never content to be Crown Prince, always roaming all over the land. I wonder if Uncle Hua's hair is turning gray from worry!"
Sylas Ren shot him a look and laughed, "Are you one to talk? Aren't you just the same?"
Nathan Saint raised his eyebrows. "That's different. The throne of Sainton Kingdom doesn't need me to inherit!" He looked at Sylas Ren with obvious pride, clearly aware of his friend's sore spot.
Sylas Ren, hearing this, looked mournfully at Quentin Hua, but Quentin Hua seemed not to notice his gaze and simply continued walking forward, carrying Roxy Shangguan.
Joyce Du was surprised to learn Sylas Ren was a Crown Prince! Even Wendy Hua couldn't help but glance up at him—he was actually a prince!
The entrance to the Xu Family residence was bustling. Any young gentleman who met the basic requirements was welcomed inside, though others weren't barred—they simply weren't greeted.
Roxy Shangguan and Quentin entered with their group. They were only there to watch the excitement, but to secure seats, Roxy threatened Sylas Ren into signing up for the contest. Sylas dared not refuse and instead vented his frustration on Nathan Saint, dragging him along to register as well.
There were only two seats. Quentin simply sat down with Roxy Shangguan in his arms, completely ignoring any sense of propriety. Sylas Ren twitched his lips, looking utterly aggrieved.
Nathan Saint glanced at the two women, wanting to be courteous but unsure whom to yield to. Sylas Ren saw through him, shoved him aside, and plopped down, offering a half-hearted 'thanks.'
Nathan Saint was speechless. His straightforward companion Roy Young was not with him today—only Roy Qing was present. Knowing Nathan and Sylas were old friends, Roy Qing kept silent and did not intervene.
The grand garden was bustling. Several elderly men sat on the central round platform, surrounded by young men who had signed up for the contest, while the outer circle was packed with onlookers.
After a while, Master Xu finally stepped onto the platform. The crowd quieted as he spoke: "Thank you all for coming to my daughter's matchmaking contest. I will set the challenges, and several respected town physicians will judge. If the winner can surpass my daughter, they may marry her." Pausing, he added, "My daughter is my only child, so I have decided to give her the Celestial Aroma I recently acquired as a wedding gift."
"Celestial Aroma?" A wave of astonished murmurs rippled through the crowd.
Everyone seated here had some knowledge of medicine, and the name Celestial Aroma was well known. It was both a fragrance and a medicine—rare and priceless!
Roxy Shangguan frowned. How could Master Xu have obtained such a thing? Even the imperial palace couldn't procure it now. Was this contest really just about matchmaking?
Sylas Ren frowned from the side. "Isn't Celestial Aroma only found in Sainton Kingdom?" he said, glancing at Nathan Saint.
Nathan Saint rolled his eyes, exasperated. "Why are you looking at me? I have no idea! Each year, hundreds travel to Sainton Kingdom for Celestial Aroma. It's not easy to get, but that doesn't mean it's impossible."