Dugu Jingyao is reborn as Li Chu's beloved

After a cup of tea, Shi Jian brought Qin Ruyi into the house. The room was bustling with activity. Shi Jian and Qin Ruyi quietly came up behind Dugu Jingyao. Dugu Jingyao didn't turn around, but glanced at Qin Ruyi through the mirror. She thought to herself: It seems she's really concentrating on worshiping the Buddha.

Dugu Jingyao asked, "Auntie is here?" Qin Ruyi's voice trembled, her eyes reddened. "Yes, Princess." She was about to kneel down, but Shijian held her up. Dugu Jingyao thought to herself, "It's Shijian who has won my heart." So she said, "Auntie, there's no need to be so remorseful. I can see you're truly repentant."

With tears in her eyes, Qin Ruyi presented the handwritten sutra and said, "Princess, this is the Diamond Sutra I copied when I was worshiping Buddha. I just came out and have not prepared any gifts in advance, so I will give this sutra as your birthday gift. I hope Princess will not dislike it." Seeing that Dugu Jingyao did not refuse, Shi Jian took the sutra.

Dugu Jingyao had finally finished dressing up after Si Jian and the others had done some work. Today, she wore a red ruqun, a high-shouldered bun, a golden hairpin with a cloud-like shape, a pair of gold-studded eight-bead earrings, and a crimson bead necklace around her slender neck. Her whole appearance was gentle yet heroic. This entire outfit, from head to toe, had actually been sent in advance by Dugu Jingyue. Although she hadn't tried it on before, it immediately felt like it perfectly suited her temperament. It was obvious that Dugu Jingyue had put a lot of thought into it.

Dugu Jingyao stood up and took Qin Ruyi's hand, startling everyone around them. Even Qin Ruyi hadn't expected Dugu Jingyao to do this, and her body stiffened for a moment. Perhaps sensing this, Dugu Jingyao said playfully, "Auntie, please help me entertain our guests today! Otherwise, it would be a waste of all the effort I put into getting Daddy to let you out today!"

Qin Ruyi was a little overwhelmed at this moment, tears welling up in her eyes: "Okay, Princess, I will not let you and the prince down." After that, Dugu Jingyao asked Si Jian to bring a set of clothes that had been prepared long ago. Dugu Jingyao said: "Auntie, your clothes are too plain. I had someone prepare this for you in advance. Go and change into them. You are my elder. If you wear such plain clothes on my birthday, people will gossip about the palace!"

Qin Ruyi couldn't say anything else. She just said "ah" and let Shi Jian take her to the next room to change clothes.

Guests gradually arrived in the front courtyard. The King of Yunnan, Dugu Moyan, and Dugu Jingyue were there to greet them, with a flurry of activity. After Qin Ruyi had finished dressing up, she also came to the front courtyard to help greet the guests. The sight of Qin Ruyi's attire was a delight to the guests, but they didn't have time to dwell on it. The King of Yunnan and Dugu Moyan primarily greeted the male guests, while Dugu Jingyue was still young and struggling to handle the entire process on her own. Now that Qin Ruyi had arrived, it had lightened the load considerably. Dugu Jingyue primarily greeted the young ladies of the various families, while Qin Ruyi greeted the wives of the various families, a clear division of labor.

Soon the room was full of guests, and then someone from the Zhennan Marquis's residence arrived. Seeing them, the King of Yunnan and Dugu Moyan went to greet them, "Brother Chu is here!" The Zhennan Marquis politely responded, "Haha, I'm so sorry I was delayed by something and am late. Brother Dugu, please bear with me!" The King of Yunnan said, "Oh, no, come on in!"

The King of Yunnan suddenly noticed two boys behind the wife of the Marquis of Zhennan, so he asked, "Brother, are your relatives here?" The Marquis of Zhennan glanced back and said, "Look at me, I forgot to introduce them to you. These two are my wife's nephew and niece. They just happened to be visiting. They heard it was Yao'er's birthday and prepared a birthday gift. Fortunately, I asked them to come and deliver the gift in person. Will you blame me, brother?"

The King of Yunnan said with a smile, "How could that be? Since they are relatives of my sister-in-law, they are naturally welcome to come!" Li Chu and Li Ruo then stepped forward and said, "Greetings, King of Yunnan!" The King of Yunnan quickly excused them from the formalities, saying, "We are all family, no need for formalities. Bring the children in!"