You're the one who wants to marry a mistress, and I'm marrying someone else, yet you still

Xie Wanru was unaware of Xiao Yan's thoughts. If she had known, she wouldn't have been so worried about what to do next.

After thinking for a long time, the three heads still couldn't come up with any brilliant ideas. Xie Wanru's ideas were slightly better, but the eldest and third senior brothers were not very cunning, and their proposed methods were basically useless.

In the end, all three of them could only think of one way to turn Lou Li's people against him so that the plan could be implemented more perfectly. They decided not to follow Xiao Yan anymore, since if they were to take action against the victory report, Xie Wanru would be in serious trouble.

However, there were already people arranged by Shen Cong'an around Lou Li. Shen Cong'an had already thought of the method that Xie Wanru came up with.

As dawn approached, people were already exhausted, and their alertness and vision were low. The three took the opportunity to slip away and hurried back to Xuancheng on horseback.

After all, Lin Qing was disguised as Xie Wanru and staying in the Princess's mansion. If Prince Rui suddenly had a whim and wanted to eat glutinous rice chicken again, Lin Qing would be at risk of being exposed.

Lin Qing from the Princess's Mansion was to go to inspect the various shops wearing a veil, as Xie Wanru usually did. Dongzhu had already instructed Steward Xie in advance, so there was no major problem.

Just as Lin Qing and his companions were about to leave, a servant presented them with an invitation. It turned out that the Third Imperial Consort, Lou Yao, was going to hold a banquet to celebrate her future.

"Why is she suddenly holding a banquet at this time? Could it be that she knows Wanwan isn't in Xuancheng?"

Lin Qing's small hand trembled slightly as she held the post, a little flustered.

Dongzhu took it and glanced at it. "Not necessarily. The princess just left the mansion. Even if the Third Prince suspects that the mysterious person is the princess in disguise, it will take half a day for the news to be sent back to Xuancheng. The Third Princess Consort could not possibly know yet. We cannot panic."

Lin Qing nodded slightly, her heart gradually calming down, but she still couldn't hide the worry between her brows: "That's true, but this invitation is a bit too sudden. She must have sent an invitation to our Lin family as well. I can decline the invitation from my side, I've never liked attending these kinds of banquets, but... it's not easy to decline the invitation from Wanwan."

“Miss Lin is right, we have no choice but to go now.” Dongzhu pondered for a moment and analyzed, “The Third Princess’s move may just be a normal social interaction, but if we are absent, it will easily arouse her suspicion. We can only go as planned, but we need to be more careful and pay attention to every move at the banquet.”

Butler Xiao Xie nodded in agreement: "Miss Dongzhu is absolutely right. We should still go and inspect the shops today, pretending nothing is wrong, so that no one will notice."

Lin Qing could only nod. Fortunately, she used to love dressing up as a man and really didn't like attending banquets for noble ladies, otherwise she would have been too busy to attend.

The three of them could only finish today's business first and deal with tomorrow's business tomorrow.

Lin Qing and Xie Wanru are about the same height, but their appearances are ultimately different, while Dongzhu seems completely unfazed.

The next day, Lin Qing went out with her face covered by a light veil. When she arrived, Wu Xuanyi was also there. Outsiders did not know that she was pregnant, and she could not hide all day long and arouse suspicion.

"Wanwan."

Wu Xuanyi walked over.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

Lin Qing immediately bowed. Everyone knew that this Crown Prince's concubine was actually no different from the Crown Prince's wife, but due to tradition, it was not appropriate to directly establish her as the principal wife.

"There is no need for such a grand ceremony between us."

Wu Xuanyi bent down to help the person up and whispered, "I know you are not Wanwan herself. The Crown Prince sent me to cover for you."

Lou Yao sent invitations to all the prominent families in Xuancheng, including the Crown Prince's residence. Knowing that Xie Wanru was no longer in Xuancheng, the Crown Prince instructed Wu Xuanyi to be careful of her health when attending the banquet and to cover for Lin Qing.

Although Shen Cong'an did not want the women of the Shen family to participate, he could not make it too obvious, so he could only send someone to inform them.

"Lord Shen said that Madam Shen and Shen Nianqing are also here today. You are now 'Wanwan', so be careful when you encounter them."

Wu Xuanyi reminded her.

Lin Qing snorted coldly, "So, is Lou Yao brainless? She actually invited people from both the Shen and Xie families to help with Wanwan's divorce. Does she just want to watch the show?"

Wu Xuanyi nodded in agreement. She thought so too. Anyone with a brain probably wouldn't do such a thing: "If I had a brain, I wouldn't have married Xiao Yan."

As the two were talking, a maid came and led them to their seats.

At the banquet, Lou Yao, dressed in gorgeous clothes, greeted the guests with a smile, seemingly unaware of anything amiss.

Lin Qing stayed close to Wu Xuanyi, trying to keep her presence to herself. Xie Wanru and Wu Xuanyi were already on good terms, but no one suspected anything.

As expected, Old Madam Shen and Shen Nianqing arrived shortly afterward. When Shen Nianqing saw "Xie Wanru," a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.

"This unwanted, abandoned woman actually has the nerve to show her face."

Shen Nianqing casually cursed, and Old Man Shen glared at her.

Xie Wanru is no good. Her own daughter dared to drug the Crown Prince. How could Old Madam Shen not know what kind of person she is?

"Don't cause me any more trouble. If you dare to disobey me again, I'll marry you off to the countryside."

Lin Qing pretended not to see the actions of the Shen mother and daughter, and continued to politely exchange pleasantries with everyone.

She deliberately imitated Xie Wanru's voice, and to avoid giving herself away, she only spoke a word or two occasionally.

As the banquet began, Lou Yao stood up and said, "I am deeply honored that all of you have graced me with your presence today. To express my gratitude, I have prepared a short performance, and I hope you will enjoy it."

After he finished speaking, the dancers filed out and began to perform songs and dances.

In fact, Lou Yao called people here today because she wanted to be clever and raise money for Xiao Yan to suppress the bandits. She wanted to do something to show Xiao Yan how excellent she was.

She believed that Xie Wanru in Xiao Yan's heart was no match for her.

As expected, after the dance ended, Lou Yao suddenly changed the subject and said, "I have heard that Miss Xie is exceptionally talented. I wonder if I will have the honor of witnessing her talent today?"

Upon hearing this, everyone's attention turned to "Xie Wanru".

Lin Qing sneered inwardly. Lou Yao was indeed up to no good. She wondered how Wanwan would react if she encountered this situation.

Wu Xuanyi was about to help her out of the predicament when Lin Qing pulled her back.

She bowed slightly and said, "You flatter me, Third Princess. If I were to make a fool of myself, wouldn't I be stealing the limelight from the dancers? That would be quite unseemly."

She spoke politely, but the veil could not conceal the arrogance in her eyes.

"Besides, if I were to make an appearance, it would undoubtedly be with martial arts skills. Has the Third Princess forgotten that the Xie family are all military generals?"

Xie Wanru is a princess specially bestowed by the Emperor and Empress. She is not a woman who has the title of imperial concubine because of a man. She is favored by many. Can't she be a little arrogant at this banquet?