After my luck was stolen, I led my whole family to defy fate and change our destiny.

Where to go?

Upon hearing this, Gu Yu'an offered her a solution: "I'll take Linglong to watch the flower-viewing banquet at the Fourth Prince's residence today."

"Go ahead, and take all the milk with you."

"Yes, Mother."

Gu Linglong clapped her hands. "Okay, I want to go! I want to go! I love my big brother so much!"

Su Xiuran: "Be discreet in everything you do once you're at the Fourth Prince's residence."

Gu Yu'an: "Don't worry, Mother, I know."

Gu Yu'an wouldn't have gone if it weren't for the mission his younger sister mentioned. At this time, he was most afraid of being misunderstood as forming cliques for personal gain.

Fortunately, the fourth prince was thoughtful and sent invitations to all the noble young men in the capital.

Gu Yu'an led Gu Linglong into the carriage.

Today, Gu Linglong was wearing a pink bodycon dress and nestled in Gu Yu'an's arms, sucking her fingers.

Wow, these fingers taste so good!

Gu Yu'an looked at her speechlessly.

Why is my older brother looking at me like that? Does he want to eat my fingers too?

Gu Yu'an: "..."

Gu Linglong hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly took out her index finger and put it to Gu Yu'an's lips.

Brother, eat up.

Gu Yu'an took a handkerchief and wiped her fingers.

"Don't eat your hands, they're dirty, or they'll give you a stomachache."

Gu Linglong understood; her older brother was disgusted by her spitting.

She frowned, caught in a dilemma. Well then, that was the only way. After all, he was her good older brother.

Good friends are meant to share things together.

Gu Linglong suddenly raised one of her feet and poked it into Gu Yu'an's mouth.

Brother, my feet haven't been touched today, you can have it.

A baby's feet are no less dangerous than knives, spears, and clubs.

Gu Yu'an was startled and almost laughed out of anger at his sister.

Her lips turned red quickly.

He took Gu Linglong's small feet off: "You can't eat her feet either."

Alright then, wild boars can't stomach fine food.

Gu Yu'an: "..."

The carriage soon arrived at the Fourth Prince's residence.

People came and went in an endless stream.

Everyone was slightly taken aback when they saw Gu Yu'an and Gu Liyao get out of the car, but none of them intended to greet them and they silently walked away.

That saves you a lot of trouble.

The Fourth Prince's residence was very large, with pavilions, towers, and lush trees.

A large flowerbed in the backyard separates male and female guests, allowing them to see each other without being offensive, while a stage is set up in front.

Originally, the selection of princes' consorts should have been held in the inner palace by the empress, but the fourth prince's leg was too unusual, and in addition, he had been ostracizing the palace in recent years.

After careful consideration, it was decided to hold a flower-viewing banquet, which could also be attended by daughters of officials from less prestigious families.

The concubines in the harem were generally not allowed to leave the palace. Since the Fourth Prince's residence did not have any female concubines, the Emperor appointed the Eldest Princess to manage the household.

The eldest princess's status is noble, but it is a very awkward position within the royal family.

The eldest princess was the late emperor's eldest daughter and the current emperor's older sister. Her birth mother was a princess from the Northern Kingdom who came to the country for a political marriage. The late emperor doted on her.

However, with the late emperor gone, the northern kingdoms are stirring up trouble, and several small-scale battles have already taken place on the northern border with Daqing.

The battle was fought only on the border and did not reach the cities. The people continued to live in peace and prosperity. However, some ministers feared the wolfish ambitions of the northern kingdom and were unwilling to take the initiative to attack it, as it would be a waste of resources and manpower.

If they lose, they'll lose their official positions.

Then a minister suggested that the eldest princess's daughter, Princess Jinyang, be married off to the Northern Kingdom for a political alliance. Princess Jinyang had blood from both the Daqing Kingdom and the Northern Kingdom.

This will surely lead to the development of friendly relations between the two countries. As a result, Princess Jinyang was 18 years old and still unmarried.

The eldest princess did not want her daughter to marry far away to the northern kingdom, which was a den of monsters that devoured people. She had also thought about secretly arranging a marriage for her daughter, but the emperor had not issued an edict.

However, ordinary families couldn't afford to marry into such a family, and wealthy and powerful families all politely declined and avoided it at all costs.

The eldest princess composed herself and waited for the guests in the hall, while her nanny gently massaged her temples beside her.

"Your Highness, I heard that the Fourth Prince sent invitations to all the noble young men in the capital. He must be thinking of our Princess."

The eldest princess sighed softly, "He means well, but I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint him."

The nanny brought out a long box, and the princess frowned slightly: "Why did you take this out?"

The old woman knelt down and pleaded, "Your Highness, I've watched the Princess grow up. I truly cannot bear to see her marry so far away to the Northern Kingdom!"

"The fact that all the noble young men of the capital are here today is the best opportunity."

The eldest princess frowned: "You mean you want me to use some methods?"

The old woman shook her head: "No, Your Highness, how could I dare tarnish the Princess's reputation? The Imperial Advisor once said that whoever can solve this nine-linked ring puzzle can save the Princess's residence."

"Today, all the noble young men in the capital are here. Why not let them give it a try? Whoever solves it will be able to save the noble lady of the princess's residence, and become the prince consort."

The eldest princess was somewhat moved, but... this was a flower-viewing banquet personally ordered and supervised by the emperor. Wasn't this blatant defiance of the emperor?

The old woman noticed the princess's hesitation: "Princess, just say this is a game, not a marriage proposal. We'll secretly remember who solves the nine-linked rings, and then we'll proceed gradually."

The eldest princess fell into deep thought. Would anyone be able to solve this puzzle? She and her husband had both tried, but to no avail.

She also visited many sons of noble families who were of similar age and status to the princess, but none of them could solve the problem.

Gradually, she gave up on the idea. She thought that perhaps the hope given to her by the Imperial Advisor would prevent her from collapsing, and that there was no one in the world who could solve the mystery.

"aunt"

Chu Jingyan pushed the fourth prince out.

The eldest princess regained her composure: "The fourth prince, the sixth prince."

The fourth prince asked, "What's wrong, Aunt? Why do you look so troubled?"

"It's nothing, your aunt is just feeling sentimental. You've all grown up, and I hope that today Kuo'er can choose his ideal princess."

The fourth prince pursed his lips: "Mm."

The nanny standing nearby, quick-witted, said, "Fourth Prince, Sixth Prince, the Eldest Princess brought out the nine-linked rings for the guests to solve, just in case they were bored."

Chu Jingyan raised an eyebrow: "Nine-linked rings? What's the significance of that?"

The old woman chuckled, "No, it's just for fun."

Chu Jingyan nodded: "Since we're just having fun, there should be a prize, right?"

The old woman looked nervously at the princess, afraid that she would not agree. The princess just smiled and said, "Let's make the prize a luminous pearl from the South China Sea?"

Fourth Prince: "Is it the one Father Emperor gave me?"

The eldest princess nodded.

The Fourth Prince was slightly surprised: "Aunt is quite generous. Two years ago, Father Emperor acquired a batch of luminous pearls from the South China Sea. The one Father Emperor gave to Aunt was the largest, bigger than a goose egg. I heard that at night, this pearl can illuminate the room as brightly as day."

The eldest princess smiled and said, "It's not that exaggerated; it's just a little brighter than a regular oil lamp."

"My aunt certainly intends to make the Fourth Prince's flower-viewing banquet quite lively."

Thank you, Aunt.

The old woman watched from the side, her eyes darting around: "Why don't the two princes try to see if they can untie it?"

Before he could finish speaking, he was met with a murderous glare from the eldest princess.

Has the old woman gone mad? Would the emperor allow his son to marry his own daughter?

Even if the fourth prince is disabled, the emperor would absolutely not allow it!