Shocking! Five men are in love with the same woman!

After a satisfying meal, everyone sat together, enjoying the leisurely afternoon, chatting and laughing.

The Ninth Princess spoke first: "You don't know that ever since I performed on Mid-Autumn Festival night, my mother has been saying with great satisfaction that I really made her proud, especially since I performed a sword dance. My mother was particularly moved, but she also felt a little regretful."

They all understood why her mother was regretful.

An eagle that once soared in the sky has now become a canary in a gilded cage. How can one not feel regret?

Lingyan recalled that the Ninth Princess's mother was the daughter of a frontier general. She had learned martial arts from her father since childhood and was no less capable or virtuous than any man. She had also accompanied her father to the battlefield.

Such a free-spirited and ambitious person was chosen by Emperor Jingzhao to be a concubine at a banquet.

From then on, it became a bird kept in the palace.

Lingyan expressed her deep hatred for Emperor Jingzhao, that scoundrel.

Consort Liang was never his type; he only brought her into the harem because there had never been a beauty like her in the palace before, and it was just a novelty.

I already said it was just for novelty; he doesn't actually like this type of person. Once the novelty wears off, he'll just leave them behind.

Consort Liang's personality was such that she would not bow down and flatter, but rather fight for favor with a strong will, so naturally she would not be favored.

The hateful Emperor Jingzhao.

It's such a pity for such a young lady.

It ruined most of someone's life.

Such a talented and capable woman was trapped in the prison of the imperial harem, losing the freedom and dreams she deserved.

This is not only a personal tragedy for Consort Liang, but also a tragedy for women under imperial power in this era.

At this moment, the Seventh Princess noticed that everyone was in low spirits.

She then changed the subject with a smile and said, "Actually, my mother also speaks highly of me, and my uncle's family is very proud of me."

Her words were light and friendly, like a spring breeze that instantly lifted one's spirits.

Seeing this, the Eighth Princess quickly added, "My mother also praised me and bestowed upon me many precious things."

Her face was filled with happiness and contentment. The things were secondary; what she cherished most was her mother's approval.

Xie Zhiyi also looked at them and said, "This is the first time in so many years that our manor has been so lively. Yesterday, countless people came to visit, all of them to copy the Water Melody Song. Even though so many people copied it yesterday and dispersed a lot, there were still many people visiting when I went out today."

Ling Yan was puzzled.

Are people all this enthusiastic?

Indeed, Su Shi was well deserving of such enthusiasm.

At this moment, Jiang Muxue continued with a smile, "You don't know yet, do you? The news from the banquet has already spread far and wide, not only throughout Da Zhao, but now it's spreading to other countries. You guys have become quite famous. Everyone is talking about this 'Shuidiao Getou' and each of your performances, full of praise and admiration."

Lingyan recalled hearing people talking about it when she went out today.

She really didn't expect it to have such a huge impact.

She really didn't want to be so high-profile, but her abilities wouldn't allow it!

Of course, it was mainly thanks to the great Su Shi that we got this credit.

If this poem hadn't been so stunning, it wouldn't have had such a great impact.

Xie Zhiyi didn't want to be so high-profile; fame had both advantages and disadvantages for her.

But this is definitely not a good thing.

She frowned deeply; it seemed she should discuss the plan with her father when she got back today.

She absolutely refuses to marry into the royal family.

The three princesses were delighted with this and each had a different reaction.

The Eighth Princess danced with excitement, her laughter clear and melodious: "Hahaha! I never imagined that my name had spread throughout the Great Zhao Dynasty, and even other countries were talking about it. Just thinking about how many people are praising me makes me feel incredibly happy, I'm so happy I could faint!"

The Ninth Princess clapped and laughed along, her voice sweet and clear: "Yes, yes! I think the same as Eighth Sister, and I'm super happy too! We're really amazing!"

In contrast, the Seventh Princess was also very happy, but she was more reserved and introverted.

She smiled and turned to Lingyan, her eyes filled with gratitude: "I still have to thank you, sister-in-law, for your kindness. If it weren't for you, we wouldn't have had this opportunity. Thank you, sister-in-law."

The Eighth Princess, the Ninth Princess, and Xie Zhiyi also expressed their gratitude to Ling Yan.

Lingyan smiled and replied to them, "You also have to thank yourselves. If you didn't have the ability to interpret this poem, it wouldn't have been so wonderful, and you wouldn't have become so famous."

The group exchanged smiles and glances, all inwardly thanking themselves for their past efforts.

The Seventh Princess then looked at Jiang Muxue beside her, taking care of her feelings and afraid that she would be neglected.

She took the initiative to start a conversation, asking, "Is the princess going to stay in the capital from now on?"

Lingyan thought the Seventh Princess was really living a tiring life!

To be considerate of everyone's feelings requires constant observation and understanding of their expressions. How can that not be exhausting?

But she took everyone's feelings into consideration, except for herself, and made her life so tiring.

Lingyan sighed.

Never mind, maybe she doesn't feel tired at all.

She just felt tired.

Moreover, she seems to have gotten used to it and doesn't feel mentally exhausted or forced at all.

When Jiang Muxue heard her question, she replied softly, "Yes, my father said that I am getting older and it is time for me to consider my marriage. He wants me to choose a scion of an outstanding family in the capital. Therefore, I returned to the capital with my uncle's family and will settle down here in the future."

After hearing this, all five understood without saying a word.

Why choose a scion of an outstanding family?

It's obvious that they want to choose a particular person.

However, her beautiful dream will eventually be shattered.

But none of the five said anything, pretending they knew nothing.

One reason is that they all enjoyed spending time with Jiang Muxue and didn't want to say anything that would hurt her feelings.

Another reason is that they shouldn't be the ones to say this; they don't want to embarrass her or make her lose face.

General He will surely make her back down.

Of course, this person who likes her does not include Ling Yan.

It wasn't because of He Jingchuan.

She just always felt that this princess was too perfect, so perfect that she found it fake and strange.

As for He Jingchuan, there's absolutely no need to care.

She wouldn't let a man prevent her from making friends.

The premise is that this friend is worth having.

Seeing that it was still early, the group suggested that they continue exploring.

So they left the restaurant and continued to stroll around.

First, I entered an elegant jewelry store.

As soon as I entered the store, the shop assistants rushed forward and greeted me respectfully.

The group looked around, each examining the dazzling array of ornaments in the shop.

The staff enthusiastically explained the origin and features of each piece of jewelry.

Some nodded slightly, while others asked questions in soft voices, creating an elegant and leisurely atmosphere throughout the store.

In the end, everyone chose several pieces of jewelry.

I got a lot of earrings, bracelets, hairpins, necklaces, and more.

After leaving the jewelry store, the group went to browse a cosmetics shop and a clothing store.

Later, I visited a perfume shop, an embroidery shop, an antique shop, and a bookstore.

I spent the whole afternoon enjoying the pleasant experience of shopping.

Each of them bought a lot of things, so extravagant that they almost bought the entire street.

Lingyan hadn't enjoyed shopping so much in a long time.

Shopping always makes people feel good.

This pure joy flows like a warm current through my heart; it is so precious and rare.

By this time, they were tired and hungry from shopping.

The group found a decent restaurant nearby, went up to a private room on the second floor, and began to feast.

Of course, they didn't really gorge themselves; they were all well-educated from a young age and wouldn't wolf down their food.

I just ate a little faster than usual.

Just as they were finishing their meal and preparing to leave, a commotion erupted from the lobby on the first floor.