Best friends dressed up in ancient times to become mistresses? You run, I run too!

The tone was drawn out, and Shen Ningzhu's eyelids twitched. Afraid that he would cause trouble again, she quickly interrupted him.

"Ahem... I am just a humble female healer, nothing to boast about. I hope you will forgive my insolence."

Jiang Yanche paused for a moment, then a hint of interest flashed in his eyes.

She can even change her voice?

There are indeed skilled ventriloquists among the people of the martial arts world, and he had witnessed them more than once.

Yet no one could pronounce it as naturally as she did, so naturally that even those close to her might not notice.

It was as if that was her natural voice.

Ah--

Interesting. It seems those rumors from the outside world are not credible.

This woman does have some skills.

Jiang Qingyi frowned beautifully.

"How dare you! Where did this wild girl come from, daring to deceive this princess?"

"Given Prince Chen's status, even if he were unwell, he would have imperial physicians from the Imperial Hospital to attend to him. Why would he bother to seek out a doctor of unknown origin like you?"

Shen Ningzhu wasn't annoyed, but instead looked at Jiang Qingyi meaningfully.

"So you are a princess? I was blind and offended you just now."

"However, Princess, you are mistaken. If the Imperial Hospital takes over, won't His Highness Prince Chen's secret be lost?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Qingyi froze on the spot.

She... seems to have learned something incredible.

Jiang Yanche's handsome face froze, instantly turning dark.

That damned woman, she's actually implying to others that he has a hidden illness? Does she even realize how serious this is?

If a member of the royal family suffers from a hidden illness, at best they will lose the right to compete for the crown prince position, and at worst they will be secretly put to death to save face for the royal family.

Seeing him glare at her like a knife, Shen Ningzhu glared back fiercely. What are you looking at?

Is he only allowed to abduct her and imprison her, but not allowed to fight back or vent her anger?

If she could, she would love to scratch his hypocritical face until it blistered, then stab him a few times with a knife.

WTF.

They use their power to bully the weak. Bah, they're nothing.

"Don't make such outrageous jokes. Don't forget—your identity."

Jiang Yanche's eyes held a hint of warning as he spoke with a forced smile.

He then gave Jiang Qingyi a gentle smile.

"Since today is a flower-viewing banquet, it should be lively and festive. She is a musician I specially brought to entertain everyone."

This man is truly vengeful.

She framed him, so he fabricated the identity of a courtesan for her, attempting to humiliate her.

Who doesn't know that courtesans and entertainers are the lowest of the low in this era?

You bastards, you want to hurt each other, huh?

Unfortunately, this incident didn't really hurt Shen Ningzhu.

"Really?"

Jiang Qingyi smiled calmly, her expression unchanged, leaving it unclear whether she believed it or not.

Shen Ningzhu gritted her teeth, raised her eyebrows and nodded, tacitly agreeing with his statement.

That bastard, he just uses his status and petty interests to threaten her.

"Your Highness Prince Chen truly loves his people like his own children; I admire you greatly." Shen Ningxue seized every opportunity to make her presence known and showered him with compliments.

However, it seems like they don't know how to use words very well.

Faced with Shen Ningxue's enthusiasm, Jiang Yanche pretended not to hear, gently picked up the white jade wine cup with his fingertips, and drank by himself.

Jiang Qingyi and Shen Ningxue were left feeling awkward, so they could only suppress their displeasure and make an excuse to leave.

A moment later, a eunuch's shrill voice announced, "His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!"

Everyone at the banquet knelt down.

"See His Highness the Crown Prince."

The man approached against the light, the golden morning glow vying to fall upon his shoulders, blurring his features but making his tall figure appear even more slender and upright.

The footsteps were slow and steady.

Before long, people emerged from the morning light.

He paused briefly, lazily lifting his eyelids, exuding unparalleled nobility.

"Rise. I'm just here to join in the fun. Please make yourselves at home and don't stand on ceremony."

That being said, everyone knows that His Highness the Crown Prince is aloof by nature and never enjoys crowds.

The group thanked them and slowly rose to their feet.

Chu Wan'er stepped out from the crowd, gave Jiang Xuan Yan a shy bow, and then led him to the highest position.

After everyone was seated, he instructed his servants to take good care of them and not to neglect them before reluctantly leaving.

Shen Ningzhu's lips twitched at the sight of the scene, and she rolled her eyes.

She moved her feet further behind Jiang Yanche, trying to minimize her presence.

Fortunately, the prince was far away from her and didn't look in her direction, which made her breathe a sigh of relief.

The noble ladies nearby whispered among themselves, "Why is His Highness the Crown Prince here today? He never attends banquets like this before."

"Are you stupid? Things are different now. Don't you even know whose banquet this is?"

The two huddled together, exchanging knowing glances. "It seems His Highness the Crown Prince truly dotes on Chu Wan'er; he's even willing to change his habits for her sake."

"Oh my god, this is so romantic!"

"Isn't that right? Sigh, they're so lucky. Their father is capable, and their mother is the legitimate daughter of a respectable family. In terms of both status and talent, they are a perfect match for His Highness the Crown Prince."

Speaking of this, both of them thought of Shen Ningzhu.

"Hey? You know, why has that fake heiress from the Shen family been so quiet lately? Could she be causing trouble at the Crown Prince's residence? Hahaha—"

"Need I say more? Of course!"

"That infatuated girl has been shamelessly chasing after His Highness the Crown Prince for over three years, utterly disgracing us noble ladies."

"Now that all my schemes have been futile, I've come up with nothing but empty-handed efforts. Shouldn't I find a crooked tree to hang myself from?"

"Exactly, exactly. If I were her, I wouldn't have the face to live either."

Shen Ningzhu stiffened.

She was truly grateful to them; even now, they were still thinking of her!

The two thought their voices were very quiet and wouldn't be heard, but little did they know that at this distance, someone with internal energy could easily hear them.

Moreover, Jiang Xuan Yan's martial arts skills are the best in the Jiang Kingdom.

Every word they said reached Jiang Xuan Yan's ears.

On the high seat, Jiang Xuan Yan, who was resting with his head half-supported and his eyes closed, slowly raised his eyelids. His narrow phoenix eyes flashed with a cold light, like knives, and touching them made people feel cold all over.

"Where did these gossipy women come from? How dare you talk about my people? You're asking for trouble. Jiang Yi, go and pull out their tongues."

The once noisy banquet suddenly fell silent; it seemed as if you could hear everyone breathing.

"Yes."

Jiang Yi accepted the order and stepped down from the high platform.

At this moment, Chu Wan'er, with her delicate eyebrows furrowed, walked to the center of the venue as the host and knelt down in front of Jiang Xuan Yan.

"Your Highness, calm down."

"These two noble ladies were probably just speaking casually and didn't mean anything by it. Your Highness is always compassionate, so why not give Wan'er a break and let them go?"