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

at the banquet

The crown prince was already of marriageable age, but he was reluctant to choose a consort and rarely attended banquets.

It's rare for noble ladies in the capital to even catch a glimpse of him, so it's a rare treat to see him here today.

Each one of them was as if they had been injected with chicken blood, vying to show off their talents and putting in a great deal of effort to display themselves. They could play the zither, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and songs with ease.

Some of the bolder ones even took the opportunity of the performance to frequently flirt with her.

Jiang Xuan Yan sat upright, not even glancing at the other person. Ever since he punished Shen Ning Zhu by making her kneel, his brows had never relaxed.

Her shocking words resonated deeply within him, echoing in his mind from time to time, refusing to fade away.

Just as he was lost in thought, a guard came in and whispered something in his ear.

His brows furrowed even more as he got up and walked outside.

"Ah Yan, are you leaving already? But is there anything about this banquet that doesn't suit your taste? Should I have the servants arrange something you'd like to do?"

Princess Qingyi said understandingly.

Jiang Xuan Yan turned around, his icy expression softening slightly as he looked at her. "Your Highness is too kind. The banquet was very pleasant, but I just remembered that I have some important matters to attend to, so I must take my leave now."

Without waiting for a reply, he strode away.

Princess Qingyi opened her mouth, but swallowed the words back, her hands clenching tightly at her sides as she held her skirt.

He called her Princess?

Since returning to the capital, he has been calling her Princess, no longer addressing her affectionately as "elder sister" as before.

At first, she didn't pay much attention, thinking that the little boy had grown up after not seeing her for many years and was now a bit reserved and shy.

But the moment she saw Shen Ningzhu, she changed her mind.

Jiang Xuan Yan appeared to be the same as always, even with a cold and impatient expression, but his body language betrayed him.

As the crown prince, his safety is a matter of national importance.

Seeing that she was in danger, he jumped into the water without thinking. With so many guards around him, he could have just given an order; why did he have to take action himself?

But he was willing to put himself in danger to save her personally.

Is it that he doesn't want other men to touch her body, or does he care more about her life or death than his own?

Their relationship had become so deep? But the information she received was not like that.

Logically, he should have loathed Shen Ningzhu, so why did he suddenly change?

No, she raised him since he was a child, and he said he loved her the most.

Now that she's back, he can only belong to her; she can only be in his eyes and in his heart.

Shen Ningzhu, a lowly village girl, dares to compete with her? Since that's the case, then don't blame her for being impolite.

Jiang Qingyi's face was contorted with rage, her eyes like those of a venomous snake. Her personal maidservant quickly stepped forward to warn her, "Princess?"

Jiang Qingyi then realized that she was at a banquet and there were many people around her.

He quickly took a deep breath, looked at the suddenly quiet banquet, adjusted his expression, and explained to everyone with a smile.

"Ah Yan is really something, suddenly he has to get busy with official business and has to leave. But don't let him spoil the fun, everyone. Eat well, have fun, and make sure you enjoy yourselves."

The ladies and young women below, having grown up immersed in the ways of the inner quarters, had long since sensed something amiss.

They all looked at each other in bewilderment, guessing that His Highness the Crown Prince had left because of Shen Ningzhu.

It's said that good women are afraid of persistent suitors, but it seems the reverse is also true.

It seems their wise and mighty Crown Prince has truly fallen for Shen Ningzhu, this pile of cow dung.

If that's the case, how could they possibly have the mood to eat, drink, and have fun? They were all involved in scolding Shen Ningzhu to some extent.

If she really gains the Crown Prince's favor, and then brings up old grievances, will they still have a good life?

……

With a string of sweet words and flattery, Shen Ningzhu successfully persuaded the coachman to take her back to the Shen residence and to her own courtyard.

She stayed at Mingzhu Garden again this time.

This is the largest and most luxurious courtyard in the entire Shen Mansion.

It is said that not long after she left, Minister Shen and his wife Jiang Wanwan agreed to give the courtyard to their biological daughter, Shen Ningxue.

But the other party refused outright.

And she was also very understanding.

“My sister has been pampered and spoiled since childhood, and she certainly can’t stand the poverty in the countryside. If she comes back in a few days crying and begging us to take her in, Father and Mother will definitely soften their hearts.”

“After all, you raised her for more than ten years, so you should still have some feelings for her. Xue’er understands this and doesn’t want to compete with her sister for this courtyard.”

Upon hearing this, the Shen family members indeed fell silent.

In the end, it was decided that Shen Ningxue would continue to live in her original courtyard, while this courtyard would remain empty for the time being.

It is said that on that day, the Shen family couple and their two sons sent a lot of good things to Shen Ningxue's courtyard.

Unexpectedly, her words came true, and in just half a month, Shen Ningzhu actually returned.

Zhiyuanzhiyi heard the noise inside the house and opened the door, only to see Shen Ningzhu walking in, covered in sweat.

He was immediately alarmed and rushed out to greet her, fanning her and helping her up.

"Miss, didn't you go to a banquet? Why are you back so soon?"

"It must be so hot today. Come, let me help you into the house. You two, go to the kitchen and boil some hot water for Miss to take a bath."