There is a happy inn in the capital.

The girl in the yellow dress choked.

Princess Changning laughed out loud, looking at Li Shuchen. "Li Shuchen, oh Li Shuchen, I like you so much!"

The girl in the yellow dress said, "According to you..."

Li Shuchen: "In my opinion, life is short, so enjoy it while you can. There's no need to try to please anyone. If he loves you, he'll love you no matter what. If he doesn't love you, then love yourself."

You all have dowries, earn your own money, and can support yourselves. You also enjoy spending time with friends in your free time.

Love is like the sunflower seeds in my hand; it's not like steamed buns or rice, you won't starve without it.

The noble ladies present were all deep in thought.

Li Shuchen whispered again, "I know that many of your marriages were out of necessity, and you had to consider many things, like family."

Make yourself comfortable as much as possible while protecting your own interests. Don't compromise on your own interests whatsoever. I wish you all a comfortable life.

The ladies present all said to Li Shuchen, "Thank you."

Li Shuchen waved her hand: "It's nothing. We're all women. I just hope you can all live well."

Princess Changning pushed a plate of pastries in front of Li Shuchen, who picked them up and started eating.

Mmm, delicious

A maidservant approached and said, "Please move to Xiyang Courtyard."

Li Shuchen stood up abruptly: "Is it time to eat?"

The woman in the yellow dress covered her mouth and smiled, "Yes."

After Princess Changning stood up, the other noble ladies also rose in succession.

Princess Changning: "Li Shuchen, come with me."

Li Shuchen, who didn't know the way, obediently replied, "Okay."

Princess Changning then led Li Shuchen to another courtyard and sat down at the first table on the left.

No one objected, because she was Princess Changning, and no one dared to offend her.

Gu Ziying also came and sat down together.

After everyone was seated

Minister Gu raised a wine cup and began to speak: "The early summer is refreshing, and my daughter has turned seventeen, a time of radiant beauty."

To celebrate my daughter's birthday, I extend my sincere invitation to all of you to witness her growth. On behalf of my daughter, I thank you all for attending and wish you all the best.

After speaking, Minister Gu downed his cup of wine, and the male guests each offered him a cup in return.

Li Shuchen glanced at the male customers a few times; they weren't ugly, but none of them had the rugged handsomeness of Young Master Xiao.

Does Young Master Xiao know that today is Ziying's birthday banquet? If Xiao'er told him, then he should know. If he does know, will he give Ziying a birthday gift?

After that, the dishes began to be served one after another.

Everyone started eating.

There were many things on the table that Li Shuchen had never eaten, but she couldn't embarrass Gu Ziying, especially since there were other people at the table, including those noble ladies who were sitting with her.

They must all be of high status.

Li Shuchen took a small bite of each dish.

Gu Ziying may have noticed something, and started serving food to Li Shuchen. Princess Changning saw this and also started serving food to Li Shuchen.

Everyone who witnessed this scene was utterly astonished, wondering who this woman was that Princess Changning could serve her food.

The girl in the yellow dress and the other girls present knew her name was Li Shuchen.

Princess Changning treated her very well and patiently, and even referred to herself as "I" instead of "this princess," which shows her high standing in Princess Changning's heart.

Before long, the small bowl in front of Li Shuchen was piled high with food.

Li Shuchen whispered, "That's enough, that's enough, thank you."

Next came the part about presenting and displaying the gifts. A servant stepped forward to read them aloud, while another servant carried the gifts.

"Princess Changning presents a pair of gold bracelets inlaid with agate."

Another servant stepped forward and read it aloud.

“................................................”

Each household's servant read out the gifts sent by each household.

The male guests went all out in giving gifts, each one more exquisite and rare than the last; Li Shuchen truly broadened his horizons.

It seems the annulment of the engagement didn't have a significant impact on Ziying; many young men still want to marry her.

Later, something a servant said caused an uproar among the crowd.

"Seventh Prince, present me with a jade Pixiu statue."

Another servant carried the gifts and showed them to everyone.

The crowd began to murmur, "This Pixiu is of such high quality and so big, it must have cost a lot of money to acquire it."

"This color, this craftsmanship, is priceless."

"The Seventh Prince is back?"

"I haven't heard of it."

"It's also possible that the person didn't come back and just delivered a gift."

"It's possible, but why would he suddenly send a gift? He doesn't usually socialize with people."

Li Shuchen recognized the Pixiu; wasn't this the one carved by Craftsman Kong?

It turned out that it was arranged by the Seventh Prince, but Li Shuchen didn't know the Seventh Prince.

But judging from what others are saying, could it be that this Seventh Prince also has feelings for Ziying?

Ziying is quite popular with men, but then again, she's so wonderful, it's normal for her to be popular.

After the Seventh Prince finished reading out the gifts, no more servants came forward.

Several young ladies looked at Li Shuchen; hadn't she brought a gift?

Gu Ziying stood up and walked to the front, saying, "Li Shuchen, present me with a set of amethyst jewelry; I'm wearing it now."

Everyone was once again stunned by Gu Ziying's beauty, and couldn't help but exclaim in amazement, "So beautiful!"

Madam Gu smiled and nodded, "So it was Chen'er who gave it to you. You have excellent taste."

Li Shuchen started eating the food on her plate. She had never tried Buddha Jumps Over the Wall before, and it was truly delicious. The broth was rich and flavorful, and most importantly, it was very nourishing.

Although Li Shuchen ate a lot, she ate with good manners, her cheeks puffing out like a little hamster, which made Gu Ziying and Princess Changning unable to resist putting food on her plate.

Li Shuchen ate another plate.

She ate her fill, and Gu Ziying even asked the kitchen to pack her a Buddha Jumps Over the Wall soup to take away. How thoughtful!

The birthday banquet was a complete success; I just wonder how well Lord Gu has chosen his son-in-law.

After the banquet, everyone said their goodbyes and left.

Li Shuchen first went to pay his respects to Lord Gu and Madam Gu.

Then he said to Gu Ziying, "Ziying, I'm going back."

Gu Ziying: "It's getting late, I'll have someone take you home."

Princess Changning: "Li Shuchen, I'll take you back."

Looking at the pitch-black sky, Li Shuchen smiled at Ziying and said, "Why trouble the birthday girl?"

He then bowed to Princess Changning and said, "Then I will trouble Princess Changning."

Princess Changning, seeing Li Shuchen bow, said, "I've never seen you so well-behaved before."

Li Shuchen whispered, "There are so many people here."

Gu Ziying smiled and said, "Alright, I'll feel at ease if Princess Changning escorts you."

Princess Changning boarded the carriage, and Li Shuchen followed. This wasn't his first time riding in a carriage; he knew the way like the back of his hand. He found a comfortable spot and settled in. This was life!

Princess Changning: "Back to the inn or the Li residence?"

If I get home at this hour, my family will already be asleep.

Li Shuchen replied, "Inn."

Princess Changning instructed the coachman, "To the Happiness Inn."

When we arrived at the inn, it was already closed, but one light was still on.

Li Shuchen bid farewell to Princess Changning and entered the inn.

Li Shuchen: "Aunt Zhang? You're still awake?"

Aunt Zhang looked up from her needlework: "Miss is back. I was sewing undergarments for my daughters, and I just finished making the one for Miss."