There is a happy inn in the capital.

These past two days, Li Shuchen has made a considerable amount of money at both the inn and the fruit shop, thanks to Princess Jijiang's reputation.

They were happily counting their money, completely absorbed in it.

But the day quickly arrived at the 30th, the day the group was to go to the palace together to welcome the envoy. Li Shuchen, however, couldn't maintain her cheerful mood.

Princess Changning and Gu Ziying, fearing that Li Shuchen wouldn't be able to take care of Liang Yuying alone, came to meet her early, but they remained melancholy after arriving at the Sanbao Hall.

Li Shuchen looked dejected as she helped Liang Yuying put on her dress.

The palace etiquette is so complicated, with all the walking and kneeling. It's bound to aggravate Yu Ying's injury. She's been working so hard to heal for so long, and it's only gotten a little better. Now she has to go through all this trouble again. She's so frustrated.

Although Yuying is already able to walk, I just don't want her to be tired.

This tattered dress is so heavy and cumbersome, how could Yuying possibly bear it?

He muttered in dissatisfaction, "Knowing how badly she was injured, why did you still issue an imperial decree ordering Yu Ying to go?"

Princess Changning looked at Liang Yuying and said, "Perhaps this is not something my uncle, the Emperor, wanted. He has never forced anyone to attend a banquet."

Li Shuchen suddenly remembered what Eunuch Wu had said before he left.

"Miss Liang, you must take good care of your injury."

The injury needs to be carefully healed. After thinking for a moment, he solemnly said to Liang Yuying, "Yuying, you need to look like you're seriously injured. I'll put on a lot of powder for you later. I'm afraid someone deliberately made you attend the banquet."

Gu Ziying: "I suspect the same thing. Someone might be eager to know the extent of Yuying's injuries, and this person is very likely in cahoots with the black-clad men who attacked Yuying last time."

"I'll use this banquet as an opportunity to find out what's going on. Although I don't know their purpose, it's best to keep it in mind."

Liang Yuying: "Understood"

After Li Shuchen finished tidying up Liang Yuying

Grape styled Li Shuchen's hair into two buns, dressed her in a maid's outfit, and applied heavy makeup to her.

Li Shuchen looked at herself and realized she looked much like an ordinary maid, and was quite satisfied. She figured no one would recognize her.

The eighth and ninth brothers suddenly came in and said, "Miss, we also want to go to the banquet."

Li Shuchen: "What are you going there for?"

Ninth Brother: "Miss, Miss Liang is still injured and cannot use martial arts. If someone takes the opportunity to assassinate her, my sister and I can also protect you and Miss Liang."

Li Shuchen thought about it and realized she was right. With her mediocre skills, she wouldn't be able to handle things in a real situation.

"But the palace is heavily guarded. What if you are discovered?"

Old Eight said with a serious face, "Please trust us, Miss."

Li Shuchen: "Alright, you guys follow from the shadows, remember to hide yourselves well."

Eighth and Ninth Brothers: "Yes"

Li Shuchen helped Yu Ying to the backyard and boarded the carriage.

The four of them entered the palace together, accompanied by Princess Changning, and the journey was smooth and unimpeded.

Once inside the palace, the group walked around on the ground, meandering through the maze-like walls that were terrifyingly high, stretching as far as the eye could see. The atmosphere was oppressive and unpleasant.

After walking for a long time, they finally reached a place with a wide-open view. Li Shuchen let out a heavy breath and relaxed a little.

I saw Xiao Xiuyuan on the way.

Li Shuchen whispered, "Ziying, where is Young Master Xiao?"

Gu Ziying: "I'll go take a look."

Li Shuchen: "Okay, be careful."

We should admire the lotus flowers before eating.

The three had just arrived at the lotus pond when Princess Changning was summoned away by the Eldest Princess.

Li Shuchen helped Liang Yuying sit down to rest in the pavilion, then looked towards the lotus pond.

"These lotus flowers are blooming beautifully, pure and elegant, with a delicate fragrance."

Liang Yuying said softly, "The scenery is beautiful, but the people enjoying it are even more beautiful."

Li Shuchen smiled, her dimples appearing on her cheeks. Yu Ying was praising them both for being good-looking. She bowed slightly and said...

"Yuying, I know we're both beautiful, elegant, and charming, but we need to keep a low profile to avoid attracting unwanted attention."

Liang Yuying replied earnestly, "Mm."

Upon hearing the reply, Li Shuchen straightened up and continued looking at the lotus flowers. Many young women were gathered by the lotus pond.

Upon closer inspection, it turned out that the show-off was there too, dressed in a bright pink outfit, all flashy and garish, standing among the girls, laughing and joking like a peacock spreading its tail feathers. She clearly wasn't a good girl.

Just as Li Shuchen finished muttering those words to himself, Xu Shaobao seemed to have heard Li Shuchen's thoughts and walked straight towards him.

"Come on in, but why are you staring at me like that?" Li Shuchen felt uneasy.

Li Shuchen lowered her head, pondering. Could he have recognized her? They'd only met once; it shouldn't be like that.

Xu Shaobao, fanning himself, said in a roguish tone, "Miss Liang, the maid beside you is quite beautiful, even more delicate than this lotus flower."

Hearing this, Li Shuchen was relieved. It was good that she hadn't recognized him, but her bad habit of flirting with everyone she met hadn't changed at all.

Li Shuchen ignored him, staring intently at Liang Yuying's profile; Yuying was definitely more pleasing to the eye.

Liang Yuying said coldly, "Young Master Xu, show some respect to my people. You can't beat me, so be careful, or I might not be polite to you."

Xu Shaobao bowed and said slowly, "Miss Liang, please don't be angry. I was just speaking from the heart."

Then, looking at Li Shuchen, he said, "Since you don't welcome me, I'll take my leave."

After Xu Shaobao left, Li Shuchen asked, "Yu Ying fought with him? Was she injured?"

Liang Yuying smiled faintly: "It happened three years ago. He provoked me, saying that my martial arts were not as good as his. I couldn't stand it, so I started fighting him. His foundation was unstable, so naturally I wasn't injured."

Li Shuchen: "That's good. I heard you call him 'Young Master'?"

Liang Yuying: "Yes, his father was the Duke of the Founding Kingdom, a very respected man and my role model. It's a pity that the heir is nothing like his father."

Liang Yuying shook her head as she watched Xu Shaobao's retreating figure.

Li Shuchen searched his memory for a moment. The Duke of the Founding Kingdom was a first-rank noble title, and he was a great contributor to the founding of the dynasty by the late emperor.

When the late emperor ascended the throne, the enemy army suddenly invaded. General Xu of the current dynasty led his troops to fight to the death to stop the enemy, which led to the establishment of the Purple Moon Dynasty and the current Purple Star Dynasty.

General Xu's heroic figure was written into the book and is known to everyone. This Xu Shaobao, on the other hand, spends his days attracting women and living a dissolute life, and has not inherited any of General Xu's upright character.

However, given Xu Shaobao's high status, how could he be in the same academy as Xiao'er? Shouldn't he be studying at Hanhua Academy?

Could it be that he was too reckless, and his father threw him into Ruhai Academy to curb his arrogance?

Li Shuchen nodded in agreement. "Hmm, maybe."

When Gu Ziying returned, her face was relaxed, completely unlike her previous serious expression. She sat down at the stone table and drank tea.

Li Shuchen asked, "What great thing happened?"

Gu Ziying: "Young Master Xiao told me not to worry and to relax and enjoy the lotus blossoms."

Li Shuchen nodded; Young Master Xiao's words were undoubtedly a reassurance to Ziying.

All three were in high spirits, enjoying the lotus flowers and feeling quite relaxed.

However, there are always people who disturb this peace and quiet.

After seeing Xu Shaobao off, another prince, Jiwa, arrived. Upon seeing him, Li Shuchen immediately looked down at his shoes.

You can't see me, you can't see me

Prince Jiwa: "This must be Miss Liang."