Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

The next day, Su Qianrou woke up at the hour of Chen (7-9 AM).

Chunzhu hung up the curtains to make it easier for her to come out.

Then, as Su Qianrou walked, she asked, "Has any news come out from the Marquis of Anping's residence?"

“Yes, Miss. Last night, the eldest master and the third master went to Concubine Xu’s room and were caught red-handed by the eldest madam. I heard that it caused quite a stir. When the concubine’s mother found out, she was so angry that she fainted. Therefore, this morning, before dawn, the madam rushed over there and has not returned yet.”

"What was the attitude of the people in the city towards this?"

"Now everyone in the city is saying that the eldest master and the third master conspired to drive the master out of the mansion because they coveted Concubine Xu."

Su Qianrou sat down in front of the dressing table and asked, "How did Aunt Xu handle it?"

"The concubine's wife originally wanted to execute her, but the madam did not agree and had her sent to a temple to live out her days in solitude."

"What about my eldest uncle and third uncle? Has my grandfather punished them?"

"I heard that the Marquis made them kneel in the ancestral hall all night."

"Indeed, people's hearts are biased. Some people, no matter what mistakes they make, will always just kneel in the ancestral hall, while others can easily give up," Su Qianrou said leisurely.

Mingguo Duke's Mansion

In the garden, there were many young ladies, chatting in small groups, each dressed in their finest attire, looking even more beautiful than the flowers in the garden.

Before long, Su Qianrou arrived here with Liu Xinyue and Su Wanshan.

Upon seeing her, everyone bowed and said, "Greetings, Princess Ping Le."

No need for formalities.

"It's been a long time since I've seen you, Princess. You've become even more beautiful."

"Yes, the princess is becoming more and more beautiful, making us all quite envious."

"The princess is as beautiful as a fairy, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that she is the most beautiful woman in the world."

"You flatter me; I am unworthy of such praise."

"Princess, there's no need to be modest. We are only telling the truth."

"Yes, we are speaking from the bottom of our hearts."

Su Qianrou simply smiled politely and didn't reply.

Seeing her being praised and flattered by everyone, Su Wanshan was filled with jealousy. Then, thinking of something, she felt great and couldn't help but reveal a wicked smile.

Yang Shanshan, who was chatting with someone in the distance, quickly walked over when she heard that Su Qianrou had arrived, and happily called out, "Cousin!"

"Shanshan, I thought you hadn't arrived yet."

"No, I arrived a long time ago and have been waiting for you. Why are you so late?"

Something came up and I was delayed.

Yang Shanshan didn't ask what was wrong.

At this moment, Qin Zhenzhen also came over and said, "Greetings, Princess Ping Le."

"Miss Qin, there's no need for such formalities."

"It's been a long time. How have you been, Princess?"

"Very good."

"Princess Chang Le is in the pavilion. Please come in, Your Highness."

“Okay,” Su Qianrou said, and walked over.

Qin Zhenzhen followed.

Liu Xinyue followed behind her.

Then, the group went to the pavilion.

"I have met Princess Chang Le."

"Qianrou is here. It's been a long time. How have you been?" Chang Le asked warmly, holding her hand.

"I'm fine."

Princess Qinglian noticed Liu Xinyue standing behind her and asked, "I wonder who this is, Miss...?"

“This is Liu Xinyue, the eldest daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo’s mansion,” Su Qianrou replied.

"So it's Miss Liu."

"Liu Xinyue greeted Princess Chang Le, Princess Qing Lian, and Princess Jing Ya."

"Miss Liu hasn't attended a banquet for several years, what brings you here today?" Chang Le asked.

Liu Xinyue subconsciously looked at Su Qianrou.

Su Qianrou answered for her: "Your Highness, we hit it off immediately and had a very pleasant conversation. When I learned that she had also received an invitation, I asked her to come with me."

"I see".

"In the past, Miss Liu always refused invitations from anyone, but now she has come to the banquet because of a single word from Princess Ping Le. It is clear that Princess Ping Le has more influence," said Princess Jingya in a sarcastic tone.

"Princess Ping Le has been visiting the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion frequently lately. Rumor has it that she has taken a liking to Prince Liu. I wonder if it's true?"

"It must be true, otherwise, he wouldn't be so close to Miss Liu."

"Perhaps good things are just around the corner. When that happens, Princess Ping Le, don't forget to invite us to your wedding feast."

"I wonder how handsome this Prince Liu is that he has attracted such affection from our Princess Ping Le."

The ladies nearby joked.

Liu Xinyue showed a displeased expression, which was one of the reasons why she was unwilling to attend the banquet. A group of people gathering together and gossiping was really annoying.

Chang Le also showed a hint of displeasure, but said nothing.

In contrast, Su Qianrou remained calm and composed, unhurried and unhurried, and said in a low voice, "Rumors stop with the wise. You are intelligent people and should have the ability to distinguish right from wrong."

The group felt a little awkward and fell silent.

Qin Zhenzhen then stepped in to smooth things over, saying, "How about we play musical chairs? What does the princess think?"

"Can".

"Does anyone have any comments?"

"no".

"In that case, please move to the open space outside... Princess, please."

Chang Le was the first to walk out, and the others followed.

In the open space, the servants arranged the table in a circle, and everyone sat down in turn.

"Princess, shall we begin?"

"Okay, let's begin."

Qin Zhenzhen looked at the servants beside him and said, "Beat the drum."

"Yes".

Immediately afterwards, the drums sounded, and Chang Le gave the purse to Su Qianrou, who then handed it to Li Nanyi, who in turn gave it to Liu Xinyue...

The drumming stopped only after the sixth person, and the purse fell into the hands of Hong En, the daughter of the Minister of Works.

"I wonder what talent Miss Hong will be performing?" Qin Zhenzhen asked.

"Playing the zither".

"Someone, bring the zither."

Soon after, a servant brought over a seven-stringed zither and placed it in the middle.

Hong En walked over and sat down, then played a piece called "Autumn Thoughts on Dongting Lake".

The game continued, and after two rounds, the purse ended up in Qin Zhenzhen's hands.

Chang Le asked, "I wonder what talent Miss Qin plans to show us?"

"Your Highness, the guzheng."

"Miss Qin is truly proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. I am very much looking forward to it."

Soon, the servants brought over the guzheng.

Qin Zhenzhen slowly stood up, walked to the middle, and sat down in front of the guzheng. She placed her hands on it, and after a moment, the sound of the guzheng began to play. It was clear, melodious, and captivating, drawing people into its world.

After it ended, everyone was still a little reluctant to leave.

"The music is melodious and captivating; Miss Qin is truly multi-talented."

“The princess has praised me,” he said, then looked at Su Qianrou and asked, “Would Princess Ping Le like to perform a song?”

"Miss Qin thinks too highly of me. I have no talent in this area, so I won't embarrass myself."

"Princess, there is no need to be so modest."

“Princess Ping Le looks down on us, which is why she’s unwilling to play,” Sun Xiaoxiao, daughter of the Marquis of Nanyang, deliberately provoked.

“Princess Ping Le is exceptionally talented, and I imagine the guzheng is no challenge for you either. Please do not refuse any longer.”

"Yes, we would like to ask Princess Ping Le to perform a song for us so that we can broaden our horizons."

"Please don't make things difficult for me, everyone. I really don't know how."

Seeing that she was unwilling, Chang Le said, "Alright, since Qian Rou doesn't know how, let's not make things difficult for her. Let's continue."

Only then did everyone give up and stop pressuring Su Qianrou.

Su Qianrou looked at Chang Le and gave her a grateful look.

Chang Le noticed her movement, raised an eyebrow at her, as if to say: You're welcome.

Su Qianrou smiled, said nothing, and then looked away.