With Hongli and Hongzhou interrupting them, the matter of Lanqin taking the seat was diverted from the conversation.

Hongli was able to extricate Lanqin from the predicament, and also the Empress. After the laughter subsided, the Fourth Prince realized that his actions had been inappropriate, so he specially served the Empress a few bites of food. The Empress was flattered and her previous displeasure vanished.

Only Consort Nian looked rather unpleasant, but she couldn't vent her anger, so she could only stab the dishes on the table with her chopsticks to vent her frustration.

The wedding banquet continued. After the toasts, the Fourth Prince was slightly drunk and spoke more freely. The relatives took turns toasting him.

Fourth Master was delighted and accepted all the drinks offered. After a few cups, his face was already slightly flushed.

At this moment, the Second Princess suddenly stepped forward with a wine cup and offered a toast to the Fourth Prince: "Father Emperor, your daughter toasts you..."

The Fourth Prince smiled, raised his wine cup, and said, "My Princess Yong'an! Well done..."

The second princess drank it all in one gulp, but showed no intention of going down.

The Fourth Prince looked at the Second Princess with suspicion. She was kneeling on the ground, blaming herself, "Your daughter is unfilial. Since I got married, I haven't been able to spend much time with Father and Mother. I wanted to do something for Father, but as a daughter, there's nothing I can do... Now that Sister Xiha is also getting married, Father has one less daughter by his side, and I feel even more guilty for my unfilial behavior..."

The second princess spoke sincerely, and the listeners were moved.

These words made Fourth Master think about Wuxiha leaving. He himself was so reluctant to part with him, let alone Lanqin.

Fourth Master glanced at Lanqin, who was sitting down, and noticed that she looked haggard and was forcing a smile.

The Fourth Prince nodded: "Princess Yong'an is very kind, but I do wish you all to stay by my side. However, my daughter is grown up, and I cannot keep her here any longer..."

The Second Princess looked up at the Fourth Prince and continued, "Father, although I cannot serve you, my husband can. He will do his best to serve the court and the Qing Dynasty."

Fourth Master asked in surprise, "Your husband is a..."

Seeing that the Second Princess had stepped forward and attracted the Fourth Prince's attention, Consort Nian hurriedly stood up and said coquettishly, "Your Majesty has forgotten? Princess Yong'an married my uncle's second son. It's just that the boy hasn't had a proper job yet, which is a real waste of his talents..."

The second princess said, "Father, if you trust your daughter, please think of my husband when needed. I don't ask for him to achieve great fame and fortune; I only hope he can fulfill my filial duties and relieve your worries..."

The Fourth Prince held his wine cup, lost in thought, his mind unreadable. Consort Nian, not wanting to miss such a good opportunity, pressed on, saying, "Your Majesty, the Nian family has always been loyal to you and the Qing Dynasty. Your Majesty cannot betray the Second Princess's filial piety..." She then stared intently at the Fourth Prince, hoping he would relent.

Lanqin felt a chill run down her spine as she looked at the Second Princess kneeling before her. She seemed to be a completely different person from the one she had seen last night! After all, she was still a member of the Nian family, daring to step forward at such a banquet to secure a position for her husband! With Consort Nian's encouragement, this matter certainly wasn't the Second Princess's own idea…

The Empress glanced at the Second Princess and cursed inwardly, "I knew I wasn't wrong. She's an ingrate. She's become the Nian family's lackey after marrying into the family..." Helpless, the Fourth Prince didn't speak, so she gave Hongshi a meaningful look.