Linghu Lan was dumbfounded.

This princess has done some quick calculations and I suspect something fishy is going on.

really.

Gu Wan'er hesitated for a moment before making up her mind.

She rose gracefully and bowed deeply to Emperor Renzong with impeccable poise.

"Father, I am willing to marry into the Xianyu Kingdom to strengthen the friendship between our two countries."

She knelt on the ground, holding her breath.

The entire hall was completely silent.

That moment.

Everyone was completely dumbfounded.

Why did Gu Wan'er refer to herself as Princess Jiahe, the daughter of Emperor Renzong?

Why did Prince Si Junlin of Xianyu Kingdom believe she was Princess Jiahe?

What happened that they don't know about?

Linghu Lan and Mu Xingzhi looked at each other in bewilderment.

Linghu Lan: Yuanfang, what do you think?

Mu Xingzhi: My lord, there must be seven orifices to this matter.

Linghu Lan: ...

Gu Wan'er was drenched in cold sweat, but remained calm.

Success or failure hinges on this one move.

She succeeded, escaped, and from then on lived a free and unrestrained life.

She lost, but she had no regrets.

Emperor Renzong suddenly smiled.

"This matter will be discussed later."

He neither affirmed nor denied it.

Si Junlin laughed and said, "Since Princess Jiahe and I are in love, how could the great Jing Dynasty, a great nation, possibly cherish a woman?"

"In our Great Jing, a land of propriety, the union of two families should be arranged by parents and a matchmaker. To marry without a matchmaker is called 'illicit' or 'adultery.' A princess's bestowal of a marriage is an even greater event. Are the women of Xianyu so ugly that the eldest prince cannot even wait?" Mu Qianzhong stepped forward, his expression cold and aloof, his words sharp.

"That's right!" Everyone nodded in agreement.

Mu Qianhan clenched her fist secretly, feeling somewhat regretful.

Si Junlin's breath hitched, and he laughed, "In that case, I await good news."

Gu Wan'er remained prostrate on the ground, not daring to move unless summoned by the emperor.

At that moment, Prince Yong'an felt utterly hopeless. For the first time, he considered killing Gu Wan'er. The Yong'an Prince's mansion was doomed.

The feast continued.

The crowd clinked glasses and chatted.

They seemed unaware that someone was kneeling on the ground.

Si Junlin frowned slightly, about to say something, but Mu Qianhan pulled him to drink, saying, "The country has its affairs, and the family has its affairs. It would be best if the eldest prince did not interfere in the affairs of my royal family."

"Hmph! We Xianyu people always put things out in the open, but you, Dajing, have so many rules."

"If Dajing and Xianyu are the same, why did the eldest prince come to Dajing instead of me visiting Xianyu?"

"Hahaha, I've long heard that the people of Dajing are sharp-tongued and quick-witted, and that their superiors set a good example for their inferiors. Now I know! Drink!"

"No one leaves until they're drunk."

The grand banquet lasted for two hours. Gu Wan'er felt dizzy and lightheaded. It wasn't until the music ended and the crowd dispersed that she saw a pair of boots stop in front of her.

Your Majesty Emperor Renzong.

"Jiahe, why aren't you going back to the palace with your mother?"

Jiahe!

He started calling himself Jiahe; is that a tacit admission?

But why was that tone so chillingly cold?

Gu Wan'er shivered, struggled to her feet, and immediately fell to the ground again, but no one came to help her up; everyone treated her like a stranger.

This world is so indifferent, so let her change it.

...

Although Gu Wan'er's affair was not known in the marketplace, it caused a great uproar among the court officials.

The Prince of Yong'an's mansion quietly announced Gu Wan'er's death, then voluntarily pleaded guilty, resigned from his official post, and closed his mansion to live a leisurely life as a prince.

From that moment on, Gu Wan'er ceased to exist in the world.

It took Linghu Lan a long time to piece together the truth from the information she obtained from Mu Xingzhi.

On New Year's Eve.

Gu Wan'er, along with the others, paid her respects to the various empresses in the palace early in the morning. While strolling in the Imperial Garden, she unexpectedly encountered Si Junlin.

One was attracted by her beauty, while the other intentionally seduced her.

The two had a very pleasant conversation.

As they parted, Si Junlin praised, "With such grace and poise, young lady, I wonder which princess you are?"

Gu Wan'er's heart stirred, and a malicious intent welled up in her heart. Princesses marrying for political reasons has existed since ancient times. If not, she would stir up his desire for a marriage alliance. She smiled and said, "I am Princess Jiahe."

However, when Si Junlin identified her as a princess in court, she was suddenly moved. If Da Jing could not tolerate her, why not go to Xianyu Kingdom to make a name for herself?

then……

That's how that scene at the state banquet on New Year's Eve came about.