"Why are you spacing out, child! I've called you several times but you haven't responded!" Tongjia waved her hand in front of Hexue.

"Mother, what's wrong?" He Xue asked, puzzled.

"Your mother is about to ask you what's wrong? You're not responding when I call you. Are you feeling unwell?" Tongjia asked worriedly.

"I'm fine, Mother! I was just staring at my cousin so intently!"

Upon hearing He Xue's words, Shi Jingrou's face immediately turned crimson.

"You child!" Tongjia pointed helplessly at Hexue's mother.

"Jingrou, don't be offended, I've spoiled Hexue!" Tongjia said to Shi Jingrou with a smile.

“My little sister is so innocent and adorable, of course she should be pampered!” Shi Jingrou said, looking at He Xue.

Although Shi Jingrou was not particularly beautiful, she gave people the impression of being gentle, elegant, dignified, and composed. No wonder she was personally chosen by Emperor Kangxi as the Crown Princess and the future Empress!

"Sister is great too!" He Xue went straight to Shi Jingrou, took her hand, and said. This was another powerful ally; she had to cling to her!

“I’ve met my sister before!” Shi Jingrou said with a smile.

"Have you seen me before?" He Xue asked in surprise, as she had no recollection of me.

"My sister probably didn't notice me for a while. She was talking to Princess Tana at the time! Princess Tana almost hit a child while riding her horse in the street, and my sister argued with her for a long time!"

He Xue remembered that when she first met Tana, she felt someone was watching her, but she didn't expect it to be Shi Jingrou.

"Oh, it was that time! Sister, can you come and play with me more often in the future? Nobody in the manor plays with me!" He Xue asked.

“Yes, Jingrou, if you’re alright, come find Hexue! Hexue must be feeling quite bored all alone in the mansion!” Madam Tongjia chimed in, speaking up for Hexue.

“Okay!” Shi Jingrou replied.

"Sister, you can just call me He Xue!" He Xue was wondering if she could arrange for the Crown Prince to meet Shi Jingrou when they went to the palace later. Maybe if they could get to know each other beforehand, the Crown Prince would treat Shi Jingrou better in the future? And wouldn't he favor Li Jia Shi too much? She was really looking forward to it!

Shi Jingrou nodded and said, "Okay!"

A short while later, Lady Tongjia led He Xue and the others into the palace.

He Xue asked Shi Jingrou to sit in a carriage with her.

During their conversations along the way, Xue discovered that Shi Jingrou was truly a talented woman. She was very familiar with Manchu and Mongolian culture and well-versed in classics and history. No wonder she was chosen as the Crown Princess! Had Emperor Kangxi already sent people to instruct Guarjia?

Upon arriving at the palace, Lady Tongjia first took Hexue to Chengqian Palace, where they encountered the First Madam and Lady Tongjia.

The First Madam and Madam Tongjia embraced and kissed Hexue affectionately for a while, and finally everyone followed Consort Tongjia to Ciren Palace, where the birthday banquet was being held.

After arriving at Ciren Palace, He Xue searched around but couldn't find Tana. "Could it be that Tana didn't come today?" He Xue muttered to herself.

At this moment, Consort Yi was chatting intimately with Consort Tongjia. Consort Tongjia glanced at Consort Yi, both amused and exasperated. Wasn't Consort Yi being a little too impatient?

Consort Yi naturally noticed that Consort Tongjia was looking at her, and looked at Consort Tongjia in a flattering manner.

Seeing this, Consort Tongjia didn't say anything, but chatted with Consort Rong and Consort Hui beside her.

Consort Yi's sudden enthusiasm caught Lady Tongjia off guard. She didn't understand why Consort Yi suddenly wanted to chat with her. Was it because of her sister? She had heard her sister say that Consort Yi and her sister were usually quite close.

Lady Tongjia couldn't figure out the reason, so she could only attribute it to Consort Tongjia.

When the Crown Prince entered, he saw Consort Yi chatting animatedly with Consort Tongjia. He thought to himself, "Consort Yi is really going to great lengths for Xiao Jiu! Isn't she taking advantage of the fact that I don't have a mother?"

But it doesn't matter, he can do it himself. He spends much more time with Xue than with Xiao Jiu, so he doesn't believe he can't compare to a child.

When everyone saw the Crown Prince and the princes arrive, they quickly stood up and bowed.

After the Crown Prince excused himself from the formalities, he did not go to his own seat, but went straight to He Xue.

He Xue was worried about how to introduce Shi Jingrou to the Crown Prince when the Crown Prince himself came over. They were indeed destined to be together.

If the Crown Prince heard He Xue's true feelings, he would probably be so frustrated that he would vomit blood.