319. Give Jin Lanyue a laxative on her favorite pastry.

Perhaps, but that's not important.

In short, don't provoke him, don't do anything stupid.

Tao Wanbi had already given up after talking so much with the system, and her last thought vanished: "I'm not going to pursue him anymore. I'll just take a look, is that alright?"

You can look, but don't get too close, and don't let him notice you.

The system issued another warning.

He's very vigilant. If he finds out about all the shady things you did before, you're finished.

Tao Wanbi nodded quickly, and just as she was about to lower her head, she felt a gaze fall on her.

Looking up, I was surprised to see Xie Wenling.

He was standing not far away, looking at her from afar with cold, devoid of any warmth, yet with a hint of scrutiny.

Tao Wanbi felt a chill run down her spine upon seeing this, and hurriedly lowered her head, not daring to meet his gaze.

I told you not to let him notice!

What were you looking at just now? You were so engrossed, no wonder he noticed!

Tao Wanbi kept her head down, her heart pounding, and her palms sweating.

She could feel Xie Wenling's gaze lingering on her for a while before slowly moving away.

Only when she could no longer feel that gaze did Tao Wanbi dare to whisper to the system in her mind, "That was terrifying! How did he know I was watching him? Is he a ghost?!"

[It's good that you know it's scary; just behave yourself and don't cause trouble.]

Qu Zijin and Xie Wenling are both here. Just sit still and don't let them remember you, and most importantly, don't arouse their suspicion.

Tao Wanbi nodded quickly, no longer daring to peek at the little dumpling, nor daring to look up at Xie Wenling and Qu Zijin. She just sat obediently in the corner, her heart pounding with anxiety, hoping that the banquet would end smoothly and that she could leave safely without any mishaps.

On the other side.

Xie Wenling withdrew his gaze.

The little dumpling came closer, tilted its head up, and asked, "Brother Xie, what were you looking at just now?"

Xie Wenling looked down at her, his tone casual: "Nothing, I just thought I caught a glimpse of a child, about your age, whom I've never seen before. By the way, Princess, when did this child appear in the manor?"

Upon hearing this, Marquis Beiding and Jiang Xiyue exchanged a glance, both seeing helplessness in each other's eyes.

Jiang Xiyue spoke first, her tone tactful. She didn't mention Tao Wanbi's name, but only vaguely said, "She's a distant cousin. She had some family matters to attend to and came to stay at our residence temporarily. We thought the banquet would be lively, so we let her come as well."

She paused, then added in a lower voice, as if afraid of being overheard: "This child has a bad temper. He used to always quarrel with Yue'er. If you see him, Master Xie, please ignore him."

Xie Wenling listened and nodded thoughtfully, then turned to the little girl and asked, "Princess, has she ever bullied you before?"

The little dumpling thought about it seriously.

Then she puffed out her chest and proudly declared, "No! She tried to bully Yue'er, but she failed! Because Yue'er is stronger than her!"

Seeing her proud expression, Xie Wenling couldn't help but laugh, and gently pinched her chubby cheeks: "Yes, our princess is the best, no one can bully you."

The little dumpling laughed even more happily.

Sure enough, Brother Xie also thought she was more capable!

Jin Qizhi walked over and cupped his hands to Xie Wenling: "Lord Xie, the seats have been prepared and are right next to Grand Tutor Qu. Let me take you to your seat."

“Okay,” Xie Wenling nodded, then looked at the little dumpling, “I’ll go now.”

"Mmm!" The little dumpling nodded vigorously, watching Xie Wenling follow his older brother to their seats, before skipping back to the door to greet the guests with a smile.

Soon, all the guests arrived.

Everyone took their seats, and Marquis Beiding said a few opening remarks, announcing the official start of the banquet.

The atmosphere at the banquet became lively, with everyone clinking glasses and chatting and laughing.

The conversation quickly turned to the little dumpling.

An old minister sitting next to Qu Zijin held a wine cup and looked at the little girl with a smile, praising her: "Princess Fukang, I heard before that during the plague in the south, you not only helped to study the antidote, but also contributed all the prescriptions you found free of charge."

"It's truly rare to have such a kind heart at such a young age!"

"I've lived this long and seen many scions of noble families, but none of them can compare to you!"

The little dumpling quickly stood up and bowed respectfully: "You flatter me, sir. Yue'er was just helping to deliver things; it was mainly the others who were capable."

"You child, you're still so modest!" Several ladies joined in the praise.

A lady smiled and said, "I've heard that the princess is not only kind-hearted and knowledgeable, but also exceptionally filial!"

"Last time I heard Lady Hou say that she had fallen ill, and it was the princess who personally took care of her, which moved Heaven, and a miraculous medicine was sent down so that she could recover. Such a filial child is truly rare!"

“That’s right!” another lady nodded in agreement. “And the princess is so cute, chubby and adorable!”

Qu Zijin smiled and praised her generously: "The county princess is usually diligent and clever in her studies. When I teach her to write, if she can't remember something after one try, she writes it repeatedly until she can do it well. When I explain things to her, she understands quickly and can even express her own thoughts. She's smarter than many adults!"

Xie Wenling sat beside her, not saying much, but looking at the little dumpling with a gentle gaze.

As he listened to the praises bestowed upon her, and watched as her cheeks flushed red from the compliments, yet she still responded politely without a trace of pride or arrogance, he couldn't help but think that this child truly deserved so many people's affection.

The little dumpling was a bit embarrassed by everyone's enthusiastic praise, and quietly tugged at her second brother's sleeve: "Second brother, they all praised Yue'er, and Yue'er is a little shy."

The second brother immediately patted his chest and said proudly, "What's there to be shy about! They're telling the truth! My sister is amazing, kind-hearted, smart, and filial—she's better than anyone else!"

Upon hearing this, everyone at the table laughed and nodded in agreement, showering him with praise one after another.

Tao Wanbi, sitting in the corner, focused all her attention on the plate in front of her.

He picked up a piece of mung bean cake and swallowed it in two bites, then picked up a piece of jujube paste cake and chewed it quickly.

This is delicious, and that is delicious too...

The system looked at such an excellent villain, and then at its own useless host...

Although it's just a system, it's also feeling the headache.

It seems the villain is the one who got the "heartthrob" role...

hateful!

The system was furious.

You're here on official business, not for a feast!

The system was frustrated by the students' lack of progress.

Look at them, and then look at yourself! You dare call yourself a teenager? You're not even as good as a three-year-old's hair!

With a mouthful of jujube cake, Tao Wanbi mumbled, "What important business are we doing? The male lead isn't here, and I don't dare go over to Qu Zijin and Xie Wenling even if they're here. Might as well eat it. We're already here, so we can't go back on an empty stomach."

【you! 】

The system was so angry that its voice rose.

[What did I tell you? This is your last chance! If you continue to drift along like this, you can expect mission failure after the banquet!]

Tao Wanbi pretended not to hear, picked up another sesame brittle, took a big bite, and squinted her eyes.

I must say, the cooking skills in the kitchen of the Marquis of Beiding Mansion are really good; they taste much better than what is made with modern technology.

For some reason, Xie Wenling would always glance at her from time to time.

Every time she became alert, he would casually look away, as if he hadn't noticed her at all; she was just being too sensitive.

Tao Wanbi comforted herself, "It's okay, he doesn't know me yet."

"Nothing's wrong, my foot!"

The system couldn't help but swear.

If you had a brain the size of a walnut, you'd realize there's something wrong with this!

He must have noticed you, otherwise why would he keep staring at you?

No, we can't just sit here and wait to die! We must take the initiative!

"Huh? Take the initiative? Forget it... Didn't you tell me to stay put and not cause trouble? Besides, I don't want to take the initiative..."

Okay, if you won't take the initiative, I'll force you to!

The system immediately triggered a mandatory task in Tao Wanbi's mind.

[Urgent Mission: Go to the kitchen and slip a laxative into Jin Lanyue's favorite pastry, making her embarrass herself at the banquet.]

[Failure will result in the deduction of all remaining points.]