But watching is one thing, but experiencing it firsthand is another. Gan Qiongying was eager to see what kind of sparks these people would create.

However, there is a prerequisite: Gan Qiongying must avoid making a fool of herself at this grand banquet and not be completely disliked by the Grand Princess of Hui'an.

She has to break the deadlock.

But where to begin?

Gan Qiongying turned her gaze to the left, staring at Wen Xueling with a smile.

Of course, we'll start breaking things down from the female lead's perspective.

Gan Qiongying's gaze was chilling, sending shivers down Wen Xueling's spine. She turned and glared at her, then deliberately went to talk to the person on her other side, never looking back.

The venue was packed, with everyone having taken their seats in advance. The musicians were checking their instruments, afraid of making even the slightest mistake, while the maids entertaining the guests were exchanging pleasantries and subtly repeating dance moves.

Gan Qiongying wanted to tease the little white flower. Seeing that Wen Xueling ignored her, she insisted on making a laugh to attract attention. When she saw Wen Xueling's obviously straight back and profile, she laughed even louder.

He's just like a scoundrel.

A large crowd suddenly appeared at the entrance. Princess Hui'an, supported by her maids, slowly walked over. After she sat down smoothly, her eyebrowless aunt nodded to the people below the stage.

As the eldest son of the birthday celebrant, Qu Chi, the eldest son of the Grand Princess who held the official position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, drew his bow and shot a fire arrow. The arrow, carrying a stream of fire, rose into the sky and struck the fuse of the fireworks with a blazing force, instantly causing countless fireworks to bloom in the sky.

Everyone stood up and congratulated Princess Hui'an in unison, "May Princess Hui'an enjoy longevity and good fortune, and live a long and healthy life."

Under the dazzling lights, everyone took their seats again. Maids filed in, bringing in delicacies, and the music of string and wind instruments began, officially starting the banquet.

Qu Chi, the eldest son of Princess Huian, came up on stage with his wife and daughter. The gifts they brought were so large that it took several strong men to lift them.

It was a single piece of pine wood, carved into a pine tree by a skilled craftsman. Several people worked together to lift it onto the platform, and when it landed, it kicked up a layer of dust, which showed how heavy it was.

The second son of the Grand Princess, Qu Li, worked in the Ministry of Rites. He went through many hardships to collect a set of calligraphy and paintings, which greatly surprised the Grand Princess of Huian.

Everyone praised the two gifts highly, and the atmosphere was lively and harmonious.

Then a young girl came up on stage, probably around thirteen or fourteen years old. It was clear that she was deeply loved by the Grand Princess Hui'an, who looked at her with doting eyes from the moment she stepped onto the stage.

Gan Qiongying remembered the little girl. She was the youngest daughter of Qu Li, the second son of Princess Huian, and was about to come of age. The grand birthday banquet was held to invite many people, partly to make it easier to choose a husband for her.

However, after looking around, it was still the son of the Vice Minister of Revenue who won the heart of Princess Hui'an the most.

There were too many people bringing congratulatory gifts to display them all on stage, so the servants read out the gifts in loud voices.

"Your Majesty, a piece of coral from the South China Sea and a pair of jade bracelets."

"King Kang Guang, a white jade Guanyin statue and a white jade pot."

"Princess Duanrong, a handwritten copy of a Buddhist scripture..."

Princess Gan Qiongying was still marveling at the expensive gifts from these noble young men and women when Wen Xueling beside her deliberately let out a sneer.

She turned her head and saw Wen Xueling's eyes full of disdain, clearly looking down on the congratulatory gift she had given.

Gan Qiongying thought to herself, what does this little girl know?

Wen Xueling had been guessing what grand gift Princess Duanrong would give, but it turned out to be just a Buddhist scripture. She wanted to see the birthday girl's reaction and was about to make sarcastic remarks to Princess Duanrong when she saw that Grand Princess Huian's eyes were red.

Princess Huian nodded and approved of every gift, glancing at them briefly before moving on. However, she lingered over the gift from Princess Duanrong.

The lay Buddhist who copied the book was her close friend from many years ago. She lost her husband and son in her early years and refused to remarry. She shaved her head and became a nun, calling herself Lay Buddhist Liaochen. She traveled around and disappeared without a trace.

Princess Hui'an had been searching for her for many years, but she was troubled by her lack of a fixed abode and thought that she would never hear from her again in this lifetime.

Princess Hui'an didn't know how Gan Qiongying had found Layman Liaochen, but this birthday gift, coupled with the fact that she had fainted while standing in her courtyard before... she knew that this child had truly realized her mistake and had put her heart into it.

Now that she knows that her old friend is in good health and still thinks of her, who is thousands of miles away, how could she not be moved?

Princess Hui'an blinked rapidly, raised her hand to cover her eyes and quickly tidied herself up, then whispered to the eyebrowless woman beside her.

Then, to Wen Xueling's astonishment, Duanrong was invited by Wumei to sit next to the Grand Princess.

Before leaving, Gan Qiongying gave Wen Xueling a flirtatious wink.

"Wen Xueling, daughter of the King of Jingxi, receives a pair of golden square vases and twelve golden hairpins." The attendant finished reading the gift list and closed it.

Wen Xueling was angered by Gan Qiongying, but she couldn't let the important matter get in the way.

She deliberately bribed the servants to leave her name last, just so she could have a chance to speak with Princess Huian. She had been practicing hard for several days, all for the sake of presenting a dance today.

Princess Hui'an, who always helped others achieve their goals, naturally granted her wish and agreed with a peaceful expression.

After receiving permission, Wen Xueling immediately performed a deep bow and repeatedly kowtowed in gratitude.

Several backup dancers quickly formed a circle, spreading their sleeves to cover themselves. A moment later, Wen Xueling squatted in the middle of one of her dance partners, just like a delicate flower bud waiting to bloom.

Here it comes, the plot has finally unfolded.

Gan Qiongying drank her wine and searched the crowd. Sure enough, she saw Liuli, whose face was swollen from being slapped, in the crowd. Liuli was clearly prepared to cry and complain to her master at any time. Her face was bulging, but her eyes were very firm.

Just like in the story.

It's as if everything is shrouded in a curse of fate, from which there is no escape.

Even though Gan Qiongying had already disrupted the plot, everything still came full circle.

But Gan Qiongying refused to accept her fate.

Having already died once, is there anything worse than that?

She burns paper money for herself on the fifteenth of the seventh lunar month. She's not afraid of real ghosts, so why is she afraid of these fake ghosts?

So she smiled faintly, tapping her finger on the table, waiting for the right moment.

Once the musicians were all ready and Wen Xueling had already struck a pose, Gan Qiongying suddenly stood up, causing the table in front of her to clatter, attracting everyone's attention.

Then, with a look of shock, she said, "Eh? Didn't Princess Xue'e fall into a ravine and break her leg while traveling by carriage to the birthday banquet?"

"You're limping like that, and you're still dancing?"