A richly dressed man walked into the banquet hall.
Behind him followed two attendants who appeared to be quite skilled.
The man was elegant and noble, with an air of unparalleled refinement.
Qi Jiating quickly recognized him and hurriedly pulled his family to bow.
"Your Highness, this humble subject pays his respects!"
Xiao Zhenzhen glanced at Qi Jiating.
A prince? They're just here for a meal; why did Lord Sun go to such lengths to invite a prince?
Seeing that Xiao Zhenzhen was still in a daze, Qi Jiating quickly tugged at her.
Xiao Zhenzhen immediately realized what was happening and quickly pulled the children to bow, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness!"
The First Prince: "No need for formalities! Please, everyone, take your seats."
Lord Sun: "Yes, everyone, there's no need to be so polite or reserved."
Xiao Zhenzhen muttered softly to Qi Jiating, "What is Your Highness doing here?"
Qi Jiating shrugged and said, "I don't know either!"
The eldest prince raised his cup and said, "It is fate that brings us together from a thousand miles away. Let's drink this cup together today, and from now on we are all family!"
Lord Sun was the first to raise his wine cup, and the others followed suit, saying, "Thank you, Your Highness!"
Everyone drank it all in one gulp.
The eldest prince then got to the point: "Lord Qi, I've heard that your daughter is incredibly talented. Even her poetry is exquisite!"
Qi Jiating glanced at Qi Jinlan beside him, smiled, and said, "Thank you, Your Highness! You flatter me!"
Lord Sun smiled and looked at Qi Jinlan, saying, "Little girl, what's your name?"
Qi Jinlan calmly replied, "Reporting to Your Excellency, my name is Qi Jinlan."
Lord Sun: "Jinlan! What a nice name! You told me the other day that you knew quite a bit about things besides poetry, you weren't joking, were you?"
Qi Jinlan: "This humble girl wouldn't dare."
The eldest prince looked at Qi Jinlan curiously and said, "You look like a little girl, only two or three years old. What could you possibly know?"
Qi Jinlan: "Your Highness, my brother will."
Qi Jinlan winked at her brother.
Qi Gaoming stood up and said, "Your Highness, I have just developed a method for firing glass. I hope it will be of use to you."
The eldest prince's eyes widened.
"Liuli?"
Qi Gaoming said confidently, "Yes! It's glass."
Lord Sun: "Fine glass is priceless. Even wealthy young masters can only afford to keep one or two pieces at most! You say you can make glass? Wouldn't that make you rich?"
Xiao Zhenzhen glared at Qi Gaoming, thinking: You brat, why didn't you share this money-making method sooner? You made your mother so stingy all the time, and you're always so short of money.
Following his sister's instructions, Qi Gaoming said, "Your Highness, ever since I discovered this method for refining glass, I have not revealed it to anyone. I haven't even used it to make money myself; I simply wish to offer this marvelous method to Your Highness!"
Qi Gaoming's words moved even the eldest prince.
Qi Jiating thought to himself: This kid is hiding his true abilities.
The eldest prince asked, "You are Qi Jiating's son. What is your name?"
Qi Gaoming: "Your Highness, my name is Qi Gaoming."
The First Prince: "Good! I'll remember you! I will certainly not treat you badly in the future! Quickly, show me the glass you made!"
Qi Gaoming took out two pieces of crystal-clear glass from his pocket.
Lord Sun stared wide-eyed at Liuli.
Lord Sun: "My goodness, what beautiful glass! It's so exquisite!"
The eldest prince also got down from his seat, walked to Qi Gaoming's side, and picked up the glass to examine it carefully.
When exposed to sunlight, the glass emits a dazzling array of colors.
The eldest prince exclaimed, "Excellent! Brilliant! If I were to obtain this method, all the wealth in the world would be in my pocket! Hahaha!"
Xiao Zhenzhen was secretly delighted: Great! Now it's finally their turn to shine. Since she entered the Qi family, she hasn't had a single good day. From now on, they'll be rising to prominence.
The eldest prince looked at Qi Gaoming and said, "Qi Gaoming, just tell me what reward you want!"
Qi Gaoming said modestly, "I am not very talented, but if Your Highness does not mind, I am willing to follow you forever and do whatever you want."
The eldest prince nodded in satisfaction and patted Qi Gaoming on the shoulder.
The eldest prince: "Good! Not bad! Don't worry, I won't treat you unfairly."
Qi Gaoming bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Highness!"
Jinlan's stomach started growling again from hunger.
The eldest prince looked at Jinlan and said, "We've been so busy chatting, Jinlan, are you hungry? Come on, let's eat! Don't let our talented young lady and talented young man go hungry!"
Lord Sun: "Yes. Let's eat, let's eat!"
After the eldest prince started eating, Jinlan couldn't wait to start eating and drinking heartily.
The eldest prince observed from the shadows that although Jinlan was only two years old, her behavior was extremely restrained.
They talked for so long, and the child didn't cry or fuss even though he was hungry; instead, he listened attentively like an adult.
Beneath her youthful appearance, there seemed to reside a meticulous adult.
Perhaps this is the promising talent he envisioned.
The eldest prince didn't have time to think too much about it. After a moment's thought, he joined Lord Sun and Qi Jiating in drinking and toasting each other.
The group chatted happily for a long time.
Xiao Zhenzhen hadn't received such VIP treatment in a long time, and she chatted with Madam Sun with great pride.
Madam Sun had no interest in this infamous mistress who had risen to power.
But out of politeness, I had to agree with her.
Mrs. Sun was exhausted after the meal.
The dinner party finally ended.
Lord Sun and his wife personally escorted Qi Jiating and his family to the gate of the mansion.
Unexpectedly, as soon as I stepped outside, I heard a crisp voice calling out, "Glass! Glass for sale! Beautiful glass pieces, only ten taels of silver each!"
Lord Sun saw a stall filled with glassware, and the stall was packed with buyers.
The glassware on the stall was exactly the same as the one Qi Gaoming presented to the prince.
No, it can only be said that the glass over there is even more exquisite and wonderful than the glass they just saw.
Lord Sun's face immediately darkened. He glared angrily at Qi Gaoming and said, "What's going on? Are you trying to play us for fools? Let me tell you, the Prince isn't so easily fooled. You, you just wait!"
Lord Sun angrily turned and left.
Madam Sun, who had been all smiles just moments before, glared at Xiao Zhenzhen and the others before returning to the mansion with Lord Sun.
Qi Jinlan muttered to herself: How could this be? Where did things go wrong? Is there really someone in this world who is more prescient than me?
Qi Gaoming wanted to explain to Lord Sun.
He ran after Lord Sun, but the door slammed shut, shutting him out.
Qi Gaoming was unwilling to give up and pounded on the door, saying, "Lord Sun, this... this might all be a misunderstanding! Please let me explain!"
Xiao Zhenzhen immediately deflated like a punctured balloon.
She was feeling smug just moments before, but now it felt like someone had poured cold water on her; she felt cold from head to toe.
Xiao Zhenzhen: What happened? Everything was fine just now, how did it change in the blink of an eye?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
