When the Prince of Qi married off his daughter, all the guests were members of the imperial family, nobles, and powerful families.
These were all distinguished people who were rarely seen, and a large number of noblewomen appeared. Their usual aloofness was nowhere to be seen; they were all smiling as if money was no object, and constantly uttering polite and flattering words.
Logically, this should be a great time to build connections, but Shen Ning knew her own limitations; her net worth couldn't support such a grand gesture.
These people are only doing this to save face for Princess Qi, and she can't do anything that would overshadow the host.
Especially, don't jump around too much and attract attention, or you'll end up getting yourself into trouble.
With the limited land deeds she has now, she should just focus on making money.
Shen Ning flipped through the booklet over and over again, not finding it tedious at all, hoping to memorize everything.
When it was almost time, she put the booklet away and got up to go out. She happened to run into two familiar girls, chatted for a few words, and then sat down together to eat.
The food has already started to be served, so there's no need to chat for too long.
After eating a little, and waiting for others to leave, Shen Ning went to say goodbye to Princess Qi.
Yu Zhu was Shen Ning's maid, but since she was a guest, she was still given a banquet. Before leaving, she smacked her lips in remembrance.
"As expected of dishes made by the imperial chef, this is the first time I've ever had such delicious crispy fish. It's so fragrant that I almost swallowed my tongue."
Shen Ning flicked her finger in annoyance: "You big glutton, have I ever skimped on your food?"
Yu Zhu quickly hugged her: "Hehe, Miss is the best, the very best."
Shen Ning pinched her cheeks twice more as punishment.
Mo Lin had brought the carriage early to wait for them, so they could get in and go home as soon as they came out.
However, the carriage hadn't gone far when there was a thud and something fell on the roof. Before the people in the carriage could react, it quickly drove away.
Yu Zhu hugged Shen Ning's arm tightly, staring warily at the sky above: "Don't be afraid, Miss, I'll protect you."
Mo Lin: "Miss, the person has already left."
Shen Ning said thoughtfully, "Tonight is probably going to be unsettling. Let's hurry home."
No matter who the other person is, as long as they are just passing by, it has nothing to do with them; they should pretend they know nothing.
The power struggles within the imperial city are devoid of right and wrong, and are not something she can meddle in.
Shen Ning was really tired after getting up too early today. After washing up, she fell asleep as soon as she got home, not caring about anything else.
However, while things were peaceful at the Shen family's place, outside, just as Shen Ning had predicted, things were not so peaceful overnight.
First, someone died at the banquet at the Prince Qi's residence. The deceased was Zhong Su, the second brother of the Princess Qi. He was drinking and playing drinking games with others when he suddenly became emotional and collapsed. The imperial physician was quickly summoned, but he could not be saved.
A joyous occasion turned into a tragedy, which is extremely unlucky.
Although Zhong Su was the second brother born out of wedlock, Princess Qi had a good relationship with all her brothers.
Princess Qi almost fainted on the spot, but Aunt Fen held her tightly and said calmly, "Princess, you must pull yourself together. Think of the Princess. Today is the Princess's wedding day. This matter must be kept secret. We absolutely cannot let the Second Master die today, otherwise the Princess will never have peace for the rest of her life."
"Changle...yes, I still have Changle..."
Princess Qi was a capable woman. She instructed the imperial physician to keep quiet and told everyone that Zhong Su was drunk. She stayed behind to keep watch until the banquet ended, when Prince Qi brought Zhong's family to discuss countermeasures.
However, this was not the only misfortune befell the Prince of Qi's mansion.
Li Kun went to the Prime Minister's residence to escort his younger sister to her wedding. He brought a group of纨绔子弟 (sons of wealthy families who were spoiled and dissolute) to try and get the groom drunk, but ended up getting drunk himself into a daze.
He was so drunk that he couldn't stand steadily. When he fell, he knocked down Li Yue'e, the niece of the Prime Minister's wife, who was passing by. Not only did he fall on top of her, but he also kissed her on the face.
Li Yue'e was so ashamed and indignant that she wanted to die. She tried to stop it on the spot, but a group of people pulled her back and she couldn't. She cried uncontrollably, saying that she was too ashamed to face anyone.
Li Yue'e has a fiancé. How can she live after being kissed by a man while so many people are watching?
Li Kun was drugged, and when he regained consciousness and realized what he had done, he was completely dumbfounded.
King Qi and Zhong Tao finally figured out how to arrange things for Zhong Su, but then they were notified that he should go to the Prime Minister's residence to retrieve his son.
He felt a sudden darkness before his eyes and almost lost his balance.
"That wretched child!"
Shen Ning did not deliberately inquire about the news from the Qi Prince's mansion. The first thing that came out was that Li Kun had drunkenly harassed Li Yue'e, and the Qi Prince personally apologized. Then, the marriage between the two was arranged, and compensation was given to Li Yue'e's fiancé.
Then, Zhong Su, the second master of the Zhong family, suffered a relapse of his old illness after drinking, and after a few days of treatment, his condition suddenly worsened and he passed away.
However, Shen Ning eventually learned the truth when Princess Chang Le came out to see her.
Princess Chang Le put her hair up in a bun, a typical married woman's hairstyle. Although she had only been married for a few days, the light in her eyes had visibly dimmed.
How does Young Master Luo treat you?
Princess Chang Le brushed aside Shen Ning's loose hair, smiled with pursed lips, and said nothing, yet it seemed as if she had said a thousand words.
He's fine, okay, passable...
She wouldn't even utter such perfunctory words to Shen Ning, which shows how heartbroken she's been these past few days.
These grievances are probably inextricably linked to what Li Kun did. Although he didn't do it on purpose and it was all an accident, the Li family girl is the one who is more wronged.
The Prime Minister's wife dared not mistreat Princess Chang Le because of her status as a member of the royal family, but she could still give her a hard time and vent her anger by scolding her. Princess Chang Le, feeling guilty about what her brother had done, didn't even dare to scold him back.
Moreover, Luo Yuanchen didn't have much affection for her, and he certainly wouldn't take her side, so she suffered even more grievances.
But this is her life, and she has to bear the consequences of her own decisions.
Shen Ning can tell her that there are other choices in life, but she can't choose for her or entice her onto another path. No one can help her with the process of transforming from a cocoon into a butterfly.
Of course, Princess Chang Le was not the only one suffering these days.
Zhong Su died, and his family was heartbroken because he was too young and died too hastily.
Zhong Wanyue was also in pain because her chance to marry Li Kun was gone.
The target wasn't Lu Shuying and Shen Ning, whom she considered enemies, but a girl she was engaged to who, due to an unexpected incident, absurdly stole the position she wanted.
Lu Shuying was equally distressed. She had just become suspicious of her maid because of Shen Ning's words, but then the man she loved kissed another woman and took away her position as the legal wife.
Lu Shuying didn't dare to cause trouble at Prince Qi and his wife's place, so she could only vent her anger on Li Kun. At first, Li Kun tried to coax her, constantly apologizing and begging for forgiveness, but Lu Shuying kept pestering him, eventually exhausting Li Kun's patience and self-esteem, and he silently began to avoid her.
The deep and unwavering affection of the past has eventually developed cracks.
Lu Shuying was so heartbroken that she almost miscarried.
The Prince Qi's mansion seemed to have offended the Grand Duke Jupiter; when bad luck struck, everything went wrong, making outsiders feel unlucky.
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