A sense of absurdity arose in her heart, and she subconsciously looked at the King of Qin getting off the carriage from the other side.
Xue Shen, confined to a wheelchair, had difficulty getting around and needed a ramp to be lowered each time he got on or off the carriage. At this moment, he was sitting in his wheelchair, being carefully pushed off the carriage by a guard, his expression indifferent, as if he didn't care about the changes in the expressions on the faces of the others.
For some reason, Shen Youying suddenly felt a pang of pity.
The former crown prince was highly praised, and everyone in the court and the common people admired him. Many of those present must have experienced this.
But in just five short years, times changed, and the once virtuous crown prince became the tyrannical and cruel King of Qin. And those who may have once praised him now feared him like a tiger.
How much of these people's fear of the King of Qin was based on rumors, and how much was due to their own experience?
Shen Youying sighed softly, walked to the King of Qin's side, and followed him into the garden.
Upon receiving the news, Princess Shouning personally came out to greet them and invited them inside. Her gaze swept over Shen Youying, lingering for a moment on the purple jade necklace around her neck, then glanced at the indifferent Prince Qin. Her smile towards Shen Youying became even more sincere and enthusiastic: "Your Highness and Princess, please come and take your seats with me. Today's banquet features a water swing competition, and I specially invited performers who are said to be able to perform seven or eight somersaults upon entering the water without splashing. I have specially arranged for the best viewing spots on the riverbank for Your Highness and Princess."
As the group entered the park and turned right, Shen Youying spotted a tall, colorful boat moored on the Cai River. A tall swing frame stood at the bow of the boat, which would be the venue for the water swing performance later.
Guided by Princess Shouning, the two took their seats and chatted for a few more minutes before Princess Shouning took her leave.
She was the host today and was busy, so the only people she could ask to personally greet were these princes and princesses.
However, before leaving, she whispered to Shen Youying, "Miss Xie arrived earlier. Since the Princess Consort didn't come, she went to chat with someone on the other side. She asked me to pass on a message to the Princess Consort, saying that she would come to find you to catch up later."
However, after speaking, Princess Shouning glanced at the fierce-looking man next to Shen Youying and thought to herself that if Miss Xie knew that the Prince of Qin would also be coming, she would never have asked her to deliver this message.
She smiled gracefully, then took Shen Youying's hand warmly and said, "Although the Princess Consort has changed her status, this is not the first time she has come to my Spring Banquet. Please relax and enjoy yourself." She paused subtly at this point, then reminded her, "I forgot to mention earlier that Consort Zhou is also here today."
Shen Youying was stunned for a moment before realizing that the "Consort Zhou" she was referring to was Zhou Zhenrong.
She frowned almost imperceptibly, and then heard Princess Shouning say casually, "Consort Zhou just asked about the Princess Consort. I didn't know that Consort Zhou and the Princess Consort were on good terms."
Shen Youying understood her reminder, glanced at her in surprise, and thought to herself that it was no wonder that Princess Shouning had such a wide circle of friends. Her ability to get along with everyone and not offend anyone was something that was hard for others to match.
But since she had offered her reminder, Shen Youying couldn't refuse her kindness. She said softly, "We do have some acquaintance, thank you for reminding me, Princess."
Princess Shouning then smiled and took her leave.
Before leaving, he couldn't help but glance at the necklace around Shen Youying's neck again to make sure he wasn't seeing things.
King Qin truly gave this set of "Purple Smoke" bestowed by the emperor to his queen.
She remembered that this "Purple Smoke" set was extremely rare. It was carved by imperial craftsmen from a single piece of purple jadeite that was presented as tribute from overseas. Because it was as transparent as glass and contained wispy, smoke-like inclusions, it was named "Purple Smoke".
This "Purple Smoke" set was originally prepared for Princess Xuanci, but later, by some unknown twist of fate, it was bestowed upon the Prince of Qin by the Emperor. It is said that Princess Xuanci threw a tantrum about it for a while, and in order to appease his daughter, the Emperor had no choice but to bestow many more gifts as compensation.
However, Princess Xuanci was always petty, and if she saw the "purple smoke" on Princess Qin, she would probably make a scene again. Princess Shouning was glad that Princess Xuanci had stayed at home these days and had not accepted her invitation.
But when she gracefully walked to the gate and heard the welcoming servant announce "Princess Xuanci has arrived," her brow twitched.
Princess Shouning grabbed the arm of the maid beside her, looking surprised and uncertain, and said, "Didn't you say you weren't coming?!"
A banquet summoned a scourge, and three major conflicts arose. Even with Princess Shouning's exceptional social skills and shrewdness, she couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.
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