Flower Banquet

At dawn, three horse-drawn carriages were waiting outside the Mu Mansion.

Baoqin said worriedly: "Miss, you are still a little too plain today..."

Today we are attending a flower banquet in the palace.

Mu An Ning was wearing a lavender hibiscus brocade skirt with only two pearl hairpins inserted in her tasseled bun, which was not ostentatious but just right.

She chuckled and shook her head: "It's okay."

The purpose of this Hundred Flowers Banquet was to select a concubine for the Crown Prince and it had nothing to do with her.

When the master and servant were leaving the house, Mu Wan'er happened to walk to the door.

The maid following her was still Yunxiang.

When Yunxiang saw the girl dressed like this, she raised her chin with pride: Now the real daughter has returned, but the fake one doesn’t even have new clothes.

Today, Mu Wan'er was wearing a long light pink dress with crabapple flowers edging with silver threads on the hem. It was a new dress that Xu had ordered to be made for her.

A row of ruby ​​hairpins on her bun sparkled brightly in the sunlight.

In comparison, Mu An Ning seemed a little gloomy.

Seeing this, Baoqin glared at the maid without fear.

She couldn't stand people who changed their attitude according to the situation.

Before the two sisters could open their mouths to talk, Madam Xu came out and said, "You two must remember not to lose your manners in the palace."

Although she was giving instructions to the two of them, her concerned eyes quickly passed over Mu An Ning and only stayed on her biological daughter.

Mu An Ning heard that voice again——

"Don't you find it disgusting that they are so affectionate with each other?"

"Your adoptive mother obviously wants her biological daughter to become the Crown Princess. What about you?"

Mu An Ning shuddered and dug his nails into the palm of his hand until he felt pain. He finally came to his senses, but doubts arose in his heart.

Could it be that she was really jealous of Mu Wan'er?

As I was thinking, another voice came——

[Can the script today be any less cliché? I’m so tired of heroes saving beauties! ]

[Hey, system! Stop playing dumb! ]

Mu An Ning came back to his senses and looked at Mu Wan'er quietly. He saw that she was smiling obediently and nodding in agreement with Xu's instructions.

Who is the system that Mu Wan'er mentioned that can actually talk to her in her heart?

Mu An Ning held his breath and tried to hear the sound of the system, but what came out was still the clear voice of a young girl.

[I don't want to compete with my woman for a man, can't we just have a little competition? ]

Mu Anning:?

Which man are they going to grab?

*

About an hour later, the group arrived at the palace.

The paths in the garden are carefully paved with pebbles of different colors, outlining a graceful curved path.

The verdant pines, cypresses and bamboo forests in the park dot the layers of rocks, the flowers are in full bloom, and the fragrance of flowers and the chirping of birds are everywhere.

Mu Anning and Baoqin walked slowly, immersed in the spring scenery in the garden.

"Peace."

Mu An Ning paused, turned around when she heard the voice, and saw a beautiful woman looking at her with a smile.

She is Princess Luo of Anqing, Gu Huaizhi's mother.

Mu An Ning smiled and bowed: "Princess."

Luo helped her up and looked around, frowning and asked, "Where's your mother?"

Mu An Ning made up an excuse: "My mother has something to do temporarily, and she will come over later."

In fact, Mu Wan'er said something went wrong with her clothes as soon as she got off the carriage, so Xu accompanied her to the compartment to change clothes.

Luo did not continue to ask, but smiled and said: "Huaizhi is here too, I will have someone call him over later."

Mu Anning smiled and nodded obediently.

Luo has always been keen on letting the two of them develop a relationship.

This marriage was arranged three years ago, when she was twelve and Gu Huaizhi was thirteen.

Because the two mothers were close friends, the two of them had known each other since childhood. Although they did not spend much time together, they could be considered childhood sweethearts.

However, the marriage was arranged by Prince Anqing and Marquis Chongde, and the reasons behind it are unknown.

Mrs. Luo was very fond of her friend's sensible daughter. She had always wanted to have a daughter, so she was naturally very happy.

When Mu An Ning learned that she would marry the young man she loved, she was so happy that she couldn't sleep all night.

Gu Huaizhi, however, was just the opposite.

He immediately became rebellious and insisted on choosing his own wife.

In the end, the Anqing King and his wife had to use both soft and hard tactics to avoid an embarrassing situation.

Now, three years have passed, and the two families seem to have forgotten the unpleasantness at that time and are waiting for the end of the year to carry out the wedding.

"The Queen has arrived—" A sharp voice sounded, and the garden suddenly became silent.

The empress was wearing a red silk palace gown embroidered with small colored glass beads, the hem of the gown fell softly to the ground.

The red robe was embroidered with large golden-red peonies, and the silver thread faintly revealed her well-maintained and slender figure.

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has arrived—" the eunuch's shrill voice continued to be heard.

When a young man of about seventeen or eighteen years old appeared, all the ladies present gasped in surprise.

He had a slender figure, and wore a snow-white straight-collared robe with gold thread trimmings. Around his waist was a belt with a moon-white auspicious cloud pattern, from which hung a piece of extremely high-quality black jade.

It is truly a place of beautiful orchids, jade trees, bright breeze and clear moon.

Mu An Ning watched everyone's reactions and quietly stood on tiptoe.

After all...everyone loves to see a handsome man.

Unfortunately, there was a dense crowd ahead and she still couldn't see clearly. She only caught a glimpse of a corner of moon-white clothes.

As everyone was paying their respects, the Queen's golden armor fluttered slightly, and she raised her hand to signal the palace servants to arrange for everyone to take a seat.

The dining table was immediately filled with a dazzling array of delicious dishes, and the wine vessels were filled with amber wine. The faint light flowed between the walls of the cups, exuding the alluring aroma of the wine.

Mu An Ning frowned and looked around silently.

Why haven’t my foster mother and Mu Wan’er returned yet?

At this time, Princess Anqing took her hand and slowly led her to a seat close to the empress.

By then the prince had already left, and Mu An Ning only saw his back.

Halfway through the palace banquet, the queen suddenly looked at Luo and asked, "When did the princess give birth to such a lovely little girl?"

Her phoenix eyes swept over Mu An Ning: "I think we have a good affinity."

These words caused quite a stir in the garden. The noble ladies and women all pricked up their ears and looked at Mu An Ning.

Could it be that the Queen chose her?

Luo smiled and stood up and replied, "Your Highness, you are joking. This is my half-daughter, my son's fiancée."

The queen narrowed her eyes, as if she was just recalling the past: "It turns out to be Miss Mu. I haven't seen you for a long time. I can't recognize you."

Hearing the Queen's slightly regretful tone, Luo was stunned, but the smile on her face remained unchanged.

Listening to the conversation between the two, Mu An Ning, who was sitting quietly, narrowed his eyes slightly.

The situation in the court was turbulent, and she had heard a little about the dispute between the Crown Prince's Party and the Third Prince's Party.

Both the adoptive father and the Prince of Anqing were neutral.

Could it be that the Queen intends to win over the two families?

*

When the banquet was about to end, Mu An Ning finally saw Xu and Mu Wan'er, who had changed into a moon-white dress, not far away.

Luo frowned, obviously seeing it too: "An Ning, who is the girl next to your mother?"

This was the first time she saw her good friend being close to a girl from a certain family, and upon closer inspection...they actually had some similarities.

Mu An Ning thought about it and was about to take this opportunity to explain everything, but was suddenly interrupted by a voice.

She looked up and saw the young man she loved wearing a flamboyant scarlet gown with black lines outlining patterns that looked like blooming red spider lilies.

Gu Huaizhi had a smile on his lips and pointed to a place not far away: "Mother, Madam Liu is looking for you."

Luo glared at him in dissatisfaction: "You kid, you're finally here."

Having said this, she stood up with a smile on her face and said, "You two can have a good chat."

Mu An Ning had no choice but to nod obediently and stand up to salute.

Gu Huaizhi folded his arms, his peach blossom eyes captivating everyone's heart: "I helped you out of this predicament, don't you thank me, Prince?"

Mu An Ning looked at the handsome face and curled her pale fingertips, but rarely did she respond immediately.

Why was he always like this, making her sad but giving her hope?

Seeing that the girl was silent, Gu Huaizhi threw the crescent-shaped folding fan onto the table and said in feigned anger, "This prince helped you, and you don't appreciate it?"

Mu An Ning turned his head away and didn't look at him, but accidentally saw Mu Wan'er walking towards a small pavilion alone.

She felt an inexplicable uneasiness in her heart and stood up suddenly: "My Lord, I have something to do, so I will not accompany you any longer."

Gu Huaizhi's eyes deepened as he watched the girl's slender figure moving away.

Is she angry with him because of what he said that day?

*

"Mu An Ning is actually sitting with Princess Anqing. I wonder who she is showing off to!"

"That's right! She relies on her marriage to the prince and acts so self-righteous every day."

Mu An Ning's eyes suddenly dimmed, and bitterness rose in his heart, but he did not want to argue too much. He just wanted to quicken his pace and stay away from this place of trouble.

The one who started the conversation was the daughter of the Duke of Huguo, Liu Qingyue.

Ever since she and Gu Huaizhi got engaged, Liu Qingyue has been targeting her overtly and covertly.

Is she...really as bad as they say?

*

Biyu Pavilion.

When Mu Wan'er saw the person coming, her eyes widened: "Sister, why are you here?"

Is it possible that even if she tried her best to avoid it, she couldn't prevent the important plot from happening?

Mu An Ning noticed her strangeness and asked softly, "Wan'er, why did you and mother take so long?

Mu Wan'er opened her mouth, not knowing how to answer for a moment.

She couldn't say that she was deliberately delaying time!

At this moment, she suddenly lowered her head and her eyes dimmed.

When he looked up again, there was a hint of dark red in those bright eyes.

She smiled and approached Mu An Ning, whispering in her ear, "Sister, do you know how uncomfortable it feels to be wronged?"

Mu An Ning's eyelashes trembled slightly, and he didn't react for a moment.

She subconsciously reached out to grab the person next to her, but her body still felt light and she fell down the stairs.

Hearing the noise, the girl in the pavilion trembled, her eyes gradually cleared, she looked at Mu An Ning who had fallen to the ground, and said in a lost voice: "Sister!"

[You ***dog system, how dare you control me? ! ]

[There are still some idiotic authors! What kind of ridiculous plots are they writing every day? ]

Mu Wan'er hurriedly walked down the stairs, not paying any attention to the moon-white figure holding her from behind.

Before Mu An Ning fainted, what he heard was Mu Wan'er's voice.

What kind of dog system is this, dog author...

She had to find out.