"My dear ministers, I am hosting a banquet today to celebrate General Jin's victory in suppressing the rebellion in the northwest and restoring peace and prosperity to Fuding. The previous day was the anniversary of the death of the former crown prince, so this celebration banquet was delayed for a few days. I hope you will not take it to heart!"
The Queen Mother smiled warmly.
"I dare not. It is my humble duty to quell the rebellion. Thank you very much for the Queen Mother's reward!"
The old general stood up and toasted.
Grand Tutor Yu also stood up to congratulate, "The old general is as brave as ever!"
Then all the officials echoed.
"Okay! Hahahahahahaha... then I hope all of you enjoy your drinks today, my dear ministers!" The Queen Mother is also a generous person.
"Singing and dancing—"
The eunuch pinched his throat and shouted loudly.
The melodious sound of the guqin rang out, and a woman in purple danced into the hall. Her graceful dance quickly attracted everyone's attention.
After seeing the man's face clearly, Jin Suting's pupils suddenly shrank.
Is that... Shi Shi?
In her previous life, Shi Shi was her best friend.
I spent four years in college with her and have known her for five years, so our relationship is closer than that of family.
After she decided to leave Jin Qunwei's life, the first person she thought of was Shi Shi.
The last person he was concerned about when he was hit by a car and thrown into the lake was Shi Shi.
That bright girl.
The woman in the hall looks so much like Shi Shi. Could it be that she has also traveled through time?
After the dance, everyone at the table seemed to be still unsatisfied and applauded.
The purple-robed woman in the hall did not retreat, but walked straight towards the Queen Mother.
The Queen Mother was very pleased with the performance of the woman in purple and gave her a seat.
Seeing his master staring at the purple-robed woman, Xiao Huang whispered to Jin Suting, "That's the woman the Queen Mother adopted years ago. She's been keeping her by her side ever since, but she hasn't been given the title of Princess or Commandery Lady. Everyone speculates that she's the future Crown Princess."
The future...Crown Princess?
Aren't Crown Princesses always daughters of noble families? Why would a woman adopted by the Queen Mother become the Crown Princess?
But Jin Suting was not most concerned about this. "What's her name?"
"...Well, Shi Qingmiao." Xiao Huang thought for a moment and gave an answer.
Isn’t it Shi Shi?
But his surname is also Shi... Is it just a coincidence?
"Then how many years has she been with the Queen Mother?"
"Well, I heard from the maid in the palace that the Queen Mother has kept Miss Shi by her side since she was still a child," Xiao Huang replied.
So, it’s been more than ten years?
She is not Shi Shi, she just looks similar.
After finding out the truth, Jin Suting felt a deep sense of loss in her heart.
Watching the people at the table clinking glasses, he felt even more annoyed. So he said something to the old general and left the table alone.
——
After walking out of the hall from the side door, a cool breeze made Jin Ting's pores open.
She stretched and walked around the palace as if she was taking a stroll after dinner.
Of course, she only dared to wander around here. The old general had warned her that if she accidentally broke into some dangerous place, she would lose her head.
When Jin Suting was wandering around a small area leisurely like an old man, he was suddenly dazzled by a bright yellow light in front of him.
The night was dark. When the person approached, Jin Suting went forward to greet him with surprise: "Alan! Why are you here?"
Ah Lan saw the delighted little girl in front of him and felt a little happier. "I'm here to attend your father's celebration party."
"Oh, so you are an official. But you look better in yellow than in white!" Jin Suting praised sincerely.
"Thank you." Alan also thanked sincerely.
"Why are you so late? Aren't you afraid of being blamed by the Queen Mother for being late?"
"It's okay, I'm just a small official, they won't notice me." Alan explained, with a hint of loneliness on his face.
"Is that so..." Jin Suting smiled, "Young man, I see that you have amazing bones and a great face. You will definitely achieve great things in the future!"
Ah Lan laughed, "Okay, I'll borrow your good wishes."
There was no conversation for a moment, and Alan said he would take Jin Suting around for a walk, and Jin Suting readily agreed.
"Did you come to the palace often?"
“My father often took me shopping when I was a child.”
"...Oh, where are we going now?"
"You'll know in a moment."
The shadows of the young boys and girls were lengthened by the moonlight, and their laughter echoed off the red palace walls.
The moonlight shines on the girl's bright and beautiful face, which is heart-warming.
When Jin Suting climbed up the city wall breathlessly, all the beautiful scenes were shattered.
"Oh my god, why is it so high!" Jin Suting was exhausted after climbing up the city wall. She needed to exercise more in the future.
And Alan had already been waiting for Jin Suting on the top floor.
"Is this... the good place you mentioned?"
Jin Suting walked to Alan, panting.
"Oh my god, this is such a great place!" Seeing the lights of thousands of homes in Funing City, Jin Suting admitted that she was excited.
"This is the highest place in Funing City. My father often came here when I was a child." Alan looked down into the distance and said in an ambiguous tone.
Jin Suting didn't say anything. She felt that at this moment she should appreciate the beautiful scenery in the distance. This would make her appear more mysterious, just like how it was portrayed in TV dramas.
——
At the same time, the lively palace banquet was still going on.
The Queen Mother quietly asked the eunuch beside her, "Where is the Crown Prince?"
"He is with the eldest daughter of the general's mansion. I haven't found out where they went yet." The eunuch reported.
"The eldest daughter of the general's mansion?" The Queen Mother turned her gaze to the table at the general's mansion, and there was indeed a vacant seat.
"Should we invite His Royal Highness the Crown Prince back?" the eunuch asked cautiously.
"No need, let him be." The Queen Mother felt strange. Ever since that incident, the emperor's grandson, who never let women get close to him, was actually walking together with the eldest daughter of the general's mansion.
Let's wait and see what happens.
——
It is said that people are moved by the sight of things. Jin Suting looked at the lights of thousands of homes in Funing City. Although she had been in Fuding for more than a month, she still felt a sense of unreality.
Will she be back to the modern era when she opens her eyes that morning?
Especially after seeing Shi Qingmiao at the banquet just now...
"Alan, let me ask you a question." Jin Suting looked at the young man beside her. It was only their second meeting, but she felt a sense of familiarity, as if they had known each other for years. She wanted to pour out all the words that had been pent up in her heart.
"Well, you go on. I'm listening." Alan turned his head and looked at Jin Suting intently.
Jin Suting smiled bitterly. "...It's like, you have someone very important to you, and suddenly one day, she's... no longer by your side. Then you meet someone very similar to her. What would you do?"
Ah Lan looked a little dazed, but soon he looked at Jin Suting with a firm gaze: "Try to understand her, and then be with her."
"Puff!" Jin Suting almost couldn't hold back her saliva and spit it out.
"What's wrong?" Alan asked puzzledly.
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