"Sister Chang, you're dressed so flamboyantly, aren't you afraid His Highness the Crown Prince will be displeased when he sees you?"
Chang Zhaozhao stomped her feet in anger.
"You're lying!"
"Since His Highness the Crown Prince bestowed these upon us, we are to wear them. Why would he be unhappy about it? I think it's clearly you who didn't have them, so you're saying this on purpose."
The two were arguing and unable to reach an agreement.
Situ Mingji couldn't help but remind him.
"It's getting late, my two sisters, why don't you take your seats first, lest His Highness the Crown Prince arrives soon..."
Before Situ Mingji could finish speaking, Chang Zhaozhao immediately interrupted him, her face showing disdain.
"Who do you think you are? Do I need to ask you to do what I want?"
Ding Jiaojiao chimed in, "That's right! You're an unlucky woman who brought death to your fiancé. Don't think that just because your father helped His Highness the Crown Prince this time, you can re-enter the Eastern Palace!"
After she finished speaking, someone next to her reminded her.
"But the Empress Dowager had taken a liking to her before and specifically named her as the Crown Princess!"
Chang Zhaozhao and Ding Jiaojiao both felt angry when this was mentioned.
"So what?"
"She wasn't chosen by His Highness the Crown Prince, and was punished for offending him. In the end, she was betrothed to a playboy."
"But it's also a good thing she didn't become the Crown Princess. She just got engaged and her fiancé died."
"Now you actually dare to dream of entering the Crown Prince's Palace?"
"I think she clearly wants to harm the Crown Prince."
As they spoke, they both gave Situ Mingji a disdainful look before returning to their seats.
Upon hearing this, Situ Mingji clenched his fist tightly in his sleeve, wishing he could get rid of these two brainless idiots in front of him.
However, he put on a kind and friendly appearance.
"My two younger sisters are joking."
"I now understand my situation and I would never again have the thought of marrying into the Crown Prince's palace."
After all, His Highness the Crown Prince is wise and powerful, and only someone as beautiful as his two younger sisters is worthy of him.
Situ Mingji's words were well-chosen, instantly easing the pallor of Chang Zhaozhao and Ding Jiaojiao.
"Hmph, you're smart to know what's good for you."
But then Situ Mingji changed the subject, saying, "However..."
As she spoke, she sighed almost imperceptibly.
Upon seeing this, the two immediately raised their eyebrows and asked, "But what?"
Situ Mingji looked troubled, as if he wanted to say something but dared not.
Upon seeing this, the woman beside Chang Zhaozhao immediately asked:
"Speak up if you have something to say. Our Miss Chang is going to be the Crown Princess in the future. Can't she listen to anything you say?"
Upon hearing this, Situ Mingji finally made up his mind and spoke in a low voice.
"Miss Chang and Miss Ding may not know, but our Crown Prince has long had someone in his heart. She is currently living in the East Palace. Back then, I accidentally offended that girl, which angered the Crown Prince and led to my punishment and being forced into a marriage."
Chang Zhaozhao and Ding Jiaojiao were newcomers who had come before them, so they were unaware of Gu Jingchun's existence and were immediately shocked upon hearing this.
"How could this be? His Highness the Crown Prince is such a virtuous and upright person, how could he do such a thing as an unlawful affair?"
Chang Zhaozhao immediately retorted.
Situ Mingji continued to sigh.
"I wish these things were fake, but they are all true."
Back then, His Highness the Crown Prince even angered Emperor Rongcheng for her sake and was punished by him.
"This isn't a secret; if you inquire carefully, you can find out."
"Moreover, I also heard that the Dragon Boat Festival banquet was organized entirely by that young lady."
Upon hearing this, Ding Jiaojiao was greatly surprised.
"To think that even a palace banquet of this caliber would be entrusted to her, it's clear how much the Crown Prince dotes on her..."
Ding Jiaojiao looked flustered.
"Who on earth is this person who has managed to win over His Highness the Crown Prince to such an extent?"
Upon hearing this, Situ Mingji smiled and said, "She is Gu Jingchun, the real daughter of the Marquis of Yong'an who was just found."
As soon as he finished speaking, the entire room erupted in uproar.
Chang Zhaozhao was the first to snort coldly.
"I thought she was a noble lady from a prestigious family, but it turns out she's a widow."
She felt relieved and gave Situ Mingji a disdainful look.
"You really are useless, you actually got taken down by a widow like that."
Chang Zhaozhao's mother once told her that men have never been able to distinguish between a woman's beauty and ugliness; all they care about is whether their lower body feels comfortable.
If you make them feel comfortable, men will naturally listen to you and obey your every word.
Even if His Highness the Crown Prince is incredibly powerful, he is still a man.
Back then, she must have been bewitched by that widow Gu Jingchun through her bedroom tricks.
And now that so much time has passed, His Highness the Crown Prince still hasn't given her a title, which must be because he minds her status as a widow.
Therefore, he only treated her as a tool to warm his bed.
As for why she was chosen to preside over the banquet, it must be because the Empress has passed away and the Empress Dowager is getting old, and there is no one else available in the palace at the moment.
Thinking of this, Chang Zhaozhao gradually breathed a sigh of relief and no longer took Gu Jingchun seriously.
Ding Jiaojiao thought so too.
She gave a light scoff.
"She's just a widow. The Crown Prince was probably just looking for something new. I wouldn't even give her a second thought. You're making a big fuss over nothing."
After Ding Jiaojiao finished speaking, the women around her immediately echoed her words.
Seeing this, Situ Mingji couldn't help but sneer inwardly.
You'd better not take her seriously and deal with her properly when the time comes.
That would surely enrage the Crown Prince, who would then punish the two of them, saving her the trouble.
Just then, a loud voice called out from outside, "His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived! His Majesty the Empress Dowager has arrived!"
Everyone quickly stood up to greet him.
Shen Hechuan and the Empress Dowager sat down in the main seats, and the Empress Dowager gestured for everyone to stand up.
"Alright, alright, everyone get up. It's the Dragon Boat Festival family banquet today. It's rare that you can all take the time to come to the palace and keep this old woman company."
After the Empress Dowager finished speaking, several noble ladies and wives immediately offered their compliments.
After a few words were spoken, the Empress Dowager's expression relaxed considerably.
The noble ladies present also secretly observed Shen Hechuan's expression.
Today, Shen Hechuan was dressed in a dark-colored robe with a dark pattern, which made him look even more handsome. Just a few glances at him made several girls blush.
However, Shen Hechuan did not even glance at the noble ladies below. Instead, he looked around and frowned immediately after not finding Gu Jingchun.
When the Empress Dowager saw Shen Hechuan's expression, she knew what her grandson was thinking. She chuckled and turned to look at Granny Li.
"Where is Miss Gu? Why haven't we let her come over yet? The banquet is about to start, we can't let her go hungry."
Upon hearing this, Granny Li immediately nodded.
"Miss Gu has been busy all day, and she should have just finished by now. This old servant will go and call her."
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