Pei Qingyan was not quite aware of Ling Chen's thoughts, and ignored his teasing gaze, her mind preoccupied with Song Zhiyu in the Lotus Pavilion.
I wonder if my sister has been wronged?
Pei Qingyan was extremely confident in Song Zhiyu's abilities, but he still couldn't hide his worries.
Just then, he heard a series of clear, melodious girlish voices coming from not far away, pulling him back to reality. He looked up and saw a group of brightly dressed women, each with their own unique charm, slowly walking towards the bamboo pavilion.
Pei Qingyan's handsome brows furrowed slightly; he did not see Song Zhiyu in the crowd.
Shen Jinshu, who was standing on the other side of the corridor, stopped in her tracks, reached out and pulled the Seventh Princess, saying understandingly, "The people in the bamboo pavilion ahead are His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness Prince Li. We should not go over and disturb them."
The Seventh Princess turned around, her face showing surprise and delight. "Since it is His Highness the Crown Prince and my brother, then I, this princess, will naturally go over and greet them."
After saying that, the Seventh Princess ignored Shen Jinshu's objections and went over, pulling her along as well, "Sister Jinshu, come with me too, my brother must really want to see you."
The two had only taken a few steps when Jiang Huai stopped them.
"Seventh Princess, His Highness the Crown Prince has ordered that no unauthorized persons are allowed to approach the bamboo pavilion. Please do not make things difficult for your subordinates."
The cold words struck the Seventh Princess like a heavy hammer blow.
The Seventh Princess's face flushed red with anger. "Am I some kind of nobody?"
"I was just following orders," Jiang Huai repeated, his face stiff, his tone respectful yet indifferent, which infuriated the Seventh Princess.
If it had been anyone else who stopped her today, she certainly wouldn't have let it go.
However, Jiang Huai was a member of the Eastern Palace, and she dared not act recklessly in front of the Crown Prince.
Everyone in the palace doted on her, the seventh princess, but the crown prince treated her coldly and indifferently.
The people of the world all praised the Crown Prince as gentle, polite, and self-possessed, but she knew very well how cold-hearted, ruthless, and vicious Zhou Xingzhi was.
His coldness towards her was only because she was sensible and didn't offend him, thus ensuring her safety.
She never dared to act arrogantly in front of the Crown Prince. If she angered him, he would not consider their sibling relationship.
Seeing this, Shen Jinshu quickly offered the Seventh Princess a way out, gently advising, "Princess, since His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness Prince Li have important matters to discuss, we cannot allow others to disturb them."
"Let's leave now, lest we displease His Highness. The lake tour banquet is about to begin; we can't afford to waste any more time."
"Alright." The Seventh Princess breathed a sigh of relief and accepted the way out given by Shen Jinshu, thus saving face. Her affection and gratitude for Shen Jinshu deepened even further.
If it weren't for Shen Jinshu's unconscious reminder, she would have almost forgotten about Song Zhiyu.
She gave Jiang Huai a heavy, cold snort to vent her dissatisfaction, and then strode away.
Shen Jinshu smiled helplessly at Jiang Huai, and as she turned to leave, she glanced at Prince Li out of the corner of her eye before quickly moving away and catching up with the Seventh Princess.
Pei Qingyan watched the two figures leave expressionlessly, his long, narrow phoenix eyes slightly narrowed, revealing a deep, dark undercurrent that was both alluring and incredibly dangerous.
*
After a short while, the noble ladies returned to the Lotus Pavilion one after another, chatting and laughing about the beautiful scenery they had just seen.
Only the Seventh Princess kept a long face, clearly displeased.
She was, after all, the seventh princess of the Lintian Dynasty and Zhou Xingzhi's younger sister, yet he treated her like a stranger, showing her no respect whatsoever, which made her feel extremely embarrassed.
This embarrassment reached its peak when he saw Song Zhiyu sitting in the lotus pavilion, sipping tea.
The Crown Prince's attitude towards her and Song Zhiyu was worlds apart. She hadn't forgotten that at the Chengen Marquis's family reunion banquet, Zhou Xingzhi sent dozens of boxes of congratulatory gifts to support Song Zhiyu.
The Crown Prince was always indifferent; he never cared about anyone or anything.
Even if he were someone who saved his life, he wouldn't necessarily go to such lengths, but he treated Song Zhiyu differently.
Without comparison, there is no harm. As a princess of the dynasty, she was of noble status, yet in the Crown Prince's heart, she was not even as good as someone as lowly as Song Zhiyu.
The Seventh Princess stared intently at Song Zhiyu with a sinister gaze, wishing she could devour her alive.
If she had previously felt disgusted with Song Zhiyu because of Shen Jinshu, now she truly hates Song Zhiyu.
Thinking about what was about to happen, the Seventh Princess's expression softened considerably.
As she sat back down, she didn't forget to glare at Song Zhiyu.
Song Zhiyu couldn't ignore such an intense and burning gaze, no matter how hard she tried.
Because of Prince Li and Shen Jinshu, the Seventh Princess harbored deep malice towards her and plotted to get rid of her.
Coincidentally, she had the same idea.
The Seventh Princess is not only the younger sister of the Prince of Li, but also Shen Jinshu's close friend; they are destined to clash.
She never showed mercy to her enemies.
The Seventh Princess wanted to ruin her reputation, nailing her to the pillar of shame for theft, so that she could never recover.
Such a wicked plan could not only help Shen Jinshu eliminate this future threat, but also avenge the loss of power to the Prince of Li.
It seems that this seventh princess is not as brainless as the rumors suggest.
It's just a pity; he has some brains, but not many.
Song Zhiyu took a sip of tea, a slight smile playing on her lips. Let's see who's better between the two of them.
*
Next came another part of the main banquet, which was to add auspicious decorations.
In previous years, before the lake tour banquet began, most attendees would prepare a precious item to add a touch of good fortune to the banquet.
The winner will not only receive a grand prize prepared by the Empress Dowager, but will also receive various gifts from the crowd, making it a truly lucrative prize.
Before the main banquet begins, it's time for the scions of noble families and their ladies to display their treasures.
"This is a new jade headdress from the Treasure Pavilion, the only one of its kind in the world. Do you think it deserves the name of a treasure?" Mingzhu opened the wooden box with an arrogant expression, and the gleaming jade headdress was instantly revealed to everyone.
Shen Jinshu withdrew her amazed gaze and nodded slightly, "Of course it's calculated."
She hadn't expected Mingzhu to bring out something so precious as a prize. Was she trying to curry favor with her before the banquet even started?
The others, not to be outdone, also brought out their best items to compete.
Song Zhiyu was also somewhat surprised, not expecting them to go so far.
"Since everyone is so sincere, then this princess naturally cannot admit defeat. Chunxia, bring out the treasures I have prepared." The Seventh Princess smiled meaningfully.
"Yes." Chunxia lowered her eyes and replied, opening the wooden box in the maid's hand as she was about to take out the treasure.
Everyone craned their necks, their eyes fixed on Chunxia's hands.
Amidst the expectant gazes of the crowd, Chunxia's expression suddenly changed, and all the color drained from her face.
"Princess, the Blood Jade... is gone!" Chunxia felt as if someone had grabbed her throat.
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