The princess frowned and said:
"I didn't want to meet them so soon, but after what happened yesterday, I feel that if I don't show up now, some people will take advantage of me. No matter how this meal turns out, it will be enough to teach them a lesson."
Hearing this, Jiang Yuwei could only nod and say:
"Alright, since Your Highness has made up your mind, I will fully cooperate with you. In just a few days, you will be going to the palace to attend the Thousand Autumns Banquet. It is indeed time for you to show your face and let them settle down."
After Jiang Yuwei performed acupuncture on the princess, she began to massage her. The princess's illness is almost cured now. As long as she doesn't get angry and takes good care of herself to make up for the previous loss, she can live for a few more years.
Upon hearing that the Princess Consort was hosting a banquet that evening, Madam Sun disregarded everything else and focused solely on dressing up for herself and Ning Xin, hoping to outshine everyone else at the family banquet and let Ning Chunlin see her merits.
Xu Qianqian then prepared the food as instructed by Madam Sun and delivered it to Ning Chunlin's courtyard.
“Brother Chunlin, I was thinking that Miss Lianyao was seriously injured yesterday and that there was no one to take care of you today, so I made some of your favorite foods and brought them to you.”
Ning Chunlin had stayed up all night watching over Lianyao, and Lianyao had given him a hard time all night because he hadn't protected her in front of his mother. Compared to Lianyao last night, Xu Qianqian was actually quite obedient and well-behaved.
Ning Chunlin, having grown tired of coaxing her, waved his hand and gave an order to the maid beside him:
"Take good care of Miss Lianyao, and she can come to see me when she wants to."
After saying that, he stepped out of the room, completely ignoring Lian Yao, who was still lying weakly in the hospital bed.
"Let me see what food you've prepared?"
Ning Chunlin hadn't eaten or drunk anything since last night, but now that he smelled the aroma of the food Xu Qianqian had brought, he did feel a bit hungry, so he pulled Xu Qianqian's hand and sat down at the table.
Xu Qianqian was overjoyed when Ning Chunlin pulled her like that, and quickly put down the food box to begin introducing the food.
"I thought Brother Chunlin must not have slept well last night, so I specially made chicken soup for you to nourish your body. I also made these fried eggplant fritters, which are Brother Chunlin's favorite, and brought them over as well."
As she spoke, Xu Qianqian subtly revealed the back of her hand, which had been scalded by oil while cooking.
"Did you hurt your hand while cooking?"
Ning Chunlin noticed Xu Qianqian's injury at first glance, so he grabbed her hand and asked her with concern.
Seeing this, Xu Qianqian hurriedly covered herself with her sleeve in alarm, then pulled her hand back and hid it behind her back, saying nervously:
"I, I didn't mean to. I scared Brother Chunlin. It's all my fault. I was only thinking about bringing you food and forgot about this."
As she spoke, Xu Qianqian lowered her head with a guilty look on her face, her lips pressed tightly together, just like a child who had made a mistake.
Seeing this, Ning Chunlin felt even more distressed and quickly pulled her hand, which was behind her back, to blow air into her mouth.
"It's so red and swollen, and they don't even know to apply some medicine. What if it leaves a scar later? From now on, you don't need to do any more kitchen work. Just let the servants do it."
Xu Qianqian smiled faintly.
"I'm fine, Chunlin, you don't need to worry about me. I like to cook for you. The food is getting a little cold, so please eat quickly and don't go hungry."
Ning Chunlin's eyes reddened upon hearing Xu Qianqian's words. He had neglected her so much before, and now she was the only one who cared about him. Although Lian Yao was young and cute, she was still not as caring as Xu Qianqian.
It seems that Xu Qianqian is the one who truly cares for him. After all, she stayed by his side when they were in Ningjia Village, and he liked her back then because of her understanding nature.
Ning Chunlin felt increasingly guilty towards Xu Qianqian, so he tightened his grip on her hand and said:
"Qianqian, I was wrong before. I was blinded by all the beautiful women in the capital and lost my heart. I won't do that again. I will treat you well."
Upon hearing this, Xu Qianqian could no longer hide the smile on her lips.
"Brother Chunlin, no matter how you treat me, I just want you to be happy. I'll always be here waiting for you. I'll be content as long as you're willing to look back at me when you're sad or upset."
Ning Chunlin was deeply moved by her words.
"Qianqian, I know you've always been an obedient and sensible person. I'll sleep in your yard tonight."
Xu Qianqian's eyes lit up upon hearing this. She then remembered that the medicine packet Sun had given her had been added to the chicken soup, and she now wished Ning Chunlin would drink the entire pot of chicken soup clean.
"Brother Chunlin, let's eat first. This chicken soup is so delicious. I've been simmering it all morning."
As he spoke, he ladled out a bowl and handed it to Ning Chunlin.
Ning Chunlin didn't hesitate; he picked up the chicken soup and drank it down in big gulps without even using a spoon, as he was extremely hungry.
Ning Chunlin quickly devoured all the food Xu Qianqian had brought. Seeing this, Xu Qianqian hurriedly took out a handkerchief to wipe the grease from the corners of Ning Chunlin's mouth.
“Brother Chunlin, you’ve eaten so much right now, you probably won’t be able to eat much at the Princess’s dinner party tonight.”
Ning Chunlin felt a little angry when he thought of the princess. If it weren't for his mother's insistence on hitting Lian Yao, Lian Yao wouldn't be throwing a tantrum right now, and he wouldn't have had to wait on her all night, only to finally get a bite to eat.
"Hmph, if it weren't for my mother pressuring me, I wouldn't want to go to this banquet at all. Just looking at those people makes me lose my appetite. I'd rather eat my fill now so I won't go hungry tonight."
Xu Qianqian couldn't help but laugh upon hearing this.
"Brother Chunlin, don't be angry. If you like my cooking, I'll cook and bring it to you every day."
Looking at Xu Qianqian's charming appearance, Ning Chunlin's heart stirred.
"If that's the case, then you'll be in trouble."
Xu Qianqian blushed and lowered her head, smiling:
"As long as Brother Chunlin doesn't mind, I'm not afraid of being tired."
Looking at Xu Qianqian in front of him, Ning Chunlin felt that he had really wasted a gift before. Such a good woman was right in front of him, and he didn't even know how to cherish her.
Ning Chunlin grabbed Xu Qianqian's hand and led her into the inner room. He then threw her onto the bed, pulled the bed curtains shut, and began making love with her.
Hearing Xu Qianqian's voice from the next room, Lian Yao involuntarily clenched the blanket. She blamed herself for being too naive; there was no love between her and Ning Chunlin, only the relationship between a prostitute and her client.
It's truly laughable that he even dared to dream of becoming his wife.
Lian Yao couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh as she thought of this...
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