"Hmm?"
The cool lady’s attractive eyebrows lifted, yet the tails of her brows exuded an indefinable solemnity.
Li Chengxiang’s heart skipped a beat under her gaze.
A dense cold sweat started to break out on her back.
"Comma, Commandery Princess..."
That day she had gone to the shop to check the accounts, and just happened to see Yan Wanqing, dressed in plain clothes, entering Money Leopard. The usually haughty doorman acted like a fawning grandchild that day. Buoyed by the doorman’s behavior, Li Chengxiang boldly speculated a possibility.
Speaking out today was nothing more than an attempt to prove to Princess Anping that she was not a useless person.
Yan Wanqing watched as Li Chengxiang pitifully looked at her, eyes brimming with hope, and eventually let out a sigh.
"You wouldn’t know the kind of path I am treading, and if you did, you surely wouldn’t make such a request."
"The Li Family may not be a good destination for you, but my side, teeming with demons and monsters, is even less suitable for you."
This was a rejection.
The light in Li Chengxiang’s eyes dimd a bit.
She bowed her head.
Her voice was murky, "...Alright."
Yan Wanqing thought that Li Chengxiang had given up the idea of staying by her side, but little did she know, from that day on, Li Chengxiang beca stubborn as if she had made up her mind, following wherever Yan Wanqing went. With Wa Chengnan tagging along every day, Yan Wanqing always had two tails behind her.
Wa Chengnan was one of Prince Seven’s n. She had close relations with the Empress, so when seen by many ministers, they all assud that the Empress was now beginning to support Prince Seven, Xiao Hongshen.
For a ti, the political climate of the Sumr Resort changed rapidly, with nurous officials switching their allegiance to Xiao Hongshen’s camp.
Xiao Hongshen was pleased with this developnt.
Yan Wanqing did not attempt to stop this situation; she received a carrier pigeon ssage from Aunty Qing.
The letter explicitly stated there was sothing amiss at Governor’s Office Pass, closely linked to the deaths of her father and brothers.
"Miss, His Majesty’s waterside banquet is about to begin." Cong Ge said softly from outside.
Yan Wanqing burned the letter to ashes over the candle fla, responding, "I know."
The fire from the candle reflected in her pupils as she unconsciously twisted her fingertips.
She was definitely going to Governor’s Office Pass, and it was urgent. She needed to contemplate this grand play thoroughly.
Cong Ge helped Yan Wanqing change her clothes, and just as the mistress and servant stepped out of the courtyard, they saw a charming girl standing under a tree.
Cong Ge whispered, "The Li family girl has co again."
Yan Wanqing saw Li Chengxiang’s eyes sparkling as she stared at her, and she felt sowhat helpless in her heart.
"Let her co with us then."
When Li Chengxiang saw Yan Wanqing nodding at her, she was overjoyed and quickly followed, bowed, and then did not speak again. They proceeded slowly to the waterside banquet in the resort.
From a distance, one could see mist swirling around, a clear stream trickling down from the mountains, with palace maids carrying fine wines weaving through the scholar-officials. There was singing and dancing, a veritable paradise on earth.
Yan Wanqing squinted as she looked from afar.
Up ahead, wars were unceasing, the people were suffering, and even the distribution of porridge was voluntarily prepared by the ladies of various families. The Imperial Court, thus far, had not made any contributions. All the money and jewels were used by the Emperor to appease Song Huaxu, buying those so-called treasures that would extend his life and grant him eternal youth.
It was truly...
"...truly too exhausting and costly for the people." Suddenly, a voice beside her voiced her inner thoughts, causing Yan Wanqing to lift her eyebrows and look at the speaker.
Li Chengxiang also realized she misspoke and quickly covered her mouth with her hand.
"Miss Li, please choose your words carefully." Cong Ge said quietly, seeing that Yan Wanqing hadn’t spoken.
Li Chengxiang stuck out her tongue and obediently stood behind, saying no more.
Seeing Yan Wanqing move forward, she quickly followed, as if she only felt safe behind this person.
Just a few steps in, Yan Wanqing was blocked by soone.
That person was none other than Li Chengxiang’s younger sister, Li Chengyuan.
Looking at the sisters, their facial features bore so resemblance, but their deanors had undergone a drastic change.
Li Chengxiang overall projected a dignified and competent image, whereas Li Chengyuan seed sowhat out of place.
Yan Wanqing saw her dressed in a Luo skirt, with her shoulders slightly but provocatively exposed, like an excited fem fatale, similar to the won from Fireworks Lane.
"Greetings to Princess Anping," Li Chengyuan said with an improper curtsy, then glanced at Li Chengxiang behind Yan Wanqing: "Sister, it’s been too long."
Upon seeing Li Chengyuan, Li Chengxiang’s face turned several shades paler.
Li Chengyuan couldn’t help but deepen the smile on her face at this reaction.
"Where have you been these days, Sister? I’ve missed you terribly," Li Chengyuan pressed closer, scaring Li Chengxiang into quickly hiding beside Yan Wanqing. The mory of being beaten that day flashed before her, and her limbs grew cold with fear. She staggered and would have fallen if not for Cong Ge’s quick reflexes in catching her.
Seeing her reaction, Li Chengyuan covered her mouth with a handkerchief and let out a laughter of feigned annoyance.
"Sister, I’m not so man-eating tiger. You’re being disrespectful in front of the Princess," she said.
Li Chengxiang, watching her, couldn’t help but start shaking.
Suddenly, she felt her hand being grasped, the warm touch passing through. Li Chengxiang looked down.
It was the Commandery Princess.
The Commandery Princess had actually grabbed her hand.
Yan Wanqing pulled Li Chengxiang up right again and then casually shifted her gaze to Li Chengyuan.
"I rember you," she said.
Upon hearing that Princess Anping rembered her, Li Chengyuan couldn’t help but smile: "That is truly an honor for —" She was cut off before she could finish when Yan Wanqing spoke again.
"It was you who hurt the fifth sister."
Li Chengyuan’s expression was no longer as radiant as before.
"Please forgive , Princess. It was all a misunderstanding..."
Yan Wanqing’s lips curled into a smile: "You say it’s a misunderstanding, and that makes it one?"
Her tone had started to beco quite aggressive.
At this mont, many people turned their gaze to this scene.
Li Chengyuan’s eyes darted around, quickly welling up, as she put on a pitiable expression: "I’m unforgivable for hurting Miss Yan Six, but this is the Emperor’s floating banquet. If your Highness wishes to hold accountable, it should wait until the banquet is over. Then, dispose of as you please."
Yan Wanqing watched her poor performance and was about to speak when she saw a tall figure in the distance approaching, clad in jin-purple robes, his appearance jade-like, lips red and teeth white, his eyes expressing charm, the very image of success—none other than the contented Prince Xiao Hongshen.
Xiao Hongshen saw Yan Wanqing from afar.
Seeing how she had beco even more radiant after not eting for days, his eyes were filled with barely concealed malice.
"What is happening here?" Xiao Hongshen asked, addressing Li Chengyuan, but his gaze remained fixed on Yan Wanqing.
At the sight of Xiao Hongshen coming over, Li Chengyuan clung to him, saying coyly: "Your Highness, please help . I’ve angered the Princess."
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