A life of ups and downs is pure joy

Chapter 285: A Dinner for Guests

In the main hall of the Prince's Palace, Queen Weilan sat dignifiedly on the throne, explaining a series of marriage-related matters to everyone present in an orderly manner.

After everything was arranged, she raised her hand slightly to signal, and the nanny who was brought from the palace to stay in the mansion immediately stepped forward respectfully and waited for her orders.

Then, Wei Lan turned to look at Su Jin who had come to join in the fun, nodded slightly, and prepared to stand up and lead her back to the palace.

At this moment, Gong Kou Shi came forward with a smile on her face and light steps. She was wearing a gorgeous brocade dress embroidered with white cranes, and her every move showed her elegance.

She first bowed to Wei Lanyingying, then spoke softly.

"Sister-in-law, I'm so sorry, but I have something important to discuss with Princess Jianing. How about you return to the palace first?"

Hearing this, Wei Lan was slightly stunned.

Her eyes subconsciously swept over the various objects placed in the hall and the servants busy in the yard, and she began to think secretly in her heart.

Su Jin, who was standing aside, just stood there in a daze as if nothing had happened. Wei Lan knew very well that the woman next to him had been engaged to the young prince.

Seeing this situation, Wei Lan felt that the atmosphere became a little subtle, and for a moment he didn't know how to respond.

"This...Jianing..."

Wei Lan hesitated for a moment, and finally couldn't help but look at Gong Kou Shi beside him, with a hint of embarrassment in his eyes.

However, before she could finish her words, Gong Kou Shi interrupted her again with a smile.

"Don't worry, my dear sister-in-law. I've already sent someone to inform my brother about this matter. He has already agreed. Furthermore, Princess Jianing has been staying at my mansion for a while now, and now she has finally come here. There are still many of her belongings in my yard that have not been sorted out."

"Since you're here today, you might as well stay a little longer and have dinner before leaving. After dinner, I will personally escort Princess Jianing back to the palace, so please rest assured, sister-in-law."

Su Jin was slightly stunned when she heard this. She thought to herself, "I've actually stayed here for such a long time!"

His eyes slowly swept around, and he saw pavilions, towers, carved beams and painted buildings in the prince's mansion. The luxury was in no way inferior to that of the palace.

Su Jin thought: "Such a wealthy place, my small courtyard must be hiding a lot of rare treasures."

At this moment, Wei Lan looked at Su Jin with an embarrassed expression and asked softly, "Jianing, what do you think about this matter?"

Su Jin thought for a moment, then bowed and spoke in a sweet voice.

"Your Highness, since the prince has asked to stay, I will not be able to accompany you back to the palace. I hope Your Highness will take good care of yourself on your journey and let the palace maids serve you well."

In fact, Su Jin had her own wishful thinking in mind. She had finally escaped from the palace that was like a cage, so naturally she wanted to have fun. It would be best if she could take away a few precious treasures, so that the trip would not be in vain.

Wei Lan nodded slightly to show her agreement, and then led a group of palace maids out of the front hall.

Su Jin stood there, her beautiful eyes gazing at the Queen's departing figure until she disappeared. Then, she turned around and happened to meet Gong Kou Shi's eyes.

Gong Kou Shi raised the corner of her mouth slightly, revealing a sly smile, and then waved casually to the servant beside her.

Seeing this, the servants immediately understood what he meant and bowed and retreated. In the blink of an eye, only Su Jin and Gong Kou Shi were left in the front hall.

"Sister, do you still remember the wonderful time when you lived in my palace?"

Gong Kou Shi asked softly with a smile on her face.

Su Jin nodded slightly and replied with an expression of composure.

"Of course I remember, but I'm a little vague about the way back to the yard. Hey, it's my fault for having a poor sense of direction and being a bit directionally challenged."

After saying this, she glanced at Gong Kou Shi cautiously, fearing that she would accidentally reveal a flaw.

However, Gong Kou Shi didn't seem to react in any unusual way, and continued to respond with a smile: "It's okay, it's okay. Anyway, those things in your yard are not worth much money, there's nothing to clean up."

Upon hearing this, Su Jin, who had been trying to maintain a calm appearance, suddenly lost his expression and asked hurriedly.

"Then why did you keep me here, Your Majesty?"

At this time, Gong Kou Shi slowly stood up, moved to the stool next to Su Jin and sat down, then gently held up her fair cheeks with both hands, blinked her expressive eyes and looked at Su Jin and explained.

"Oh, sister, don't worry! Just think about it, it's so boring to stay in the deep palace all day. I'm going to entertain some friends tonight. Don't you want to come and join in the fun and add a little bit of fun?"

Su Jin's heart tightened, and she groaned inwardly, thinking to herself: This is bad. What if all his friends are my acquaintances, and I don't know them? Wouldn't it be revealed that I'm not the original owner? So, she continued to ask questions with a slightly uneasy look.

"Then...then do I know these friends that the prince mentioned?"

"I don't know you, but that won't stop you from enjoying yourself here! Don't you always love listening to music? Tonight, I will arrange for the best musician to sing the most beautiful songs."

Gong Kou Shi raised her eyebrows slightly, turned up the corners of her mouth, revealing a charming smile. She stared at Su Jin and spoke slowly.

When Su Jin heard this, the huge rock that had been hanging in her heart instantly fell to the ground. She breathed a sigh of relief, and a bright smile bloomed on her face again. She looked at the face in front of her that was exactly the same as Jun Shangsheng's and responded coquettishly.

"Then Your Majesty, please invite the Lady Feng from last time."

At this moment, the servants in the prince's mansion were acting out of character. They gathered in groups of three or five, whispering to each other.

Especially when they saw the prince and the former future princess in the same room, everyone felt an irrepressible excitement in their hearts, and all kinds of speculations and rumors spread rapidly like a tide.

"Why is Princess Jianing staying here alone?"

A little maid asked softly with curiosity on her face.

"Well... I'm not quite sure. Could it be that she's about to return to the mansion and become a princess?"

Another maid blinked her bright eyes and speculated thoughtfully.

"Stop talking nonsense. Our future princess is currently staying at the official inn. She is the princess of Dasheng State. Today, Nanny Zhou has sent many servants to serve and take care of her."

The maid holding the tray hurriedly shook her head in denial and told the others what she knew.

Just as everyone was talking, a sharp-eyed maid suddenly caught sight of a woman in luxurious clothes walking slowly towards the end of the corridor.

She walked with steady steps and dignified manners. She was none other than Nanny Zhou from the mansion.

The maid quickly reached out and patted the arms of the people around her, lowering her voice and urgently reminding them, "Oh, look! Nanny Zhou is coming! Stop talking and get back to work!"

Before he finished speaking, the maids scattered in all directions like frightened birds, each returning to their posts. The entire courtyard instantly returned to its former tranquility and order.

Everyone in Tailai Villa packed up and left the yard together to the carriage that had been prepared long ago.

Xiao Fan stood beside the car, frowning slightly, his heart full of confusion and uneasiness, and couldn't help but ask.

"What on earth is this young prince planning? Why would he invite us to a dinner party so suddenly?"

Ning Sijue on the side also looked confused and shook his head.

"I don't understand either. He said yesterday that he didn't want to see me, but today he sent someone to invite me. It's really confusing."

However, at this moment, what really made Ning Sijue feel uneasy was that Gong Kou Shi did not know the true identity of the man and woman.

At this time, Jia Xu came forward and asked nervously and slightly apprehensively.

"Sixth Prince, do you think we'll be ambushed this time?"

Since coming here, he has been walking around the streets every day and has a deeper understanding of Gong Kou Shi.

It is said that Gong Kou Shi is a well-known little bully in the Great Yan State. She is arrogant and willful, and it seems that there is nothing in the world that she dare not do.

Ning Sijue looked at everyone's anxious expressions, took a deep breath, and then whispered comforting words.

"Everyone, don't worry too much. Since you've received an invitation, go and find out what's going on. Now that you're here, make the best of it and adapt to the situation as the time comes."

After saying this, he boarded the carriage first, and the others followed suit. The wheels rolled forward, carrying them on their journey to the unknown dinner party.