The venue and all the supplies were prepared by Su Xiaoqi, but the announcement of the banquet was made by the Princess’s Manor and the Duke of Yu’s Manor.
Therefore, publicly, she was just running errands.
She, Du Yiyi, and Princess Hui’an stood calmly at the second gate to welcome guests.
Zhang Yu took stock and found that almost everyone had arrived.
The Liu family and Prince Ning’s household were still missing.
That was right.
The Duke of Yu’s Manor had notified those whom the Princess had not invited.
There was no reason to not invite Prince Ning’s household, who were currently favored by the Emperor.
Even if the Princess and they had irreconcilable animosity, it could not be openly displayed.
If the Princess did so, she would only become a laughingstock for others.
After Su Xiaoqi invited Prince Ning’s household, she sent someone to ask the Princess.
She appeared very nonchalant, saying to invite those who should be invited.
Su Xiaoqi knew that the Princess had grown up in the imperial palace and had far more experience in social dealings than her. She had no need to worry about what would happen if the two households met.
The Liu family arrived. Su Xiaoqi and Princess Hui’an remained in their spots, while Du Yiyi stepped forward to greet them.
Liu Tingting glanced at Su Xiaoqi and found that she seemed to have become even more beautiful.
Compared to when they first met in Mianzhou City, she was like a completely different person.
She exchanged glances with Zhao Xiaohua, who had come with her. There was surprise in both their eyes.
Especially Zhao Xiaohua.
Since the failed trip to Ganquan Temple last time, she had been busy with other matters.
She was very busy, but fortunately, the results were satisfactory.
For a time, she had not paid attention to Su Xiaoqi’s side.
She had originally been quite self-satisfied, thinking that although Su Xiaoqi had gotten lucky last time and had the chance to rescue Xiao Hen, she had not done nothing herself.
After experiencing so many events, she had long understood that starting anew meant that nothing was set in stone.
What she had gained before and lost in this life also meant that what she couldn’t obtain before, she could regain in this life.
This was a benefit bestowed upon her by heaven.
Therefore, upon seeing Su Xiaoqi again, although surprised by her capabilities, Zhao Xiaohua still felt that she should not stoop to her level.
She was different; she possessed things that no one could imagine.
Therefore, her battlefield was not just with Su Xiaoqi.
In life, besides men, there were also many more important things.
With this thought, her expression towards Su Xiaoqi immediately became calm and detached.
She glanced at Su Xiaoqi, and when Su Xiaoqi looked over, she suddenly turned her face away and spoke to Su Yuru beside her.
That was right. Not only did she sneakily obtain an invitation from the Liu family to attend the banquet, but she also brought Su Yuru along.
Within Su Xiaoqi’s line of sight, she scanned the Liu family members and also saw Zhao Xiaohua and Su Yuru.
Her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, but in front of everyone, she ultimately said nothing.
When the time was nearly right, Su Xiaoqi checked against the list of invited guests.
She found that almost all the invited guests had arrived, only Prince Ning’s household had not.
Su Xiaoqi looked outside the second gate. It was quiet, with no carriage sounds. She surmised they had not arrived yet.
She sighed and whispered to Du Yiyi and Princess Hui’an, “Let’s go inside first. There are still many activities to begin shortly. If I’m not there, I’m afraid Zicao and the others won’t know how to manage.”
Du Yiyi agreed, telling Su Xiaoqi to take Princess Hui’an inside to attend to guests while she stayed behind to wait a little longer.
As they were speaking, they heard a cold snort from the entrance: “My, this is the hospitality of Liuyuan?
Guests have arrived, and there is no one to greet them at the gate.”
Su Xiaoqi looked up and saw that Princess Qionghua had directly ridden her horse into the second gate.
She dismounted, stood with her horse, her chin held high, and looked at Su Xiaoqi with disdain.
Du Yiyi stepped forward to greet her, but Su Xiaoqi pulled her back, signaling her to handle it.
Judging by the situation, Princess Qionghua intended to cause trouble for her as the host. Even if Du Yiyi stepped forward to intercept her now, she would still make a scene later.
It was better to confront her here.
“Really, with no self-awareness as a guest, yet expecting the host…” Du Yiyi muttered discontentedly from the side.
Princess Qionghua glared at her. Du Yiyi was not one to back down, and she immediately returned a glare to Princess Qionghua.
Princess Qionghua was accustomed to bullying others and had not encountered anyone as difficult as Du Yiyi, apart from Su Xiaoqi.
She was about to fly into a rage, raising her horsewhip to lash out at Du Yiyi, but the little maid beside her held her back and whispered,
“Your Highness, she is Miss Du, the granddaughter of the Duke of Yu’s Manor.
The old madam of the Duke of Yu’s Manor is very protective, and she grew up on the frontier, with a wild nature and is very skilled at fighting…”
Meaning, she was not someone to be trifled with.
The little maid’s voice was very low, but Su Xiaoqi understood it clearly.
She looked coldly at Princess Qionghua and saw that she was indeed someone who bullied the weak and feared the strong.
Upon hearing of Du Yiyi’s formidable nature, she hesitated, lowered her horsewhip, and suddenly turned to Princess Hui’an, “Oh, Sister Hui’an, you are here too?”
As soon as Princess Hui’an saw her, she involuntarily felt fear. Her previously calm and composed demeanor vanished completely.
She trembled and kept inching behind Su Xiaoqi.
“Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid,” Su Xiaoqi patted her shoulder and soothed her gently.
“This is Liuyuan, and your mother, Her Highness the Princess, is still in the back. She wouldn’t dare do anything to you.
Moreover, you have me and Yiyi.”
Su Xiaoqi’s voice was gentle and steady, instantly giving Princess Hui’an immense courage.
“Sister Hui’an, let’s go inside,” Princess Qionghua, seeing that Princess Hui’an was still as fearful of her as before, felt her competitive spirit satisfied.
She put on a smiling face and invited Princess Hui’an to go in with her.
In her heart, she was already plotting how to deal with Hui’an again and make her obedient as she used to be.
After all, she rarely had the chance to encounter her now.
Since the incident at the restaurant was exposed last time, Hui’an had been avoiding her.
Whether it was a banquet, she would either not attend or stay close to her formidable mother, the Princess.
This made it impossible for her to find an opportunity to deal with her.
Now that the Princess was not present, it was an excellent opportunity.
Princess Hui’an’s body trembled again. She didn’t want to go, but accustomed to being controlled, she couldn’t utter a refusal.
She lowered her head and mumbled, her body involuntarily leaning towards Princess Qionghua, as if wanting to comply with her arrangements.
Su Xiaoqi, without a second thought, pulled her firmly and said gently,
“Hui’an, Yiyi, since the guests have arrived, let’s get ready to go inside. The banquet is about to begin.”
Princess Hui’an’s heart skipped a beat. She glanced at Su Xiaoqi, cold sweat breaking out all over her back.
Princess Qionghua, on the other hand, glared fiercely at Su Xiaoqi, releasing a threatening look that declared their confrontation.
Su Xiaoqi was unfazed. Just then, Prince Ning’s carriage arrived.
The three of them went forward together and welcomed the seemingly normal Princess Ning, who emerged from the carriage.
During this time, Su Xiaoqi kept holding Princess Hui’an’s hand, not letting her fall behind alone, lest she be harmed by Princess Qionghua again.
Upon entering the main hall, it was bustling with people, filled with fragrant breezes and graceful figures, adorned with tinkling jewelry, making it incredibly lively.
Su Xiaoqi took just one look and accurately located the table where the Princess and the Old Madam were seated. She went forward to seek their instructions.
“Your Highness, Old Madam, all guests have arrived. Shall we begin the banquet or…”
The Princess looked at the Old Madam, who said that since all the guests had arrived, they should begin the banquet.
Su Xiaoqi acknowledged this and gathered everyone to lead them to another adjacent hall.
There, they would witness a sight they had never seen in their lives.