Xue Zi Ning nodded, "Indeed."
After the polite greetings were exchanged, she surveyed her surroundings. It seemed Jiang Yu Li had not invited any other noble ladies. Jiang Yu Li smiled and said, "Today is a family banquet. I haven't invited anyone else. Miss Feng won't mind, will she?"
"Of course not," Xue Zi Ning replied.
"His Highness the Prince has arrived!"
A voice suddenly called from outside. Xue Zi Ning started, while Jiang Yu Li said excitedly, "My brother is here."
"Is His Highness also attending?" Xue Zi Ning asked.
Jiang Yu Li nodded, "Yes. Will Miss Feng feel awkward?"
"How could I?" Xue Zi Ning laughed.
A man in a dark blue brocade robe walked in. The subtly visible dragon totem on his chest proclaimed his extraordinary status.
Xue Zi Ning's lips tightened slightly. It seemed he could no longer control his ambition.
"Brother, where are the others?" Jiang Yu Li couldn't help but look behind the Prince of Beijiang.
The Prince of Beijiang smiled, "They are behind."
A moment later, two figures, one in white and one in blue, emerged.
The man in white was as pure as snow, with an elegant demeanor. The hem of his robe fluttered in the wind, and every movement exuded peerless grace and noble refinement.
Although the man in blue was also handsome, he was utterly overshadowed by the one beside him, reduced to nothing by comparison.
"Young Master Yan, you've arrived too." Jiang Yu Li walked over and bowed slightly to Yan Jin Chao.
"Miss Jiang," Yan Jin Chao replied faintly.
"Young Master Yan," Xue Zi Ning also stepped forward.
Yan Jin Chao said nothing and walked past her.
Xue Zi Ning: "..."
"Miss Feng." Shen Yun Xiu approached.
"Young Master Shen," Xue Zi Ning replied.
"Sister Ning, you know Young Master Shen?" Jiang Yu Li suddenly asked.
Xue Zi Ning nodded, "Yes, I've met Young Master Shen once."
"Then it seems Sister Ning and Young Master Shen are truly destined, meeting even across vast distances."
Xue Zi Ning's gaze deepened, and she instinctively looked at Yan Jin Chao, who maintained his usual aura of being unapproachable and aloof.
"Since you are so fated, why not go over there and talk more?" Jiang Yu Li took her hand and led her towards the back courtyard.
Seeing the Prince of Beijiang also walking this way, Xue Zi Ning instinctively asked, "Is Your Highness also here to see the chrysanthemums?"
Jiang Yu Li said, "Of course. My brother greatly admires Young Master Yan and has always wanted to recruit him, but Young Master Yan has never agreed."
Xue Zi Ning's gaze paused slightly. "Is that so? However, Young Master Yan is indeed someone everyone wants to win over."
Whether it was Xue Wen Jie back then or the current Prince of Beijiang, Yan Zhao was always the center of attention wherever he went.
"Miss Jiang, I want to..."
Seeing Xue Zi Ning's difficulty, Jiang Yu Li understood. "I'll have a maid take you."
Xue Zi Ning said, "Thank you, Miss Jiang."
"I'm already calling you Sister Ning, so you should call me Sister Jiang."
Xue Zi Ning nodded, "Sister Jiang."
Jiang Yu Li called for a small maid, and Xue Zi Ning followed her.
Jiang Yu Li then called Xiao Huan over and said, "Have someone lead Young Master Shen to Feng Ning's location."
Xiao Huan smiled, "Miss, you've finally started to understand."
Jiang Yu Li whispered, "Quickly, don't let anyone find out."
Xiao Huan nodded, "Alright."
Xue Zi Ning walked with the maid for a short distance and said, "It's not necessary. I know the way ahead."
The maid said, "Miss Feng, this servant cannot leave you. Otherwise, Miss will punish me."
Xue Zi Ning had no choice but to abandon her idea of leaving midway. When they reached the destination, she saw Shen Yun Xiu there and couldn't help but step forward. "Young Master Shen, why are you here?"
Shen Yun Xiu was startled and said in a low voice, "I was brought here, but the person didn't say who they wanted me to see, so I followed."
Xue Zi Ning thought for a moment and said, "I know who it is."
Shen Yun Xiu heard this and asked, "You know who it is?"
"Shen Yun Xiu, come with me..." Xue Zi Ning pulled Shen Yun Xiu's sleeve and led him to a room not far away, which she had spotted en route.
She pushed open the door and detected a faint fragrance. Others might not know, but she did. She took a small medicine bottle from her waist, poured out two pills, and handed one to Shen Yun Xiu. "Take this."
Shen Yun Xiu took the pill without hesitation or curiosity.
Xue Zi Ning was somewhat stunned by this. "You ate it without even asking what it was? What if it was poison?"
Shen Yun Xiu smiled, "Even if it were poison, I would eat it if it was given by you."
"There is an aphrodisiac here," Xue Zi Ning said.
Shen Yun Xiu trembled, "This..."
"But it's fine. The pill I just gave you counteracts its effects. Shen Yun Xiu, I want you to stay in this room and not let anyone in."
"Your Majesty, you..."
"The Prince of Beijiang is here, so this is the best opportunity to save him, and it will also provide me with an alibi." Xue Zi Ning said.
Shen Yun Xiu replied, "But what if someone discovers us?"
"I can't worry about that anymore. I must save him first," Xue Zi Ning said, her eyes darkening.
"I understand. Your Majesty, please rest assured, I will not let anyone discover us." Shen Yun Xiu said.
Xue Zi Ning nodded and jumped out of the back window, flying away.
Yan Jin Chao, in the front courtyard, suddenly looked towards a certain spot, seeming to see a faintly discernible figure.
"Young Master Yan, what are you looking at?" Jiang Yu Li also looked in the direction of his gaze.
Yan Jin Chao turned back. "Nothing. Miss Jiang, is there something you need?"
Jiang Yu Li looked as if she found it difficult to speak. Seeing this, he said, "It's nothing. I'm going to see His Highness."
As he turned to leave, she quickly said, "I don't know if I should tell Young Master Yan."
"If you shouldn't say it, then don't," Yan Jin Chao said coldly.
Jiang Yu Li was taken aback and bit her lower lip. "Sister Ning seems to be different towards Young Master Shen..."
"What do they do has nothing to do with me," Yan Jin Chao said coldly.
"Doesn't Young Master Yan want to personally verify it?" Jiang Yu Li asked, looking up.
"No," Yan Jin Chao refused directly.
Jiang Yu Li bit her lip. Just then, the Prince of Beijiang walked over and said, "Yu Li, you were saying something about Miss Feng and Young Master Shen?"
Jiang Yu Li nodded. "Sister Ning just told me she needed to use the restroom urgently. I had a maid take her. Strangely, Young Master Shen was also there..."
"That's great news," the Prince of Beijiang said happily.
Jiang Yu Li nodded. "Indeed. If a good marriage is accomplished, it is also a good deed."
Suddenly, a servant hurried over and whispered something in the Prince of Beijiang's ear. The Prince of Beijiang sighed upon hearing it. "Young Master Shen and Miss Feng are too impatient."
Jiang Yu Li heard this and asked, "Brother, has something happened?"
The Prince of Beijiang glanced at the expressionless Yan Jin Chao and said, "Young Master Shen and Miss Feng are consummating their love within the manor."