"If you hadn’t sent someone to get me, I probably wouldn’t have made it inside. You have no idea how vicious that Princess East Shu is. She even wanted to have me arrested," Ye Qianning said, growing annoyed just talking about it.

"She looked pretty vicious to me, too."

"I know, right? I’ve never seen such a vicious old woman. And she’s so creepy."

"Creepy? What do you mean, ’creepy’?" Helian Chen asked.

"I guess so. I just get the feeling she’s like some kind of hag from hell..."

"What’s a hag from hell like?" Helian Chen was very curious.

"Well..."

The two children started chattering away without a care in the world, completely oblivious to the fact that the consort of Princess East Shu, sitting directly across from them, had a grim expression on his face.

"Ahem... Miss Xiang, you seem to be in high spirits today." Seeing Princess East Shu enter, Prince Yu coughed loudly to interrupt their hushed conversation.

"I was in high spirits, but then I ran into a killjoy," Ye Qianning said, pointedly shooting a glare at Chu Yue as she walked in.

Chu Yue pretended not to notice and walked in, followed by a line of maids carrying trays of food.

Prince Yu just smiled at her words and didn’t reply.

"Miss Xiang, didn’t you say you were looking for the envoys from Nanyuan? That you had something important to discuss with Prince Yu and the young Prince?" Chu Yue said with a smirk as she sat down.

Helian Chen was a little surprised. "You came here specifically to find us?"

"I heard East Shu was hosting you, which reminded me of something my auntie asked me to tell you a few days ago," Ye Qianning said.

Helian Chen’s eyes lit up. "Is the zither finished?"

"Mhm, Auntie said to tell you it’s ready for pickup."

"That’s wonderful," Helian Chen said joyfully.

Chu Yue chuckled. "So this ’important matter’ Miss Xiang mentioned was just about a zither? Heh, children will be children."

"Is the zither not important?" Ye Qianning stared at Helian Chen.

Helian Chen’s expression immediately turned serious. "It’s important."

"Then why was Princess East Shu so rude? Why did she mock me for being a child?"

"Maybe she can’t play the zither."

"Oh... so it’s like casting pearls before swine," Ye Qianning said with dawning realization.

Helian Chen nodded emphatically.

A slight smile touched the corner of Xiliu Yuan’s lips, gone in an instant.

Prince Yu was speechless.

’Oh, my foolish nephew!’

The face of Princess East Shu’s consort had darkened considerably.

Chu Yue’s smile froze. She clenched her fists inside her sleeves, silently warning herself not to lose her temper.

"Heh heh, Princess, please don’t take it to heart. Children speak their minds, you know, children speak their minds." Prince Yu chuckled, adopting a placating, diplomatic tone.

"Of course not." Chu Yue nodded with a smile. "We have been in the Capital City for over half a month and have yet to pay a formal visit to you all. It is truly a breach of etiquette. As East Shu will be departing for our return journey in a few days, we have prepared this banquet today as a formal greeting."

The maids finished setting out the dishes and then brought out the Capital City’s most famous wine, "Drunken Immortal." They proceeded to fill everyone’s cups.

"Princess East Shu, you are too kind," Prince Yu said with a smile.

Xiliu Yuan glanced up coolly. "Are Princess East Shu and her consort formally greeting my Xi Yan on behalf of East Shu?"

"Precisely," Chu Yue replied with a smile.

"The delegation to celebrate the Emperor’s birthday was led by the Fifth Prince of East Shu. Why is the Fifth Prince not present?" Xiliu Yuan asked again, his tone flat.

Chu Yue’s expression stiffened slightly. She looked at him and said, "My fifth brother has been feeling unwell lately, so he has entrusted all matters to me. If our hospitality is lacking in any way today, I ask for your forgiveness, Crown Prince of Xi Yan."

"The customs of East Shu are truly progressive. To think a woman can handle matters of the court." Xiliu Yuan’s voice was cold and clear, still holding a trace of adolescent youth.

"You misunderstand, Crown Prince. As a woman, I would not dare presume to discuss matters of state. Today, I am simply acting on my fifth brother’s behalf to host this banquet for our esteemed envoys, to express the friendship between East Shu, Xi Yan, and Nanyuan. There is no other motive," Chu Yue said earnestly.

Princess East Shu’s consort, Qin Huai, covertly observed Xiliu Yuan.

"Had I known the Princess was hosting, I would never have attended," Xiliu Yuan said coolly, before anyone from East Shu could recover. "Banquets that do not involve matters of state are a waste of time."

Chu Yue’s expression flickered as she tried to guess Xiliu Yuan’s true intentions.

Ye Qianning sighed inwardly. ’This kid’s got some skills.’

Prince Yu acted as if it had nothing to do with him. ’Caught in the middle like this, saying less is the wisest choice.’

Helian Chen was not one for schemes. Outside of his studies, he didn’t understand court politics, nor did he care to learn. He turned to Ye Qianning. "After we finish eating, can I go with you to the General’s manor to get the zither?"

"...Fine. But let’s eat first. The city lockdown made me ravenous. And don’t drink that jug of Drunken Immortal on your table. I’m taking it with me when we go," Ye Qianning whispered.

"I don’t drink anyway."

"Yeah, I’m a little hungry. If you can’t finish your food, give some to me." Ye Qianning then turned to look at Luo Wen.

Luo Wen crouched down, picked up a bowl and chopsticks, and began serving her food.

Seeing this, Helian Chen pouted, then picked up the dishes from his table and placed them in front of Ye Qianning. "You can have it all."

"Thanks. I’ll have my auntie make you some pastries later," Ye Qianning said, then turned her head and opened her mouth.

Luo Wen naturally placed a piece of meat in her mouth with his chopsticks.

Helian Chen’s brows knitted together. He couldn’t help but ask, "How old are you? You still have someone feed you."

’She’s as lazy as ever.’

Ye Qianning chewed, swallowed, and said leisurely, "I can’t help it if I have the means."

Helian Chen was speechless.

’She’s got a point!’

’Helian Chen felt a pang of jealousy. Aunties in the Xiang family were just like anyone else’s, but this little fatty was so lucky. Not only were her aunties nice, but she had so many of them.’

"Ahem." Prince Yu coughed lightly.

Helian Chen turned to meet his uncle’s warning gaze, grumbled under his breath, and sensibly shut his mouth.

Unconcerned, Ye Qianning leaned back in her chair, simply opening her mouth to eat whatever food Luo Wen brought to her lips.

Chu Yue shot her a dissatisfied glare. ’She more or less understood the Xi Yan Crown Prince’s intentions, but as a princess, if she were to say something, it would reflect poorly on East Shu if word got out.’

She could only place her hopes on her consort, Qin Huai.

Xiliu Yuan stood up. "Please, continue your pleasantries. I shall take my leave."

"Crown Prince, please wait," Qin Huai said, rising to his feet as well.

"As I’ve said, gatherings that don’t involve matters of state are a waste of time," Xiliu Yuan said, his placid voice tinged with indolence.

"Please don’t be in such a hurry to leave, Crown Prince. Today is, first, to foster friendship between our nations, and second, there are indeed some matters I wish to discuss with you," Qin Huai said respectfully.

"If it concerns matters of state, then have your Fifth Prince come and speak with me. As for you two—don’t bother."

"Yes. I will go and invite His Highness at once. Please wait a moment, Your Highness." Qin Huai picked up his wine cup. "I will first offer a toast to you, Crown Prince."

Xiliu Yuan lowered his gaze for a moment. When he looked up again, a flicker of amusement was in his eyes as he slowly sat back down. "I am a poor drinker. That toast won’t be necessary."

"As you wish." Qin Huai drank the wine and sat down, smiling.

Chu Yue relaxed slightly upon seeing Xiliu Yuan sit back down. After all, they needed a favor from Xi Yan. If he had left, all their efforts would have been for nothing.

’Now there’s just one eyesore left,’ she thought, her gaze falling on the little fatty who was preoccupied with eating.

’I just hope she finishes eating soon so I can find an excuse to kick her out.’

Prince Yu toyed with his cup, his eyes shifting. ’What business could East Shu possibly have with Xi Yan?’

’I feel like Nanyuan was just invited to fill the table.’

’Princess East Shu is cunning, and her consort doesn’t look like an easy man to deal with. This is definitely a trap.’

He took a sip of wine, his gaze shifting to the ever-eating Ye Qianning. "Miss Xiang, you have a wonderful appetite. Why don’t you take my portion as well?"

"No, thank you," Ye Qianning mumbled, her mouth full. "Luo Wen."

Understanding her meaning, Luo Wen put down his bowl and chopsticks, got up, and left the private room. He spoke to a maid waiting outside, who then hurried off toward the kitchen.

"You can eat more?" Helian Chen asked in surprise.

"This is nothing. I can usually eat three bowls of rice in one meal, and I can finish nearly half of a twenty-course spread." Due to her constitution, Ye Qianning’s appetite was indeed enormous—even greater than that of a grown man.

Prince Yu propped his head on his hand, elbow on the table, and watched her. "You’re so small. Aren’t you afraid of getting indigestion from eating so much?"

"Grandpa Zhan makes digestive pills," Ye Qianning said.

Prince Yu was at a loss for words.

’She really has it good!’

"I’ve heard the food at Beili’s Drunken Immortal is second to none. Prince Yu, Your Highness, please, have a taste," Chu Yue encouraged.

Xiliu Yuan gave a cursory glance.

A Shadow Guard behind him took out a silver needle, tested the food with it, and then nodded at his master.

Only then did Xiliu Yuan pick up his chopsticks and take a small bite of fish.

Prince Yu had little appetite and merely took sporadic sips of his Drunken Immortal.

Before long, there was a knock on the door, and seven or eight waiters entered, each carrying two dishes, which they placed one after another on the table in front of Ye Qianning.

At this sight, Chu Yue’s brows furrowed deeply.

Luo Wen picked out a little from each new dish, placed it in a bowl, and brought it to the little girl’s mouth.

Ye Qianning was nestled comfortably in her chair, looking completely at ease, making herself right at home.

"Miss Xiang, at such a young age, you should be more careful about eating so much rich food. You should have your health checked regularly, lest you develop some unknown ailment that could lead to disaster," Chu Yue couldn’t help but say.

"I’ve been checked. There’s nothing wrong."

"Some problems are easy to overlook. I have a highly skilled physician in my retinue. If Miss Xiang doesn’t mind, I can have someone take you for a thorough examination."

"Grandpa Zhan’s medical skills are excellent. There’s no need to trouble yourself, Princess." Ye Qianning knew Chu Yue was just trying to get rid of her.

’She’s a deep one,’ Ye Qianning thought. ’She hasn’t shown her hand at all since entering the Capital City. The lockdown must have disrupted their plans.’

’There’s more to this banquet than meets the eye.’

"It’s no trouble at all. Miss Xiang, you eat so much..."

"Oh, so the Princess is just concerned that I’m eating too much," Ye Qianning interrupted, her eyes sweeping over the room. "The Princess has booked this entire restaurant today. I may eat a lot, but I don’t eat for free. Luo Wen, give everyone here a silver note."

"Yes, miss."

Luo Wen set down the bowl and chopsticks, pulled a thick stack of silver notes from his robes, and walked over to Chu Yue. He placed a single silver note on the table before her.

Chu Yue’s face turned ashen. ’Who is she trying to insult with a single silver note?’

Luo Wen then walked over to Xiliu Yuan, placed a silver note on his table, and then handed one to each of the two Shadow Guards standing behind him.

The Shadow Guards did not reach out to accept them.

Luo Wen simply stuffed the notes into their robes. "My young miss said everyone present gets one. Don’t be shy."

The Shadow Guards were speechless.

’This is absurd. We’ve never encountered anything like this before.’

Xiliu Yuan’s expression remained unreadable, but a close observer might have noticed the corner of his elegant mouth twitch ever so slightly.