Rebirth of a Lost Nation: Princess, Please Respect Yourself

Chapter 139 Banquet Trap

Obviously, after some earnest persuasion, Princess Jingyu gradually accepted Jiang Chuchu's advice.

Seeing this, Jiang Chuchu smiled and reminded him again.

"Your Highness the Princess is wise, but my sister is always cunning. As long as this matter is not accomplished, we must not relax our efforts."

"Don't worry, I still have a hidden move in mind." Princess Jingyu said confidently, "Doesn't Jiang Lige think she's incredibly intelligent? This time, I'm going to make her feel betrayed by those close to her."

After hearing this, Jiang Chuchu finally felt relieved. She turned her head, a vicious light flashing in her eyes, and the corners of her mouth rose slightly to outline a sarcastic sneer.

Jiang Lige, don’t you claim to be a legitimate princess and look down on illegitimate children?

Then I will let you experience what it feels like to not only be a concubine, but also to have to live under the Xiao family's illegitimate daughter.

It’s really interesting to think about when you become the person you despise the most.

I wonder if someone as proud as Jiang Lige would choose to kill himself by running into a wall?

No, Jiang Lige cannot die so easily. He must at least be deserted by everyone and pierced by thousands of arrows, only then can Jiang Chuchu relieve her hatred!

"Jiang Lige, this time, I will make sure you can never turn over!"

Jiang Chuchu said silently in her heart.

The next day was Empress Xiao’s Thousand Years Banquet.

Empress Xiao was a person who valued her reputation the most. Her Qianqiu Banquet invited all the important figures in the capital. The banquet was very large in scale, and the gifts presented were also of high standards.

The gift presented to Empress Xiao was selected by Jiang Lige himself from his private warehouse. It was a white jade peach tree of longevity and happiness. The object was valuable and had a good meaning. The more Jiang Lige looked at it, the more satisfied he was.

In Qingge Cottage, Jiang Lige had just finished dressing up and was yawning lazily with her chin propped up when Yin Zhuang came into the room with a few palace maids carrying gifts.

"Princess, the gift for the Queen is ready. Would you like to see it?"

Jiang Lige waved his hand nonchalantly, "No need, Aunt Yinzhuang is very capable, I can trust her."

"Thank you for your trust, Princess."

Jiang Lige poured a cup of tea for Yinzhuang, "Aunt Yinzhuang, you've worked hard. Take a rest."

Yin Zhuang naturally didn't dare to accept it and repeatedly declined, "Princess, this is against the rules."

"After all these years, Aunt Yinzhuang is still so strict about rules." Jiang Lige smiled, not forcing herself. "I still remember the year I came to Shengling from Nanchu. The first time I saw Aunt Yinzhuang, she was lecturing the servants on the rules. I was young at the time, and I was so scared by her that I avoided her for a long time afterwards."

Yin Zhuang also laughed when she heard this, as if recalling some interesting memories, "Later, I made jade lotus cakes for the princess. The princess was greedy and ate them so much that she was no longer afraid of me. She even pestered me for cakes every day."

"Yes, even after all these years, Auntie Yinzhuang's cooking skills are still as good as ever." Jiang Lige said this, then thought of the news he had heard earlier and asked, "I heard that Auntie will be leaving the palace next year?"

"To answer your question, Princess, yes. I could have left the palace when I turned 25, but I missed the chance last time, and so many years have passed. Now I'm old and not as old as before. I miss home." Yin Zhuang said, seeming a little emotional.

"Go home if you can."

The little girl who always loved to laugh stopped smiling at this moment, and suddenly pulled Yinzhuang's hand, her innocent face full of seriousness.

"When Aunt Yinzhuang leaves, Li Ge will definitely give her a big gift! If you encounter any difficulties when you return home, you can write to Li Ge. No matter how troublesome the problem is, Li Ge will seek justice for you."

Not Zhaohua, not this princess, but Lige, a name that is closest to "relatives and friends".

"I'm just an ordinary citizen, so why would there be any trouble? But thank you for your kindness, Princess."

"It's okay, Aunt Yinzhuang just remember it."

Yin Zhuang's heart warmed when she heard this. She smiled and thanked him, then reminded him, "Princess, we should set off. After all, it's the Queen's Thousand Years Banquet. It would be bad if we were late."

"Let's go."

Empress Xiao's Thousand Years Banquet began quietly amidst singing and dancing, and the entire palace was decorated with lights and was a joyous scene.

The cheerful singing and melodious dance music echoed each other, making the entire palace look like a dream.

When Jiang Lige and his servant entered the hall, they saw guests all dressed in gorgeous clothes, toasting each other and chatting and laughing freely.

The palace servants moved around the banquet with great etiquette, pouring wine and tea for the distinguished guests. The music was melodious and the dancers kept changing their postures and dancing gracefully.

Empress Xiao was dressed in gorgeous palace attire, sitting upright on a high throne, with a rare gentle smile on her graceful face.

After the ministers congratulated Empress Xiao on her birthday, it was time to present gifts.

As a representative of a friendly country, Jiang Lige was arranged to present gifts behind the royal family.

Before presenting the gift, Jiang Lige unhappily called Jiang Chuchu, who was sitting next to him. Even though there were many disagreements between the two of them, they still had to maintain superficial harmony in front of outsiders.

Therefore, Jiang Lige had no choice but to put on a proper smile, took Jiang Chuchu's hand and walked forward together, exchanged greetings, and then Jiang Lige read the congratulatory words on behalf of Nan Chu:

"Congratulations to Her Majesty the Queen on her long life and good health!"

After that, a servant came forward with a brocade box covered with red silk and placed it in the middle of the palace. Jiang Lige walked forward with a decent smile on his face and lifted the red silk on the gift.

The moment the red silk was lifted, it seemed as if some powder was blown towards his face, perhaps because it was stained with dust, choking Jiang Lige so much that he almost couldn't hold back his cough.

Jiang Chuchu, who was standing by, took a step back while no one was noticing and covered her mouth and nose calmly.

Fortunately, everyone was attracted by the gift presented by Jiang Lige and did not pay too much attention to Jiang Li's previous loss of composure. Jiang Lige quickly adjusted his state and introduced with a smile.

"I offer this humble gift as a token of our nation's sincere congratulations. This white jade peach tree symbolizes good fortune and prosperity. I wish the Empress a long and prosperous reign."

As the host today, Empress Xiao was in a very good mood. Even Jiang Lige seemed particularly pleasing to her today, and nodded gently to express her appreciation.

"Princess Zhaohua is so thoughtful. I like it very much."

Jiang Lige smiled modestly, "As long as the Queen likes it."

Empress Xiao smiled and asked someone to take the gift. Then a palace maid came forward and led the two back to their seats. She also received an order to bring a pot of wine and said respectfully:

"Princess, this is the imperial wine given by the Empress. Please enjoy it slowly."

Jiang Lige nodded politely, took off a bracelet from his wrist and put it into the maid's hand, "Thank you."

The palace maid was rewarded, and the smile on her face became even more pronounced. She then servilely poured the girl two glasses of wine before leaving.