Chapter C24 – The Banquet
Proofread by Yin Jing
Yan Ling is so worried about the banquet because of Yan Shuang. Yan Ling has heard that Princess Zhaoyan and Yan Shuang are very close.
The invitation card of Yan Ling was delivered by Yan Shuang herself instead of the servant of Princess Zhaoyan. And Yan Shuang specially told Yan Ling that she is really expected.
At the beginning, Yan Ling actually thought that the less trouble the better and it would be great if she could refuse to go there. However, Yan Shuang has talked with Yan Ling that the emperor is very fond of Princess Zhaoyan.
Also, Princess Zhaoyan seems to have a bad temper. And this time, she specially asked Yan Shuang to invite Yan Ling to go to her banquet. After telling all this to Ling, Yan Shuang went back complacently.
Yan Ling can’t help but bite her teeth secretly. She and Princess Zhaoyan have never met each other. Why does Princess Zhaoyan specially ask her to go to her banquet? It’s easy to figure out who has managed this secretly.
However, even if Yan Ling is clear that even if it’s a banquet deliberately set for her, she has to attend it.
Yan Ling has heard about the reputation of Princess Zhaoyan who is spoiled and has a bad temper. But because of the emperor’s favor and her excellent family background, no one dares to offend her.
As soon as Yan Ling hears that it’s Princess Zhaoyan’s banquet, she understands that Yan Shuang still wants to find a chance to victimize her because of the previous events.
It’s funny to say that Yan Ling, who was framed by others, hasn’t complained of anything yet. Yan Shuang, the ringleader, feels aggrieved and prepares to take counter-measures.
However, Yan Ling still has to attend the banquet. Anyway, there always will be the best counter-measures for her. She wants to see how unruly the Princess Zhaoyan is.
Soon it is the banquet day. Because it is a luncheon, Yan Ling doesn’t leave home until nine o’clock. She didn’t expect that she would meet Yan Shuang as soon as she gets to the gate.
Looking at Yan Shuang, Yan Ling raises her eyebrows subconsciously. Yan Shuang’s appearance tells Yan Ling that she has already been here some time and it’s not coincidence for her to comes across Yan Ling. It seems that she has dressed up and waited here for a long time.
As for whom she has been awaiting, of course only Yan Ling has such an “honor”.
“Sister, are you waiting for me?” Yan Ling doesn’t pretend that she didn’t see Yan Shuang. Instead, she goes straight to Yan Shuang and greets her.
Yan Shuang cannot help but be slightly stunned when she hears that. According to her, she is supposed to pretend that she comes across Yan Ling accidentally, and then she could go together with her. She didn’t expect that Yan Ling could see through her.
Although Yan Shuang is embarra.s.sed, she tries to behave as usual: “You are right, sister. Now that we are all going to the Princess Zhaoyan’s banquet anyway, it’s better that we go there together.”
Nodding with a smile, Yan Ling lets Yan Shuang get on the carriage with her in a very close manner.
“Are you close with Princess Zhaoyan, sister?” They both keep silent when they get on the carriage, but on the half way to the banquet, Yan Shuang suddenly raises her question.
Yan Ling is a little confused, so she asks strangely, “why would you say that?”
Yan Shuang seems to be more confused, “Princess Zhaoyan specially asked me to invite you, sister. So I thought you were very close.”
Yan Ling suddenly thinks it’s funny. Didn’t Yan Shuang know why Princess Zhaoyan did that?
Yan Ling squints, turns her head and stares at Yan Shuang seriously, but she doesn’t speak for a long time.
Yan Shuang is a little scared for being stared so long. She feels unnatural and asks, “Is there anything on my face? Why are you staring at me, sister? “
The smile on Yan Ling’s face grew after she hears this. And she says slowly, “Why did Princess Zhaoyan do this? Of course, it owes to you, my sister.”
Yan Shuang is shocked when she hears this and her face changes. Yan Ling can see that Yan Shuang is a little uneasy, but she still forces herself to calm down.
After a while, Yan Shuang forces a smile. She looks at Yan Ling a little bit awkwardly. She pretends to blink naively, and says in a confused voice, “Why do you say that? I’m a little confused.”
“Oh?” Yan Ling answers casually, which makes Yan Shuang more nervous and she is afraid that Yan Ling has already known something.
“I thought that you and Princess Zhaoyan have a good relations.h.i.+p, sister. This time, it’s all due to your efforts.” Yan Ling still has a smile on her face, but she can’t stop sneering in her heart.
“What’s that, sister? I will never harm you. How can I do that? “
Yan Shuang remembered that she had set up Yan Ling before, but lost her competent maid, which made her more upset.
“Why, what are you talking about, sister?” Yan Ling doesn’t seem to comprehend. She blinks her big eyes and looks at Yan Shuang doubtfully.
Then, Yan Ling continues: “I used to hear that it’s really difficult to attend Princess Zhaoyan’s banquet. The Princess and I have never met each other, but this time I received an invitation. I thought it was you who helped me. When did I say that you would hurt me? “
Yan Shuang is a little embarra.s.sed. She lowers her head to cover up, “Oh, you are talking about this…”
Yan Ling’s eyes bend with a smile again. She looks at Yan Shuang playfully, “Of course I’m talking about this. Or, what do you think I’m talking about, sister? “
“Ah! Never mind. I was distracted.” Yan Shuang hides her nervousness, but she feels both disdainful and complacent in her heart.
Yes, it is difficult to get invited into Princess Zhaoyan’s banquet. But is there any banquet that Yan Shuang didn’t attend?
Looking at Yan Ling’s smiling face, Yan Shuang can’t help but twitch her lips and feels a little excited.
“Just cheer up now! I don’t believe that you can still be happy when we are at the banquet.” Yan Shuang thinks.
Since she managed to let Princess Zhaoyan invite Yan Ling to the banquet, it’s definitely not for Yan Ling’s sake. Instead, she wants Yan Ling to make a fool of herself in front of all the young masters and ladies in the capital.
Of course, because of the ident.i.ty of Princess and her close relations.h.i.+p with the princes for the emperor’s favor, the Crown Prince and the Third Prince are also invited by Princess Zhaoyan.
If Yan Ling makes a fool of herself in front of the crowd, the Crown Prince will know that this woman is not as good as he imagined, and then he will dislike her.
At this time, the Third Prince appears to comfort Yan Ling. Then it will be easy for him to win Yan Ling’s favour.
However, if Yan Ling knows that Yan Shuang has such a ridiculous plan, she will just think it’s funny. No matter what measures they will take, Yan Ling will not let them make it easily.