It Was A Fake Marriage, But Jiu Qian Sui Took It Seriously - Chapter 30

The two of them sat in the pavilion, each lost in their own thoughts. A servant reported that the Grand Princess had arrived and requested the ladies to take their seats.

Liu Yuyan stood up and smiled, “Miss Shen, please go take your seat first. I’ll join shortly.”

She smiled brightly, but her eyes did not reflect the same warmth.

Shen Qing Li suddenly realized why she always felt a sense of distance from Liu Yuyan, despite her lack of malice.

Could it be that she likes Jun Mo Ran?

Feeling a mix of emotions, Shen Qing Li returned to the courtyard where the guests were beginning to sit.

“The Grand Princess has arrived,” announced the eunuch in his sharp voice.

Everyone stood up to greet her.

The Grand Princess, in high spirits, said in a smooth voice, “Please rise, and take your seats.”

As Shen Qing Li stood up, she glanced at the Grand Princess, who was indeed wearing the chicken bl00d stone headpiece that glittered under the sunlight.

It was fortunate that she had removed those earrings.

Shen Qing Li let out a sigh of relief, feeling grateful to Jun Mo Ran for saving her once again.

His eyes lightly swept across the men’s area. Would he come to such a banquet? I heard that he never attended banquets in the capital, but today’s banquet was for foreign envoys, and there was also Princess An Ning.

Princess An Ning was not present at the moment either, so she must be the woman who had troubled him in this morning.

Maybe Jun Mo Ran wasn’t as indifferent to women as rumors suggested. Perhaps he treated many women like he treated her, making them all, long for him.

The Grand Princess took her seat and exchanged pleasantries, then the banquet began.

A maid whispered something in the Grand Princess’s ear, making her smile. She asked the envoy from Western Jin, “I heard Princess An Ning has prepared a performance for today?”

The atmosphere shifted. For a lady from a noble family to perform at such an occasion was no different from being an entertainer.

The envoy from Western Jin looked displeased and replied stiffly, “The Grand Princess misunderstood. Our princess wishes to spar with the women of your country.”

The Grand Princess smiled, “Since when do women spar?”

“Why shouldn’t women spar? Or are the women of Great Zhou inferior to those of Western Jin?” Princess An Ning’s voice was bold. Dressed in red, with her black hair tied high, she looked strikingly heroic.

Her challenge angered the Grand Princess, but the guests dared not express their discontent openly.

Envoys from other countries watched eagerly, enjoying the spectacle. They dared not offend either country but didn’t mind watching the conflict.

Before the Grand Princess could respond, Princess An Ning pointed her sword at Liu Yuyan, “I’ve heard that the Duke’s daughter is skilled in both literature and martial arts. Miss Liu, please teach me.”

Liu Yuyan stood up, meeting the sword’s point with a cold expression, her eyes almost icy.

“Very well, bring my sword.”

The guests moved to an open space. Liu Yuyan changed into a blue outfit, looking even more heroic.

It turned out Princess An Ning was indeed the woman from earlier.

Shen Qing Li felt a pang of worry for Miss Liu. Princess An Ning seemed formidable.

“Why does it seem like Miss Liu and Princess An Ning have a grudge?”

“I heard that recently, the Ninth Prince invited Miss Liu on an outing, and Princess An Ning got jealous.”

“Who knows who will become the Ninth Princess in the end.”

As the two figures began to fight, it was clear to Shen Qing Li that Miss Liu was not a match for Princess An Ning.

They started evenly, but Miss Liu soon showed signs of fatigue, her techniques perfect but her stamina lacking.

Princess An Ning’s sword came down, and Miss Liu couldn’t dodge in time. It was about to strike her hairpin. For a woman, having her hair scattered in public was a great humiliation. Shen Qing Li couldn’t stand by, and with a flick of her wrist, she deflected the sword.

With a clang, the sword hit the ground nearby, and Shen Qing Li quickly retreated into the crowd.

Princess An Ning glared at Shen Qing Li’s position for a moment, allowing Liu Yuyan to retreat.

Liu Yuyan, though disliking Princess An Ning, knew she couldn’t win and chose to concede rather than be humiliated.

But Princess An Ning, being arrogant, wouldn’t let her escape and chased after her, aiming her sword at Liu Yuyan’s face.

Instinctively, Liu Yuyan closed her eyes, bracing for the pain that never came, as the surrounding crowd began to murmur.

“Wow, the Ninth Prince is here…”

“He’s so charming—one look and you can’t forget him!”

“Wow, who is that handsome person with him?”

The murmurs were interrupted by an announcement: “The Ninth Prince has arrived, along with the Third Prince of Western Jin.”

Everyone, including the Grand Princess, greeted them respectfully. The Ninth Prince, known for his military prowess, was respected throughout the region.

The Western Jin envoys exchanged uneasy glances, their faces reflecting discomfort.

Princess An Ning’s gaze turned cold upon seeing the Third Prince. Why were they together?

The Grand Princess, who wasn’t fond of her half-brother, said, “Ninth Brother, why didn’t you inform us of your arrival? Please, take a seat.”

Jun Mo Ran walked to the center, calmly sweeping his gaze over the crowd. His cool voice said, “I met the Third Prince on my way here and decided to come together. What were you all doing?”

Before the Grand Princess could respond, Princess An Ning rushed to his side, saying coyly, “Just having a little sparring session with the Duke’s daughter.”

She acted as if telling everyone that Jun Mo Ran was hers.

Jun Mo Ran looked at Liu Yuyan and said, “Miss Liu, you seem startled. Go rest in a room.”

With teary eyes, Liu Yuyan respectfully replied, “Yes, thank you, Ninth Prince.”

Ignoring everyone else, Princess An Ning followed Jun Mo Ran back to the table, where fresh tea was already served.

She sat next to him, pouting, “I invited you this morning, but you didn’t come. Now here you are.”

She assumed he had come for her. Besides Liu Yuyan, there was no one else as striking at the banquet… well, almost no one.

Princess An Ning scanned the room, recalling that Liu Yuyan had met privately with Jun Mo Ran today, which made her furious. She had forgotten about Shen Qing Li, but now suspected she was the one who deflected her sword.

The room was crowded, making it hard to find Shen Qing Li. She hadn’t yet come before the Grand Princess; otherwise, the matching earrings would have caught the Grand Princess’s attention.

Shen Qing Li sat in a corner, avoiding further glances. She knew that neither Miss Liu nor Princess An Ning were her equals in status.

She realized her thoughts were misplaced; she shouldn’t…

Shen Qing Li froze as a sharp gaze fell on her, making her lower her head further. It was Princess An Ning!

The Grand Princess asked the Third Prince of Western Jin, “Why have you taken so long to arrive in the capital?” She found him as handsome as rumors suggested, but different from her brother’s charm.

Xuan Yuan Zhe twirled his fan and ignored the Grand Princess’s gaze, leaning back with a cold smile, “You should ask my dear sister. Why did you leave me halfway through the journey?”

Princess An Ning’s attention snapped back to him, forgetting about searching for that girl. She glared at Xuan Yuan Zhe.

Why is he not dead?