The Longevity Banquet, as the name implies, was Ying Zhengjing's birthday banquet. Therefore, no one dared to bring up anything that might displease Ying Zhengjing during the feast, presenting a completely harmonious and joyous scene.
Ying Ziheng, who had temporarily had his confinement lifted thanks to the Longevity Banquet, suddenly stood up and fawned, "Father Emperor, your son offers you a toast."
"Hm."
After all, Ying Ziheng was still the Crown Prince. No matter how angry Ying Zhengjing was, he still gave him face and acknowledged the toast.
Seeing he had received a good response, Ying Ziheng knew not to press his luck and promptly resumed his seat, secretly sighing with relief in his heart.
Uncle said that if Father Emperor was willing to drink the toast I offered, it means there is still room for maneuver. As long as I am more careful in my actions from now on, Father Emperor surely won't blame me anymore.
His Highness the Crown Prince…
From the start of the Longevity Banquet until now, Li Ruoyan's gaze had not left Ying Ziheng, a look that seemed determined to imprint Ying Ziheng's appearance deeply onto her heart.
"Ahem."
Wei Shiwan pretended to cough, instantly snapping Li Ruoyan back to her senses.
"Mother?"
"Yan'er, mind your behavior."
"But…"
Seeing Li Ruoyan still wanted to argue, Wei Shiwan simply signaled to her, "Look at the other noble young ladies around."
"Them? Uh…"
Li Ruoyan followed Wei Shiwan's line of sight and only then noticed that she wasn't the only one who wanted to be Crown Princess, the other noble young ladies were also watching the crown prince like hawks.
"Yan'er, look again at Noble Consort Chun."
They saw that Noble Consort Chun was also secretly observing the noble young ladies from various families, occasionally shaking her head in disappointment.
Li Ruoyan was immediately startled, "Mother, Noble Consort Chun, she is…"
"Naturally, she is selecting a candidate for Crown Princess on behalf of the Crown Prince," Wei Shiwan analyzed in a hushed voice. "The Crown Prince is not young anymore and has yet to marry. Noble Consort Chun seems anxious. She wants to use this Longevity Banquet to settle on a Crown Princess for the Crown Prince. So, Yan'er, you must seize this opportunity."
"Mm."
Li Ruoyan gave a solemn nod and immediately adjusted her posture, sitting up with perfect, formal composure.
Li Ruoyan's goal is actually the position of Crown Princess?
Hearing the conversation between Wei Shiwan and Li Ruoyan just now, Li Siyuan couldn't help but draw a sharp breath.
Before this, Li Siyuan had no idea this matter even existed.
As for why Wei Shiwan didn't avoid Li Siyuan this time, it was simple: their scheme was only one step away from completion. Furthermore, Wei Shiwan didn't consider Li Siyuan a threat at all.
___
Hmm, this young lady is also not bad…
Shen Qianxue continuously observed the noble young ladies around her, wanting to find a suitable candidate among them.
Shen Qianxue originally had her sights set on Shen Ningyu. Later, when she saw that Ying Ziheng also liked Shen Ningyu, she secretly mentioned it to Ying Zhengjing behind Ying Ziheng's back. Unfortunately, no matter how much she acted coquettishly, Ying Zhengjing didn't agree. Shen Qianxue had no choice but to give up and look for another candidate.
___
Elsewhere.
The veiled Ying Xichen gestured for Shen Ningyu to look toward Li Jin and whispered shyly, "Ningyu, that's him."
"Fifth Princess, you… you said… the person you like… is… the heir apparent of the Prince of Dingbei, Li Jin?" Shen Ningyu widened her eyes in disbelief, unable to believe what she was hearing.
"Yes. Speaking of which, our encounter at Yunling Temple must have been destined by fate."
Ying Xichen shyly lowered her head.
"Fifth Princess, didn't you tell me before that there has always been someone you liked in your heart? How could it… how could it be…"
"The person I've always liked is Heir Li…" Ying Xichen interrupted Shen Ningyu and proceeded to tell her in detail about her admiration for Li Jin over the years.
"……"
Shen Ningyu fell silent, her expression as if she had swallowed a fly.
Shen Ningyu had always known there was someone Ying Xichen had liked for a long time, but she never imagined that the person Ying Xichen liked was the same as her own.
Ying Xichen noticed Shen Ningyu's strange expression and asked worriedly, "Ningyu, what's wrong?"
"It's… it's nothing… Fifth Princess, I just remembered I have something to attend to. I must take my leave first." Without waiting for Ying Xichen's response, Shen Ningyu hurriedly performed a curtsey and left.
What's wrong with Ningyu?
Watching Shen Ningyu's retreating figure, Ying Xichen was utterly confused.
___
Li Jin looked around the banquet hall and suddenly put down the teacup in his hand. "Seventh Prince," he suggested, "His Majesty has already left, and the Longevity Banquet is almost over. Shall we go for a walk outside?"
"Alright."
Ying Yuan never liked these kinds of hypocritical banquets in the first place. Now that Li Jin suggested a walk, Ying Yuan naturally wouldn't refuse.
Before long.
The two of them walked until they reached the Imperial Garden.
"Seventh Prince, have you been reading the books His Majesty the Empress sent over these past few days?"
"I've been reading them consistently."
"Is that so?" Li Jin raised an eyebrow, suddenly meeting Ying Yuan's gaze, and inquired, "Then, does Seventh Prince regret agreeing to His Majesty to go to Zhuzhou with me?"
Ying Yuan shook his head without thinking, "I have not. But Li Jin, why are you suddenly asking this?"
"It's nothing. I just thought of it and asked."
Li Jin smiled but did not answer directly.
"I don't believe you. You aren't someone who would ask that kind of question for no reason."
"You will know in the future."
"You can't tell me now?"
"No."
"Li…"
"Third Brother, I have something I wish to discuss with you alone, is that possible?" Just as Ying Yuan was about to press for a reason, Li Siyuan suddenly appeared before them, abruptly cutting off Ying Yuan's unfinished words.
"Sure." Li Jin seemed to have long noticed Li Siyuan secretly following them. He immediately told Ying Yuan he would be back soon and went with Li Siyuan to another spot.
"Li Jin, I… I want you to help me this once." Li Siyuan directly stated the purpose of his visit.
"Help you?"
Li Jin raised his eyebrows in surprise.
Although certain events had been altered due to Li Jin's actions, leading to changes in the predetermined future, Li Jin still never imagined there would be a day when Li Siyuan would ask for his help.
"Mother plans to help Li Ruoyan become Crown Princess tonight. I want to replace her."
"……"
Li Jin fell silent.
Li Jin knew from the start that the matter Li Siyuan sought his help with wouldn't be simple, but he hadn't expected it to involve Wei Shiwan's scheme.
Thump.
Li Siyuan suddenly knelt heavily on the ground. "Li Jin, I beg you to help me this once, just once. If this matter succeeds, I, Li Siyuan, will owe you a favor."
"The Successor Princess Consort and the others are your family, aren't they? Why are you so resolute?"
"They don't deserve it."
These four short words from Li Siyuan contained long-standing resentment towards Wei Shiwan and the others.
"I'm afraid that reason alone is not enough for me to get involved."
Li Jin thought for a moment but still refused to help Li Siyuan.
Li Jin had memories of his previous life and knew Li Siyuan wasn't as pitiable as he appeared on the surface, so he didn't want to get involved in this muddy water.
"Li Jin, if you agree to help me, not only will I owe you a favor, but I will also tell you who harmed the late Princess Consort. How about that deal?" Li Siyuan directly brought up Gu Rulan.
Mother?
Li Jin was momentarily stunned but quickly regained his composure. "So, you have evidence that the Successor Princess Consort harmed my mother?"
"Yes."
Li Siyuan nodded.
However, compared to Li Jin's momentary shock, Li Siyuan was more astonished that Li Jin already knew Gu Rulan's incident was related to Wei Shiwan.
"Fine, I agree."
Although Li Jin still didn't trust Li Siyuan completely, when it involved Gu Rulan, Li Jin was unwilling to let the opportunity pass.
With Li Jin's consent, Li Siyuan's anxious heart finally found a chance to catch its breath. Then, to avoid complications, Li Siyuan told Li Jin what he had overheard during the Longevity Banquet.
"They will act tonight?"
"Yes."
"Come with me to find Seventh Prince. The matter you spoke of requires Seventh Prince's assistance."
Having said that, Li Jin walked ahead.
Li Siyuan quickly followed. "Third Brother, thank you."
"There's no need to thank me. We are merely each getting what we need." After leaving these words, Li Jin stopped conversing with Li Siyuan, and they returned in silence.
After a good while.
Li Jin and Li Siyuan finally returned just as Ying Yuan was growing impatient.
"Li Jin, you're back."
As soon as he saw Li Jin's figure, Ying Yuan hurried over.
"Mm." Li Jin nodded in agreement and continued, "However, something urgent has happened and requires your help, Seventh Prince. I wonder if you are willing?"
"Alright." Ying Yuan agreed without much thought.
Of course, this kind of treatment was exclusive to Li Jin. If it were anyone else, given Ying Yuan's nature, he wouldn't pay them any mind.
"It's like this…"
As Li Jin spoke, he also reorganized what Li Siyuan had said, which dumbfounded Li Siyuan who was standing nearby. Because Li Siyuan hadn't expected Li Jin to have noticed such minute details, some of which even he himself hadn't paid attention to.
___
"Is the Crown Prince really inside?"
Li Ruoyan uneasily asked the palace maid beside her repeatedly.
Perhaps because Wei Shiwan had long coveted the position of Crown Princess, after learning Ying Ziheng had become Crown Prince, she used her relationship with Lan Yingying to secretly plant many informants for future needs.
This palace maid was one of Wei Shiwan's informants.
The palace maid curtsied to Li Ruoyan. "Yes, the Crown Prince is already in the room. You may enter, Miss Li."
"Alright." Fearing she might let this golden chance slip away, Li Ruoyan smoothed down the thin gauze gown she had specially chosen and began moving cautiously toward the room.
Wei Shiwan was still exchanging pleasantries with other noblewomen and did not act together. This wasn't because Wei Shiwan didn't value Li Ruoyan, but because she had included herself in the calculation, waiting until the time was right to begin the next step.
"Mmph…"
"There's an assa… Mmpgh…"
No sooner said than done.
Before Li Ruoyan and the palace maid could react, they were knocked out from behind. The ones who knocked them out were none other than the guards Gu Rushuang had assigned to Ying Yuan.
These guards were trained by the Gu family to protect Gu Rushuang in secret. Even Ying Zhengjing hadn't discovered their existence.
"You heard it too? The Crown Prince is inside. Whether you enter or leave is up to you."
After saying this, Li Jin left together with Ying Yuan.
"Li Jin, I will remember your kindness."
Li Siyuan muttered quietly, then stepped with a cold expression, one step at a time, into the room where Ying Ziheng was.
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