Farewell Flower Festival

After leaving Zhenxiulou, Chaoyan asked Han Lie what he had found out. Han Lie said he was hungry. Chaoyan looked around and prepared to find a small stall to eat something.

Seeing a noodle stall in front, Chaoyan called Han Lie over to have a bowl of noodles. But when she turned around, she found that the person was gone. When she looked back, he was gone.

Chaoyan asked him where he was going. Han Lie slowed down and waited for her to come over before saying he was going to her place. Chaoyan secretly complained in her heart, thinking that she would definitely have to cook for herself again.

After returning to the residence, Han Lie made another request, saying that he wanted to eat noodles. Chaoyan asked him to help light the fire and add firewood. After a while, thick smoke floated out of the stove, making people's eyes sore. They both ran out to get some fresh air, and then Chaoyan asked Han Lie not to go in.

Chao Yan was busy in the kitchen for half an hour, then came out with two bowls of steaming noodles, each topped with a golden fried egg and a handful of chopped green onions.

Seeing that there was no one in the yard and the door of his room was open, Chao Yan took the noodles back to the kitchen, then walked to the door of his room and looked inside, and found someone standing by the bed. Hearing the footsteps behind him, Han Lie said, "This bed is too small." Chao Yan rolled her eyes at the back of his head and solemnly informed him that he was not allowed to come in without her permission in the future.

Han Lie said he came in to help her check if the roof was leaking. Chao Yan didn't believe his lies and said that the kitchen roof seemed to be leaking a little and asked him to go and have a look.

After arriving in the kitchen, Han Lie saw two bowls of noodles on the stove. He picked up the plates and followed Chao Yan out.

The two sat in the yard eating noodles, and Chao Yan asked him again what he had found out.

Han Lie said that the new princess was named Lin Rou. She was originally the daughter of a retainer under King Xiaoyao. Her mother died early, and her father and brother died on the battlefield one after another. She became an orphan and was taken into King Xiaoyao's palace to be taken care of. She and the former princess became like sisters.

After the death of the previous princess, she has been taking care of the siblings Shen Cheng and Shen Xue. When Shen Xue was two years old, the housekeeper of the mansion set fire to the house. Shen Cheng was almost burned to death but she risked her life to save him. However, the housekeeper took Shen Xue away and disappeared.

During the days when King Xiaoyao was in a slump, Lin Rou always stayed by his side and never left him. Later, she accompanied King Xiaoyao to the bitter and cold borderland. In the third year after King Xiaoyao found his daughter, Lin Rou finally got an official status.

From the perspective of outsiders, this princess finally achieved her goal after all the hardships she had endured.

However, Chao Yan did not think so. The orphan girl entered the mansion and the original wife died of illness. How much sincerity and how much calculation were involved? Only she herself knew it.

"This princess is not simple. Little Lianzi really wants to see her?" Han Lie smiled with a pair of fox eyes, looking at Zhao Yan with interest, "What if she is an evil ghost who eats people without leaving any bones? Where can I find such a beautiful woman again?"

Chao Yan said: "Don't worry, if I get eaten, you don't have to be a widow, you can marry whoever you want, and just burn more paper money for me every Qingming Festival. I don't want to be a poor ghost in the underworld."

Han Lie chuckled and said, "Why can't you learn from the young lady and act like a spoiled child and say something nice?"

Chao Yan simply replied with two words, "No."

Han Lie smiled helplessly and told her something serious. The palace would host a banquet in a few days, and he could help her get in. Chaoyan asked if the banquet was for a happy event, and Han Lie said it was just a courtesy.

After King Xiaoyao returned to the capital, many dignitaries sent people to present gifts, and the banquet was held to return the gifts.

When Han Lie left, he happened to meet Jade and Amber.

At night, when the two of them were helping Chaoyan remove her makeup, Feicui asked, "What do you think of Mr. Han, Miss?" Chaoyan looked at herself in the bronze mirror and said, "In our place, you have to be 20 years old to get married. I'm still young, so there's no rush."

Amber was a little surprised and asked, "Do we have to wait until we are twenty to get married?"

Chao Yan joked, "Do you want to get married?"

Amber blushed and lowered her head, saying, "What are you talking about, girl? I'm still young, there's no rush."

Chaoyan looked at Feicui again, and seeing that Feicui's face was also blushing, she stopped teasing her and talked about the dinner party at the palace. There would definitely be many ladies and young ladies coming that day, and it was a good opportunity to expand the customer base, so she also wanted to give a gift.

In the blink of an eye, it was the day for the royal banquet.

Han Lie came first to pick up Chaoyan. After getting on the carriage, Chaoyan felt a little uncomfortable being stared at by Han Lie. She wondered if she was wearing too many jewelry on her head?

Previously, Han Lie planned to take her to make new clothes and buy some jewelry so that she could attend the banquet as his little cousin. However, Chao Yan already had the clothes and jewelry, and they were not cheap, so there was no need to buy more. It was not difficult to put together a complete outfit for a lady from a noble family.

However, it was her first time to dress so formally, and she felt a little uncomfortable.

Chaoyan raised her hand and touched the hairpin and hairpin on her head. Han Lie seemed to see through her thoughts and said, "Wear it more often and you will get used to it." His eyes moved to her neck again. The beautiful necklace made her skin look even whiter and more transparent. Noticing Han Lie's malicious gaze, Chaoyan immediately turned around and protected the necklace hanging on her neck with her hands. The jade bracelet on her wrist was faintly visible between her sleeves.

A rainbow-like luster appeared on the jade bracelet, and it was reflected in the fox eyes like a crystal spider silk, fragile and tempting.

Zhao Yan lifted the curtain and looked outside, then glanced in one direction and asked casually, "Will the Second and Third Princes go too?"

Han Lie said: "You should worry about what to do if the princess recognizes you."

Chao Yan said: "It's my bad luck."

……

After the carriage stopped, Chao Yan pulled aside the curtain and looked out. When her sight fell on the gate of the palace in front of her, she was stunned for a moment, and a sense of déjà vu came over her.

Seeing that she was in a daze, Han Lie thought she saw Mu Tianling. When he followed her line of sight, he only saw a servant standing at the gate to greet guests. He asked her what was wrong, and Chaoyan shook her head and said it was nothing. A dark light flashed in her fox eyes.

When Chaoyan was about to get off the carriage, Han Lie suddenly grabbed her, stared into her eyes and asked, "Are you really okay?" Chaoyan felt puzzled, not knowing what was wrong with him suddenly. He took his hand back, smiled and said that it was good that he was okay.

As soon as he got off the carriage, Han Lie heard a familiar voice. Shang Ye came over to greet him, but halfway through the greeting his attention was attracted by the person behind him.

When he saw Chao Yan, Shang Ye's eyes flashed with surprise. He immediately pulled Han Lie aside and asked quietly, "Is that girl your concubine?" Han Lie said, "My cousin." Shang Ye said, "Don't lie to me, it's not like I haven't seen your cousin before." Han Lie said, "She's a distant relative." Shang Ye gave him a look that said "I understand you."