After refusing marriage, she was pampered by the prince who acted as a shield.

Chapter 46: The Banquet

The maid was stunned for a moment, then held the jade bracelet in both hands and thanked her repeatedly.

"Prepare the sedan chair, I'm going to find Princess Lin'an."

Princess Lin'an is the daughter of the Marquis of Lin'an. She has been pampered since childhood and is Luo Lan's only good sister.

Luo Lan needs a banquet that can target Lin Rusi.

If a banquet were held in her name, Lin Rusi would definitely not attend.

If it were Princess Lin'an, then it might be different.

Luo Lan's little scheme was in full swing.

"Hold a banquet?"

Princess Lin'an picked up a purple grape and frowned slightly.

"It's not a holiday, why hold a banquet?"

Luo Lan's eyes darted around, and she already had an idea in mind.

"As the weather gradually warms up, the peach blossoms in the princess's courtyard are all in bloom."

"Who in the capital doesn't know that the peach blossoms at the Marquis of Lin'an's residence are absolutely stunning? It's a pity that others can only hear about them but can't see them with their own eyes."

"Why doesn't the princess let everyone feast their eyes on the peach blossoms of the Marquis of Lin'an's residence?"

Princess Lin'an nodded, straightening her posture. "That's right."

"The peach blossoms at the Marquis of Lin'an's residence are so beautiful that I can't be the only one admiring them each time."

"Luo Lan, you're quite thoughtful."

Princess Lin'an has always enjoyed lively gatherings, and now that Luo Lan has given her a legitimate reason, she will naturally find a way to hold a banquet.

She lifted her skirt and stood up, instructing the maids and servants in the mansion to begin arranging the banquet.

While Princess Lin'an was busy entertaining guests, Luo Lan took the opportunity to mention Lin Rusi.

"Princess, you must invite Lin Rusi."

Upon hearing the name Lin Rusi, Princess Lin'an frowned slightly. "Is the Lin Rusi you're talking about Prince Jinglie's fiancée?"

Luo Lan nodded. "That's right."

"I heard that she spent a night with Prince Jinglie in another place a few days ago."

“Such a dissolute woman is not worthy of King Jinglie.”

Princess Lin'an's face visibly darkened.

She had liked Prince Jinglie since she was a child, but unfortunately she was afraid of him and dared not get close to him.

He had planned to wait until he was older to ask his father to request a marriage with Prince Jinglie from His Majesty, but Lin Rusi beat him to it.

Princess Lin'an harbored resentment over this matter.

She did not believe that Lin Rusi was worthy of being matched with Prince Jinglie.

Lin Rusi is beautiful, but she is arrogant and domineering, and is not someone who can become the Princess Consort of Jinglie.

That's why she couldn't understand why King Jinglie would choose Lin Rusi as his future Queen Consort.

She was clearly the most suitable person to become Princess Jinglie.

Whether in terms of personality or other talents and skills, she is superior to Lin Rusi.

"I almost forgot about him."

"At this banquet, I, the princess, want to see what Lin Rusi is capable of that could make Prince Jinglie so infatuated!"

A hint of pride flashed in Luo Lan's eyes as she nodded in praise, "Your Highness is wise."

The next day.

Si Yu beckoned Lin Rusi to the Peony Pavilion.

"Come here quickly."

Lin Rusi frowned, approached Si Yu, blinked, and asked, "Mother, what happened?"

Si Yu smiled and took out an invitation. "Take this. You absolutely must attend this Peach Blossom Banquet."

"A peach blossom banquet?"

This was the first time Lin Rusi had ever heard of the term "Peach Blossom Banquet".

She opened the invitation and glanced at it briefly; it was from the Marquis of Lin'an's residence.

She wasn't familiar with Princess Lin'an, so why would she send her an invitation?

Furthermore, Lin Rusi did not enjoy attending such banquets.

If it were her past life, she would definitely have been happy to participate, but that was a thing of the past.

"Mother, I don't want to go."

"The banquet was so boring."

The banquets of noble ladies were nothing more than mutual flattery, which was really boring.

Si Yu's face visibly fell, and she glared at Lin Rusi with dissatisfaction.

"How can we not go?"

"The Marquis of Lin'an is a favorite of His Majesty. If we can get on his good side, it will bring a lot of benefits to your father."

"Flying to this banquet is not an option."

Seeing Si Yu's resolute attitude, Lin Rusi had no choice but to nod in agreement.

Lin Ruqin soon learned that Lin Rusi was going to attend the Peach Blossom Banquet.

She clenched her fists, her eyes turning bloodshot, filled with jealousy towards Lin Rusi.

Why is Lin Rusi entitled to an invitation from the Princess of Lin'an?

If Lin Rusi can get close to Princess Lin'an, her father will love her even more in the future.

Then she probably wouldn't have much room to survive in the Lin family mansion.

No, she can't waste this opportunity.

She's going to the Peach Blossom Banquet too!

However, while the idea was good, the reality was harsh.

How can she attend the banquet without an invitation?

Furthermore, she had already broken off relations with Lin Rusi.

If I were to ask her for help because of the Peach Blossom Banquet, wouldn't I become a laughingstock?

Hongzhi said weakly, "If Miss really wants to go to the banquet, why don't you ask the Third Prince for help?"

Lin Ruqin narrowed her eyes slightly.

She had a very unpleasant argument with Li Zeyan last time. Will he still help her?

She was truly desperate and would never have asked Li Zeyan for help unless absolutely necessary.

"A peach blossom banquet?"

Li Zeyan picked up his teacup and glanced at her casually, "Are you sure you want to go?"

“We must go. I beg the Third Prince to find a way to allow my daughter to go as well.”

Li Zeyan pondered for a moment, then said, "I will consider it."

He ordered someone to investigate the peach blossom banquet.

The purpose was to admire the peach blossoms in the Marquis of Lin'an's mansion, and the people invited by the Princess of Lin'an were all noble ladies.

"Alright, I agree."

Li Zeyan slowly sipped his tea. "This prince will go with you."

Time passed quietly, and the Peach Blossom Banquet was held as scheduled.

Lin Rusi arrived at the Marquis of Lin'an's residence early in the morning.

Wanqi helped her down from the sedan chair and they walked into the mansion.

At this moment, a number of noble ladies from prominent families had gathered outside the Marquis of Lin'an's residence, chatting in twos and threes.

Lin Rusi, accompanied by two maids, stood out somewhat among them.

"She must be Lin Rusi..."

"It seems so."

"Tsk tsk, I really don't know how such a woman could win the favor of Prince Jinglie."

"Isn't that right? Does she even deserve to be with Prince Jinglie?"

Lin Rusi frowned and looked in the direction of the sound.

Just then, her gaze met that of several noble ladies who were sizing her up.

The ladies quickly lowered their eyes and pretended nothing had happened, continuing their conversation.

Lin Rusi frowned slightly; she had heard such remarks more than once or twice.

From the moment she arrived at the Marquis's residence, it's no exaggeration to say that wherever she went, these noble ladies pointed and gossiped about her.

Anyone who didn't know better would think she had committed some heinous crime.

Lin Rusi had a bad feeling.

This peach blossom banquet is probably not so simple, or perhaps it's a trap set for her.

On second thought, I realized that I had no grudge against the princess, so why was she targeting me like this?

But this way of thinking doesn't explain why so many people are hostile towards her.