Chapter 30: The Rivals in Secret Affection

Mrs. Fu led her entourage to follow the eunuch guiding them to the Qilin Hall.

Today’s palace banquet was held there.

In recent days, Li Ning’an had been accompanying her mother and performing her duties as a filial daughter, which had made her father a bit jealous.

The Emperor even joked, “I’ve heard that you wake up early to make pastries for others. Why do you have to use someone else’s hands to deliver them to me?”

If Li Ning had heard this, she would likely have knelt in shock, scrambling for an explanation.

Li Ning’an replied, “It’s because Father is so considerate of me that I have them work hard.”

Thus, Li Ning’an spent the morning making pastries for the Emperor and the afternoon preparing ginseng soup for the Empress Dowager, staying at the Weiyang Palace until evening before returning.

The Fuxuan Building had opened, but as the owner, she didn’t go, hoping not to be recognized, as she still planned to maintain her intelligence network.

The arrival of people from the Fu family’s old residence didn’t bother her; they were just minor characters.

In her past life, she had already married into the Fu family by this time.

Despite her noble status as a princess, not living in the Princess Mansion and wishing to be close to her mother-in-law did not mean she was willing to live with so many people.

Eventually, even the Fu Old Master and his wife had to move to another place to live.

In reality, it was not far away, just next door.

Princess Ning’an was not short of money; anything that could be resolved with silver was not a problem.

The Fu family was harmonious, and she even had Fu Mingqi appointed to an official position in the Ministry of Revenue.

During festivals, she would give everyone generous gifts.

What good did it do?

She was still driven to suicide and almost ended up as a courtesan.

Li Ning’an appeared at the banquet with the Emperor and Empress Dowager, dressed in a deep blue embroidered dress and adorned with a pearl and eight-treasure hairpin.

With bright eyes, a fair complexion, and an air of luxury and nobility, she stood out.

Not just Fu Mingzhi, but perhaps all the women in the hall were overshadowed by her.

Li Ning’an sat in the first seat to the right of the Emperor, with Li Ning and her younger siblings seated below her.

To the left of the Empress was Consort Tong Xian, with others seated according to their ranks.

Unless instructed otherwise by the Emperor, the seating arrangements would not be changed.

The rest were ministers and their families, seated separately by gender, with no need for concealment.

They just had to avoid being too close.

Emperor Mingde spoke a few words of formality, watched some performances, then summoned several important ministers to discuss matters in the Xuanzheng Hall.

Li Ning drank fruit wine, which was not intoxicating but should not be consumed too much.

As the elder sister, Li Ning’an naturally reminded her.

“Be careful, don’t get drunk.”

Li Ning’s maid, Luyun, nodded and quietly advised her.

Li Ning was not happy.

She wanted to drown her worries in drink.

Because her maternal uncle was captured, and her cousin’s military campaign was failing, Beiyue even suggested a marriage alliance with Daqi.

The court officials, unable to criticize the Third Princess, used her as a bargaining chip.

If it weren’t for Fu Minglang, she might have been married off to Beiyue.

Such a wild and desolate land could never be her home.

Li Ning was very anxious these days and couldn’t calm her mind.

She had once thought her third sister’s affection for Fu Minglang was foolish.

Now, it seemed her third sister had good taste.

Li Ning couldn’t help but look towards Fu Minglang, who was both handsome and gentle.

He was chatting with his colleagues, and upon sensing someone looking at him, he thought it was Princess Ning’an.

However, when he looked, he realized it was the Fourth Princess.

They made eye contact, and although it was awkward to look away, he nodded politely, and Li Ning returned the gesture.

Li Ning had always competed with Li Ning’an for things, not because she couldn’t win, but because Li Ning’an didn’t care much.

Everything she had was the best.

Perhaps it was because she had grown tired of it.

She could give it to the Fourth Princess, as Li Ning’an didn’t mind.

Li Ning was tempted to pursue Fu Minglang, but then she dismissed the thought.

If Fu Minglang wasn’t interested in her third sister, why would he be interested in her?

Consort Tong Xian had been paying close attention to her daughter and was also alarmed by the marriage alliance news. She wasn’t blaming her elder brother but felt something was amiss.

Why was Yan Ziqi sent to the frontier in the end?

Was he pretending to be weak to deceive others?

Had Fu Minglang been in contact with Yan Ziqi? Why did he speak up for him?

Here is the translation for the provided text:

Yan Ziqi had never liked Fu Minglang, and this was no secret.

Since Li Ning’an had taken a liking to Fu Minglang, Yan Ziqi had often spoken ill of him.

However, people generally preferred the words of virtuous gentlemen.

Yan Ziqi, being a dandy, clearly did not fall into this category.

Fu Minglang never bothered to refute his slander.

He believed that the pure are self-evident, which earned him the favor of many.

If Consort Tong Xian had her way, she would have been willing to accept Fu Minglang as the imperial son-in-law for Ning Yi.

He was currently favored by the Minister of Revenue and had received praise from Grand Preceptor Wen.

Consort Tong Xian was deliberating on which suitor would be best for her daughter.

Li Ningyi continued to drink quietly, and Li Ning’an paid her no mind.

“Mother, I’m going out for some fresh air.” Being cooped up in the hall was a bit stifling for Li Ning’an.

Outside the Qilin Hall, there was a garden. As soon as Li Ning’an stepped out, a little tail followed her.

When she reached a pavilion, she saw it was Fu Mingying.

As soon as she sat down, a little eunuch brought over tea and pastries, obviously trying to ingratiate himself.

Li Ning’an casually instructed Xing’e to give the eunuch a small silver reward, and the little eunuch happily left.

His attentiveness and cleverness were appreciated.

After taking a sip of tea, Li Ning’an asked, “Is there something you need?”

Fu Mingying stood there, neither sitting down nor leaving.

A trace of barely perceptible jealousy crossed her eyes, and then she cautiously asked:

“Princess, is there any danger for Young Master Yan going to the frontier?”

“Hmm?” Li Ning’an was surprised, then understood.

Fu Mingying was indeed deeply interested in Yan Ziqi.

She had no interest in Fu Minglang at all.

“As for court matters, I cannot intervene and have nothing to disclose.”

She wouldn’t share information with Fu Mingying.

What was her relationship with Yan Ziqi?

Why should she tell you?

Fu Mingying was not disheartened; she knew that Princess Ning’an was favored and likely had access to inside information.

Just as Fu Mingying was about to ask more, footsteps approached. She fell silent and looked in that direction.

“Where did you find such old and shabby items to wear? Aren’t you embarrassed?”

The woman was dressed in a pale pink long dress, adorned with precious hairpins, looking very noble.

She was quickly catching up with the two sisters ahead.

At this moment, the three of them turned the corner from the other corridor and were unaware of the presence in the pavilion.

“This is something Princess Ning’an bestowed upon us. How dare you look down on it?”

That voice was somewhat familiar to Fu Mingying.

Upon careful recall, she realized it was Fu Mingdie.

Her mother had instructed her to speak less and avoid trouble, but she had clearly not heeded this advice and had gotten into a conflict.

Fu Mingdie, like Fu Mingzhi, was fourteen years old, only twenty days younger.

She didn’t feel gratitude or dislike towards Princess Ning’an.

The third branch had no real power and was always relying on the clan.

Fu Mingdie was somewhat favored by the old madam, thus a bit spoiled. When criticized, she would cry and look aggrieved.

Fu Mingying glanced at Princess Ning’an, who remained unmoved and appeared calm, observing Fu Mingying with composure.

She was pondering who was causing trouble.

The Fu family never made enemies, except for that foolish Fu Mingqi.

Fu Minglang was well-regarded, and many wished to marry him.

How could anyone dare to insult his cousin?

Indeed, two people with the same surname Fu could not be reconciled.

Fu Minglang was actually quite protective of his family.

Li Ning’an took another sip of tea, finding the outside much more interesting than the inside.

“Look down on you? Ha, I look down on you. Don’t think you can become a phoenix just by dressing up.”

The eldest daughter of the Minister of Justice, Qiu Li, disdainfully looked at the two sisters.

She had seen them sneaking out and deliberately followed them to make them see reality.

Such a humble family as the Fu family was not worthy of the Fifth Prince’s attention.

Dressed so splendidly, they were surely trying to attract the Fifth Prince.

Fu Minglang was involved with Princess Ning’an, and his sister was no better, perhaps wanting to become a prince’s consort.

The Fifth Prince could only be hers.

She couldn’t let such a scheming girl snatch him away.