The next day, as soon as Jiang Ning'an got up, she heard that Chu Ming had come.
"Ning'an, Yu'er came here this time specifically for matchmaking. Now that she has been in the capital for a while and has gotten used to it, I think it's time to hold a banquet to let her get to know the outstanding young men in the capital."
"Sure." Jiang Ning'an replied absent - mindedly.
Before Chu Ming could breathe a sigh of relief, Jiang Ning'an continued, "As long as it's not held in the Princess Dowager's Mansion."
The smile on Chu Ming's face froze instantly.
"...... Ning'an, Yu'er is my niece and also your younger sister. It's only right for the Princess Dowager's Mansion to take charge of her marriage, isn't it?"
Jiang Ning'an suddenly laughed. "Father, do you still remember what this mansion is called?"
Chu Ming was stunned for a moment. "The Mansion of the Princess Dowager who Protects the Nation..."
Seeing that his voice was getting weaker, Jiang Ning'an said, "You do know, don't you? It's the Princess Dowager's Mansion. Chu Yu is your relative, not my mother's. Why should the Princess Dowager's Mansion take care of her affairs?"
Chu Ming's face turned ugly. "I'm your mother's husband. We're a family. If your mother were still alive, Yu'er would call her aunt -"
"Are you sure you want to keep disgusting me like this, Father?"
Jiang Ning'an interrupted him directly and stared at him intently, with a rare chill in her eyes.
Others might not know Chu Yu's identity, but Jiang Ning'an did.
She couldn't believe that Chu Ming could say such things.
Meeting Jiang Ning'an's gaze, Chu Ming was instantly stunned, and a sense of foreboding welled up from the bottom of his heart.
Could it be that Jiang Ning'an knew something?
He took a deep breath and forced a smile. "Ning'an, what do you mean by that?"
"Nothing. It's just that my mother never liked to make random connections with others," Jiang Ning'an said. "I also prefer a quiet life. It's better to hold the banquet outside."
Seeing Jiang Ning'an's firm attitude, Chu Ming's face also darkened. "I just came to tell you about this. I've already spread the news. You can figure it out yourself."
With that, Chu Ming got up and left directly.
Behind him, Jiang Ning'an stared at him coldly.
It wasn't until Chu Ming's back disappeared from sight that Meng Chun couldn't help but say, "What does the imperial son - in - law mean by this! Since he's already made the decision, why did he come to tell the princess?"
Jiang Ning'an looked at the door absent - mindedly. "It's because he can't mobilize the people in the mansion by himself."
As soon as she finished speaking, Nanny Deng came over. "Princess, I heard that the imperial son - in - law was just here. So, what are you going to do about this?"
Chu Ming had really done something extreme this time.
He had sent out the invitations first. Even if Jiang Ning'an didn't care about family ties, she had to consider the face of the Princess Dowager's Mansion.
"Then let's hold it. Hold it on a grand scale," Jiang Ning'an said. "We mustn't let outsiders think that the Princess Dowager's Mansion has fallen into decline."
Nanny Deng sighed.
Spending money was a minor issue. The main thing was the feeling of being forced to do something, which was really unpleasant.
Seeing Nanny Deng standing still, Jiang Ning'an said with a smile, "Come on, Nanny. It's not a big deal. If you don't want to do it, you can hand it over to someone else."
Nanny Deng sighed. "There are rules in the mansion for such things. I don't need to worry too much. I just feel sorry for you, Princess!"
How could a father force his own daughter for the sake of his niece? It was simply unreasonable!
But Jiang Ning'an didn't seem to care at all. "Nanny, you can go back. I'm really fine here."
Seeing this, Nanny Deng had no choice but to go and handle the matter.
---
The date of the banquet was set two days later.
The protagonist of the banquet was Chu Yu. Jiang Ning'an originally didn't plan to go, but somehow Chu Ming went crazy and came to call her in person.
"Ning'an, the yard is so lively. You're not in good health. It's not good to stay cooped up like this all the time. Go out and take a stroll!"
Looking at the smile on Chu Ming's face, Jiang Ning'an felt a moment of daze.
Chu Ming had never smiled at her so gently before.
"...... Okay."
Almost instinctively, Jiang Ning'an agreed.
Chu Ming's face lit up, and he led Jiang Ning'an towards the yard.
The front - yard garden was bustling at first, but when Jiang Ning'an arrived, it almost fell silent.
"Princess Zhaoyang really came..."
"The imperial son - in - law actually managed to invite Princess Zhaoyang for Miss Chu. He really values her. If someone could marry her..."
Jiang Ning'an frowned. "Father, I -"
Just as she was about to speak, Chu Ming quickly walked away from her.
"Yu'er!" Chu Ming walked quickly towards Chu Yu. "So, have you seen anyone you like?"
Chu Yu shook her head.
There were many people here today, but in terms of appearance and talent, none of them could compare to Xu Linchuan, and in terms of family background, none of them could match Fu Qingya.
In short, none of them caught her eye.
Chu Ming said with a smile, "Don't be in a hurry. There are plenty of young men in the capital. The ones invited today are just a small part. We'll invite more later!"
Chu Yu nodded with a smile.
She glanced at Jiang Ning'an not far away, and the smile on her face grew even wider. She stepped forward and hugged Chu Ming's arm coquettishly. "Uncle is the best!
By the way, Uncle, this is my friend, the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Xuanping's Mansion."
Jiang Wenlan instantly became nervous. "Greetings to the imperial son - in - law."
Chu Ming smiled amiably. "So you're Yu'er's friend. Make yourself at home here!"
"Thank you, imperial son - in - law!"
Looking at the two people being so intimate not far away, Jiang Ning'an squinted her eyes.
She had actually still harbored some illusions about Chu Ming...
There was really no hope for her.
Noticing that Jiang Ning'an was in a bad mood, Meng Chun quickly said, "Princess, shall we go somewhere else for a stroll?"
"...... Okay."
Over there, seeing Jiang Ning'an leave, Chu Yu smiled even more smugly. "Father, I'll take Wenlan for a walk around."
"Go ahead, go ahead."
Jiang Wenlan stepped forward and hugged Chu Yu's arm, excited. "Sister Yu, as soon as the imperial son - in - law saw you, he even abandoned the princess. He really treats you well!
And did you notice the princess's expression just now? It was so satisfying! As soon as the imperial son - in - law saw you, he left her behind.
It's so funny. She doesn't even know how unpopular she is. She still has the nerve to come out!"
A glint of amusement flashed in Chu Yu's eyes. "Okay, okay. Say less. There are so many people around."
Jiang Wenlan covered her mouth. Although she stopped talking, the smile on the corner of her mouth couldn't be suppressed.
---
Over there, Jiang Ning'an sat down in the pavilion by the lake.
Perhaps because the weather was getting hotter, Jiang Ning'an always felt that the wind today was not comfortable enough. It even made her feel irritated.
Meng Chun served her tea. "Princess, shall we have dinner here or go back?"
Jiang Ning'an took the teacup and drank it in one gulp. "Go back."
She really didn't want to stay in this lousy place for a moment longer.
After drinking a cup of tea, Jiang Ning'an was still annoyed.
Just then, the teapot ran out of tea.
Meng Chun was about to call someone to bring another pot of tea when a servant walked over bent over, carrying a teapot in his hand.
Meng Chun was about to go over to take it, but Jiang Ning'an said, "Tell him to bring it in."
The servant bowed and carried the teapot towards the pavilion.
This servant was a bit strange. He always bent down and lowered his head when walking, as if he was afraid of being recognized by someone.
He walked into the pavilion and put down the teapot.
Meng Chun was about to step forward to get it, but as soon as she got close, she was pushed away by a huge force.
In a hurry, she saw the man take out a glinting blade -
"Princess!"
Although this place was quiet, it was still a banquet, and many people were attracted by Meng Chun's exclamation.
Chu Yu also heard the commotion. Before she even turned around, the corner of her mouth couldn't help but curl up.
Jiang Ning'an was just a sickly girl, powerless. This operation was well - arranged. Attacking Jiang Ning'an from such a close distance, even the secret guards wouldn't have a chance to react.
This time, even if Jiang Ning'an didn't die, she would be seriously injured!