Shocking! The entire court was drooling with envy because of me.

Oh, the little bitter gourd who's starved for love.

Shen Qing sighed.

Wealth, power, status, beauty—these things are so wonderful, but perhaps only Gu Qionghua would choose to exchange them for that elusive love.

Indeed, the more unattainable something is, the more people want it.

But some things, if they are destined not to be obtained, then you have to learn to accept them, otherwise you will only suffer.

While supporting Gu Qionghua's back, Shen Qing comforted her, "Since you know you can't change it, then cherish what you have, live well, and don't be too attached to other people's love, because that's something you can't control."

You need to learn to love yourself.

Shen Qing's voice was gentle yet firm, flowing like a gentle stream through Gu Qionghua's heart.

Do I love myself...?

But why does it still sound so pitiful?

She was unwilling to accept it.

From as far back as she can remember, she has been chasing her mother's love; how could she possibly give it up so easily?

All she wanted was for her mother to love her a little, just a tiny bit.

"Madam Shen, you're right, but I can't do it right now."

Gu Qionghua spoke through sobs.

"I will learn to accept, learn to let go, and learn to love myself."

"But this time, could you please help me? Perhaps you could grant my mother's wish and let her see me."

"Please, I'm willing to pay any price, as long as you agree to cook a meal at the princess's residence."

Gu Qionghua's eyes were full of pleading.

This was the last time; she decided to try one last time.

If Mother is still... then so be it.

She stopped insisting.

"Any price is acceptable?" Shen Qing stared intently at Gu Qionghua.

"Yes, whatever the cost!"

Gu Qionghua's eyes were full of determination. She was like a gambler, ready to bet all her chips on the possibility of gaining a mother's love.

"Then, I need you to come work for me at the restaurant..."

"I agree!"

"Don't rush to agree, let me finish." Shen Qing paused, "I want you to work for me at the restaurant for ten years, with room and board provided, but no wages."

"You must go into hiding, give up your status and honor as a princess, give up the wealth of the princess's mansion, and give up everything you have now."

"The gorgeous clothes, the beautiful jewelry, and the pampered life will all be gone."

"So, are you still willing?"

Wealth, status, power, beauty...

This means she has to give up everything she currently owns in exchange.

No wonder Madam Shen brought up the exchange earlier.

Gu Qionghua smiled wryly, but she still nodded firmly: "I'm willing."

"You can't guarantee the princess's maternal love by giving all this; you've only gained an opportunity. Is it really worth it?" Shen Qing reminded him again.

He reminded Gu Qionghua that these efforts might not yield any returns at all.

Everything may very well end up being nothing.

"It's worth it." Gu Qionghua said without hesitation. "Anyway, these things never truly belonged to me."

They are just material possessions.

She was only fortunate enough to be born into a royal family, which gave her a noble status and immense power.

Perhaps only by losing these things can she truly see herself clearly.

"Alright, words are no proof, let's put it in writing. I never do business at a loss."

Shen Qing took out paper and pen from the counter and handed them to Gu Qionghua.

Gu Qionghua picked up her pen, and the ink fell onto the paper. In a few strokes, the contract was written.

The signing and sealing of documents were carried out without missing a single step of the process.

She sold ten years of her life to Shen Qing, just to get a chance.

"Madam Shen, I've signed the contract. When can you go to the Princess's residence?"

Shen Qing put the contract into his pocket and said, "No rush."

"If the princess is so fixated on this meal, she will naturally come to me again."

"If she's not persistent, then my meal won't change anything."

"But no matter what, you've given me ten years. Let me take you to buy some things first. After all, you can't do any work in those clothes."

Gu Qionghua lowered her head.

Now she has no choice but to listen to Shen Qing.

Shen Qing locked the restaurant door and took Gu Qionghua to the clothing shop.

The shop was filled with all sorts of beautiful ready-made clothes, but none of them could compare to the clothes Gu Qionghua was wearing.

The servant, ignoring Gu Qionghua's disheveled appearance, approached her with a fawning smile: "Miss, would you like to buy some clothes?"

"We have some newly arrived Yun brocade. Although it's not as good as what you're wearing, you probably only need it for a short time..."

The servant instinctively thought that Gu Qionghua had encountered an accident and that her clothes were dirty, so he came to buy her a new one.

"No need for Yunjin brocade," Shen Qing interrupted the servant.

The servant eagerly introduced, "We also have soft satin, in a pale yellow color, it would suit you perfectly!"

"No need for soft satin, just two cotton shorts will do. As for the color, gray is the best, it won't get dirty."

"Give me two more blue cloth headscarves to wrap my hair, and two aprons."

Upon hearing this, the servant's eyes widened in surprise.

"This...this is all servants' attire..."

"Take it if I tell you to," Shen Qing said calmly.

"This young lady..." The servant looked at Gu Qionghua unwillingly.

Gu Qionghua lowered her eyes: "I work at a restaurant."

Servant: "..."

She looks like a pampered young lady who never lifts a finger. What kind of work does she do?

These days, it's fashionable for young ladies from wealthy families to dress as servants and go to restaurants.

I don't understand, I really don't understand.

The servant brought two sets of clothes as Shen Qing requested.

Shen Qing handed the clothes to Gu Qionghua: "These two outfits are what you will wear from now on."

"And you can't wear those hair accessories and earrings anymore. You have to wrap your hair with a blue cloth."

Gu Qionghua took the clothes from his hands.

It was a dull gray, made of the most ordinary material, nothing like her usual clothes.

It's barely wearable; it's far from pretty.

She had never worn this kind of material or this color before.

To be honest, it's ugly, really ugly.

For the next ten years, she would only be able to wear these drab, ugly clothes, and the thought of it made her a little scared.

She was in the prime of her youth, the most beautiful and best ten years of her life, yet she could only wear such ugly clothes.

But there was nothing she could do; she had already made her choice and had no choice but to accept it.

"As for accommodation, a group of children work at my restaurant, and there are several empty rooms in their courtyard. I'll take you there to stay."

Shen Qing made the arrangements in an orderly manner.

Gu Qionghua nodded blankly.

All she could do now was nod.

Moreover, since making this deal with Shen Qing, she has felt a renewed longing for her mother.

If her mother knew how much she had sacrificed, perhaps she would start to love her...