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

Shen Qing sighed softly.

Gu Qionghua had probably never felt such a loving and caring gaze from the eldest princess.

"Has the Princess been dining with Miss Zhaohua like this all these years?" she asked, seemingly casually.

The eldest princess smiled and shared, "Yes, as soon as I came to Yong'an Pavilion, I felt as if Zhaohua was still here. For so many years, I have dined with her every day and come to talk to her from time to time."

"In my heart, Zhaohua has never left." Her tone was filled with deep emotion.

Perhaps because Shen Qing didn't show her any sympathy, the princess was willing to say a little more.

"Has the eldest princess ever dined with Princess Qionghua?" Shen Qing changed the subject.

The eldest princess froze for a moment, then after a long pause, she forced a smile and said, "Qionghua has many servants with her, and besides, she doesn't like sweets..."

"So, the Eldest Princess has never dined with Princess Qionghua?"

Shen Qing interrupted the princess directly.

The princess choked.

Indeed, she hadn't cared about Qionghua since Zhaohua passed away.

As for meals, apart from the palace banquets she had to attend, she almost never dined with Qionghua.

"If Princess Qionghua doesn't like sweets, what does she like to eat?"

Before the princess could even refute him, Shen Qing's next question followed.

"She..." The eldest princess frowned, seemingly stumped by the question.

"In fact, the Eldest Princess has no idea whether Princess Qionghua likes sweets or not, does she?" Shen Qing said with a sarcastic smile.

People always subconsciously make excuses for themselves.

Saying she doesn't like sweets is clearly just the eldest princess subconsciously defending herself.

The princess's face instantly hardened, and she said coldly, "Isn't Madam Shen being a bit too talkative?"

"I invited you here today mainly for Zhaohua's sake, so why bring up Qionghua here in Yong'an Pavilion?"

She wasn't stupid; she could tell that Madam Shen was speaking up for Gu Qionghua.

"Can't we mention Princess Qionghua? Why can't we? Does the Princess feel indebted to us deep down?" Shen Qing was not at all intimidated and continued to press for answers.

owe.

Does she feel indebted to Qionghua?

How could she possibly feel indebted to Qionghua? The person she owed the most to was Zhaohua.

"The eldest princess is immersed in the past and grief, placing all her maternal love and care on a dead person, while ignoring the living and hurting them with indifference and neglect. Does the eldest princess really have no remorse whatsoever?"

"Shut up!!" The princess clenched her fists and shouted angrily.

She didn't want to listen anymore.

Those words were like sharp swords, piercing straight into her heart.

"What have I done to wrong her?"

The eldest princess gave a cold laugh.

"She can eat anything she likes, sweet or sour, and a whole group of servants will prepare it for her. She has everything she wants—power, fame, wealth. I have given her everything, and I owe her nothing in the slightest."

"On the contrary, it was Zhaohua who lost her life, who died so young. Zhaohua is the one I owe the most!"

In the end, it all came back to Gu Zhaohua's unexpected death.

But this is something no one can change.

No matter how much Gu Qionghua suffered, the Princess only said one thing: Zhaohua had lost her life, so Gu Qionghua could only endure her grievances.

You can't say it, you can't mention it, you can't feel wronged, you can't fight for it.

Day after day, year after year.

No matter how hard the living try, they can't compare to the dead.

"Power, fame, wealth..." Shen Qing paused, "Does the Eldest Princess think that Princess Qionghua possesses everything by having these?"

"How can it not be? She was born with something that so many people want but can't have. What is there for her to feel wronged about?!" The princess snorted coldly. She didn't feel indebted at all.

Gu Qionghua lives such a good life, with fine clothes and delicacies, surrounded by servants. What does she have to begrudge?

If Gu Qionghua hadn't cried and pestered her, why would she have scolded Zhaohua out of annoyance? If it weren't for those scoldings, how could Zhaohua have run away in a huff and lost her life?

Owe her anything? She owes her nothing.

"She really is a silly girl," Shen Qing chuckled.

The eldest princess was somewhat confused: "What do you mean? What are you laughing at?"

"Princess Qionghua did not return home last night. Does the Eldest Princess know?"

"So what if I don't know?" the eldest princess said coldly. "Are you trying to make me feel guilty?"

"Let me tell you, I will not feel guilty."

"Gu Qionghua has bodyguards around her, and they're protecting her well. So what if she didn't come home all night? She was just out having some fun."

Playing around?

The eldest princess really didn't know anything about Gu Qionghua, let alone care about her.

"Does Your Highness know why I so readily agreed to prepare this feast for you?"

Why?

The princess was taken aback, not understanding why Shen Qing had suddenly changed the subject.

"Yesterday, Princess Qionghua went to the restaurant to beg me to grant your request, hoping to use this meal to resolve your inner conflict."

"I felt sorry for her, so I made a deal with her."

As he spoke, Shen Qing took out the contract he had previously signed with Gu Qionghua from his pocket and shoved it in front of the princess.

"For the next ten years, the high and mighty Princess Qionghua will only be able to work in my restaurant."

"She gave up all her wealth, power, and status, and she did so voluntarily."

"So starting yesterday, she took off her gorgeous clothes and moved into a simple house, all so that Your Highness could have your wish."

The princess could not believe her ears; her mind was buzzing.

What does it mean to give up everything to work in a restaurant?

Gu Qionghua is a royal princess!

She opened her eyes wide and stared intently at the contract, where she saw that the words were clearly written in black and white, and there was a red handprint on it.

"Nonsense!!!"

The princess shouted and raised her hand to tear the paper in front of her to shreds.

It's fake, absolutely fake, she doesn't believe it!

Gu Qionghua is so flamboyant and proud, how could she possibly go to work as a laborer in a restaurant?

Shen Qing moved even faster; she possessed unparalleled martial arts skills, and with a single step back, she widened the distance between herself and the princess.

Then he casually said, "The food is already prepared; I'm not willing to do a losing business."

"By the way, didn't you see Princess Qionghua washing fruit at the sparkling drink stall today?