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

Washing fruit at a sparkling beverage stall?

The princess's pupils dilated, her eyes filled with disbelief, and she instinctively retorted, "Impossible!"

Qionghua has always loved dressing up and looking pretty. She has never done any chores since she was a child, and someone always served her when she dressed up. How could she possibly be willing to wash fruit?

Absolutely impossible!

The eldest princess took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down: "Was it Gu Qionghua who sent you to deceive me?"

"Why would I lie to you? Aren't there secret guards? You can find out the truth just by asking." Shen Qing said calmly.

The princess pursed her lips. Indeed, Lady Shen had no reason to lie to her.

She had instructed her secret guards that they should not appear unless Qionghua was in mortal danger.

"She...did she really make a deal with you?"

Her voice trembled, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

Shen Qing affirmed, "Of course."

"From the moment you walked into the restaurant, she stared at you intently. Even I didn't expect that you wouldn't recognize her when she was right in front of you."

"She must be very sad."

Shen Qing spoke calmly, as if objectively stating the facts.

The color drained from the princess's face instantly; her lips moved a few times, but no sound came out.

She suddenly remembered Gu Qionghua when she was a child.

The little maid didn't understand why she stayed in Yong'an Pavilion all day, crying her eyes out. She would run into Yong'an Pavilion to look for her from time to time, but each time she would coldly order the servants to take the little maid away.

Looking back now, I realize that children don't understand or comprehend the sadness of adults; they just want to rely on their mothers.

Later, when Qionghua grew a little older, she began to study hard and dress up, wanting to be the best in everything.

At that time, she only thought that Gu Qionghua was competitive and never said a word of praise to her.

Every effort and expectation Gu Qionghua made was met with her indifference.

She focused all her attention on the deceased Gu Zhaohua.

But Qionghua was still willing to give everything just to make her wish come true.

Overwhelmed by guilt, the princess felt as if she had fallen into a dark abyss, a truly frightening sight.

Guilt terrified her.

To overcome her fear, she finally spoke up: "I, I never intended to harm Qionghua."

"I just want to make it up to Zhaohua..."

She was trying to make amends to Gu Zhaohua.

Over the past few decades, every time she wanted to be kind to Qionghua, feelings of guilt and self-reproach would well up inside her.

Time seemed to rewind to the day Zhaohua died.

It's as if treating Qionghua well would be letting Zhaohua down.

"So, the Eldest Princess did all this to make up for what she owed Miss Zhaohua?" Shen Qing's voice rang out.

The Eldest Princess: "Zhaohua is gone. I cannot let her down again. I..."

Shen Qing interrupted the princess directly: "Do you really think this kind of compensation would be meaningful for the deceased Miss Zhaohua?"

"What's the point of doing all this for someone who's already dead?"

"When a person dies, they are reduced to ashes. Princess, you are just indulging in self-pity while trapped in the past. You are selfishly escaping reality. You have let down Gu Zhaohua, Gu Qionghua, and yourself."

Self-pity? Escapism?

Meaningless...

These words shattered the princess's long-held principles and persistence.

It was as if a house that I had built with my own hands over many years had suddenly collapsed.

What she thought was compensation and love turned out to be nothing more than self-pity, a one-woman show.

It serves absolutely no purpose other than harming those around you.

In all these years, no one has ever said such hurtful things to her, yet these hurtful words are indeed true.

The eldest princess slumped into her chair, her long-standing melancholy expression frozen on her face. Her lips trembled for a long time, and a tear hung in the corner of her eye.

Shame, indignation, heartache, confusion, and guilt intertwined, making it extremely embarrassing.

"I...I just feel that Zhaohua only has me left..."

Tears rolled down her cheeks; she knew Shen Qing was right.

For so many years, she has tormented herself and those around her, and the entire princess's residence has been shrouded in a lifeless atmosphere.

Everyone is suffering, but she has become accustomed to this suffering; she is trapped in the past.

Seeing this, Shen Qing's tone softened slightly:

"True remembrance is not about trapping yourself in the past, but about living well with her legacy. If Miss Zhaohua were alive, she would certainly not want all of Your Highness's joys and sorrows to be frozen on the day she left us."

Those who have left are gone, but those who remain must continue onward.

"Princess, a person only has one heart. Once the heart is wounded, it is very difficult to heal. Even if it is healed, it will leave a scar."

To be honest, the eldest princess was also a pitiful person.

However, Gu Qionghua was completely innocent from beginning to end.

When the accident happened, she was just a child and didn't understand anything.

Anyone would sympathize with a child who longs for maternal love.

This is also why Shen Qing was willing to get involved in this matter.

By now, she had said everything she could, from harsh words to comforting words.

As for what choice the eldest princess should make, she could no longer control that.

All we can do is try our best and leave the rest to fate.

As it grew dark, and it would still be an hour before she got back, she should leave.

"Will Qionghua...forgive me?"

Even after they had already stepped outside, Shen Qing faintly heard the voice of the Eldest Princess.

The voice was very low, as if he were talking to himself.

Shen Qing paused for a moment, then replied, "Whether you forgive me or not, the Princess will know once she tries."

After saying that, she continued walking out of the mansion.

There are some questions that she cannot answer.

It was getting dark, and she wanted to go back and sleep with the dumpling in her arms.

......

Inside the Zhiwei Restaurant, all the guests had left, including Situ Liang and the others.

Gu Qionghua huddled in the backyard, wrapped her arms around her knees, and sobbed softly.

She didn't return home all night, but her mother was completely unaware.

She simply changed her clothes, and her mother no longer recognized her.

All the facts point to a heartbreaking conclusion.

Her mother didn't love her, and didn't care about her at all.

Gu Qionghua kept crying, as if she wanted to cry out all her grievances and pain.

"Don't cry, I made you a sparkling drink, have a taste!"

Xiao Mo appeared beside her at some point, holding a glass of ice-cold peach oolong sparkling drink.

"It was made with that rotten peach, but it tastes just as sweet."

"When people are unhappy, they can eat and drink something, and their mood will improve as they eat and drink."

Gu Qionghua wiped away her tears and accepted the sparkling drink: "Thank you."

"I just couldn't control myself for a moment."

"I'm sorry for causing you trouble."

Her eyes were red, and her eyelids were swollen.

Xiao Mo sat down next to her and took out a handkerchief from her bosom, tossing it into Gu Qionghua's hand.

"What's the big deal? Everyone has sad and upset times."

"However, you're really too foolish. If I were you, I wouldn't give up everything for a love that's just a pipe dream."