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

"But she's my mother. She's not just anyone, she's my mother," Gu Qionghua sobbed.

She has had everything since she was a child.

With inexhaustible gold and silver and endless jewelry, she could do whatever she wanted, and the servants in the mansion and the young masters and ladies outside the mansion almost all indulged her.

But all she wanted was her mother's love.

Xiao Mo was different. Compared to love, she wanted something more: freedom.

"My mother doesn't love me either," Xiao Mo said indifferently, shrugging her shoulders.

"And my father, he has absolutely no love for me."

"They were just using me as a stepping stone to revitalize their family. They raised me for so many years just to exploit my marriage for their own benefit."

"If I hadn't run fast, I might have been handed over to the old emperor by now."

Gu Qionghua was taken aback; it seemed that Xiao Mo's experience was even more tragic.

In comparison, the eldest princess was merely indifferent to her, but did not restrict her from using her.

"Aren't you sad?" she couldn't help but ask.

"Of course I was sad at first, but I gradually accepted it. I can't punish myself with my emotions just because no one loves me."

Xiao Mo is very open-minded, especially now that her parents have lost power and no one in the family cares about her. She can do whatever she wants and is extremely happy.

So they became even less concerned about their parents' attitudes.

"Accept..." Gu Qionghua murmured to herself.

For so many years, she had been thinking about how to win her mother's favor, but she never thought about accepting her mother's indifference.

"Not all parents love their children. As the one who is not loved, we must accept that we only live once and should live for ourselves."

"As for whether or not we love each other, let's just let things take their course," Xiao Mo said nonchalantly.

Gu Qionghua remained silent for a long time, as many memories flooded her mind.

The icy, sparkling drink has a sweet peach flavor.

I definitely feel much better now.

After a long pause, she said, "You're right. I should learn to let go and accept things. Some things can't be forced."

"We only live once, so we should live for ourselves and live happily and freely."

"I will try my best to adapt to life in the restaurant. Even if I'm not a princess, even if I don't have my mother's love, I will live for myself!"

"That's more like it," Xiao Mo laughed. "We should be happier."

"Come on, it's getting dark. I'll take you to my place to stay. You look like you didn't sleep well last night."

"This...isn't that a bad idea..."

"What's wrong with that? You'll live with me!!"

"Can......"

"What do you mean 'what do you mean'? From now on, you'll be with me. Your mother may not love you, but I, as your friend, will!"

......

It's a brand new day.

Shen Qing slept until she naturally woke up.

Today's dish is still Mala Xiang Guo (Spicy Stir-Fry), but the purchase limit has been increased by 100 servings.

When the time was almost right, Shen Qing went to Zhiwei Restaurant.

The line was still very long, and the person standing at the very front was the eldest princess. She was thin and looked even more haggard.

"Madam Shen, Qionghua, she..."

Upon seeing Shen Qing, the princess's eyes lit up.

Shen Qing shook his head: "I didn't see her today."

"However, she should be arriving at the restaurant soon."

Judging from this, it seems that the Eldest Princess came today specifically for Gu Qionghua.

"Madam Shen, I have a question about that contract..." the Princess spoke again.

"I have to go to the restaurant to prepare the food; I don't have time to discuss this with you now."

Shen Qing interrupted the princess and stepped into the restaurant.

Let's put that contract aside for now.

As she watched Shen Qing's retreating figure, the princess's gaze hardened with determination.

She had wronged Qionghua over the years, and now that she had come to terms with it, she naturally could no longer remain indifferent.

She couldn't let Qionghua suffer in the restaurant; she wanted to make it up to her properly.

The eldest princess was lost in her own thoughts.

Before long, two figures were seen walking towards them from a distance.

A man with short hair, smiling broadly, seemed to be talking about something interesting.

As for the other one, the eldest princess recognized it at a glance.

That was her Qionghua.

At this moment, Gu Qionghua was also smiling, listening attentively, seemingly very interested in what Xiao Mo was saying.

The two walked hand in hand, chatting and laughing, toward the restaurant.

The eldest princess was stunned.

She seemed to have never seen Gu Qionghua so joyful and happy before.

In the past, Gu Qionghua had always been cautious and expectant in front of her, and had never felt so relaxed and happy.

For a moment, her whole body froze.

She owed Qionghua too much.

A sense of fear rose within her, and she even felt a desire to escape.

"Mother."

A familiar voice rang out, interrupting the princess's thoughts.

Looking up, I saw that Gu Qionghua's smile was gone, as was her usual fawning and expectant expression.

Calm, indifferent.

It was as if I were facing a complete stranger.

"Qionghua, I..." The princess took two steps forward, raised her hand, as if she wanted to hug Gu Qionghua and take a good look at her.

Gu Qionghua couldn't help but take two steps back.

"Mother, are you here to buy food? It's not time yet."

A hint of pain flashed across the princess's brow: "Qionghua, I didn't come to buy food, I came to find you."

"Looking for me?" Gu Qionghua clearly didn't believe it.

In all these years, when has her mother ever cared for her?

It must have been Madam Shen who told her mother about the transaction.

Thinking of this, she smiled gently: "Mother, you don't need to take the transaction to heart. I've had enough of being a princess and want to experience the life of an ordinary person."

"I feel great."

Although she didn't have a large retinue of servants, she gained friendships and found freedom and comfort.

She felt relieved and stopped clinging to her mother's love.

Of course, she didn't hate her, after all, her mother hadn't done anything to wrong her.

Letting go of those obsessions made her feel much lighter.

Hearing these words, the princess felt even more guilty.

"Qionghua, I'm sorry. I was wrong all these years. I shouldn't have ignored you like that. What happened back then was an accident. I was too stubborn and hurt you for so many years."

"Qionghua, can you... forgive your mother?" The princess's voice trembled.

She stared intently at her daughter, her eyes filled with guilt and longing.

She wanted a chance to make amends; she wanted to love her Qionghua properly.