Starting in Exile: Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Lucky Little Wife

Chapter 98: Best Friends Join Forces, Jia Xiaoyan Learns Gu Liuli is the Palace Master of the Dark G

At this moment, Jia Dafu's family was having dinner. The aroma of food filled the hall, and the family was chatting and laughing.

Suddenly, a maidservant rushed in from outside, holding an invitation card in her hand. She said respectfully, "Master, Madam, someone from the Crown Prince's residence has sent an invitation to Miss Jia Xiaoyan, saying that she will attend a blessing ceremony in three days."

Jia Dafu put down his chopsticks and bowl, took the invitation, and exchanged a puzzled look with his wife.

"Daughter, the Crown Princess has no connection with us, why would she send you an invitation?" Madam Jia frowned, asking with some concern. Jia Dafu also looked at his daughter warily: "Daughter, what's going on?"

Jia Xiaoyan's mind raced, but she maintained a calm expression, continuing, "At the time, the Crown Princess's maid accidentally bumped into me. Seeing her flustered expression, I helped her steady herself. The Crown Princess, noticing my polite demeanor, struck up a conversation with me. During our chat, we discovered we were both quite interested in poetry, calligraphy, and painting, and we found ourselves getting along very well, talking for quite some time before we knew it. The Crown Princess also..."

She said I had a cheerful and outgoing personality, unlike the sheltered young women she had encountered before, and that we got along very well.

Madam Jia nodded slightly, but doubts still lingered in her eyes: "Even so, it's still a bit strange that the Crown Princess invited you to the prayer ceremony." Jia Xiaoyan smiled lightly, "Mother, please don't overthink it."

The Crown Princess probably truly considers me a friend. This blessing ceremony is a joyous occasion, and she wants me to share in the happiness. Besides, being able to participate in the Crown Prince's activities is a good thing for our family.”

Jia Dafu pondered for a moment and slowly said, "Since that's the case, you should prepare well and not be impolite." Jia Xiaoyan nodded obediently, secretly relieved. She knew that this prayer ceremony would be a crucial battle for them to fight back against Li Shuhan.

At this moment, the Crown Prince's residence was filled with a festive atmosphere. From the enormous incense burner, wisps of sandalwood smoke rose, accompanied by melodious Buddhist chants, bringing tranquility to the mind. In the garden of the Crown Prince's residence, a magnificent prayer platform had been temporarily erected, laden with various precious offerings and exquisite ritual implements.

Just as everyone gathered in the garden, preparing to begin the blessing ceremony, a majestic sound of footsteps approached. Everyone bowed, and the Emperor, surrounded by guards and eunuchs, walked steadily in. Subsequently, the Empress Dowager and the Empress, also supported by palace maids, slowly appeared.

Looking at the scene before him, the Emperor nodded in satisfaction: "The Crown Prince and Crown Princess's holding of this prayer ceremony to pray for the well-being of our Nanzhao Kingdom is truly a virtuous act."

The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "Yes, I also hope that our Nanzhao Kingdom will have favorable weather and abundant harvests, and that the country will be peaceful and prosperous. Crown Princess, you are very thoughtful."

Gu Liuli moved gracefully and bowed: "It is my honor to be able to pray for the Nanzhao Kingdom and the royal family."

The Empress smiled and said, "I heard that many young ladies from the capital have been invited to this Dharma assembly, which makes it quite lively."

At this moment, Li Shuhan stepped forward, a hint of resentment flashing in her eyes, but on the surface she said respectfully, "Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, and Empress, such a grand event is truly delightful. However, I do not understand why the Crown Princess invited some unknown women, such as that Jia Xiaoyan. I really do not understand."

Gu Liuli sneered inwardly, but her face still wore a gentle smile: "Miss Li, you may not know this, but although Miss Xiaoyan comes from an ordinary background, she is kind-hearted and exceptionally talented. I took an instant liking to her and wished to invite her to join the Dharma assembly to pray for the Nanzhao Kingdom."

The Emperor nodded slightly: "Since the Crown Princess says so, this Miss Jia Xiaoyan must have some extraordinary qualities."

Li Shuhan was unwilling, but she could only force a smile and retreat back into the crowd.

Jia Xiaoyan, who was standing to the side, saw all of this and was secretly on guard, knowing that this Dharma assembly was destined to be anything but peaceful.

After the ceremony, everyone moved to a side hall to rest and enjoy tea and refreshments. Several young ladies from prominent families who were on good terms with Li Shuhan gathered around Jia Xiaoyan when they saw her alone. One of them, dressed in a pink silk dress, looked Jia Xiaoyan up and down with disdain and said in a shrill voice, "Oh, isn't this Miss Jia Xiaoyan, the Crown Princess's new favorite? I wonder what tricks she used to get into such a grand event."

Jia Xiaoyan was annoyed, but she maintained a polite smile and replied calmly, "It was just a coincidence that I got along well with the Crown Princess. As for why you're so interested in me, sister, are you perhaps envious that I'm acquainted with the Crown Princess?" The young lady blushed, speechless.

Just as she was about to erupt, another young lady with her hair in double buns quickly smoothed things over: "Miss Jia, we've heard that you are exceptionally talented. On such an occasion, why not show us a bit of your talent so that we can see for ourselves and not say that the Crown Princess has made a mistake in choosing you?"

Jia Xiaoyan sneered inwardly, knowing this was a deliberate attempt to make things difficult, but she wasn't afraid. She glanced at everyone and said gracefully, "Since you sisters are interested, then I'll make a fool of myself. Let's compose a poem on the theme of this blessing ceremony." After a moment's thought, she slowly recited: "Auspicious colors fill the courtyard as the ceremony begins, sandalwood incense wafts, dispelling dust. Everyone prays for blessings, for peace and good fortune to come to Nanzhao."

Upon hearing this, everyone couldn't help but admire her secretly, and for a moment, no one could find any fault with her. Just then, Gu Liuli happened to walk over, and she smiled at Jia Xiaoyan, saying, "Xiaoyan, so you're here. I've been looking for you."

He then looked at the young ladies and said, "My dear sisters, Xiaoyan is a friend I value. I hope you will take good care of her in the future."

Seeing the Crown Princess intervene, the young ladies, though unwilling, had no choice but to obediently agree and slink away.

Just as everyone thought the minor incident had subsided and the atmosphere was gradually returning to ease, suddenly, a dark shadow swept across the rooftop, followed by several flashes of cold light shooting towards Gu Liuli. The assassins from the Blood Fiend Palace had attacked! Chaos erupted instantly; people screamed in terror and scattered in all directions. The young ladies from noble families were terrified, some hiding under tables, others clinging tightly to those around them.

Gu Liuli reacted swiftly, pulling Jia Xiaoyan behind her and drawing her soft sword from her waist, easily deflecting the flashes of cold light. Her eyes were icy as she looked in the direction of the assassins and shouted sharply, "Bold assassin, how dare you cause trouble in the Crown Prince's residence!"

Jia Xiaoyan quickly calmed down, picked up a wooden stick from the ground, and prepared to assist Gu Liuli. At this moment, Xiao Jingchuan arrived with his guards. He held a long sword, his movements agile, and shouted loudly, "Protect the Emperor, Empress Dowager, and Empress! Capture the assassin!"

The Blood Fiend Palace assassins were highly trained; despite being surrounded, they fought back fiercely. They worked in perfect coordination, constantly searching for a breakthrough to get close to Gu Liuli.

They knew that Gu Liuli was the true master of the Blood Fiend Palace. To make their performance convincing, Gu Liuli made them look like real people, and she was also very familiar with their fighting styles.

While dealing with the assassins' attacks, she secretly sent signals to her accomplices within the Blood Fiend Palace.

As Li Shuhan watched the assassin approaching her, her face turned deathly pale, her legs went weak, and she could barely stand.

She never imagined that these assassins would turn on her. Fear gripped her heart instantly, and she instinctively tried to run away, but her legs seemed nailed to the ground, unable to move.

As the assassins drew ever closer, Li Shuhan finally broke down and shouted, "Your target is Gu Liuli, not me! I'm the one who paid you to come!" Her voice was sharp and trembling, standing out starkly amidst the cacophony of fighting.

Everyone froze upon hearing her shout, their gazes turning to Li Shuhan. Gu Liuli's lips curled into a cold smile, thinking, "Now, your true colors can no longer be hidden."

A flash of anger crossed Xiao Jingchuan's eyes. He hadn't expected Li Shuhan to be so bold as to attempt an assassination in the Crown Prince's residence.

The young ladies from prominent families were so shocked they covered their mouths. They never imagined that the seemingly dignified Li Shuhan was the mastermind behind this assassination attempt. Jia Xiaoyan, on the other hand, secretly rejoiced; their plan was finally about to succeed.