There is a happy inn in the capital.

Chapter 365 A Vow to Marry

The gifts from the other young men paled in comparison to the crown given by Cheng Zhi'an.

Li Shuchen had no interest in looking around; he was only focused on stuffing himself with food until he was stuffed before stopping to drink some tea.

"The mountain has trees, and the trees have no branches; I love you, but you do not know."

Upon hearing this, Li Shuchen knew who it was without even looking up. The way he spoke was so sticky and cloying, as if he wanted everyone to know how disgusting he was. He stood there, burning with rage, like some unknown animal just in heat.

The young man, who considered himself very handsome, held a red rose in one hand and placed the other behind his back. Standing below, he looked at Princess Jiale, a smile playing on his lips in what he considered the most perfect arc, hoping to gain her favor.

The servant hurried forward, smiling obsequiously, and asked, "Where is the gift that Young Master Park presented to the Princess? We would like to present it to her for a closer look."

Upon hearing this, the young man smiled faintly and handed the rose in his hand to Xiao Si.

The servant was slightly taken aback upon seeing this, and presented the roses with both hands.

A guest who presents only a single rose as a birthday gift at such a birthday banquet is truly unprecedented and will likely never be repeated.

Because it was so unusual, the guests present frequently looked up.

Princess Jiale didn't even lift her eyelids, casually waving her hand to have the servant take the flowers away, and then asked, "What is the meaning of this, Young Master Pu?"

Young Master Park lifted his robes and knelt down abruptly, speaking earnestly: "To be honest, Your Highness, ever since I heard that the Aiyou Hall was built by Princess Changning, I have admired it greatly. Later, I had the good fortune to meet Your Highness in the street and fell in love at first sight."

From then on, he couldn't sleep at night, only hoping to see the princess again someday.

I understand that I am merely a lowly scholar, far inferior to Princess Changning, but I will strive to achieve the highest rank in the imperial examinations—to become a tribute student, a jinshi, a tanhua (third-place scholar), a bangyan (second-place scholar), and even a zhuangyuan (first-place scholar)—all to be worthy of Princess Changning.

My feelings for Princess Changning are as clear as the sun and moon; I beseech Princess Jiale to see for herself.

Princess Jiale: "Are you aware that Changning suffers from a chronic illness?"

Young Master Park: "I know that I will marry no one but Princess Changning in this life, and I am not afraid of death. I hope that the Princess will give me a chance."

Princess Jiale: "Oh? You won't marry anyone but Changning?"

Young Master Park replied decisively, "Yes."

Princess Jiale did not continue the conversation, seemingly deep in thought.

At that moment, Li Shuchen secretly pinched a pebble in his hand and aimed it at Young Master Park's head, then flicked it away.

She absolutely could not allow Princess Jiale to develop feelings for him; she wanted to embarrass him in public, and she wanted to help Changning.

Precision Stone Strike

Park was forced to turn his head.

Turning her head to the side, Li Shuchen suddenly saw a familiar tattoo. Although only half of the tattoo was visible, she was certain that it was the strange-looking totem!

Damn, murder schemes have evolved to this level now! This isn't about marrying Changning; it's about taking her life!

Insidious! Despicable! Scoundrel!

Li Shuchen turned his head, his gaze meeting the other three. They were all visibly startled, clearly having all seen the totem. After exchanging glances for a moment, they resolved to never let the villain succeed.

Li Shuchen was the first to jump out and stop it.

"Princess Jiale, you must not agree to his request! Princess Changning has only met Young Master Pu once and has no idea whether she likes him or not. Please, Your Highness, think it over!"

Liang Yuying followed closely: "Princess Jiale, the person you spend your life with is extremely important. Not only does the other person need to like you, but you also need to like them yourself. Mutual love is essential for a lasting relationship. Please think it over carefully, Princess."

Gu Ziying: "Princess Jiale, Changning's marriage is a serious matter that requires careful consideration. Please think it over."

Ye Bingli: "Princess Jiale, we only wish for Princess Changning's happiness. Please reconsider, Princess."

Princess Jiale frowned slightly, a hint of displeasure in her voice, "Feelings can be cultivated. If you don't like someone now, there's no guarantee you won't like them in the future. I find Young Master Pu to be sincere and innocent..."

"Princess Jiale, you cannot agree to Young Master Park's request."

Li Shuchen said it again loudly.

Princess Jiale frowned even more deeply: "This princess has made her decision..."

"We cannot agree to Mr. Park's request."

Li Shuchen quickly intercepted the conversation.

Princess Jiale's face darkened, and her words were icy: "Li Shuchen, I have been lenient with you because you are a close friend of Changning. You have interrupted me time and time again. Do you think I am easy to talk to?"

"Princess Jiale, please calm down. Shu Chen had no such intention." *3

thump, thump, thump

Three pretty figures were kneeling on the ground.

Seeing this, Li Shuchen realized something was wrong and quickly knelt down as well, beginning to explain.

“Princess Jiale, Young Master Park is deceiving you. He doesn’t love Changning at all. Everything he said is a lie. He has no feelings for Changning whatsoever. He only wants to marry the princess to gain power in the princess’s household.”

Young Master Park: "Miss Li, please don't talk nonsense. I am deeply in love with Princess Changning, how could I be deceiving you?"

Li Shuchen snorted coldly: "If I dare to say it, I have my reasons. You know best whether Young Master Park's feelings for Changning are genuine."

Princess Jiale's expression softened slightly upon hearing this, but her tone remained cold as she said, "Please explain in detail."

Li Shuchen straightened up and began to analyze in detail: "Young Master Pu's first meeting with Changning was not accidental, but rather intentional. Before that, he traveled back and forth between Aiyoutang, Baoguige, and Xingfu Inn every day, just to wait for Changning and create the illusion of a chance encounter."

Many passersby saw Prince Park at these three locations, and Princess Jiale found out as soon as she asked. This was the first point Prince Park had made in deceiving the princess.

"No wonder Mr. Park looked familiar; I've seen him at the orphanage before. Miss Li's words are true."

"What a coincidence! I saw him on my way to the Happiness Inn. Young Master Park was holding a rose just like today. So he was waiting for Princess Changning."

"I never imagined that Mr. Park, who appears so refined and gentle, would harbor such cunning thoughts behind the scenes."

The guests started discussing it.

Young Master Park's expression changed slightly, and he immediately spoke up to explain, "It is precisely because I admire Princess Changning that I lingered in the places she frequents, hoping to have the chance to meet her."

Princess Jiale's sharp gaze swept over Young Master Park, and she said calmly to Li Shuchen.

"continue"

Li Shuchen: "When Young Master Park first met Changning, he disregarded her wishes and insisted on blocking the carriage, preventing her from leaving. He kept saying he liked Changning, but he completely disregarded her innocence. If rumors spread, it would only be an undeserved disaster for Changning."

Fortunately, Young Master Ruan was present that day and kindly stepped in to resolve the matter, allowing Changning to arrive at the Happiness Inn smoothly and avoid being subjected to unfounded rumors.

How can Mr. Park, with his selfish and self-serving behavior, possibly like Changning?

This is the second point in how Prince Park deceived the eldest princess.

"That's going too far! Who stops a girl from leaving?"

"This is absolutely not the act of a gentleman; we would never do anything to tarnish the young lady's reputation."

"Tsk tsk tsk, how embarrassing."

"At the time, I was only thinking about expressing my love for the princess, I didn't think about anything else!" Young Master Park roared, his face already flushed red.