I'm competing with the male lead for a woman[GL]

Chapter 108: This is unacceptable!

Due to Xiao Jin's injured arm, when she returned to capital, it was already the next day.

Last night, it had just rained lightly in the capital. The sky was dimly lit, and the roads were still damp.

Old Zhang had been waiting at the gate of the Prince Yan's Mansion for a long time.

Although he hadn't seen his master in a long time, Old Zhang still put on a smiling face and rehearsed the words he was going to say in his mind.

However, reality was always cruel. When Xiao Jin appeared in front of him, Old Zhang's smile froze on his face, and he was too stunned to say a word.

He just stared at the white silk covering her eyes, wondering if his master had gone to Qingzhou for sightseeing or had followed the Fifth Prince to hunt.

Before Old Zhang could compose himself and shed a few tears, Xiao Jin asked, "Old Zhang, I remember that before leaving the capital, I asked you to keep Su Tan in the mansion as a guest."

Old Zhang knew Xiao Jin was getting down to business, so he stopped preparing himself and thought about his answer, "Yes, I followed your order and treated Su Tan as an honored guest. I also arranged a separate room for her to stay."

"Very well." Although Xiao Jin couldn't see, she could hear from Old Zhang's tone that he was taking care of things seriously.

She was about to praise him when he said, "However, Su Tan went out to visit his relatives recently and hasn't returned yet."

Xiao Jin's words of praise got stuck in her throat.

After a moment of silence, she slowly turned her head and stared at Old Zhang, "Visit her relatives? Where could she go to visit her relatives after Yao Country fell?"

Old Zhang still hadn't realized the seriousness of the situation and only felt that his master's complexion was not good.

He nodded and said, "Yes, she left a few days ago. She shouldn't have gone far. If Your Highness needs to find her, I can...I can..."

Seeing that Old Zhang couldn't explain anything, Xiao Jin rubbed her forehead and said, "Never mind, you can leave now."

Old Zhang was relieved and was about to turn around and leave when he suddenly remembered something, "Your Highness, tomorrow is Princess Zhao Hua's birthday. The palace is holding a banquet in the Qionglin Hall, and the Emperor and Princess Zhao Yang will both attend."

Old Zhang paused here and stole a glance at Xiao Jin's expression before continuing cautiously, "The Empress Dowager sent someone to invite you yesterday, hoping that you could also attend."

Xiao Jin certainly knew about this matter, as Tang Ling had come all the way to Qingzhou to pass on the message.

However...

"Look at me now. Can I still go?" Her tone was very calm, but the implication was clear. 

She didn't want to go to this banquet.

Since she learned that Blood Rain Pavilion might be involved in the power struggle and Xiao Shuang was connected to the Fourth Prince. Moreover, the Empress Dowager was not the original owner's birth mother. For Xiao Jin, tomorrow's birthday banquet was no different from the Hongmen Banquet. She didn't want to be set up by someone in secret.

Old Zhang looked worried and said, "Your Highness, tomorrow's banquet is not only Princess Zhao Hua's birthday banquet, but also a celebration for Qi Country's victory."

"A celebration for victory?" Xiao Jin was surprised.

Old Zhang finally showed some joy on his face when he mentioned it, "Yes, my apologies, I almost forgot to tell Your Highness. Fifth Prince returned to the court yesterday after finishing his mission in Quzhao country. Our army won and conquered the cities of Quzhao country!"