Chapter 435: Scheme
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Originally, the third segment of the garden tour was meant to be a talent show. However, due to the unfortunate cruise ship accident that had left the Crown Prince and the fifth princess in a somber mood, the third segment was canceled. The tour went directly from the second to the fourth segment.
The fourth section was dedicated to a grand banquet, and the Crown Prince had invested considerable effort and resources to make it a memorable occasion. In his pursuit of excellence, he had spared no expense and procured a generous supply of seafood. As a result, today’s banquet was often referred to as a “seafood banquet.”
Transporting seafood in ancient times was notably more challenging than in the modern era. Today, we benefit from efficient cold chain transportation methods. However, in ancient times, people had developed their own form of “refrigeration. ”
Ancient individuals had serendipitously discovered that adding saltpeter, used in gunpowder production, to water could cause the water to chill significantly and even freeze. This discovery led to the creation of a sealed container designed for transporting seafood. This container had two layers with a three-inch gap in between. Seafood was placed in the inner compartment, the gap was filled with water, and disinfectants were added. The entire container was then wrapped in thick fabric to insulate it. This “homemade fridge” effectively preserved seafood for a considerable duration, although it required daily maintenance for extended journeys.
The transportation process demanded a significant allocation of labor and resources to transport a substantial quantity of seafood.
The banquet was meticulously organized, with the guests divided into two groups: male and female, each hosted in the north and south side halls, respectively.
The men and women were immersed in the festivities, momentarily forgetting about the mishap on the cruise ship.
While the women enjoyed themselves, it was expected that they maintain a certain level of decorum. They were required to uphold their genteel and poised image as ladies well-versed in etiquette and the broader social context.
The men, on the other hand, often displayed a more presumptuous attitude. Especially after indulging in alcohol, some of the young masters began to reveal their true natures. Conversations became boisterous and self-congratulatory, with a few bold individuals teasing the maids.
The fifth segment of the garden tour, scheduled to occur after the banquet, promised free time for all. However, before the banquet concluded, the Crown Prince dispatched a messenger to summon Su Bin, citing an urgent matter he wished to discuss.
The reason for this invitation mirrored the one used for plotting against Qin Zhenzhen. Su Bin was well aware of the Crown Prince and the fifth princess’s scheme, yet he maintained a facade of ignorance.
Upon arriving at a secluded room, Su Bin encountered an alluring fragrance from the Western Region. However, he had consumed a pill given to him in advance by Qin Zhenzhen, rendering the Western Region Enchanting Fragrance ineffective.
Nonetheless, Su Bin feigned disorientation.
At that moment, the fifth princess entered the room with an air of pride. Her eyes gleamed with anticipation as she desired to pounce on Su Bin and claim his treasure.
Observing the fifth princess’s eager demeanor, Su Bin felt a wave of nausea, but he suppressed it and, instead, pretended to have lost his wits. He lunged toward the fifth princess.
“Zhenzhen, my dearest Zhenzhen, you’re here! I’ve missed you so much!”
With the fifth princess eagerly waiting, Su Bin played his part, feigning affection and readiness to embrace her.
However, when she heard Su Bin call Zhenzhen and not her name, she felt a little uncomfortable.
She put on a flirtatious expression and leaned against the edge of the bed to correct Su Bin. “You’ve got the wrong person. Look carefully. Who am I?”
Su Bin was stunned for a moment. Just as he was about to pounce on the fifth princess, he suddenly stopped, looking a little confused.
“Who are you?”
After confirming that Su Bin had fallen for it, the fifth princess continued to tempt him. “I’m the person who can give you happiness!”
“If you can call out my name, I’ll… serve you well today.. I guarantee that you’ll never forget my goodness!”