Mingluan's words surprised Chu Qitong. Looking at Mingluan's still youthful but already captivating eyes, Chu Qitong gently said, "Our little princess is so beautiful, how could anyone not like her?"

Ming Luan's eyes were filled with unabashed pride. She lifted her chin, exuding an air of nobility, and said to Chu Qitong, "Sister Hua, let's not dwell on that. Let me first introduce you to my friends."

While speaking, Mingluan held Chuxitong's hand and ran towards the nearby Meiyuan. The maids behind them, holding umbrellas, could only obediently follow and run behind.

In the small pavilion of Meiyuan Garden, there were five or six young girls of similar age sitting in small groups. As Chu Qitong looked around, she noticed a hint of familiarity in their eyes. However, she realized that she didn't know the name of a single person.

Mingluan stood beside Chu Qitong and clapped her hands, instantly capturing the attention of everyone. She cleared her throat and said, "Let me introduce you all. This is my royal sister, Princess Liuhua of the palace. If any of you dare to disrespect her just because she has a good temper, this princess here won't spare you."

As soon as Mingluan's words fell, the young ladies of the official families who were originally sitting together in small groups stood up with the support of their maidservants. They all bowed down to Chuxitong and said in unison, "The humble girls greet the princess. How are you, princess?"

Chu Qitong looked at the delicate and charming young ladies in front of her, who were dressed up and had lowered their eyes. She forced a kind smile and raised her hand in a gesture of assistance, saying, "Alright, get up. Today is Ming Luan's plum blossom appreciation banquet. Just like all of you, I am also an invited guest of Ming Luan. You don't need to be restrained in front of me."

After Chu Qitong finished speaking, the group of noble young ladies from influential families all visibly relaxed. Although their fathers held high positions in the imperial court, they knew that they could never compare to the distinguished status of a princess, no matter what.

Originally, when they heard that the princess would also attend the banquet, they were all somewhat nervous. They were afraid that they might do something improper and offend the princess. However, they did not expect that the princess would turn out to be such a kind person.

For a moment, everyone looked at Chu Qitong with a hint of surprise in their eyes. Chu Qitong simply smiled when she noticed their gaze and then turned to Ming Luan. "Luan'er, you are the host today and we are all guests. You must entertain our guests well."

Chu Qitong's words made Ming Luan temporarily set aside the pride in her eyes. She began to beckon the maids to bring the tea and snacks that had long been prepared. Only when all the tea and snacks were placed in front of everyone did Ming Luan softly whisper in Chu Qitong's ear, "Sister Hua, why are you so kind to them as well?"

Looking at the slight dissatisfaction in Mingluan's eyes, Chu Qitong gently touched her head and softly said, "Because they are all Luan'er's friends."

Ming Luan was very dissatisfied with Chu Qitong's answer. She glanced at the young ladies who were chattering nearby, shook her head gently, and continued, "But, Sister Hua, you are a princess, while they are merely the daughters of ministers. There's no need for you to lower yourself and speak so gently with them."

Lu'er, you are still young and there are many things you can't fully understand. Actually, being a princess is just a title that sounds good. Sometimes, I even live worse off than them. We are all friends, so it's okay to compromise a little. It won't do any harm to ourselves."