Chapter 192, I guess.
The Kangle Palace is decorated with lanterns and colorful banners.
Outside, the sky was freezing cold, but inside the hall it was warm like spring.
A band was playing music, and palace maids were bustling about, leading each member of the visiting delegation to their designated place according to their rank.
On the table, there were several small dishes. Although they weren't particularly luxurious, each one was uniquely crafted, obviously the work of a skilled chef. They were visually appealing, fragrant, and tantalizing. The aroma alone was enough to make one's mouth water, but no one would be so rude as to start eating before the appropriate time in this setting.
As the princess of the Xian Dynasty and envoy of the delegation, Jin Xueyuan naturally sat in the most central position, to the right of the Crown Prince's main seat. Opposite her, on the left, were some officials from the Qin Dynasty. Because it was only a banquet in the East Palace, their ranks were not high, with no cabinet ministers present. Obviously, apart from the first-ranked official seated on Jin Xueyuan's left, everyone else was a guest.
After the Xían Dynasty delegation entered Kǎngtài Hall, the other members of the delegation and the Qin Dynasty officials present immediately began to exchange greetings.
Though they were strangers, they acted as if they were long-lost brothers meeting for the first time.
Jin Xueyuan, however, did not participate. With her lofty status, she didn't need to engage in this acting competition with these politicians and simply took her seat.
After Jin Xueyan took her seat, she looked around. Besides the main seat of the Crown Prince and the first table on her left, the rest were all occupied by people she didn't recognize. Though everyone else had arrived, their faces were unfamiliar to her.
With a light sigh, Jin Xueyuan was somewhat disappointed.
She had hoped to see that rascal here.
At the very least, he could learn the true attitude of the Crown Prince, or tell him about the treasure and have him inform the Crown Prince beforehand.
But, that scoundrel did not appear.
Could it be that he was just lucky, coincidentally encountering the Crown Prince who happened to want to see him?

If that is the case, then who brought it here? How can we explain this?
Jin Xueyuan only felt her heart was in turmoil.
A little nervous, anxious, and uneasy, but mostly hesitant.
What are you thinking about?
Jin Xueyuan's ear was suddenly graced with a familiar male voice.
Suddenly turning her head, Jin Xueyuan saw Li Chen standing beside her with a mischievous smile. He even brazenly reached out from her table and took a pear from the fruit dish, taking a big bite.
Crispy.
At first she was overjoyed, then suddenly startled. Jin Xueyuan glared angrily and exclaimed, "Are you crazy?"
"This is the crown prince's banquet, he hasn't arrived yet, dare you eat first?"
Li Chen said nonchalantly, "What's the big deal? The food is just there to be eaten. If I'm thirsty or hungry, shouldn't I eat and drink? If this got out, people would say that our Crown Prince was stingy and wouldn't let people eat their fill, wouldn't that be embarrassing?"
Jin Xueyuan saw that even here, this scoundrel was still behaving recklessly. She immediately said angrily, "You don't have any sense of propriety! You need to pay attention to the occasion. Who dares to be so arrogant here?"
"Rest assured, the Crown Prince isn't a tiger; he doesn't eat people."
Jin Xueyuan let out a light snort and then said, “Are you here to attend the banquet too?”
"I guess so." Li Chen said with a smile.
These three words, when heard by Jin Xueyuan's ears, sounded as if Li Chen was actually not qualified to be invited. But perhaps because of his good relationship with the Crown Prince, he was still able to come in.
After all, the officials from the Qin Dynasty who were invited were present, each of them was not young, and their ranks were not low. At least those below the fifth rank were not seen. And Li Chen was so young, it was unlikely that he could become a fifth-rank official.
"Lost in thought, huh? Wondering about something? Could it be me?" Li Chen leaned into Jin Xueyuan's ear and chuckled lightly.

(Editor in charge：jurassic park novel)