Chapter 76 Embarrassment

"Why haven't you started yet?"

"What is Miss Xiao doing? She's been sitting in front of the zither for ages, isn't she going to play?"

As the wait dragged on, some impatient people couldn't help but wonder.

Miss Zheng had just changed her clothes and entered with her sword, immediately starting to perform dazzling sword moves to the beat of the drums. Why is it that Miss Xiao agreed so readily, but now that she's in front of the zither, she's been hesitant to play?

Surely they couldn't have forgotten the sheet music?

"Look at what she's wearing, isn't it shimmering brocade?"

In the men's section, a sharp-eyed young man recognized the fabric and exclaimed in surprise.

"Yes, the Xiao family treats this adopted daughter very well. Didn't you see Xiao Wu's biological daughter just now? She was only wearing ordinary clothes."

During this period, the two daughters of the Xiao family have come into the public eye, especially the younger sister who was found. She is even more beautiful and has won the favor of the eldest princess.

Although there were some unfounded misunderstandings before, witnessing the eldest princess bring her into the palace was far more shocking than the rumors that had not yet taken off.

It is said that even Princess Minying was able to be found thanks to the efforts of Miss Xiao.

In this light, the difference between the two girls is obvious. So why does the Xiao family treat their adopted daughter better than their biological daughter?

The surrounding whispers were not deliberately kept quiet, and every word reached Xiao Yuyao's ears.

Her nails dug deeply into her palms. Compared to the abnormality of her body, these words that said she was inferior to Xiao Yuxuan were the most hurtful and embarrassing.

Why? She had never slacked off in her studies, diligently practicing and trying to please the Xiao family to protect her reputation, and now, in just one month, everything had changed...

The girl's cheeks were deathly pale. The Xiao family saw this and were anxious. Being at a palace banquet, they couldn't cover up other people's mouths, but they felt even more sorry for Xiao Yuyao being all alone and being judged by those people.

How could the girl they cherished so much possibly bear it?

Xiao Yuyao looked at the empty space where Xiao Yuxuan had been, and now she understood everything.

The medicine was probably not in Xiao Yuxuan's cup at all, but in his own cup!

She endured the discomfort and got up, clenching her back teeth.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness, Princess Minying, I suddenly feel unwell..."

Rather than embarrass herself in front of so many people as Xiao Yuxuan intended, she would rather risk offending the Emperor and Empress and cut her losses immediately!

Qi Minying slammed down her teacup. She was too young to drink alcohol, but she drank the tea with an air of great pride.

She feigned anger and said:

"Miss Xiao Si has quite the air about her, agreeing one minute and refusing the next."

"Or are you looking down on this princess and don't want to play the zither for us?"

The emperor and empress remained silent, which was taken as tacit agreement.

As long as Minying is willing, it's not impossible for her to vent her anger on a mere court lady, or even on Madam Xiao.

Moreover, for the sake of the royal family's face and honor, they did not pursue the matter of Xiao Yuyao's past mistreatment of Minying.

To be honest, Minying still has scars from a few months ago, all thanks to the vicious Xiao Yuyao.

Although the Empress had a neutral attitude towards Xiao Yuxuan, she absolutely loathed Xiao Yuyao.

How could someone so young be so cold and vicious? Even though Min-young hadn't regained her memories and had become a slave, she absolutely couldn't stand such a narrow-minded and intolerant attitude.

"Princess, I dare not..."

"If you're not going to play, hurry up and play! We're all waiting."

Qi Minying leaned back with a smile, looking on with anticipation and eagerness to listen.

Now, the others also realized what was going on.

Princess Minying was indeed still a little girl in her early teens, and it was inevitable that she would have some of the spoiled and arrogant air of a royal princess. Miss Xiao was really disrespectful to the princess, agreeing and then going back on her word.

There was no other way. Xiao Yuyao gritted her teeth and forced herself to sit down. She had to deal with the situation as quickly as possible before it got any worse.

The sound of the piano poured out from between the fingers, but it did not form a melody; it had a kind of ear-piercing, demonic quality.

"What kind of rubbish is this..."

"Does she really know how to play the piano?"

Xiao Jue frowned. This was definitely not Yu Yao's level. What happened to her?

"Pfft—"

A strange hissing sound was mixed in with the poorly played piano music, and everyone was taken aback.

The girl playing the piano had already turned red in the face. She could no longer hold back, and with tears in her eyes, she got up and ran out quickly. However, as she ran, a few discordant sounds still occasionally escaped her lips.

It's normal for people to eat grains and cereals, but farting in public like that would make even a shameless boy blush with embarrassment, let alone a fourteen or fifteen-year-old girl.

"This is so unseemly! She can't even control her appetite. We used to think she was so pure and innocent, untouched by worldly affairs..."

"Haven't you ever eaten anything good before? You're putting on this pretentious act, like you're above worldly concerns. It's disgusting."

The noble ladies covered their mouths and noses with handkerchiefs, their eyes showing disgust.

The food at the palace banquet was delicious, but surely one shouldn't be so unrestrained?

They were playing the piano when this sudden noise ruined their appetites.

Qi Wenyue was also stunned. What was wrong with Yuyao?

Listening to the doubts of the noble ladies around her, she questioned for the first time her choice to become close friends with Xiao Yuyao.

"It seems that Miss Xiao is not as virtuous and dignified as the rumors say, hahaha."

"So vulgar, so incredibly vulgar—"

"By the way, brother, didn't you used to say that you should marry someone like Xiao Yuyao? Why are you silent now?"

The young men, who were usually dissolute and unrestrained, started joking with each other.

Those who had initially shown some goodwill towards Xiao Yuyao now kept their heads down, hoping no one would notice them.

"Yuyao!"

Xiao Jue rose to apologize to the royal family members at the head of the table and hurriedly chased after them.

Madam Xiao was also anxious to explain, saying that this was definitely a misunderstanding, but no one would listen.

Qi Minying and Zheng Yanling exchanged a glance through the beaded curtain, feeling both surprised and disdainful.

The note Xiao Yuxuan gave them only stated that Xiao Yuyao wanted to harm her, and that she had already retaliated in kind. She hoped they would help her make Xiao Yuyao the center of everyone's attention.

As for what kind of harmful method it was, they had guesses, but they never expected it to be such a despicable means.

Whether in the palace or among the common people, the control over poisons was extremely strict. It was not easy to poison someone. However, something like croton powder could be ingested by someone who had not used the toilet for many days, so it was easy to buy.

If Xiao Yuyao had only targeted the Xiao family, it would have been considered a domestic feud between sisters, and her methods were a bit ruthless. But this happened in the palace.

Isn't she afraid that the Emperor and Empress will take their anger out on the Xiao family and Minister Xiao, thinking that the Xiao family has failed to properly educate their daughter, and that Minister Xiao will also be disliked by the Emperor?

With such vision and temperament, the Xiao family has still cherished her like a precious jewel for so many years. They truly feel sorry for Xiao Yuxuan.

After making such a huge fool of herself, Xiao Yuyao ran out of the palace crying, only then belatedly realizing her despair and fear.