Chapter 77 Disrespect

After this incident, everyone in the royal family will definitely dislike her... and the Fourth Prince... her long-cherished dream of becoming the Fourth Prince's consort is probably going to vanish into thin air.

Xiao Yuyao ran into the bathroom in one breath, covered her face and cried silently.

The discomfort in her stomach continued, and as she cried and felt the mess on her body, she felt murderous intent towards Xiao Yuxuan for the first time.

If Xiao Yuxuan were removed, if she were killed—none of this would ever happen again.

She was still the only daughter of the Xiao family, the only precious daughter of Minister Xiao, and no one in the capital would compare her to anyone else.

Xiao Yuyao tasted the blood on her lips, and her eyes turned bloodshot.

She was determined to kill Xiao Yuxuan, no matter the cost!

Inside the palace, Qi Minying looked somewhat flustered at the whispering crowd below and glanced at the Emperor and Empress:

"Father, Mother, did Minying do something wrong? Miss Xiao seems very sad. I didn't expect her to be like this. Aren't these noble ladies supposed to be very restrained in their diet...?"

She was young, with bright, starry eyes, and even her harshest words could make people sigh at the innocence of children, especially since the Emperor and Empress already disliked Xiao Yuyao.

“This has nothing to do with Min-young; it’s her own problem.”

The Empress frowned, removed the handkerchief from her nose, and looked disgusted as well, offering a few words of comfort to Qi Minying.

The eldest princess also looked displeased. She had thought that this young girl had snatched Yu Xuan's Radiant Brocade and was preparing to make a name for herself. She had been listening listlessly, but she never expected this turn of events.

"Go and send someone to inquire where Yuxuan has gone and why she hasn't returned yet."

She looked at Xiao Yuxuan's empty seat, which had been empty for a long time, with some worry.

Seeing that Madam Xiao was still explaining to the noble ladies around her that Xiao Yuyao did not do it on purpose, and that she could not spare a single thought for her own daughter who had been away from the table for a long time, he was furious.

Even at this point, she's still running around for that imposter, while her own daughter has been gone for so long and she hasn't even asked about her once.

The eldest princess was furious at Madam Xiao's favoritism, and she couldn't help but be angry at Xiao Yuxuan. Only when parents are kind can children be filial. If parents are not kind, they can only do a superficial job. And yet the child still offered her sincere heart to be trampled on!

She subconsciously compared herself to Madam Xiao in her mind.

If Xiao Yuxuan were her daughter, she would definitely...

Suddenly, the princess remembered what Abbot Shikong had said that day: she still had an unfinished karmic connection with her children.

If Yu Xuan were willing, she would very much like to adopt her as her daughter.

Unfortunately, Yu Xuan has just returned to the Xiao family and is still attached to her biological parents, so she cannot forcefully take her away from them.

Behind the Emperor and Empress, in the seating area for the imperial concubines, Qi Huan sat beside the Noble Consort, personally pouring her wine. Suddenly, he heard his mother ask in a low voice:

"Is that Xiao Yuyao your younger sister who studies with you?"

His fingers, which were holding the teapot, twitched slightly as he admitted, "She is Xiao Jin's fourth younger sister." He added, "An adopted daughter of the Xiao family."

The Imperial Concubine has always been arrogant and haughty. Before this girl regained her status, she was barely acceptable, but now that she's an adopted daughter, she finds her utterly displeasing.

"She doesn't look presentable at all. Don't associate with a girl like that. She's not good enough for you. She'd be better suited to be a concubine."

Qi Huan wholeheartedly agreed: "Mother is right. I will naturally not associate with her, but she seems to have fallen deeply in love with me. I am trying to get rid of her!"

He was telling the truth. Since that poetry gathering, he had received several gifts from Xiao Jin, including letters on floral stationery and handkerchiefs and purses. If he still didn't understand what they meant, he wouldn't be worthy of being called a romantic.

The imperial concubine was even more disdainful. To be betroth someone as a wife and then elope as a concubine—this behavior of secretly entangled with men was truly worthless.

She worked so hard to become a Noble Consort, not so that her son could marry the adopted daughter of a high-ranking official.

If it were Minister Xiao's only daughter, and if she were of decent quality, she might be a suitable match for Huan'er. Thinking of this, the Imperial Concubine asked:

"Have you met the girl the Xiao family found? What kind of person is she?"

She had only glanced at me through the beaded curtain a few times, but her appearance and demeanor were quite remarkable.

Especially her little face, which hasn't fully developed yet, is enough to show that she will be stunningly beautiful in the future.

Qi Huan also thought of Xiao Yuxuan. She had glanced at him several times at the poetry gathering, so she probably had some different feelings for him.

Qi Huan revealed a confident smile and said with certainty:

"I have seen her. That Miss Xiao is not comparable to these common beauties. However, if I want to, it would not be difficult to win her over."

Upon seeing her son's expression, the Imperial Concubine knew what he was thinking. Her face immediately turned cold, and she reprimanded him:

"Don't think your mother doesn't know what you're thinking. Playing around with those from humble families is fine, but your principal wife must be someone whose family background and character are worthy of you. Since the youngest son of the Xiao family is your study companion, the Xiao family is already in your grasp. Don't act impulsively and ruin the grand plan..."

A palace banquet is not a convenient place for discussion, and even though only she and her son could hear the conversation, she dared not speak too openly.

Qi Huan said solemnly, "Mother, rest assured, I understand!"

The mother and son were whispering to each other, and no one paid them any attention.

Beside the Emperor and Empress, Qi Minying seemed frightened and said:

"Your Majesty, I'd better not watch their performance. If another one like this comes along, they'll hate me to death!"

These were just playful games between young girls, and the emperor was indifferent to them. When he saw that his youngest daughter didn't want to watch anymore, he naturally gave up.

What could the guests at the banquet say? After all, it wasn't their own daughter who was embarrassed, and they had something to talk about over tea.

“Xiao Qing, your adopted daughter is indeed a bit temperamental. My Minying didn’t force her to perform, but she threw a tantrum and left without saying goodbye.”

The emperor remained calm and spoke in a gentle tone, but since emperors do not show their emotions, no one dared to take it seriously as a joke.

Xiao Su was drenched in cold sweat; he never expected things to develop to this point.

He had originally planned for Yuyao to perform, and he was prepared to be praised by his colleagues for his excellent parenting. Now, however, he had only made things worse and lost out. He should never have let her show off like that.

He immediately knelt down and begged for forgiveness:

"It is my fault for failing to properly educate my daughter, which led to her disrespect before Your Majesty. I will certainly discipline her properly in the future, and I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness—"

The emperor's eyes remained calm and still as he looked at this trusted minister.

The Qilin Guards are in charge of investigating all affairs of the world, and no matter how small the Xiao family moves, it cannot escape the ears and eyes of the royal family.

He had read the memorial submitted by the Crown Prince a few days ago. Some of the court officials had minor, harmless flaws that the emperor could temporarily overlook. However, even from these small glimpses, he could still discern some of the true nature of the Xiao family.

The Xiao family has been having a really good time lately.

After a long pause, the emperor at the head of the table finally spoke with a smile:

"It's just the girls being a little temperamental, nothing to worry about. Please rise, my dear minister."

Xiao Su then felt the heavy gaze on him dissipate. He stood up with a sigh of relief, and his gaze towards Xiao Yuyao became more disliked and scrutinizing.

Is it really as that person said, that what is destined to be yours will be yours, and what is not, you cannot force?