Chapter 98 Does she look easy to bully?

The Empress tried to speak to him several times, but Xie Yuxiao didn't pay attention and just gave a few perfunctory "hmm"s before giving up, which infuriated the Empress.

The Empress had nowhere to vent her frustration. She couldn't express her resentment to Xie Yuxiao, so she could only take it out on Sheng Sheng, staring at her with a hint of anger and resentment.

It was quite a coincidence that, among the concubines, besides the Empress and Consort Rong, there were several others who were also watching the little girl's every move.

Consort Li wanted to observe the second princess more closely to confirm her character.

There was also a concubine named Xia, whose gaze kept drifting towards Sheng Sheng, seemingly unintentionally.

In the direction of the side hall of Jinyi Palace, Consort Yue hid behind a pillar, staring at a certain spot with resentful eyes.

After exchanging a few words with Xie Yunwen, Xie Yunyang's thoughts drifted to the little dumpling.

He was very grateful to Sheng Sheng for helping him and his father clear up the misunderstanding. It was also Sheng Sheng who taught him that sometimes bullying others with power is the best way to fight violence with violence.

He had been wanting to find an opportunity to visit Sheng Sheng and properly thank her.

However, after learning that Xie Yuxiao had summoned Xie Yunwen and shown him great care, Consort Liang, Xie Yunwen's mother, seemed to have awakened her long-dormant maternal love. She became extremely strict with him these days, watching him read and write every day.

Not only did he demand that he get first place in the exam, but Dong Mu also repeatedly hinted that if he had any questions, he should go to Xie Yuxiao and the father and son should have a good discussion.

Xie Yunwen knew that Consort Liang only saw an opportunity to regain favor, but he had always lacked his mother's care, so even though he knew that Consort Liang only wanted to use him to get closer to Xie Yuxiao again, he still could not refuse her discipline.

Even a strict mother is still a mother. Xie Yunwen desperately wanted a mother who loved him, and he would do whatever Consort Liang asked him to do.

It's better than before when Consort Liang ignored him completely.

That's why Xie Yunwen hasn't had a chance to see Shengsheng these past few days. Today, at the palace banquet, he finally wanted to find a moment to have a proper talk with his sister.

However, Xie Yunxiang and Xie Yunchuan separated him and his sister, completely blocking the little girl's view. Only occasionally could one see the bow ribbon in her hair fluttering.

Xie Yunwen clutched the orange bow headband that Shengsheng had given him, looked in Shengsheng's direction, and sighed helplessly.

Okay, we'll find another opportunity later.

Xie Yunqi and Pei Ji, on the other hand, were still quite young and had little interest in the performances; they simply ate their food.

Xie Yunqi stared at the wine on the table, wondering whether he should have a drink.

"Hey, want to drink? My father never let me drink before, I've never had one before. Have you ever had one? Let's have a drink together?" Xie Yunqi asked Pei Ji.

Pei Ji glanced at him, and Xie Yunqi wondered if it was just his imagination, but he felt that Pei Ji seemed somewhat envious.

Pei Ji gently shook his head: "Your Highness, please drink. I am young and cannot hold my liquor well."

"Hey, I'm actually two years younger than you."

Xie Yunqi muttered a couple of things, but ultimately didn't drink the wine. However, noticing that Pei Ji kept looking to the left, Xie Yunqi also looked over.

Upon closer inspection, they saw Yan Hu spit something into Sheng Sheng's palm.

Xie Yunqi frowned and covered his nose in disgust: "Who dares to smell Yan Hu's saliva? What are you doing? What are you and your second brother doing so seriously?"

Pei Ji ignored him, his gaze fixed on Sheng Sheng's palm, but the little dumpling happened to turn to the side and couldn't see anything.

A deep light flashed in Pei Ji's eyes; his intuition told him that there must be something important there.

In an instant, the eyes of the concubines and princes seated above, and even His Majesty, all fell on the Second Princess.

Although it was a New Year's Day palace banquet, in the end, the court officials still had to consider the emperor's wishes.

What does it mean that all the royal family members are staring at the second princess?

The courtiers, who outwardly enjoyed the song and dance performance but were actually secretly observing the expressions of the important figures, were bewildered.

Confused, what to do? Of course, everyone's attention also fell on the second princess, wanting to find out what kind of magic she had that made everyone look at her.

After finishing her conversation with Xie Yunchuan, Sheng Sheng felt a little thirsty.

Everyone else's tables were laden with wine, but because Sheng Sheng was young, they specially prepared extra herbal tea for her.

Xie Yunchuan lit a small stove on the corner of the table, warmed the flower tea, added some sugar, and then poured it for her to drink.

Sheng Sheng took a few small sips, tasting the sweet floral tea. A slight smile appeared on her lips, and she gently shook her head before turning her attention to the performance below.

It was fine until I looked, but then I realized something was wrong.

Why are all those uncles and elders wearing official hats looking at her?

Sheng Sheng blinked blankly, then looked up at Xie Yunchuan with some helplessness.

"Brother, why are they all looking at Sheng Sheng?"

Xie Yunchuan frowned and looked down. Those who met his gaze lowered their heads guiltily and avoided him, and the gazes that had been fixed on Sheng Sheng lessened.

Just then, the music changed, and the drumbeats were replaced by the gentle sound of a guzheng.

Consort Yue appeared in a light green flowing dress, and after a few dance steps, Consort Jing, dressed in a rose-red gown, gracefully arrived.

With flowing sleeves billowing like white cranes spreading their wings, and a light touch of their toes, the two beauties danced like flowing clouds to the melody of the guzheng.

It must be said that all the concubines in the harem were stunning beauties.

One is green, the other is red; they're very pleasing to the eye.

Although Consort Yue's character is questionable, her features are unique. Her eyebrows are delicate with a slight ridge at the ends, like a rolling river eventually branching into a winding stream. Her deep brown eyes gleam with amber light, even more eye-catching than the flickering candlelight in the Golden Palace.

Needless to say, Consort Jing, despite having the name "Jing" (meaning quiet), possessed a lively and unrestrained spirit.

Her hair was adorned with flowers of the same color, even more vibrant than the gold-inlaid jade hairpin.

Even Sheng Sheng, who had some past grievances with Consort Yue, thought the performance was truly beautiful.

Just as Sheng Sheng was immersed in the dance of the two beauties, a small pebble appeared out of nowhere and was accurately thrown to the spot where Consort Yue was about to take her next step.

Consort Yue stepped on a small pebble, her foot twisted, and she cried out in surprise as she fell to the ground.

Sheng Sheng was stunned. Could this be the trap that was waiting for her?

Consort Yue herself was stunned and turned to look at her maid in the corner. The maid also shook her head blankly.

This wasn't arranged by them; their arrangements haven't been made yet!

Consort Yue was stunned. After hesitating for two seconds, she simply signaled to her maid to play along.

The palace maid understood and rushed over to help her up, but Consort Jing, who was closer, had already helped her up first.

Consort Jing picked up the small pebble from the ground curiously: "Where did this pebble come from?"

Xie Yuxiao frowned, and everyone in the Golden Hall was also puzzled.

While supporting Consort Yue, her maid pointed and shouted, "It's the Second Princess! I saw her! It's the Second Princess!"

Sheng Sheng: ?

Does she look like someone who's easy to bully?