Chapter 67 Audience
Inside the carriage, Xiao Yuyao was indeed feigning unconsciousness. The events at the palace gate earlier were enough to predict that Xiao Yuxuan would steal the spotlight at today's palace banquet. Although she was eager to see Xiao Yuxuan humiliated, however—
Princess Chang and Princess Minying are so close to Xiao Yuxuan. If I really go in, wouldn't I be settling old scores with new ones and just waiting to be targeted and harassed to death?
Not to mention, it's questionable whether Chunwen, that stupid and clumsy girl, can even succeed.
Fortunately, she hasn't entered the palace yet, so there's still time. She can pretend to be sick and keep it a secret for now.
She closed her eyes, but suddenly heard a voice that was both strange and familiar.
The carriage was opened, and light and fresh air rushed in.
Zheng Yanling stared at Xiao Yuyao, whose throat was bobbing, and smiled in an exceptionally wicked way.
She knew Xiao Yuyao was faking it.
The reason is easy to guess: Xiao Yuyao dislikes Yu Xuan and naturally doesn't want to see Yu Xuan thriving and attracting attention at the palace banquet.
I reckon they were afraid that Yu Xuan, with the support of the Eldest Princess and the others, would be punished later.
Ha, they weren't afraid when they were bullying people, but now they're scared because they know they're going to the guillotine. There's no such thing as a free lunch.
She reached out and forcefully pried open Xiao Yuyao's eyelids, exclaiming in exaggerated surprise.
"Oh dear, Madam Xiao, your daughter's illness seems rather troublesome..."
"But don't worry, I have a way to guarantee that Ling Ai will wake up immediately!"
Zheng Yanling placed her hand on Xiao Yuyao's calf, located the Sanyinjiao acupoint, pressed down hard, and even twisted it fiercely.
Despite the throbbing pain that made Xiao Yuyao's forehead veins bulge, she resolutely pretended to faint.
Zheng Yanling gave a silent sneer, then placed her hand on the other leg and squeezed both legs together, hoping to hurt her to death!
"ah--"
A sharp pain struck, and Xiao Yuyao almost thought that both of her legs were broken. Finally, she couldn't help but scream.
She broke out in a thin sweat from the pain, tears welled up in her eyes, and she gasped for breath, quickly checking if her legs had been pinched purple.
"Madam Xiao, your daughter is awake. I'll head back to the carriage now."
Once Zheng Yanling realized she had achieved her goal, she immediately made her escape.
Madam Xiao was filled with gratitude and showered the Zheng family with compliments, promising to send a thank-you gift to them soon.
"Of course, of course. Saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-story pagoda, Miss Xiao. Farewell—"
She cheerfully cupped her hands in greeting to the Xiao family, and jumped off the carriage under Xiao Yuyao's almost murderous gaze.
This acupuncture point diagram was a gift from Yu Xuan, who said she could look at it and learn from it in her spare time, as it's good for her health. She's surprised she's already using it so quickly.
Zheng Yanling was in a good mood, and on her way back, she received many admiring glances from ladies and young women.
"Wasn't it said that this young lady from the Zheng family was a reckless troublemaker? Seeing her today, I realize the rumors are unreliable. She can even heal the sick and save lives, how could she possibly be some kind of devil?!"
"She's beautiful and kind-hearted; Prime Minister Zheng has raised a wonderful granddaughter!"
Zheng Yanling waved her hand modestly, "Not at all, not at all, you flatter me."
Once back in the carriage, a book of female rules flew over.
Seeing this, the girl nimbly sidestepped and snatched the book back with practiced ease, grinning mischievously.
"Mother, isn't this your favorite book? How could you bear to throw it at me?"
After saying that, she turned and tossed it to the maid: "Keep it safe, Mother wants to hold it to sleep tonight!"
The noblewoman sitting in the middle rolled her eyes:
"You rebellious daughter, you're going to drive me crazy! You even dare to joke about your own parents! And when did you learn that damn medical skill? I had no idea!"
Zheng Yanling, with her legs crossed, leaned back on the low couch and tossed a candied fruit into her mouth.
"There's a lot you don't know—"
Too lazy to look at her like that, Zheng's mother angrily chanted "Amitabha" several times.
"It's a pity that Sister Dai didn't come. If she had seen Xiao Jue's appearance just now, she would have been upset again."
Zheng's mother was led to change the subject, and she also grabbed a candied fruit from Zheng Yanling's knee and ate it, asking curiously:
"Which Sister Dai? Which Dai family girl is engaged to Xiao Jue?"
"Yeah, you didn't see it just now, Xiao Jue's expression... never mind, you wouldn't understand even if I told you!"
Zheng Yanling stopped talking. After all, this was gossiping about someone behind their back, and she was a gentleman who would not do such a thing!
"You think I don't understand? When I was chasing after that scholar's son, your dad was still playing in the mud!"
Zheng's mother never expected that she would be looked down upon by her daughter one day, and she blurted out a bit of her "past glories".
Zheng Yanling's eyes lit up.
On the other side, Xiao Yuxuan was already waiting outside the Empress's palace, ready to be received.
In both her past and present lives, this was her first time meeting the Emperor and Empress alone. It would be a lie to say she wasn't nervous; she had already secretly wiped her palms with a handkerchief several times.
Min-young had already gone in ahead of time, while the eldest princess was chatting with several familiar women of the clan in the women's rest area.
She brought Chunwen and Qinyuan with her when she entered the palace this time.
Qin Yuan was alright, after all, she came from the Princess's residence, and her ability to read people was not much worse than that of people in the palace. At this moment, she stood quietly behind her, with a very low presence.
Chunwen seemed unusually lively today, trying to impress the princess the whole way.
Not only did she proactively serve tea and water before Aunt Meng could, but she also tried to help Minying with her skirt on the way in. Now, looking at the furnishings in the Empress's palace, she couldn't help but whisper in admiration:
"Fifth Miss, I never knew the palace of the Queen Mother of the Nation was so magnificent and grand! Is that a crystal vase? Good heavens, how much silver must that be worth!"
Xiao Yuxuan glanced at her without showing any emotion. If she didn't still need Chunwen today, she would never have brought her into the palace.
"Let's be quiet."
Although it's noisy right now, it's not unbearable.
Qin Yuan saw through Xiao Yuxuan's thoughts and her patience with this "colleague" had reached its limit. Several times when Chunwen tried to make a move, she would "unintentionally" step on her foot or push her aside.
If Qin Yuan still can't see it, she's a fool.
Just wait, after today, Chunwen will be a dead woman.
"Miss Xiao, His Majesty and Her Majesty request your presence—"
Xiao Yuxuan got up and followed her inside.
The main hall was filled with the pleasant aroma of agarwood incense, mixed with the scent of plum blossom borneol, which was refreshing and invigorating.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness, Your Highnesses, Miss Xiao has arrived."
After the palace maid finished her report, someone inside lifted the beaded curtain and welcomed Xiao Yuxuan in.
At this time, the daylight was bright, and the palace lanterns inside the room were always lit. Two middle-aged people dressed in gorgeous clothes sat on a low couch by the window, who must have been the emperor and empress.
But, several princes? Is it not just Min-young?
Xiao Yuxuan didn't have time to see the other people in the room clearly, nor did she have time to think about who the princes were. Remembering the court etiquette that Aunt Meng had taught her two days ago, she gave a proper and dignified bow.
"Your humble servant, Xiao Yuxuan, pays her respects to His Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress, and Your Highnesses—"
A few steps away from Xiao Yuxuan, Qi Jun stood in front of the birdcage, holding a few grains of millet in his hand, teasing the bird.
He heard the sound and slowly shifted his gaze to the top of the girl's smooth, black hair.
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