Just as the three were having a pleasant conversation, a servant from the Pei family came in to report: "Madam, Madam, His Highness Prince Chen has arrived."
Upon hearing this, Madam Pei said happily, "Since you're here, why don't you come in quickly?"
The servant glanced at Yan Qingqing discreetly.
Madam Pei laughed and scolded, "Madam Mingzhao is no outsider. She's even closer to that child Mo Chen than to me, his maternal grandmother. Hurry up and go invite her."
"You've neglected my grandson! I'll skin you alive!"
Upon hearing this, the man immediately begged for mercy and then went to invite Xiao Mochen.
Surprisingly, Ling Ziyuan also came with Xiao Mochen.
As soon as Grandma Pei saw Xiao Mochen, she grabbed his hand and called him her darling.
Xiao Mochen felt embarrassed. Apart from his aunt, he was really not used to other elders touching him.
So he looked at Yan Qingqing with pleading eyes, but Yan Qingqing could only pretend not to see him and turn her head away.
What could she do? She was just a lowly second-rank lady, and to outsiders, she had no relation to Xiao Mochen. Could she possibly stop his maternal grandmother from being close to her grandson?
If that were the case, it would be good if she didn't become a thorn in the side of the Pei family, let alone a guest of honor.
Seeing that he couldn't rely on his aunt, Xiao Mochen gave Ling Ziyuan a look.
Ling Ziyuan was secretly watching Yan Qingqing, but he didn't dare to stare at her directly, so he could only glance at her from time to time.
He thought to himself that Yan Qingqing looked even younger and more beautiful now than she did in Canghe Town.
Ling Ziyuan received Xiao Mochen's signal, touched his nose, and sighed. Who could he do but offend someone of high birth?
So he bowed to Old Madam Pei and said, "This junior greets you, Old Madam, and wishes you good health, longevity, and happiness forever."
Upon hearing this, Old Madam Pei shifted her attention to Ling Ziyuan and smiled, "Young Ling has made something of himself now, he's already a third-rank official in the Ministry of Revenue."
Upon hearing this, Ling Ziyuan grinned and replied without any modesty, "Yes, my dad also praised me for being successful."
Ling Ziyuan remained as carefree and irresponsible as ever.
Seeing this, Madam Pei laughed and said, "You little rascal, if you really become successful, hurry up and marry a wife."
"Watch out, or your father might come after you later."
General Pei and Lord Ling had a life-and-death bond in the military, and their families were very close. Old Madam Pei had also watched Ling Ziyuan grow up since he was a child, so she spoke very casually.
Ling Ziyuan glanced at Yan Qingqing again before saying, "Grandma, it's not that I don't want to find a wife, it's just that the people I like may not like me back, and I can't stand those ordinary women."
Old Madam Pei was a shrewd old woman; she had heard a little about the incident where Ling Ziyuan beat up Lord Wu in the Golden Hall.
Looking at Ling Ziyuan, whose gaze had been practically skein of longing ever since he came in, constantly glued to Yan Qingqing, what else was there to misunderstand?
Grandma Pei sighed inwardly, thinking that the two were a perfect match in terms of character and appearance.
In terms of official rank and social standing, they were a good match, but Lady Mingzhao was a widow with seven children and was already a grandmother.
Grandpa Ling was alright, but Grandma Ling was even worse. She was proud of her upbringing and had a whole bunch of rules and etiquette to follow, looking down on everyone else.
A perfectly respectable family of military generals insisted on sending their descendants to study, resulting in the entire family being neither scholarly nor martial.
To be honest, Old Madam Pei didn't think much of her. If it weren't for Old Man Ling being a decent person and having a good relationship with Old Master Pei, Old Madam Pei wouldn't have wanted to associate with her at all.
Anyone who becomes her daughter-in-law will suffer.
Yan Qingqing is such a good child, she really shouldn't go to the Ling family to suffer.
Besides, based on her keen observation, Yan Qingqing was perfectly discerning and had absolutely no interest in Ling.
It seems that Ling is just wishful thinking.
Oh dear, these are all things for the young people; this old woman doesn't need to worry about such trivial matters.
Grandma Pei deliberately avoided the topic, and said with a cold snort, "I think you deserve it, you're always so unserious."
As they were talking, another burst of laughter came from outside: "Oh dear, I've come at the worst possible time! Whoever upset Auntie, I'll report to the Emperor on her behalf, and he'll be severely punished!"
Upon hearing the voice and seeing the person, Yan Qingqing immediately got goosebumps. At such an advanced age, to speak in such a childish, affected voice—her heart couldn't take it.
I don't know who this person is. He's not bad-looking, but his head is covered in jewels like a peacock spreading its tail.
Unexpectedly, when Old Madam Pei and Madam Pei saw the newcomer, they stood up on their own initiative. Yan Qingqing, seeing this, knew that the newcomer was probably of high status, and also stood up.
Sure enough, they heard Old Madam Pei say, "This old woman greets Consort Yu."
It turned out that the person who came was none other than Consort Yu, the birth mother of the eldest prince.
Consort Yu quickly stepped forward to help Old Madam Pei up and said aggrievedly, "Aunt, aren't you making me feel terrible? I'm only a second-rank consort now, and I'm completely overshadowed by that Qian family. How can I accept such a grand gesture from you, Aunt?"
While putting on a show of affection between aunt and niece with Old Madam Ling, Consort Yu also seized the opportunity to play the victim.
Madam Pei curled her lip in disdain.
Their cousin is always putting on airs; only her silly sister-in-law can be fooled by her.
If it were her, she would have kicked that green tea girl out long ago.
But since she was the old lady's niece, Madam Pei couldn't say anything except to ignore her.
Old Madam Pei ignored Consort Yu's words and instead scolded the nanny beside her, saying, "The unruly servants below are becoming more and more undisciplined."
"The Empress has arrived and no one even informed her! If you neglect her, you'll all be in for a beating!"
The old woman had served Madam Pei for many years. Upon hearing this, she quickly said, "This old servant knows her sins and will definitely discipline them properly in the future."
Upon hearing this, Consort Yu said with even more grievance, "Aunt, are you not welcoming Jin'er? Or are you annoyed that Jin'er is disturbing you by talking about secrets?"
Jin'er had originally planned to come with the Emperor in the evening, but she missed her aunt and couldn't wait to come.
Yu Jin'er was the maiden name of Consort Yu.
Upon hearing this, Old Madam Pei's face darkened and she rebuked, "Nonsense! Her Highness is my own niece. How could I not welcome her?"
However, Your Highness is now a member of the royal family, and there is a distinction between ruler and subject. Therefore, rules and etiquette must not be violated.
"Look, when Mo Chen arrived, he was very proper and had someone announce his arrival first."
Although Madam Pei said those words, the distance in her eyes was even more obvious. Moreover, she addressed Consort Yu as "Your Highness" repeatedly, but addressed Xiao Mochen by his given name directly, making the difference in their relationship crystal clear.
Yan Qingqing could understand it after thinking about it; no matter how close a niece is to her family, she can't be as close as her own daughter and grandson.
Moreover, it's highly likely that one's own daughter was killed by their niece; no one could help but feel hatred.
Just as Yan Qingqing was hiding to the side pretending to be a quail, Consort Yu set her sights on her.
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