So, all the ladies looked at Qin Yuan.
Qin Yuan: "..."
The once noisy hall quieted down, as everyone was watching.
Qin Yuan then said, "If the Ninth Princess doesn't mind, please sit in my seat."
As for the rest of you... well, you can all just stand there and keep me company.
In any case, she didn't want to leave the table with the Ninth Princess, even if the Ninth Princess came to invite her in person.
Everyone: ...
The Ninth Princess's tone was not as kind as before: "If the Lady of Dingbei has finished her meal, why don't you accompany me for a walk and have a chat?"
Qin Yuan looked apologetic and spoke in a coy tone, but said something contrary to her wishes: "This is the first time I have accompanied my mother-in-law to a birthday banquet. I thought there would be some time before the banquet ended, so I didn't eat much while talking with Madam Pan. I am really tired from walking around for Baozhu today. Please forgive me, Ninth Princess."
Although the voice was soft, it was clearly audible to everyone in the quiet hall.
The Ninth Princess had already turned to leave, but upon hearing these words, she froze.
Even Granny Pan was stunned.
The lady-in-waiting beside the Ninth Princess turned pale with anger and shouted, "How dare you!"
Qin Yuan remained silent, standing there looking aggrieved under everyone's gaze, refusing to leave.
Everyone: ...
The female official didn't know what to reprimand.
In truth, Lady Dingbei had not acted improperly. However, the Ninth Princess was a princess, and with the Empress and the Crown Prince present, such a lack of respect was truly disrespectful.
But if they won't leave, are we going to force them to leave?
Pan Er Nai Nai hesitated before saying, "...The Lady of Dingbei Marquis...it's inconvenient. If Ninth Princess has anything urgent...we will leave the table."
This mud is well mixed.
If the Ninth Princess has something important to say, she should send all these ladies away.
If it's not urgent, why force someone to leave?
In short, they were too arrogant.
Empress Lin always presented herself as frugal and kind, demonstrating virtuous character that made her worthy of the position of empress.
Princess Jiu doesn't care what she does in private, but she can't afford to make any mistakes in public.
This is the birthday banquet of the old lady of the Duke's mansion.
Just as the female official was about to reprimand her again, Princess Fuyun's voice suddenly rang out from outside the crowd: "Ninth Sister, what are you doing? If you have a quarrel with Baozhu, don't go to the Lady of Dingbei to complain. She's been eating here the whole time and doesn't know anything. It's no use going to her."
The Ninth Princess knew she couldn't take Qin Yuan with her, so she forced a smile and said, "Why did Seventh Sister only arrive now?"
The crowd dispersed, revealing Princess Fuyun and her entourage.
Princess Fuyun glanced at Qin Yuan, who was bowing her head and remaining silent, and said slowly, "I was talking with my grandmother in the palace. I originally planned to come with her, but my grandmother was delayed by some matters, so she sent me first. When I came in just now, you were all talking here, so you couldn't see me."
The Ninth Princess was somewhat displeased.
Princess Fuyun stepped forward and said, "Let's go. Don't delay the others from enjoying their feast. Today is Old Madam You's special day. Don't let us juniors disturb her. If the Empress Dowager punishes you, I won't speak up for you."
The Ninth Princess sneered inwardly. Every time this fool flaunted the favor of her grandmother and mother in front of her, she couldn't help but want to reveal the truth.
She held back her anger, forced a smile, tugged at Princess Fuyun's sleeve and shook it, feigning dependence: "Good sister, I just wanted to befriend the Lady of Dingbei, go for a stroll in the courtyard, and chat a bit. Who knew the Lady of Dingbei was unavailable? Please don't tell Mother."
After saying that, she turned to Qin Yuan and said, "For the sake of Baozhu, I originally wanted to get closer to you, but who knew it would be so unfortunate. You can stay here and enjoy your meal."
The word "slowly" carries a heavy weight.
Qin Yuan immediately saw him off respectfully: "It is indeed a bit unfortunate. I regret that I am not fortunate enough to have this opportunity today."
"Hmph," the Ninth Princess glanced at her impatiently.
Old Madam Gu and Lord Gu praised her to the skies, and Gu Baozhu fawned over her like a lapdog. Apart from being a little pretty, she was really quite ordinary in every way.
Princess Fuyun smiled and said, "Madam Dingbei, please enjoy your meal. Everyone, please enjoy your meal. I need to sit with my Ninth Sister and Mother for a while."
"Respectfully seeing off Princess Fuyun and the Ninth Princess."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Granny Pan whispered to Qin Yuan, "You really have a lot of nerve, daring to disrespect the Ninth Princess."
Qin Yuan laughed and said, "It's not that I'm bold, it's that I'm timid. Don't laugh at me, sister-in-law, I've never even been to the palace, and I'm not familiar with the Ninth Princess. She is the legitimate princess, and if I accidentally offend her in conversation, what would happen? I don't go near her, so naturally I won't offend her too much."
The Ninth Princess was bullying her like this only because Empress Lin was present, and she assumed that a girl from a minor official family who had never seen much of the world wouldn't dare to refuse.
Everyone was eating inside the house; if anything happened, the Ninth Princess could just spout whatever she wanted.
Who knows what she's up to?
What kind of daughter could someone like Empress Lin raise?
Grandma Pan smiled and said, "Well, it was a lucky accident. It was probably for the best that you didn't go. Luckily, Princess Fuyun came to your rescue."
Qin Yuan smiled sheepishly, picked up her chopsticks, and whispered, "I really wasn't lying, I'm really tired and hungry, let's eat more."
“Okay,” Grandma Pan said, and started eating too.
The ladies at the table all secretly admired the two men's magnanimity.
Qin Yuan picked up a piece of lotus root, chewed it, and swallowed it before saying to Hongye, "Go and see where Baozhu is."
Gu Baozhu and the Ninth Princess were at the same table; if they were there, they would have come over to stop them long ago.
Hongye also thought of it and hurriedly nodded to go and find out the information.
Over there, Princess Fuyun led the Ninth Princess to sit beside Empress Lin. Old Madam You ordered the table to be rearranged, and Empress Lin smiled and said, "These two little ones are troubling you, how can you accept such kindness?"
Madam You smiled and said, "How could a precious daughter like you not be worthy of such a title?"
Princess Fuyun smiled and said some nice things, then added, "Grandmother said she prefers quiet and will come back later."
Madam You was overjoyed. She clasped her hands together and bowed towards the location of the Empress Dowager's palace, saying with a smile, "Thank you for your trouble, Your Majesty. What virtue or ability do I possess to deserve this?"
Princess Fuyun was also impatient with their flattery. After a while, she said, "What did Ninth Sister want to do just now? She wanted to take Lady Dingbei out to talk. I think Lady Dingbei seemed to be frightened."
Empress Lin could no longer feign ignorance. Her jade-white fingers gripped the golden cup tightly as she sneered, "What, did your ninth sister go to cause trouble for the Lady of Dingbei Marquis?"
Old Madam You lowered her eyes and remained silent.
Princess Fuyun laughed and said, "I don't know if she's looking for trouble or not. I just heard the lady-in-waiting next to Ninth Sister scolding someone for being so bold. I was curious and went over to take a look. All the ladies at the table were startled. The Lady of Dingbei lowered her head and didn't dare to make a sound, like a quail."
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