Yang's words struck Madam Feng's heart like a heavy hammer, and under obvious gaze, Madam Feng's expression changed instantly.
Unfortunately, no one came to her rescue. The Feng family was clearly up to something, practically hiring a matchmaker to visit the Duke's mansion. Did they really think none of the ladies in the inner quarters could see through their scheme?
Madam Feng repeatedly tried to arrange a marriage between her family and the Xu family, but Madam Yang was already fed up with it. The idea was to strengthen family ties, and now that all the respectable families in the capital were involved, wouldn't it ruin the reputation of her Xu family if word got out?
Without even glancing at Madam Feng, Madam Yang placed her hands on the bright red brocade with gold thread and auspicious patterns in front of her, her full hair now adorned with gold ornaments.
With gentle eyes and a dignified smile, she perfectly embodied the demeanor of a matriarch of a prominent family.
"Today is Yan Yan's birthday. I've always liked this child very much, and I don't want anyone to take advantage of this day to pin some unfounded accusations on her. As for the marriage of the young master and young lady of the Xu family, the Duke, my mother, and I will take care of it. There's no need for everyone to worry about it."
Madam Qin glanced at the Feng family with a hint of disdain. If it really came down to a marriage alliance with the Rongguo Duke's Mansion, her Qin family hadn't even considered it, so how could the Feng family possibly be a match for them? No wonder even a gentle person like Madam Yang was forced to leave no face at all today.
"What a pity, I only have one daughter, Awan, otherwise I would have a husband. I really want Yan Yan to be my bride."
As soon as Madam Qin finished speaking, the Lady of Changping, who was standing to the side, glanced at her and said, "Why not adopt a goddaughter? She can keep your Awan company. With the Duchess and the Grand Tutor's wife as her backers, I'd like to see who dares to bully her. She'll receive even more love and care."
Madam Qin shook her head: "Those are all formalities. I love Yan Yan whenever I want, it's not like I have to do something empty. It would be unpleasant for the child to have another mother for no reason. Anyway, my love for her isn't for her to call me 'mother'."
"Yes, it was my oversight." Although Lady Changping smiled, the smugness from before was gone.
The Crown Princess remained silent and patted Li Shiyue's hand, saying, "Go find Fifth Sister; it's stuffy in this pavilion."
Li Shiyue looked at the Crown Princess with gratitude, rose to curtsy, and then left. Xu Lingzi had just sat back down in the main seat when Li Shiyue walked up behind her, and the two sisters looked at each other as Xu Lingzi turned around.
"You must be exhausted, my dear sister."
Li Shiyue sat beside Xu Lingzi, reached out and held her wrist, gently rubbing it.
Xu Lingzi couldn't hide her joy and happily accepted it. She felt that her little cousin smelled nice and her little hands were soft. It felt so good to have her wrists rubbed.
"It's not too tiring, after all, it's your birthday, which only comes once a year. I won't be able to help you next year, so I hope I can help you more this year."
When spring arrives, Xu Lingzi will be married into the Guo family. After marriage, she will naturally not be as carefree as she was at home, nor will she be able to be together with someone every day as she is now.
Li Shiyue was moved, but even more so by the reluctance that followed. She suppressed the stinging in her eyes and said, "If the Guo family dares to wrong you, I will use my status as the county princess to stand up for you."
She had never been this close to Xu Lingzi in her previous life, so she cherished it all the more. Although she didn't know exactly who Xu Lingzi married or how things were after marriage, she would be the first to feel sorry for her if she was wronged.
Li Shiyue's cheek was pinched by Xu Lingzi, and her gaze couldn't help but glance at several empty seats. The two sisters from the Feng family hadn't returned yet.
But we can't rush things. She's returned Feng Lanyin's "generous gift" today, but as the saying goes, she'll reciprocate in a few days with even greater courtesy. Right now, the important thing is Princess Chunhui, who's watching with a shocked expression.
As Bai Shao helped her to sit down, she caught sight of Li Shiyue sitting unharmed beside Xu Lingzi. Neither the mistress nor the servant concealed their true feelings.
Li Shiyue withdrew her gaze, and after the banquet ended, everyone was called to Qingji Hall by Xu Yunci.
As soon as the banquet ended, the mother and daughter from the Feng family were the fastest to run away. One of them had tried to provoke the host at the birthday banquet but ended up losing face instead. The other had tried to curry favor with the powerful but was rejected in public. Why didn't they run away quickly and wait to be pointed at and gossiped about?
However, that wasn't what I wanted to talk about. After speaking, Xu Yunci thought for a moment and added, "I have already told the Emperor that Yan Yan will come to the palace with me tomorrow."
Fearing that hearing this would upset Old Madam Xu, Li Shiyue stayed by her side, letting her hold her hand, and also to soothe Old Madam Xu's heaving chest.
“Grandmother, Grandmother, I’m really fine. Please don’t be angry. My cousin has already found a way to resolve this matter.”
Madam Xu's face flushed red. After holding her breath for a long time, she let out a long sigh and looked at Xu Yunci: "Good, very good. A princess actually wants to kill our family members in the Xu family's territory. Very good!"
Duke Rong raised his eyelids and looked at his son. No wonder he hadn't seen Xu Yunci's figure later; it turned out that he had entered the palace for this matter.
He glanced sideways and noticed the complicated expression on his wife's face. He looked at Xu Yunci without saying a word, then turned his gaze to Li Shiyue. The Duke of Rong stroked his beard and said, "Li Ze, tomorrow I will accompany you to the palace."
After all, she was his niece. Even if she was a princess, the emperor should give an explanation. He had heard from his wife before how Princess Chunhui had made things difficult for his niece. Minor squabbles were one thing, but this time she actually tried to kill someone. He couldn't just push his two children out and face the situation himself.
I suppose the authorities will give me some face, and I should also put an end to any improper thoughts I might have.
This was Li Shiyue's second time seeing the Emperor. He seemed to have aged more than last year. Li Shiyue followed in front of the father and son. Today, she was wearing the auspicious robes of a county princess. The royal family valued blue, yellow, and purple as the most noble colors, and her auspicious robes were mainly purple.
More elaborate and expensive than ordinary clothes, and the hair ornaments in her hair were also quite delicate. Li Shiyue tried her best to keep her movements light so as not to make any clanging noises from her auspicious clothes and jewelry.
"Please take a seat."
The Emperor looked exhausted, but he didn't see anyone else, not even Consort Fu.
Duke Rongguo did not move, and Xu Yunci and Li Shiyue behind him dared not move either. The Emperor looked puzzled, but then saw Duke Rongguo perform a kowtow. Now that he held the rank of First Rank Duke, he did not need to perform such a grand ceremony in private.
"Your Majesty, I am guilty. My eldest son seduced the Imperial Princess. It was due to my poor upbringing. I thought it was just children playing around, but I never expected it to develop into this situation, causing Your Majesty trouble. It is all my fault."
The three knelt on the ground, their foreheads not touching the backs of their hands, and a beam of light obscured their view.
The official didn't speak, but stepped down and squatted in front of the Duke of Rong, a hint of worry in his eyes: "Alright, stop pretending."
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