Chapter 8 The Banquet
The atmosphere inside the two rooms was oppressive, with porcelain shards scattered all over the floor.
"Mother! Didn't you say you were going to skin that little bitch alive today? How come we've come back looking so pathetic!"
Xie Wuyou kicked away the broken pieces of porcelain at his feet, his chest heaving violently, clearly very angry.
Wang's eyes were lifeless, and she completely ignored her.
This is bad. I'm afraid I'll have to make up for all the deficits, otherwise my position as steward will really be in jeopardy.
I wonder how much of the money from my family can be recovered?
Wang felt a chill run from the soles of her feet straight to the top of her head, and her limbs felt icy cold.
"Mother! Please say something!"
Seeing that his mother was completely ignoring him, Xie Wuyou became even more furious. "When the princess holds her flower-viewing banquet, I'll definitely teach her a lesson!"
"Sister, please calm down."
The boy's voice rang out at just the right moment.
Xie Wuyou paused, looking in the direction of the sound.
At the entrance, Xie Wulu stood quietly.
He wore a moon-white brocade robe with cloud patterns, his posture was as upright as a bamboo, his face was handsome, his eyebrows and eyes had a gentle, scholarly air, and there was a faint smile on his lips.
"Mother and sister are well." Xie Wulu bowed slightly, his demeanor impeccable.
"Peaceful my ass! I'm being bullied to death by that bitch Xie Sangning!"
Xie Wuyou pointed angrily at her mother: "Look at Mother, she's made her so angry! And that steward Quan... how dare she threaten us!"
Wang was brought back to her senses by her son's voice, and looked at Xie Wulu with pleading eyes: "Wulu...you've come..."
Xie Wulu stepped forward slowly and calmly.
He walked to Wang's side, gently patted his mother's tense back, and said in a gentle voice, "Mother, don't worry. Things have come to this point, it's not worth getting upset and ruining your health."
"Not in a hurry? How can we not be in a hurry!"
Xie Wuyou retorted, "That little bitch was so arrogant today, even threatening Mother with her management authority! Are we just going to let this go? Are we just going to let her ride on our heads and shit on us?"
"Sister, please calm down." Xie Wulu looked up at Xie Wuyou. "Now is definitely not the right time to confront Xie Sangning head-on."
"Then what do you suggest we do?!" Xie Wuyou glared at him defiantly.
"Didn't my sister just say that the princess's flower-viewing banquet is a good opportunity?"
"Of course I know! I'm going to embarrass her terribly at the flower-viewing banquet! I'll make her too ashamed to stay in Jinling in the future!" Xie Wuyou said bitterly.
"Make a fool of yourself?" Xie Wulu shook her head gently. "Sister, that would be too risky."
He paused for a moment: "Xie Sangning is currently enjoying great popularity, and her reputation as 'more extravagant than a princess' is spreading far and wide. Do you think the Second Princess would be happy to hear this?"
A glimmer of light finally appeared in Wang's cloudy eyes, as if she had understood something.
Everyone knows that the Second Princess is the most domineering, and there is no woman in Jinling who is more outstanding than her.
Xie Wuyou was also taken aback: "You mean..."
"Who is the Second Princess?"
Xie Wulu lowered her voice: "A proud daughter of heaven, a golden branch and jade leaf, what she hates most is someone overshadowing her and challenging her authority."
"Xie Sangning's reputation is now practically dancing on the Second Princess's sore spot."
"All we need to do is... hand Her Highness the Second Princess the sharpest knife."
Xie Wuyou and Wang Shi's eyes lit up. Yes!
Once the princess hates Xie Sangning, she will naturally deal with her! She won't even need to lift a finger herself.
Over the years, any female lead who is better than the princess in any aspect has either disappeared or been sent away.
I don't ask Xie Sanning to disappear, I'd be happy if she could just be sent away!
——
A few days later, a flower-viewing banquet was held.
The heavens were kind; the snowstorm that had lasted for days stopped, and some warm sunshine was sprinkled down.
The flower-viewing banquet for the Second Princess Pei Mingyue was held in the warm pavilion of the royal villa.
The warm pavilion kept out the cold, and the various famous peonies and orchids that were carefully cultivated and bloomed out of season in the garden could all be seen.
The underground heating system was burning brightly, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere, with incense wafting in the air, giving the illusion of wealth, prosperity, and the arrival of spring.
There are quite a few plum blossoms in full bloom outdoors.
The villa was packed with people, including the families of officials of the fifth rank and above.
When Xie Sangning's carriage arrived, the area in front of the garden gate was already almost full.
The only one who didn't fit in here was Xie Wuyou, whom Pei Mingyue had specially invited to annoy Xie Sangning.
Once Xie Wuyou entered this banquet, he could sit on equal footing with the young ladies of the capital, which was the reason for his pride. If even the princess recognized his status, who would dare not?
As for the banquet, although it's called flower appreciation, flower appreciation banquets are always held in spring.
The real intention was not what it seemed. Considering the recent rumors and the Second Princess's usual temperament, many people were worried for this young lady who had just returned to the capital.
The moment Xie Sangning appeared, she instantly captured everyone's attention.
She was wearing a flowing brocade dress that she had custom-made at Jinxiu Pavilion.
The brocade, the color of rosy clouds, shimmered in the warm winter sun, and with each graceful step she took, it accentuated her snow-white skin and stunning beauty.
Her entire demeanor perfectly embodied the reputation of "more extravagant than a princess".
Xie Sangning entered the warm pavilion with graceful bearing.
Xie Wuyou didn't expect that the princess would be so unrestrained at the banquet, but that was fine too, as it would make it easier for him to perform.
She glanced back at the Second Princess and saw that the princess's expression had darkened slightly, which secretly pleased her.
If the princess dislikes Xie Sangning, then Xie Sangning will not be able to stay in Jinling!
The warm pavilion was already bustling with activity, as almost all the prominent ladies and noblewomen of Jinling City had gathered there.
However, the moment Xie Sangning appeared, the warm pavilion fell silent instantly.
Immediately afterwards, whispers began, though they were deliberately kept low, they still clearly reached Xie Sangning's ears.
"Look, isn't that Miss Xie, who just returned to the capital?"
"Wow, quite a grand display."
"Shh...keep your voice down! Haven't you heard? The one who's even more extravagant than a princess!"
"Is this flower-viewing banquet of the princess really just for seeing her?"
"Such a high-profile display, overshadowing even the princess, I really don't know what they were thinking."
"Just because Dad's coming back soon, they think they can gain a foothold in Jinling? They're so short-sighted. Don't they know where they are..."
"Look at her, acting all high and mighty. Who is she trying to impress?"
The noble ladies cast envious glances at Xie Sangning, but they all knew that this legitimate daughter of the General's Mansion would likely disappear from Jinling after today's flower-viewing banquet.
No one dared to speak up for her; it was obvious to everyone that the princess had a problem with her.
Xie Sangning sneered inwardly; this flower-viewing banquet was, in essence, a form of bullying directed at her.
But what does it matter?
It's still uncertain who's bullying whom.
Pei Mingyue didn't even look at Xie Sangning, but instead called Xie Wuyou to her side.
"Your name is Xie Wuyou, right? You're the second young lady of the General's Mansion?"
Upon hearing this, Xie Wuyou's tail practically wagging in the air.
See? Even the princess has acknowledged her status as a noble lady. How dare Xie Sangning, a mere subject's daughter, contradict the princess?
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