Chapter 595: Chapter 595

Princess Xue Lan couldn’t help but laugh through her tears, and Fengyu wiped her face with a handkerchief. "Then what about now? Do you still loathe Zhang Boxi and refuse to marry him?"

Once, on her way home from the palace, Fengyu had seen Zhang Boxi and Princess Xue Lan sitting together in the carriage. The two got along harmoniously, with Zhang Boxi teasing Princess Xue Lan into laughter. Fengyu thought to herself that times had changed; Princess Xue Lan must now be willing to marry Zhang Boxi. That was why she said Zhang Boxi could ensure Princess Xue Lan would attain a noble title of the first rank.

Currently, Zhang Boxi is the head of the Imperial Guards, serving as the Emperor’s Guard, with a promising future ahead of him.

Xie Xun’s swift rise to power and coronation in the Capital City wouldn’t have been possible without Zhang Boxi’s significant contributions. Back then, it was Zhang Boxi who preserved the fighting forces of the Kyoto Capital Guard. For that alone, Xie Xun would continue to favor and elevate him.

Princess Xue Lan’s cheeks flushed with a hint of rosy red as she smiled lightly and said, "It’s my own weak nature, my bias against the old elite families... But he... he’s alright."

Fengyu saw the bashful demeanor of a young maiden in her, and her heart warmed with joy. Princess Xue Lan, perhaps by fate, seemed to have found what she desired after all. Princess Xue Lan added, "Though Zhang Boxi’s family is but a declining branch of the Zhang Family and hardly valued by them, his household is simple. His mother-in-law has a commanding personality, which keeps his father’s courtyard peaceful—there’s only one concubine. He has five siblings, who all get along well. His younger sister from the family often invites me out for playful excursions, so... I quite like the people in his family."

"Do you like the people in his family, or do you like him?" Fengyu teased.

"Ayu!" Princess Xue Lan blushed furiously, her face turning scarlet. Fengyu suddenly found herself missing Fang Lingjun dearly. If Fang Lingjun were here, the three of them could gather for frequent laughter and play. If not, once Fengyu entered the palace, meeting up would become a rare occasion.

As the two were still talking, Princess Xue Lan’s maid hurried in, fuming as she declared, "Princess, that... Miss Zhou Er has come to congratulate the Marchioness on her birthday."

The smile on Princess Xue Lan’s face vanished completely.

Fengyu immediately understood who this "Miss Zhou Er" was. Zhou Xuejia, the woman who had been fostered in the Marquis An Yuan Mansion for ten years and once was the adored darling of the house.

A thorn in Princess Xue Lan’s heart.

Fengyu asked, "You don’t want to see her?" Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by novel⦿fire.net

Princess Xue Lan shook her head. Every time Zhou Xuejia came, Princess Xue Lan would hide in the courtyard, unwilling to meet her. "I know I’m weak; I shouldn’t always avoid her. It’s not like I can’t face the world—this is my home. But I... I just lack the confidence."

"Xue Lan, I am your confidence," Fengyu said with a light chuckle. "In relationships with others, the weaker you are, the stronger they become. If you keep backing down, people will take advantage of you inch by inch. She is the guest; you are the host. What is there to fear?"

Princess Xue Lan bit her lip in hesitation, looking at Fengyu’s encouraging gaze. She nodded. Whether three years ago or three years later, it was only when Fengyu and Fang Lingjun were by her side that Princess Xue Lan felt she could act a little bolder. This was a kind of courage that neither her father nor brothers ever gave her.

Every year on the Marchioness’s birthday, Zhou Xuejia would come to offer congratulations. Though the Marchioness knew that Princess Xue Lan would feel hurt, she couldn’t outright refuse Zhou Xuejia’s presence at the mansion. The Heir of Marquis An Yuan and the Second Young Master would always be convinced by Zhou Xuejia to bring her along for celebratory gestures toward the Marchioness. Faced with numerous guests, the Marchioness couldn’t create a scene.

Princess Xue Lan knew that her mother still thought of Zhou Xuejia deep down. As a result, Princess Xue Lan would oftentimes comfort the Marchioness, urging her not to stop Zhou Xuejia from coming over. The Marchioness feared her sons might misunderstand it as Princess Xue Lan being unwilling to let Zhou Xuejia enter their home, thereby straining sibling relationships further. Thus, the Marchioness could only silently allow it.

But this year was exceptional, as Fengyu—who was now the future Empress—was also on the guest list. Additionally, the Grand Princess was attending the birthday banquet, and Zhou Xuejia was now merely Li Si’s concubine, unqualified to appear at the Marchioness’s grand celebration.

The Marchioness had explicitly ordered that Zhou Xuejia should not set foot in the mansion, yet Zhou Xuejia defied her wishes and brought a gift to offer congratulations. The Marchioness was furious and indignant, shooting a sharp look at the Heir of Marquis An Yuan. Feeling aggrieved, he explained, "It wasn’t me who brought her here; this has nothing to do with me."

It was Fengyu’s first time seeing Zhou Xuejia. Fostered in the Marquis An Yuan Mansion for ten years and raised as though a little princess herself, Zhou Xuejia exuded an aura of quiet elegance. Her appearance was alluring, and her manners exuded decorum—she seemed every bit the picture of a proper young lady from a noble family. As soon as she appeared, murmurs began among the guests. Everyone knew the scandal: Zhou Xuejia became Li Si’s concubine, ruined Li Si’s engagement to Fang Lingjun, and forced Fang Lingjun to flee to Zhongzhou. Now Fang Lingjun’s fate remained unknown—a story everyone whispered about. The Grand Princess, present at the banquet, looked upon Zhou Xuejia with icy disdain.

"Marchioness An Yuan," the Grand Princess began sharply, "At your birthday banquet, you allow the presence of a mere concubine to offer her congratulations? What sort of rules are these? I have never heard of any family allowing a concubine to dine or socialize publicly, let alone attend the host’s banquet." The Grand Princess had no intention of holding back her words. Before the Marchioness could issue an expulsion, the Grand Princess openly humiliated Zhou Xuejia in front of the gathered ladies.

The Li Family woman—she was the thorn between Marshal Fang and the Grand Princess.

The Li Family man exchanged betrothal letters with her daughter, discussing marriage only to openly take in a concubine, resulting in illegitimate elder children. In doing so, he forced her daughter into fleeing from an arranged wedding. Now her daughter’s fate remained uncertain in Zhongzhou. No matter what had happened, the Grand Princess loathed the Li Family.

Within Capital City’s noble circles, it was widely known: if you invited the Grand Princess, you shouldn’t invite the Li Family.

Conversely, inviting the Li Family meant no one dared to invite the Grand Princess.

The Marchioness felt her scalp prickling. Zhou Xuejia’s veil of propriety was torn apart by the Grand Princess. Caught between shame and indignation, Zhou Xuejia tried to defend herself. "I... I merely came as a daughter to celebrate my mother’s birthday and will leave immediately after. Please, Grand Princess, do not hold the Marquis Mansion accountable."

"Mother?" The Grand Princess scoffed coldly. "The Marchioness An Yuan’s biological daughter is named Zhou Xue Lan. And what relation do you, Zhou Xuejia, have to her? Marchioness, is this your daughter?"