Chapter 596: Chapter 596

When the Grand Princess interrogated Zhou Xuejia, only the women were present. This was a private matter of the Marquis An Yuan Mansion, stemming from grievances between the Grand Princess and Zhou Xuejia, into which outsiders had no place to interfere.

Fengyu arrived at the banquet together with Princess Xue Lan, and Zhou Xuejia, overwhelmed by embarrassment and anger, had turned bright red. Back then, when Zhou Xuejia was forced to leave the Marquis An Yuan Mansion, she had been extremely unwilling. That year coincided with the Marchioness seeking a husband for her. However, a scandal concerning her origins suddenly erupted. Originally, after Princess Xue Lan returned, so long as the Marquis Mansion publicly declared her the Second Miss, Zhou Xuejia would still be acknowledged as the adopted daughter of the Mansion.

However, there is a vast difference in status between an adopted daughter and a biological one. As an adopted daughter, Zhou Xuejia would be unable to marry into a family of equal status to the Marquis Mansion. Therefore, Zhou Xuejia chose a risky path—leveraging ten years of upbringing, exploiting Princess Xue Lan’s gentle and soft nature, and forcing Princess Xue Lan to leave. Only by being the sole daughter of the Marquis Mansion could she realize her ambitions.

Princess Xue Lan lacked both cunning and strategy compared to Zhou Xuejia, and her life became increasingly difficult at the Marquis Mansion, where even the maids respected and favored Zhou Xuejia more. However, blood ties were unshakable. The Marchioness, although reluctant to sever emotional bonds with the adopted daughter she’d raised for ten years, could not endure seeing her biological daughter suffer injustices. After securing the title for Princess Xue Lan, and amid Zhou Xuejia’s deliberate schemes against Xue Lan, the Marchioness finally expelled Zhou Xuejia from the mansion.

Zhou Xuejia, driven to despair, sought help from Li Si.

Li Si had always been interested in her. Before Zhou Xuejia’s identity was exposed, the Marchioness had opposed marriage ties with the Li Family. Aristocratic alliances carried many considerations—not only lineage and character but also interpersonal relations.

"Marchioness, Mrs. Fang is right. What noble household allows a concubine to openly enter the hall during a birthday celebration? It’s utterly inappropriate," Madam Zhang, Zhang Boju’s mother, said coldly. "Among us are distinguished ladies of the Capital City. Who would dare to share a banquet table with a concubine? It would be the subject of ridicule if word spread." ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novel✶fire.net

The Marchioness flushed with embarrassment at these words and grew increasingly irritated with Zhou Xuejia’s lack of decorum. Despite being informed in advance not to visit, Zhou Xuejia still acted obstinately. Not only was Zhou Xuejia humiliated by the ladies, but the Marchioness herself also lost face completely.

Madam Zhang’s taunts toward Zhou Xuejia were a release of pent-up frustration from years before.

Back when Zhou Xuejia’s origins had yet to be exposed, the Marchioness had sought marriage ties with the Zhang Family, valuing Zhang Boju’s talents and virtues greatly. Madam Zhang, a long-time widow of calm and firm disposition, disliked Zhou Xuejia’s pampered upbringing and instead preferred steady and capable women like Feng Shu or Lin Yushu. However, at the time, Grandmaster Zhang thought an alliance with the Marquis An Yuan would be advantageous, offering Zhang Boju greater prospects through familial ties. Madam Zhang begrudgingly visited the Marquis Mansion frequently to discuss marriage arrangements. Just then, Zhou Xuejia’s true identity was revealed.

After Zhou Xuejia’s scandal surfaced, both families tacitly understood that no marriage was possible. Yet, Zhou Xuejia brazenly attempted to establish an illicit relationship with Zhang Boju. Fortunately, Zhang Boju was astute enough to evade her machinations, thoroughly angering Madam Zhang.

The Marchioness had been mortified back then, apologizing profusely multiple times to resolve the matter.

Madam Zhang had made her stance clear to the Marchioness, saying no self-respecting woman would tarnish her own virtue for ambition, and advising the Marchioness to pay closer attention to Zhou Xuejia’s upbringing.

It was not long before rumors of Zhou Xuejia’s affair with Li Si surfaced. She became Li Si’s mistress and gave birth to a son and daughter. Madam Zhang thanked her lucky stars she hadn’t followed her father-in-law’s suggestion to pursue the marriage alliance—otherwise, it would have ruined her son.

Fengyu listened as Princess Xue Lan whispered these bitter disputes to her, utterly astonished. She hadn’t expected the marriage prospects of the Kyoto clan’s sons and daughters to involve so much intrigue and countless twists and turns.

"Ladies, please do not blame my mother. I acted on my own to visit her engagement celebration. A decade of upbringing is as weighty as Mount Tai itself. I only wished to express my filial piety," Zhou Xuejia pleaded tearfully, bowing to the Marchioness. "Mother, it is my fault for being unfilial and making you upset. I will leave now."

Zhou Xuejia turned to leave, but the Marchioness’s stern voice rang out, "Stop!"

A flicker of joy crossed Zhou Xuejia’s eyes; retreating as a method to advance had worked once again. Her mother’s soft heart remained unchanged. Surely, she would not let her endure this kind of humiliation. With a new dynasty established, the Marquis Mansion was honored for its significant contributions. The Grand Princess of the previous regime—no, Mrs. Fang—how long could she remain so arrogant? The aristocratic families were bound to decline, and her parents no longer had to fear them. Soon her brothers would inherit the household, and as long as they cherished her as their sister, what harm could being a concubine bring? Her life would not be too miserable.

Fengyu arched her brows slightly and patted Princess Xue Lan’s hand. As the Marchioness halted Zhou Xuejia, Princess Xue Lan looked visibly distraught, a trace of sadness on her face.

The Marchioness wore a severe expression and declared, "Miss Zhou, seven years ago, the Marquis Mansion severed ties with you. You are not the daughter of the Marquis An Yuan Mansion but merely lived under my care for eleven years due to a misunderstanding. I warned you before—if not necessary, do not seek me out. When you entered the Li Family home, I made it clear that you should no longer call me ’Mother.’ My daughter from the Marquis An Yuan Mansion will never be a concubine. If you want to curse the Feng Family, do not involve my daughter in it. The Marquis An Yuan Mansion does not welcome you. From now on, if you dare come to my door uninvited without a greeting card, do not blame me for disregarding our past relationship."

She had assumed the Marchioness would protect her but never imagined she would publicly disassociate herself from her. From now on, everyone would know she had no connection whatsoever to the Marquis Mansion.

"Your mother? Who do you think your mother is? Do not mistake me for someone else!" the Marchioness bellowed with fury. "If you truly regarded me as your mother, you would not disregard my warnings and attend my birthday banquet, bringing me disgrace. Is this what you call filial devotion? You insolent thing! Guards, escort her out!"

A few sturdy maidservants approached, ignoring Zhou Xuejia’s cries, dragging her out. Because of Zhou Xuejia’s disturbance, the banquet atmosphere inevitably became tense.

Fengyu chuckled softly and said, "Aunt, please do not let irrelevant matters ruin your mood. Today is your birthday celebration, and you should be happy. I have prepared a painting to congratulate you on this occasion."

In the midst of awkward silence and tension, Fengyu’s gentle voice resounded like the spring winds of Jiangnan.

She deliberately addressed her as ’Aunt.’ Now as the soon-to-be Empress, everyone knew she was Xie Xun’s weakness. Xie Xun had erupted in fury at court multiple times, unmoved by counsel except for Fengyu’s.

Though young, she held the highest status among the ladies in attendance.

Mrs. Fang took a deep breath and considered this, her tone softening, "The Third Miss speaks wisely. Marchioness, do not let unrelated individuals upset you. She came uninvited, and it’s certainly not your mishap."

Everyone nodded in agreement. Mrs. Zhang smiled and said, "I’ve long heard of the Third Miss’s elegance, intelligence, and beauty. May we be fortunate enough to appreciate the painting you’ve created?"

Su Yuejiao hesitated, "There’s no need to—"

"Oh, it’s quite alright!" Fengyu confidently ordered Qiuxiang to fetch the painting.