Chapter 196: Chapter 196

The sound of chatter filled the air, echoing around until the large group of people poured into the imperial city.

The envoy entered the palace, and Prince Su was surely accompanying him. Over these past few days, he’s been so busy that he hasn’t been seen.

A few days later, Emperor Anqing hosted a banquet, and Yu Nianzhao also received an invitation from the palace. With Zhixi’s help, she changed into the powdered palace gown sent by the Empress and entered the palace with little enthusiasm.

Having just entered the palace, looking for a quiet corner, she heard an annoying voice.

She looked up to see the Pei Family members coming towards her like unceasing flies.

"Zhaozhao, you’ve also entered the palace? It’s only natural, given you’re to be the future Princess Consort Su; such a courtly banquet surely includes you."

Pei Yunzhi’s bitter voice reached her ears as she supported the now thinner Ms. Lien, walking slowly with a few traces of sorrow in her eyes.

"It’s none of your business." Yu Nianzhao glanced at her, smiling playfully, "What? Haven’t had enough nightmares lately?"

Pei Yunzhi’s swollen eye bags had so much powder that they couldn’t be concealed.

"Strange happenings in the Marquis Manor lately; we keep having odd nightmares at night. So it’s your doing, Yu Nianzhao? What’s your true intent?"

Pei Yunzhi’s eyes widened as if she had uncovered some evidence, her voice becoming sharper. Thɪs chapter is updated by novᴇlfire.net

"No guilty conscience, no fear of ghosts knocking at midnight."

Yu Nianzhao tilted her head, smirking, "Only fools worry after repeated missteps. Did some ghost tell you it was me?"

Pei Yunzhi was so angry her eyes turned red, but she wasn’t a match for Yu Nianzhao.

"Cough cough, Zhaozhao, Yunzhi, please stop arguing."

Ms. Lien looked rather weary; she had been running around for Pei Yuanzheng’s matters lately, and she hadn’t planned on coming to this royal banquet. But Pei Yuanzheng said he was favored and restored to his position, and he had to come to uphold the manor’s face. Plus, Pei Yunzhi was at marriageable age, and after being rejected in marriage by the Princely Heir, she needed to find a good match soon, which was why she entered the palace for the banquet.

"In the end, you are sisters. I, as your mother, mishandled the relationship between you two."

Ms. Lien had tears in her eyes; with recent changes, she was exhausted mentally and physically, and all she wished for was the well-being of her children.

"Mother, I had hoped to peacefully coexist with Zhaozhao, the talk of severing ties was mere words, and I genuinely wished Zhaozhao would return to the Marquis Manor."

Pei Yunzhi suppressed the malice in her eyes, feigning pitiful as she spoke, "Yet when father had trouble with the Stargazing Tower case recently, Zhaozhao stayed indifferent. Even when grandmother sought her help, she responded harshly; I truly cannot accept it, for blood is thicker than water, isn’t it?"

Ms. Lien lightly furrowed her brows, having learned about this incident from Mrs. Pei, who exaggerated things. Her eyes flashed with disappointment, forcing out a smile, "We did mention severing ties first, so it’s not surprising Zhaozhao ignored it."

"What is there not to blame, Mother? You’re lowering yourself too much because of guilt. No other family’s children are this defiant towards their parents."

Pei Yuncheng was disappointed with Yu Nianzhao’s indifference and turned even more bitter upon realizing that more noble children had unknowingly surrounded Yu Nianzhao, making him, the second brother, dispensable, filling him with bitterness.

"No birth grace, no nurturing grace, yet dare claim to be parents and siblings?"

Yu Nianzhao sneered softly, crushing the little bit of confidence Ms. Lien had mustered.

Pei Yunqing sighed deeply, "Mother is weary; you should treat her better."

Yu Nianzhao glanced at him, indifferently stating, "Is her weariness caused by me? You children and Mr. Pei, her husband, are the main sources of her emotional turmoil. Why? Is this intended to morally bind me? Unfortunately, and it’s a pity, I don’t have much morality myself; thus you cannot coerce me. Better spend your time examining your own reasons rather than arguing with me."

The Pei Family was left speechless by her rebuttal.

Chu Wenxin approached, followed by several noblewomen, mocking with a smile, "This royal banquet is indeed interesting, showcasing such family feuds and petty arguments. Yu Nianzhao, someone as heartless and lonely as you is truly unworthy of Prince Su."

Yu Nianzhao narrowed her eyes at her, covering her nose, "Eating garlic or dog feces? Your mouth reeks; did you leave home without rinsing?"

Chu Wenxin glared, "Yu Nianzhao, refrain from speaking nonsense, why is your speech always so vulgar?"

Yu Nianzhao shrugged, "How are garlic and dog feces vulgar?"

"Apologies to Miss Chu. My sister Zhaozhao’s words aren’t pleasant; I apologize on her behalf."

Pei Yunzhi’s eyes spun as she pretended to be weak, lowering her body gracefully in apology, her gaze implying regret.

Chu Wenxin sneered, "Hmph, this birth daughter isn’t as good as an adopted one. A child born in the countryside truly lacks manners."

Pei Yunzhi’s face twisted momentarily before returning to calm.

"Proper manners depend on whom they’re directed towards."

Xie Yunzhe and Xie Jiarou lifted the curtains and strolled out; Xie Yunzhe’s gaze swept over the people present, especially pausing on Pei Yunzhi with a chill that sent shivers down her spine.

"Prince An Nan’s heir?"

Pei Yunzhi’s lips trembled, her eyes in panic, "Was the heir here all along?"

Xie Jiarou was no longer as affectionate as she had been before, just complexly replied, "Yes, we’ve been here waiting for the banquet to begin for some time, without any intention to interrupt you all."

Pei Yunzhi wavered; so from the very beginning, the heir heard all they said?

She hadn’t uttered any malicious words yet felt inexplicitly uneasy.

Xie Yunzhe nodded warmly to Yu Nianzhao, saying leisurely, "Everyone in Shangjing knows it was the Pei Family who first severed ties, so what wrong did Zhaozhao commit? But Miss Chu, always speaking of manners, should focus on her own matters. Family affairs of others seem unrelated to you."

Chu Wenxin’s gaze flitted back and forth between Yu Nianzhao and Xie Yunzhe, then she suddenly flashed a mischievous grin, "Mr. Xie is aiding Yu Nianzhao, indeed... If we tally it properly, the one engaged to Mr. Xie should be Yu Nianzhao. No wonder you broke off with Pei Yunzhi, likely with your thoughts lingering on the main act. Alas, Yu Nianzhao covets the position of Princess Consort Su, having no interest in being your consort."

Turning to Pei Yunzhi, she mocked, "Ruined the marriage and still cleaning up the mess? Pei Yunzhi, I genuinely pity you."