The spring was still chilly, with sudden warm spells and cold snaps.
However, the palace seemed to have stepped into spring early. A gentle warm breeze blew slowly, carrying a refreshing fragrance. Exotic flowers were in full bloom, presenting a riot of colors and looking extremely beautiful!
The moment Yun Xi appeared, she instantly caught everyone's attention.
The men held their breaths, looking at the fairy-like girl in front of them with infatuated eyes. As for the women, some looked envious while others were filled with jealousy, each with their own thoughts.
Yun Xi, however, felt quite uncomfortable under such intense gazes. A thin layer of sweat oozed from her palms.
If it weren't for the delicious food at this banquet, she would really like to go straight back home!
Since entering the banquet hall, Prince Qi Yu had been keeping an eye on the entrance. Even when others talked to him, he seemed absent-minded.
But when he saw the long-awaited figure, his eyes immediately lit up. He said a word to the people around him, quickly got up, and walked towards her with a smile.
"Yun Xi, you're finally here! Why are you so late? Did something go wrong with your carriage on the way?"
Qi Yu had arrived at the venue early. Seeing that the second young lady of the Prime Minister's Mansion had been there for a long time but Yun Xi's figure was nowhere to be seen, he couldn't help but feel worried. He even wanted to go out and check in person.
Seeing it was the prince, Yun Xi first bowed. After hearing what he said, she was a bit surprised and explained with a smile:
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. There was no problem with the carriage. I came with my friends, so I was a bit late."
After Yun Xi finished speaking, she didn't get a reply from the prince for a long time. She tilted her head and looked at Qi Yu's dazed eyes, softly calling out:
"Your Highness?"
Qi Yu came back to his senses from Yun Xi's beauty. A blush instantly crept up his fair and handsome face. He nervously wanted to reply immediately but suddenly said:
"You look really beautiful today."
After saying this, he immediately felt it was too abrupt. Like a young boy experiencing his first love, he quickly said:
"No, I mean, who are these people?"
Qi Yu's topic switch was too blunt. Even Zhen Bao beside him couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle, feeling that this prince was so silly, just like her third brother.
The fourth and fifth sons of the Zhen family were used to it. They smiled, clasped their fists at the prince, and generously introduced themselves.
After a few words of greeting, they took their seats separately. Yun Xi and Zhen Bao went to the ladies' seats opposite the gentlemen's seats.
Just as they sat down, they heard a cold snort from behind, followed by sarcasm:
"Such good tricks! Relying on your good looks, you deliberately come late to draw everyone's attention. Let's see if you can still laugh later!"
"What do you mean?!"
Hearing someone mocking Yun Xi, Zhen Bao immediately got angry. She turned around and stared at Song Yulin, the daughter of the Minister of Personnel, who was sitting two rows behind.
"Oh, it's you!"
"You're jealous that Yun Xi's idea to help the refugees is better than yours, so you're shouting there! If you have the ability, come up with a better way. Since you're not as good, why are you showing off with your mouth!"
Zhen Bao's two sentences made Song Yulin's face turn green. She wanted to step forward and teach Zhen Bao a lesson but was afraid of her strength.
At this time, Yun Xi didn't seem to care. She took Zhen Bao's arm, picked up a pastry, and put it into Zhen Bao's mouth.
"The mouth is on others. Let them say whatever they want. Why should we waste our breath? It's better to eat more."
For Yun Xi, the temptation of food was far more important than anything else.
What's the use of arguing with others? Even if you win, you won't gain two more pounds of meat. What you eat is the most real!
"You!"
Watching the two of them ignore her and enjoy the food heartily, even discussing the food in front of them happily, Song Yulin felt like she had gathered all her strength but hit a cotton ball. She was so angry that her nose was crooked.
Watching all this silently, Yu Xueming finally pulled the corner of Song Yulin's sleeve and gently comforted her:
"Alright. Since others don't take you seriously, why do you take it seriously? You're just making yourself angry."
Hearing this, Song Yulin became even more furious. She snorted and said:
"Xueming, aren't you willing to always be outshone by her? To be regarded as her foil?!"
After hearing Song Yulin's words, Yu Xueming looked calm on the surface, but her eyes glanced at Yun Ni not far away:
"What can we do if we're not willing? She's the princess conferred by the emperor, and the prince seems to treat her differently. We can't compare to her."
"Do you mean she's going to be the crown princess? It's simply a daydream!"
Before Song Yulin could speak, Yun Ni couldn't hold back her anger anymore. She walked up to Yu Xueming arrogantly and said:
"The prince just talked to her a few more times. What's there to be so proud of? When I came in just now, the prince also talked to me!"
"Oh? Really?"
Yu Xueming turned around, her almond eyes glancing at Yun Ni faintly, and asked with a smile:
"What did the prince say to you?"
Yun Ni raised her lips and smiled. Without suspecting anything, she immediately said proudly:
"The prince asked me why I came alone and if there were any obstacles to my carriage on the way."
But before she could finish her words, Yu Xueming interrupted with a smile:
"No wonder. The prince didn't see Yun Xi, so he asked you if your journey was smooth. From the way he was so worried about Yun Xi just now, we can already see the clue."
Yu Xueming's voice was gentle, but her words were like a sharp knife stabbing into Yun Ni's heart. Her face froze, and she suddenly realized that she had been being self - indulgent!
She had been secretly excited and happy for a long time because the prince had taken the initiative to talk to her.
The reality was so straightforwardly exposed by Yu Xueming, making her feel like falling into an ice cellar. At the same time, there was also jealousy and hatred towards Yun Xi!
"How pitiful."
Yu Xueming looked at Yun Ni and shook her head sympathetically. Her words made Yun Ni even more embarrassed.
Yun Ni slumped into the chair beside Yu Xueming, staring intently at Yu Xueming and saying:
"Since you can see it, do you also have a way to ruin her reputation?"
Hearing this, Yu Xueming looked at Yun Ni in surprise:
"Ruining her reputation? Your words sound so scary! I can't do such a thing."
She seemed so upright, which worried Song Yulin beside her.
"Xueming, we all know you're smart and kind, but that Yun Xi is really too hateful! If we don't teach her a lesson, we can't swallow this anger!"
Hearing this, Yun Ni also nodded heavily in agreement.
So what if Yun Xi was her elder sister? She still opposed her everywhere, snatched all of their father's love, and even schemed against her mother, making her and her younger brother always be laughed at for their illegitimate status.
Why could Yun Xi be carefree and even gain the prince's favor!
Facing the hostile gazes of the two, Yu Xueming seemed reluctant. After a long time, she whispered:
"Alright. I'll just give you some ideas and give her a small punishment so that she won't be so overbearing in the future."
"But you must promise not to go too far."
Hearing this, the two immediately nodded: "Okay!"
So Yu Xueming specifically asked Yun Ni about Yun Xi's daily life, such as what she was good at and what her weaknesses were. Finally, she roughly got to know her.