The three of them turned around in unison, only to see Yun Qianying striding over with her maid, her eyes blazing with anger.
Liu Mengxian couldn't help but frown slightly.
The servants had later reported to her about the "good deeds" Yun Qianying had done the previous day. However, Yun Qianying was merely her cousin, not a full - blooded younger sister. Out of consideration for family face, she didn't feel it appropriate to say anything.
She had prepared gifts to apologize to Ye Xi. Who would have thought that just as she was in the middle of choosing, Qiao Yan had come and even sent an invitation on Ye Xi's behalf.
So she simply brought the gifts and came for the gathering. Fortunately, Ye Xi was magnanimous and didn't hold a grudge. She had even whole - heartedly shared with her a secret that couldn't be known to outsiders.
Just when the atmosphere was starting to improve and their friendship was deepening, Yun Qianying had rushed over in such an angry manner. Wasn't she deliberately trying to make her look bad?
"Qianying,"
Liu Mengxian turned around and took a few steps forward, just blocking Yun Qianying's way.
"What's wrong with you? Miss Xi is a guest invited by Miss Qiao. You mustn't be rude."
She still had to show some respect for her own cousin. Yun Qianying had her path blocked, so she had to stop. However, her complexion remained sullen. She pouted and said:
"Cousin, your words don't make sense. I'm your blood - related younger sister. I just called out to someone, and you're already saying I'm being rude."
"Uh..."
Liu Mengxian was momentarily at a loss for words. She glanced at Ye Xi behind her but still didn't move aside. She simply said:
"Then what does cousin want from Miss Xi? Miss Qiao is hosting today..."
"Cousin—"
Yun Qianying directly interrupted Liu Mengxian's attempt to use Qiao Yan as an excuse to send her back. She gave Ye Xi a mocking look and said:
"Miss Xi is right there. She's not even the Princess of Yu'an yet. Why does a legitimate daughter of the Liu family like you need to convey messages for her?"
"Moreover, I'm just a weak woman. Is she afraid of me? Look at the guards and maids behind her. Each one of them is stronger than me. Do you think I'm going to eat her up?"
These words successfully made Qiao Yan and Liu Mengxian's faces turn dark. Liu Mengxian was just about to scold Yun Qianying for talking nonsense when she heard Ye Xi say calmly:
"Miss Liu, this is supposed to be a pleasant flower - viewing event. Don't let yourself get angry. Since Miss Yun has come uninvited and there are so many people in the garden watching, we should maintain some dignity and it wouldn't be appropriate to drive her away. How about just letting her join us?"
Wasn't this just implying that Yun Qianying was shameless?
Although Yun Qianying was her cousin, she often acted cute and innocent because of her young age. She thought that the Liu family's status was far inferior to that of the Yun family nowadays, so sometimes her words were out of line and she would even belittle the Liu family members. Seeing Yun Qianying's face turn red and then pale, Liu Mengxian actually found it rather amusing.
She no longer blocked her way. With a half - warning and half - kind reminder of "Watch your words in public", she gracefully returned to her seat.
Yun Qianying gritted her teeth in anger. She didn't take a single word of Liu Mengxian's to heart. She just snorted coldly, then walked a few steps and came to the others. Without being polite, she sat down in the only empty seat in front of her, which happened to be between Ye Xi and Liu Mengxian, and said:
"Miss Xi, I've always been straightforward. Today, I won't beat around the bush with you."
"I just want to ask you, Azhou has no grudges against you. Why did you harm him and the Shen family?"
When it came to court affairs, everyone's expressions changed.
Liu Mengxian was the first to look around furtively and scolded:
"Qianying! What are you talking nonsense about?! Court affairs are not something you can discuss!"
Qiao Yan also stared at her with wide eyes:
"Are you crazy?"
Ye Xi had expected that she would come for Shen Zhou. She calmly ordered:
"Yan Gui and Yan Xuan, you two go for a walk around. Lingyan can stay here with me. There are only female relatives here. It's inconvenient for you to stand here."
"Yes."
Understanding Ye Xi's meaning, the two of them responded in unison. They gave Yun Qianying a warning look and then turned around to check for any suspicious people.
All the servants who accompanied their young ladies today were trusted confidants. Ye Xi didn't hide anything and directly said:
"Miss Yun, Shen Bianhuai accepted bribes, harmed the common people, and embezzled military funds, endangering the Great Yin. You're a young lady of the Yun family. The Yun family has been guarding the border for decades. Your grandfather, your father, and even your elder brother who hasn't entered officialdom yet have all gone to the battlefield to fight the enemy. It was their hard - fought defense and fearless battles that protected the Great Yin for so many years of peace."
"On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the Ying army suddenly attacked Hengfeng City. Prince Chi Xuan died in battle. It was also your Yun family that led the army to turn the tide and defend the peace in the southwest. So much blood and lives were sacrificed. I believe that as a young lady of the Yun family, you should feel this more deeply than any of us here."
"But what are you doing now?"
Ye Xi's voice suddenly turned sharp. Her dark and piercing eyes stared directly at Yun Qianying:
"Instead of hating the Shen family and spitting on them, you actually blame A Yuan for exposing the Shen family's crimes and try to excuse them everywhere. Are you worthy of being a young lady of the Yun family?"
Ye Xi's words were extremely sharp, and every word hit Yun Qianying's sore spot. By the end, Yun Qianying's face had turned deathly pale.
"Why am I not worthy?!"
Yun Qianying wanted to refute loudly, but unfortunately, Ye Xi's words had made her feel guilty, and her voice lacked confidence. She could only bluster:
"I was born a member of the Yun family and will die a member of the Yun family. Only I am worthy of the title of Young Lady of the Yun family!"
"As for you, you're just a low - born and mysterious orphan. What do you know..."
"Qianying!"
These words were like stabs in Ye Xi's heart. Liu Mengxian couldn't help but scold.
But Yun Qianying ignored her. After a pause, she continued angrily:
"...You're not even worthy of polishing my shoes! If Shen Bianhuai did something wrong, just go after him. Why drag the whole Shen family down? And what does it have to do with Azhou?!"
Hearing this, Ye Xi was almost laughed at by her stupidity.
Before she could say anything, Qiao Yan, who had been influenced by her elder brother who was eager to fight on the battlefield and serve the country, hated the enemy armies that invaded the Great Yin the most. Seeing Yun Qianying say such stupid things, she was so angry that she slapped the stone table with a "bang" and roared:
"Have you had your head kicked by a donkey? They're all from the Shen family. For small matters, it might be okay, but for such a big thing, how could it be only Shen Bianhuai's doing! The whole Shen family is probably not clean."
"You keep talking about Azhou all the time. I think we should pour some porridge into your head to calm you down!"
"You..."
Yun Qianying's face turned red with anger from Qiao Yan's scolding. Seeing that people around had turned their heads after hearing the loud sound of Qiao Yan's slap, she felt even more ashamed and angry. She blurted out without thinking:
"But Azhou has only been in the capital for a few years. Even if he was involved, he must have been forced."
"As for you, you're a young lady of the Marquis of Changming Mansion. Why are you so shrewd and rude? Let me tell you, I won't let my elder brother marry you! Even if he marries you forcefully, I will never recognize you!"
"What... what?"
Qiao Yan was stunned.
How did it suddenly come to Yun Qi? And what was this about marriage? She hadn't even taken a fancy to Yun Qi yet! Yun Qianying was already being so picky!
Qiao Yan's face also turned red, not knowing whether it was from anger or shame. Just as she was about to retort, she heard a male voice shout:
"Xiaoying! What are you talking nonsense about?!"
Everyone turned their heads in unison and saw Yun Qi striding over. There was a suspicious blush on his wheat - colored and resolute face. For some reason, he was followed by Cao Wei and Cao Sheng, a brother - sister pair.
When he got closer, Yun Qi greeted everyone one by one, then with a blushing face, he apologized to Qiao Yan:
"I'm sorry, Miss Qiao. I didn't discipline Xiaoying well. I've caused you trouble..."
As he said this, he glared at Yun Qianying, who looked dissatisfied, and said sternly:
"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and apologize to Miss Qiao! Don't you know that you're slandering Miss Qiao's innocence? Have you forgotten what mother and father taught you on weekdays?!"
"Humph—"
Yun Qianying snorted dissatisfiedly. In the end, she couldn't defy her elder brother. She reluctantly and perfunctorily said:
"Sorry."
Qiao Yan also snorted. She gave Yun Qi a disdainful look and then turned her head away, ignoring them completely.
"Since an apology has been made," Liu Mengxian interjected in a timely manner, "Qianying also offended Miss Xi just now. How about apologizing to her as well?"
Yun Qianying didn't expect Liu Mengxian to undermine her at this moment. She glared at her hatefully and said coldly:
"Cousin, you're probably not my cousin but Miss Xi's cousin. Your elbow is almost bent out of the capital."
"Xiaoying, how can you talk to..."
Yun Qi frowned and was about to scold Yun Qianying when he heard Ye Xi trying to smooth things over:
"Alright, alright. We had a little argument, and I've returned the offense. Let's just call it even."
"However, General Yun,"
Ye Xi subtly reminded him:
"Your younger sister is no longer a child. She's old enough to be married, and it's only natural for her to have someone she fancies. But marriage is a lifetime matter. General Yun should take more care in choosing a partner for your younger sister. Make sure she doesn't go astray."
Yun Qi naturally understood what Ye Xi meant. He thanked her, then blushed again and apologized to Qiao Yan. After exchanging a few pleasantries, he dragged Yun Qianying away.
Their mood had been spoiled, but fortunately, they had already finished discussing the important matters. The three of them didn't stay any longer. After saying their goodbyes, they went their separate ways.
Ye Xi tidied up her clothes and slowly got up. She had only taken a few steps when she suddenly heard someone say from the side:
"Xiaoxi, you still have feelings for me, don't you?"