In the evening, the sky was dim and gloomy.
Tiny snowflakes fluttered down, interweaving the pure white with the vermilion.
Inside the Xingqing Palace, candles burned brightly and the music of silk and bamboo wafted gently. The warm earth dragons and the thick door curtains kept out the biting cold wind and the icy snowflakes outside, allowing those inside to chat and enjoy themselves without a care. Some even drank a cup of chilled rice wine to relieve the inner restlessness.
After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became lively, and everyone was chatting merrily.
This welcome banquet was specially held for Yun Weisheng, so the Yun family members were naturally the stars of the show.
Yun Xi, in particular.
Previously, she had attracted much attention due to various incidents. Especially after she won the Qingyun Competition and showed her astonishing beauty, she made many people envious. The noble ladies of the aristocratic families could only console themselves by looking down on her background, thinking they were superior to her.
But now, it was revealed that Yun Xi was actually a young lady of the Yun family!
The noble ladies in the capital had nothing more to say. They were inferior to her in terms of talent, beauty, and family background.
So the noble ladies changed their minds and began to curry favor with Yun Xi. Since they couldn't be jealous anymore, it was better to make friends than enemies.
Therefore, from the beginning of the banquet until now, noble ladies had been flocking to Yun Xi, chatting and drinking with her non - stop, which was a far cry from the usual cold atmosphere.
It was so lively that Qiao Yan couldn't even get close for a long time.
During this time, there were naturally a lot of compliments, which made Yun Xi a bit dizzy.
On the contrary, after everyone knew that Yun Qianying was not a biological daughter of the Yun family, those who used to flatter and praise her were now very perfunctory even when greeting her.
Sitting alone, Yun Qianying was almost furious with herself. She almost tore the handkerchief in her hand to pieces secretly.
But there was nothing she could do.
She could only stiffly talk to Cao Wei, who came over.
After all, what those ladies could talk about in front of Yun Xi were things like how arrogant and stupid Cao Sheng used to be and how discerning Yi Yuan was in matters of love. Naturally, Cao Wei was also one of those being laughed at.
So she could only huddle together with Yun Qianying for comfort.
Just as everyone was in high spirits, Yun Xi heard Emperor Zhaohuan, who was sitting in the main seat in the middle, suddenly mention her.
"I heard that Lord Yun has found his long - lost daughter,"
Emperor Zhaohuan stroked his cup and smiled. There was a hint of drunkenness in his eyes as he casually asked,
"And it turns out she is the very wife Prince Yu'an has set his heart on. What a fateful encounter! Hahaha..."
"Your Majesty, I really didn't expect it either,"
Yun Weisheng replied honestly,
"My daughter has had a hard life. She got lost when she was young and couldn't return home. Meeting Prince Yu'an, a kind - hearted man, is a blessing after all her hardships."
The two of them were just having an ordinary conversation.
But Yun Xi, sitting on one side, somehow felt that there was a hidden meaning in every word of Emperor Zhaohuan. His occasional glances at her also seemed to be full of meaning. She didn't know if it was because of the matter of the old prince or because if she married into the Yu'an Prince's Mansion in the future, it would mean the alliance between the Yun family and the prince's mansion. By then, Yi Yuan's power would be extremely great, which might arouse suspicion.
Just as she was lost in thought, she saw Yi Zhen walking over with a smile and saying,
"I really didn't expect that Miss Xi was actually the lost child of the Yun family. I said that with your bearing and beauty, you were not an ordinary person. Now it seems that my judgment is quite accurate."
Yun Xi stood up gracefully and bowed, smiling,
"Your Highness is over - praising me. I can't compare to you at all."
"You're being modest,"
Yi Zhen's smile deepened,
"You know that I get along very well with Xiaoying. Now that you're also a young lady of the Yun family, you're also my friend. We should communicate more often on weekdays."
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness,"
Yun Xi answered flawlessly,
"But I've had a lingering illness since I fell into the water and haven't fully recovered. I don't dare to interact with you too often for fear of passing on the illness."
While the two of them were chatting politely, Yun Qianying seemed to have seen a life - saving straw. She came over and pulled Yi Zhen, complaining about her situation in a sarcastic tone, as if her life had become extremely difficult because of Yun Xi.
Yun Xi was too lazy to play along with them and was about to find an excuse to leave.
At this time, a maid came up in a hurry and whispered something in Saixing's ear.
"Miss,"
Saixing leaned over to Yun Xi's ear and whispered,
"Just now the maid reported that the young heir was coaxed into drinking some strong liquor. Now he's feeling unwell and is resting in the side hall at the back. He's crying to see you. Please go and have a look."
Yun Xi glanced at Yi Zhen and Yun Qianying who were still chatting. A glint flashed in her eyes, and she barely curved her lips as she said,
"That won't do. Hurry, let's go and have a look."
She then turned to tell Yi Yuan where she was going and led Saixing and Lingyan away in a hurry.
"Miss,"
Not long after Yun Xi left, Liuyun gave Yun Qianying a look, trying to suppress her excitement, and whispered,
"She's gone."
A flash of joy crossed Yun Qianying's face. She nodded slightly and lowered her voice,
"Good. Where's Awen?"
"Second Young Master has been waiting in the room for a long time."
With a venomous smile, Yun Qianying scanned the people present. Seeing Yi Yuan and others there, she felt a little relieved and instructed,
"This plan must succeed. Go and keep an eye on it. That Lingyan is very skilled. Last time we tricked her into falling into the water. She couldn't swim, so she had no energy to take care of that bitch. This time we've only drugged them. I don't know if the drug is strong enough."
"Miss, don't worry. Didn't we test the drug on someone? It's very powerful. Just a whiff and all strength will be lost immediately. It's definitely enough for Lingyan to handle,"
Liuyun replied confidently,
"I'm more worried about Second Young Master. What if he gets carried away by lust and tries something... It might cause more trouble."
"That's why I'm sending you to keep an eye on him,"
Yun Qianying patted her arm and said,
"Mother has spoiled him too much, which has made him so good - for - nothing. Hurry up. She'll be there soon."
"Yes."
Liuyun didn't say more. She answered and left in a hurry.
At this time, Yun Xi had, under the guidance of a maid, made a series of turns and arrived at the side hall.
The maid curtsied and said with her head down,
"Miss, the young heir is inside."
Yun Xi nodded. With a look from her, Lingyan pushed open the door and went in first to check.
But as soon as the door opened, a strong smell of incense rushed out, making everyone couldn't help covering their noses.
"Miss, be careful,"
Lingyan instinctively protected Yun Xi behind her. Just as she was about to turn around to question the maid, the maid had already disappeared.
Frowning tightly, Lingyan tried to circulate her qi, but found that her dantian was empty and she had no internal energy at all.
A cold sweat broke out on Lingyan's back.
"Not good!"
Lingyan shouted, but her voice was as faint as a mosquito's, and no one outside could hear it.
"Run!"
Yun Xi and Saixing beside her also sensed something was wrong. They exchanged a look. Just as they shouted the word "run", their bodies went limp and they fell to the ground.