Chapter 486: Second Brother Must Avenge Our Zhuzhu!

Chapter 486: Second Brother, You Must Get Justice for Our Pearl!

After Wei Shiqing and the others left, Nie Yuke looked rather dejected.

However, she quickly adjusted her mood, put on a smile, and saw the banquet through. She then properly saw the guests out before anxiously rushing to her fifth brother’s courtyard.

Nie Lvming was in his room cleaning his bow when his sister barged in. He looked puzzled: "What’s the matter?"

Nie Yuke managed a weak smile, her tightly clenched hands betraying her agitation: "...Has the Crown Prince cousin left already?"

Nie Lvming kept polishing his bow distractedly: "He left long ago."

Nie Yuke felt her palms grow clammy: "...Did the Crown Prince cousin say anything?"

At this, Nie Lvming got strangely irritated: "You know what? I just praised Lady of Blessed Peace a few times, saying how good she was at archery and that I’d like to play with her. Then Cousin suddenly turned cold and said she’s still very young, telling me to stay away from her so I don’t corrupt her???"

He pointed at himself in disbelief and asked Nie Yuke, "Would I corrupt Lady of Blessed Peace? How could Cousin think so poorly of me?"

Nie Yuke’s face went blank, her mind buzzing.

Only then did Nie Lvming notice his sister’s expression and called out curiously: "Ake?"

"Ake? What’s wrong?"

Nie Yuke barely snapped back to reality, managing a tense smile, her voice tight and hoarse: "...I never expected the Crown Prince cousin to hold Lady of Blessed Peace in such... high regard."

Nie Lvming agreed indignantly: "Exactly! I just wanted to play with the young Township Lady, but Cousin acted like I was some kind of thief. It’s so unfair!"

Nie Yuke couldn’t take it anymore. After a few perfunctory words, she left in a hurry, her face pale.

Nie Yuke then went to find her mother, the Nie family matriarch.

The matriarch had just seen off a guest when Nie Yuke arrived.

No one knows a daughter like her mother. The matriarch was well aware of her daughter’s feelings. Seeing Nie Yuke enter with a handkerchief clutched tightly in her hand, her face troubled, the matriarch sighed worriedly and purposely mentioned: "...Ake, do you know why the Marchioness of Loyal Valor came just now?"

Nie Yuke looked at her mother.

The matriarch continued on her own: "...She came to ask for our help in making an introduction. Her daughter wants to enter the Eastern Palace."

Nie Yuke accidentally shattered a teacup: "Mother!"

The matriarch sighed and waved for the maids to leave.

She took Nie Yuke's hands in hers, her eyes flashing with pain: "Ake, of course I know your feelings for your cousin the Crown Prince... But given our family’s status, and you being his own cousin, you can’t possibly enter the Eastern Palace as just a Liangdi! Besides, the age gap between you and him is too large. Otherwise, the position of Crown Princess would never have fallen into the hands of that orphan girl!"

Nie Yuke threw herself into her mother’s arms in despair, weeping: "Mother, Mu Ruojun has been in the Eastern Palace for five years without bearing a child. For the good of the dynasty, why doesn’t Cousin simply divorce her instead of taking in Liangdi and Liangyuan?"

Nie Yuke’s crying tore at her mother’s heart.

She knew her daughter was venting. Other than not bearing children, Mu Ruojun had done nothing wrong. A Crown Princess can't just be discarded.

The matriarch gently patted her daughter’s back, letting her release her emotions.

After a while, when Nie Yuke had calmed somewhat, the matriarch asked softly: "...How was your little gathering with the noble girls today?"

The mention of it only agitated Nie Yuke further: "...Mother, the Crown Prince cousin showed special interest in Lady of Blessed Peace today. I could tell—he acts differently around her!"

The matriarch was startled, then found it so ridiculous it was almost funny: "How is that possible? Lady of Blessed Peace is still so young..."

Nie Yuke was clearly not as composed and calm as before. Her face was pale, and she repeated with slightly parted lips, "It's different. I can feel it. It's different..."

Lady Nie still found it hard to imagine.

Nie Yuke's mind was in turmoil.

She had known since childhood that her cousin, the Crown Prince, had eyes only for that orphan girl, Mu Rujun. She had practically idolized Crown Prince Wei Shiqing growing up.

At some point, her feelings for her cousin had changed.

Nie Yuke knew how much the Crown Prince loved that Mu Rujun, yet she still longed to be the exception in his heart.

But before she could become that exception, today she witnessed the Crown Prince treating some little girl with unusual favor.

Nie Yuke felt that keeping her cool in the moment was already a testament to her extraordinary self-restraint!

"Yu Xingxing—" Nie Yuke murmured.

...

"Yu Xingxing!"

Yu Mingzhu returned to the Duke of Xinguo’s estate and, when alone, clenched her fists tightly, muttering the name bitterly.

"Pearl!"

Yu Chongen rushed excitedly into Yu Mingzhu's courtyard, calling her name from afar.

Yu Mingzhu opened the door, her eyes red as she called out, "Second Brother."

Yu Chongen paused, noticing her eyes. "Pearl, what's wrong? Why are your eyes red?"

Yu Mingzhu forced a smile. "Second Brother, I'm fine." She seemed reluctant to elaborate, not wanting Yu Chongen to worry, which only made him more concerned. Grabbing her wrist, he angrily turned to Jinshu and demanded, "You! Did our young mistress go to the Duke of Chengen’s estate today? Did someone there bully her?"

Jinshu looked indignant. "Second Master! It’s all because of that Yu Xingxing from the General of the Western Garrison's household!... She throws around her title as Lady of the Township, looking down on everyone. Parading around with the Empress’s gifted hairpins, she acted so arrogantly, even saying things like, 'Just because our young mistress has 'Mingzhu' (bright pearl) in her name, does that mean no one else can wear pearl jewelry?'"

Yu Mingzhu scolded, "Jinshu! Did I teach you to gossip like this?"

Jinshu said aggrievedly, "Miss! You're just too kind and gentle, which is why people dare to bully you openly and secretly! Your servant can’t bear to see you treated this way!"

Upon hearing Jinshu's account, Yu Chongen was also furious. "That Yu Xingxing seemed so sweet, yet she’s such a snake! How dare she bully our Pearl like this!"

Yu Chongen paced furiously around the courtyard, trying to think of a way to get back at them for Yu Mingzhu.

The girl might be detestable, but she was still just a little girl—he couldn’t very well drag her over and beat her up!

Damn it!

Suddenly, Yu Chongen remembered something and smacked his palm. "Right! I recall Wei Zihang mentioning that their Commandery Prince’s estate had sent an invitation to the Lady of Blessed Peace, asking her to attend a banquet!"

Yu Mingzhu’s eyes gleamed coldly, though she feigned only mild confusion. "The Jiping Commandery Prince's estate?... Second Brother, I remember the Second Miss of the Jiping Commandery Prince's household seems to have feelings for you..."

Yu Chongen shifted uncomfortably and coughed. "Never mind that, Pearl. Don’t worry—I’ll make sure she pays for this! And show that little girl what happens when she messes with you!"