Chapter 110: Palace Banquet

Chapter 110: Imperial Banquet

Wei Xun didn’t realize his buttering up had backfired.

He had hoped to reconnect with A Yuan using the plum blossom cakes, reminding her of their closeness during their time at the Marquis’ estate.

But he didn’t realize that those so-called intimate days had been her giving in to keep the peace—what he treasured, she resented.

...

A few days before New Year’s Eve, A Yuan wouldn’t let A Man leave the house.

A Man, accustomed to visiting the Marquis’ estate daily, was suddenly confined indoors, and the little girl threw a little fit.

“Mean Uncle said yesterday he’d give me a New Year’s gift.”

She had promised her father she would visit him.

A Yuan gently tugged at her two little hair buns. “We’ll go after the holidays. The Marquis’ estate is busy with preparations, and even if you go, Wei Crown Prince will be too busy.”

“Besides… crashing at someone’s place during the New Year isn’t polite. You want to be good, don’t you?”

A Yuan admitted she had her own reasons—she deliberately kept her daughter away from the Marquis’ estate. But Wei Xun’s recent behavior had crossed the line, and she had to be cautious.

“Okayyy.” A Man’s little head drooped, and she nodded dejectedly.

A Yuan’s heart ached for her daughter. It was grown-up drama, yet the child was caught in the middle.

“If A Man wants to go out, how about Mother takes you to the palace party in two days?”

As a third-rank General of the Valiant Cavalry, Xie Zheng was expected to bring family members to the imperial banquet. Since he was unmarried, the only ones he could bring were his sister and niece.

“Okay.”

......

At the palace gates, carriages from various noble households had already begun arriving.

Xie Zheng rode on horseback, followed by the Xie family’s carriage.

Young General Xie was heart-stoppingly handsome, clad in black as he sat atop his steed. Many young ladies peeked out from their carriage curtains to steal glances at him—Lin Qingshuang was no exception.

Watching the man on horseback, she bit her lip in frustration.

“Jerk! Xie Zheng, you jerk!”

He clearly didn’t like her, yet he still insisted on messing with her!

On the night of the Lantern Festival, she had been about to set things straight with Qin Erlang—that their families set this up and she had no such intentions—when Xie Zheng abruptly dragged her away before she could speak.

Standing beneath the blossoming trees, his expression icy, he had demanded, “Lin Qingshuang, didn’t you say you only liked me? That you only wanted to marry me? Have you taken a fancy to someone else now?”

Lin Qingshuang, spoiled rotten, had never endured such humiliation. With reddened eyes, she shook off his hand. “Yes! I do fancy him now!”

Kaboom!

Fireworks suddenly burst across the night sky. Lin Qingshuang’s vision brightened—then darkened just as abruptly as the heat of his lips against hers sent her mind up in flames.

Xie Zheng had kissed her...

His dark eyes, deep as the ocean, bore into her. “You’re mine.”

The memories flooded back, and Lin Qingshuang abruptly dropped the carriage curtain, her cheeks burning hot as if scalded.

The family members walked into the palace. A Yuan held A Man's hand as they followed behind, while the noblewomen nearby greeted her warmly.

"What a lovely little girl, just like you."

Though A Yuan's past was shameful, she had a brother rising in prominence, and with Wei Xun personally clearing her name, many noblewomen in the capital sought to make connections with her.

A Yuan didn’t know them, so she simply smiled faintly. These noblewomen were all skilled socialites, taking her hand and eager to establish relationships.

Amid the laughter and chatter, the group entered Funing Hall, where many had already gathered.

Everyone took their seats according to rank, and A Yuan found herself directly facing Madam Wei at the upper seats.

Madam Wei, advanced in years, rarely attended ordinary banquets. Were it not for the imperial feast, she might not have been seen at all.

At that moment, her face was pulled into a long frown as she glared at A Yuan. The noblewomen nearby, aware of their history, held their breaths, waiting for fireworks.

After all, Madam Wei had bullied Lady Xie relentlessly in the past. Now that Lady Xie held an elevated status, wouldn’t she seek revenge?

Yet A Yuan had no intention of making a scene and averted her gaze.

"Mother, she’s no longer our family’s maid, so of course she won’t bow to you. Why bother looking?"

Wei Jin, seated beside Madam Wei, said mockingly.

By status, she shouldn’t have been eligible for the imperial banquet, but Madam Wei doted on her, choosing to bring her over Zhao Wan.

"Hmph! A crow dressed as a phoenix is still just a crow!"

Mother and daughter shamelessly insulted A Yuan, heedless of the other noblewomen present.

"Mother..."

A Man clutched her mother’s hand, her eyes filled with fear.

Sweet and well-behaved, she was usually met with affection—this was the first time she had faced such blatant malice.

And the source of that malice was her supposed grandmother and aunt.

A Yuan gripped her daughter’s hand, her fingertips trembling.

"And what of you? Picking on someone younger for no reason—where's your famous etiquette now?"

"You! How dare you!"

Madam Wei never expected A Yuan to defy her, least of all on the very grounds of propriety she prided herself on.

"You shameless wench! How dare you rebel against me!"

Madam Wei pounded the table in fury, forgetting she was in Fuan Hall, not her own Ci’an Courtyard.

"Madam Wei certainly puts on quite a show, berating people here in the palace!"

As the crowd watched the spectacle, a mocking laugh suddenly rang out.

A Yuan turned toward the voice and saw Lin Qingshuang stood arms crossed, looking down her nose and taunted Madam Wei.

"Regardless of whether Lady Xie remains part of your Wei family or not, what gives you the right to reprimand her here?"

The palace banquet was hosted by His Majesty to entertain the officials and their families. It was supposed to be a joyous occasion, yet she chose to scold the women of her household here, truly killing the mood.

Madam Wei's face turned a mix of green and red. Having spent years holed up in the marquisate, she was accustomed to the flattery of her household. Coupled with Marquis Wei's illustrious military achievements, Madam Wei had grown arrogant, looking down on everyone.

Now, Lin Qingshuang's words woke her up to reality—this was the imperial palace. If she caused trouble, His Majesty might not punish her directly, but it could implicate Marquis Wei and Wei Xun.

"Tch! You’re lucky today!"

She glared at A Yuan and sat down angrily.

Wei Jin had been waiting for her mother to put A Yuan down, never expecting Madam Wei to back down first.

"Mother?" Wei Jin tried to stir her up, but Madam Wei's face darkened.

"Shut it!"

The commotion was shut down by Lin Qingshuang, leaving the onlookers somewhat disappointed at the lack of fireworks.

But after this scene, they looked at A Yuan with pity.

Now that A Yuan was Young General Xie's sister, and Madam Wei still dared to treat her this way—what hell her life must’ve been back in the marquisate?

"You're such a pushover—no wonder they bully you."

Lin Qingshuang sat beside A Yuan, looking exasperated.

"If you had even a fraction of Xie Zheng’s nerve, you wouldn't be in this state!"

Who would have thought a man like him could have such a sweet little sister?

"Thank you for stepping in just now, Miss Lin."

A Yuan rose to express her gratitude, but Lin Qingshuang pushed her back down. "Enough. I didn't do it just for you—I simply can't stand that old witch picking on people."

Having lived in the capital, Lin Qingshuang knew most of the noble matriarchs, but this was her first time encountering someone like Madam Wei.

"If she insults you, insult her back. You've left the marquisate—why should you still endure her temper? And if you can’t clap back, you still have your brother. He's General of the Valiant Cavalry, who repelled a hundred thousand enemy troops—do you really think he can't handle a wretched old woman?"

In her opinion, there was no need to waste words on Madam Wei—just throw hands.