Chapter 111: Courting Favor

Chapter 111: Seeking Favor

A Yuan smiled and let her chatter on. Lin Qingshuang’s free-spiritedness was something she could never emulate, though A Man nodded vigorously after hearing Lin Qingshuang's words. "Grandfather taught me how to fight! If anyone messes with Mother, I’ll punch them!"

The little girl clenched her tiny fist, putting on a fierce face. But her adorable appearance melted Lin Qingshuang's anger instantly.

"You’re such a darling!"

Lin Qingshuang gently patted A Man's head, utterly charmed—especially by those eyes, so identical to the Xie family's. She couldn’t bring herself to let go.

"Auntie, feel here! Mother says my cheeks are like two sticky rice balls, soo soft!"

The little girl took her hand and pressed her face into her palm. Her skin was as soft as fresh milk, and Lin Qingshuang dared not press too hard, afraid she might hurt those delicate cheeks.

"Such disrespect! No upbringing!"

Across the room, Madam Wei watched their interaction with a long face. If not for Lin Qingshuang's earlier warning, she would have scolded A Yuan and her daughter harshly.

With their vulgar manners, they’d never enter the Marquis’s estate!

"The Empress and Noble Consort Su have arrived!"

The eunuch's voice cut through the noise in the hall, and the women quickly rose to bow.

Empress Zhang led the way, with Noble Consort Su and the little princess following a step behind.

"Tonight’s banquet is relaxed. Make yourselves comfortable."

Empress Zhang took her seat and gestured for everyone to rise.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

The women sat again. A Yuan, sitting near the front, instantly felt eyes on her.

Noble Consort Su dabbed her lips with an embroidered handkerchief, her delicate pinky adorned with an ornate nail guard. Her gaze lingered on A Yuan.

"So this is Young General Xie’s sister. Just as graceful and beautiful as rumored."

Noble Consort Su was the emperor’s most favored consort—even Empress Zhang deferred to her. Having borne the emperor a princess, she now reigned supreme in the harem.

A Yuan stood and bowed. "You flatter me too much, Your Highness. Compared to you, I pale in comparison."

"Oh, I’m just a withered old flower now. How could I compare to fresh young blossoms like you? You’re just being kind—isn’t that right, Sister?"

She tittered behind her handkerchief, deliberately drawing Empress Zhang into the conversation.

"You’re still as stunning as ever, Sister. There’s no need for such modesty."

Empress Zhang shot her a frosty glance, fully aware of her ploy. The emperor had adored Noble Consort Su for years, captivated by her beauty. Now, she was just showing off her favor before the crowd.

"It’s getting late. Let the banquet begin."

Empress Zhang wasn’t in the mood for her drama and signaled the eunuchs to serve the meal.

Humiliated in public, Noble Consort Su’s face darkened, but this was a palace banquet, so she had no choice but to endure it.

“Your Majesty is right. My apologies for rambling and delaying everyone’s meal. If anyone goes hungry, it would truly be my fault.”

Having enjoyed Emperor Chengyuan’s exclusive favor for years, Noble Consort Su was no simple character. With just a few words, she turned the situation around gracefully, and the ladies quickly demurred.

“Alright, let’s eat now. If there’s anything you dislike, just have the imperial chefs prepare something else.”

Though it was the Empress’s event, Noble Consort Su acted more like the palace’s true mistress.

The women started speculating quietly. Given the Emperor's favor toward Noble Consort Su, who’s to say the Second Prince won’t inherit the throne?

Even if they recognized Noble Consort Su’s overstepping, no one dared breathe a word.

When the feast was served, A Man’s eyes lit up.

Being a voracious little eater, she had never tasted palace delicacies before.

“So much meat…”

The little girl murmured softly, like a kid in a candy store.

A Yuan, heartbroken that her daughter had just suffered humiliation, heaped her plate with delicacies.

“Eat slowly.”

“Mhm… Thank you, Mama!”

The little one picked up a crystal dumpling, her cheeks bulging like a little squirrel’s, making even Lin Qingshuang find her appetite returning.

She had attended countless palace banquets, but this was the first time she actually wanted to eat the food.

The girl was an absolute delight.

The nobles kept stealing glances, curiosity in their eyes—was the food really that delicious?

“What a disgrace!” Madam Wei muttered under her breath. This little bastard would only bring shame to the family.

The highborn guests took note as well. The little princess tugged at Noble Consort Su’s sleeve, pointing at A Man. “Mother, make her play with me!”

She resembled Noble Consort Su in looks but had inherited Emperor Chengyuan’s spoiled and domineering temperament.

Seeing a little girl more beautiful and beloved than herself, the princess seethed with envy.

“Of course.” Noble Consort Su smiled faintly. “A Man is near Jin Sheng’s age—they should get along well.”

A Yuan froze but forced a smile. “A Man is a rough-mannered child and might startle Her Highness.”

“It’s fine. Jin Sheng rarely takes a liking to any playmate—she’ll surely accommodate her.”

Noble Consort Su’s smile vanished at the resistance.

If not for her daughter’s interest, she’d have punished such insolence on the spot.

“Your Highness…”

“For Her Highness to favor this little child is her good fortune! How dare you refuse?” Madam Wei scowled.

Everyone knew Noble Consort Su reigned supreme in the palace. Most would kill for such favor—yet this woman dared decline?

Such small-minded behavior—typical of a concubine!

Madam Wei looked down on her even more and eagerly addressed the little princess, "Your Highness, just tell her what you want to play!"

"Hmph!"

The little princess snorted lightly and gestured toward A Man with her chin, "You—come with me!"

"Mother..."

A Man didn’t want to go, her little face crumpling as she looked at A Yuan.

A Yuan seethed with anger—how could she stomach making her daughter serve these nobles? Yet both Noble Consort Su and Madam Wei were forcing them.

"A Man, be good. I’ll come get you soon."

She couldn’t refuse, or she would not only endanger her daughter but also implicate her brother.

Even though Xie Zheng was a third-rank general, he had no real connections in the capital. A Yuan couldn’t risk dragging him down.

"Okay, A Man will wait for Mother."

The little girl nodded obediently, wiped her hands clean with a damp cloth from the table, and dutifully walked over to the princess.

The little princess tilted her chin up and pointed behind her, "You—hold my train."

A Man had never been treated like this before. Her eyes reddened, but this was the palace—even her mother had to obey. She couldn’t act willful.

"...Okay."

She ducked her head to hide her tears, then bent down to lift the princess’s train. Trailing behind the princess, she might as well have been a servant.

Madam Wei smirked—this little bastard had her uses after all.

If she pleased the nobility, her husband, Marquis Wei, and their third son might curry favor with the Emperor.

Her smugness was obvious to everyone.

Those who once thought the Wei household noble and refined now saw through Madam Wei’s true, wretched nature.

What kind of elder doesn’t protect their family? Yet here she was, eagerly pushing her own to grovel before others—truly a rare sight.

What a shame for Marquis Wei to have such a wife, and Wei Xun such a mother!