"Qin Linglong, you dare to speak to us like this!" Qin Lingyue said indignantly after recovering.
The Minister's wife stared intently at Qin Linglong, wishing she could beat her to death right there and then, to make Qin Linglong realize her mistake.
However, they were in the palace, and she couldn't lay a hand on Qin Linglong as she pleased. This dead girl was indeed good at choosing her timing.
Yun Shu picked up the teacup on the table and said in a faint tone, "This is the path you chose yourselves."
"What do you mean by that?" Qin Lingyue was bewildered.
The Minister's wife was also confused.
What was going on with Qin Linglong today?
Was she being sarcastic?
But it didn't feel like sarcasm.
It was hard to describe, a sense of crisis that she had never felt from Qin Linglong before.
Had Qin Linglong met someone these past two days?
Why did she suddenly feel like a completely different person?
The Minister's wife lowered her voice and threatened, "No matter who gave you advice, remember this: I am in charge in the Minister's mansion. You cannot escape whatever I decide to do with you! Do you think by saying harsh words to me here in the palace, you can suddenly take charge? Qin Linglong, you are dreaming too big, and you are too foolish."
"Mother, don't talk to her anymore. We'll teach her a lesson when we get back to the mansion. Prince Jin is back!" Qin Lingyue saw Zhan Tianye, who had just taken his seat.
Her excited face turned red again.
The Minister's wife stopped staring at Yun Shu and looked at Zhan Tianye with Qin Lingyue.
The most important matter today was to make Lingyue Prince Jin's concubine!
Once she became Prince Jin's concubine, she would be superior to everyone in the capital! No one would think of her as just a second wife anymore!
As Qin Lingyue went up to perform her graceful dance, Yun Shu put down her teacup and looked faintly at Zhan Tianye.
Coincidentally.
Zhan Tianye's eagle-like eyes, sharp and piercing, looked towards her.
His dark eyes were like the boundless night, hiding all his emotions. Yet, it was this gaze that made Yun Shu realize he had recognized her.
But the light in his eyes was unfamiliar.
A larger fog of mystery appeared before her.
Yun Shu keenly sensed the scrutiny in Zhan Tianye's eyes.
The Emperor of Western Xia noticed that Zhan Tianye seemed to be looking at a woman, and immediately asked with interest, "Jin'er, which lady catches your eye?"
In that direction, it seemed to be the woman who had just performed.
She wondered whose daughter it was to have captured Jin'er's attention.
"No," Zhan Tianye replied coldly.
The Emperor of Western Xia raised his eyebrows. No? He was clearly looking at someone just now, and now he said no?
Or did he find the dance performed by that woman unappealing?
Indeed, it was rather mediocre.
If Qin Lingyue knew that her dance was considered mediocre by the Emperor at this moment, she would be blushing to the point of spitting blood.
After finishing her dance and slightly catching her breath, Qin Lingyue sat down and heard the Minister's wife beside her say, "When you sat down after dancing, Prince Jin looked at you! Lingyue, Mother thinks your dance was successful."
"Really?" Qin Lingyue was overjoyed. She had practiced dancing since childhood, and today she could gain Prince Jin's favor, all thanks to her hard work!
"Of course. Mother watched very carefully. Even the Emperor glanced over," the Minister's wife was incredibly excited.
Yun Shu glanced at the two of them subtly.
Suddenly, she felt a cold, piercing gaze sweep over her.
She looked calmly.
She saw Princess Ningde.
Yun Shu curved her lips faintly, finding it somewhat interesting. It seemed Princess Ningde was displeased with Qin Lingyue.
And so it was.
Lü Qiao said coldly, "That woman is Qin Lingyue, the Minister's daughter. I don't think her dance was particularly good either; it wasn't even as good as the first few dancers. Why would Prince Jin seem to take a liking to her? And her appearance doesn't compare to the Princess."
It was truly infuriating to watch!
Perhaps her dance was just too seductive? And she kept winking at Prince Jin?
Princess Ningde lowered her gaze and reached out to touch her teacup. "Lü Qiao, this is the palace. Some words are not to be spoken; walls have ears. Who Prince Jin likes is his freedom. There is no engagement between Prince Jin and me yet."
Seeing that her mistress seemed completely unhurried, Lü Qiao became anxious. "The Emperor's intention is very clear: he wants the Princess to marry Prince Jin and become his Princess Consort."
"Lü Qiao, be careful with your words," Princess Ningde reminded her sternly.
Lü Qiao could only close her mouth unwillingly, saying no more. However, in her heart, she felt injustice for her mistress and wondered why Prince Jin had not looked at the Princess since his appearance?
He would rather look at someone inferior to the Princess than at the Princess herself?
For a moment, Lü Qiao's heart was filled with questions.
And also with indignation.
When Princess Ningde's ears finally found some peace, she picked up her teacup and took a small sip. The fragrance of the tea in her mouth immediately turned bitter.
Next, several more people performed.
The performances were all dull and uninteresting.
Princess Shengyue was very sleepy watching them. She asked Qian Jin, "Why is Lord Zhen still not making any moves?"
After drinking so much tea, wouldn't he need to relieve himself and change?
She was losing patience. If she waited any longer, the banquet would end.
Qian Jin also frowned, staring intently, her eyes constantly scanning. Yet, Lord Zhen still made no move. She could only reply, "Why don't we think of a way to lure Lord Zhen away?"
"Alright! You arrange it!" Princess Shengyue agreed.
If not for her current predicament, would she let that sickly person benefit?
Thinking about it made her feel like she was losing out.
But this sickly person hadn't fallen for the trap yet, making her anxious now. Once she entered the Prince Pingyang's mansion, she would find an opportunity to kill him and then remarry with the title of Crown Princess!
Princess Shengyue, who was full of hope for the future, saw a palace servant whisper something in Lord Zhen's ear. Then Lord Zhen stood up and left with the servant. Her eyes immediately lit up.
Finally!
As Princess Shengyue eagerly got up to follow, Princess Ningde suddenly raised her eyes and murmured softly, "You walk the path to hell and choose to seek your own death. I will grant you your wish."
"Lü Qiao, let's go and change." Princess Ningde stood up and said softly to Lü Qiao behind her.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Before leaving, Lü Qiao glanced around. Everyone was still performing. Their trip to change should not take too long. When they returned, they should be able to know how many people Prince Jin had chosen.
Yun Shu took in the scene before her.
This palace banquet was indeed filled with many events today.
In the past, she would have analyzed them carefully. But now, upon seeing Zhan Tianye's probing gaze, she had no other thoughts.
He was probing her intentions.
Why was there no surprise at seeing her, or shock at a reunion? Instead, it was scrutiny, even with a hint of wariness?