Chapter 33 Embroidered Pillows

The surrounding princes and lords were all shocked. When Xie Jin Yan had been sarcastic just now, they had been skeptical of this absurd Crown Prince's words.

But at this moment, looking at Xie Qi Yun's embarrassed and indignant expression, each of them understood.

Xie Qi Yun's face flushed red, and he was extremely embarrassed for a moment.

He clenched his fists, gritted his teeth, and glared at Xie Jin Yan, his eyes bloodshot. "You... Fifth Brother, I was just joking with you."

Clearing his throat, Xie Qi Yun suppressed his anger and sat back down.

Xie Jin Yan smiled faintly, without speaking, only glancing mockingly at You Wan Wan opposite him.

He saw that You Wan Wan's face was pale, her eyes gloomy and resentful, but... this gaze was no longer directed at Xie Jin Yan, but at Qiu Shiyi Niang.

If she had had some trust in her husband just now, that little trust had now collapsed into pieces.

Xie Jin Yan curled his lips, leaned close to Yu Qing Wu's ear, and asked her with great schadenfreude, "Senior Sister, how many scratches do you think Xie Qi Yun will have on his face tonight?"

Yu Qing Wu smiled and didn't answer, only gazing thoughtfully at Qiu Shiyi Niang, who was speaking with several imperial concubines not far away.

After tonight, it was likely that not only Xie Qi Yun would suffer, but also Qiu Shiyi Niang and the Qiu family, whose literary background gave them power in the government...

Through these days of understanding the powerful families of the capital, Yu Qing Wu also knew something about You Wan Wan. You Wan Wan was the direct daughter of General You. General You's wife was also the older sister of Consort Liu, Xie Qi Yun's mother. Someone like Xie Qi Yun, who overestimated his talent, could compete with Xie Jin Yan, first, because he had the advantage of bloodline, and second, because the Liu and You families controlled the government, one with literature and the other with military power...

But compared to the Liu family, the You family, with military power in their hands, was even better.

You Wan Wan seemed dignified and gentle, but in reality, she was even more tyrannical than many concubine-born princesses.

What did it matter to her to beat a prince? She could even take the life of an assistant minister's daughter...

The palace servants filed in, and as one dish after another was placed on the table, You Wan Wan's eyes grew colder as she looked at Qiu Shiyi Niang.

Qiu Shiyi Niang, having received the Empress's comfort, was now very smug, completely unaware.

After the lunch, she began to show off her talents again, playing a piece called "High Mountain Flowing Water."

The Yaoqin (a type of zither) was Qiu Shiyi Niang's specialty. Although she didn't play it extremely well, she was considered to be at an above-average level.

The hall was instantly filled with thunderous applause...

Qiu Shiyi Niang's vanity was greatly satisfied...

While sitting back down at the table, she looked at Xie Jin Yan again.

Xie Jin Yan lazily drank a glass of wine and also raised his hand to applaud.

Seeing this, Qiu Shiyi Niang came up again.

As if nothing had happened in Fengzao Palace just now, she bowed to Xie Jin Yan and called out to him, "Your Highness, I heard that you are good at music. I wonder if I have the honor of inviting you to play a duet?"

A smile was on Xie Jin Yan's lips, and the look in his eyes was also a half-smile, unable to see any emotion.

After a moment, he slowly stood up, changed his indifference in Fengzao Palace, picked up the flute, and replied, "Okay."

A look of joy appeared in Qiu Shiyi Niang's eyes, and she looked at Yu Qing Wu with a bit of provocation.

The Empress was right. The Crown Prince still preferred talented women, especially those who were accomplished in music.

Qiu Shiyi Niang was proud in her heart and immediately sat down in the center of the hall again.

As the two played together, a song called "Guangling San" filled the hall.

Yu Qing Wu rested her cheek on her hand and leaned on the table, watching the harmonious duo with a blank expression.

Inside the hall, everyone was intoxicated.

Only the Sixth Princess, Xie Rui Zhi, had moved to Yu Qing Wu's side at some point, looking at Qiu Shiyi Niang, who was showing off, with a look of contempt, and comforted her angrily, "Sister-in-law, don't be angry. That Qiu Shiyi Niang just likes to show off! All she does all day long is act like a courtesan! Imperial Brother won't like her! Imperial Brother is just giving her some face because the Empress is here."

Xie Rui Zhi gritted her teeth, becoming more and more annoyed as she spoke, and muttered in a low voice, "But the Empress and Brother Xu and those people in the capital are blind, they really treat her like a treasure..."

Hearing this, Yu Qing Wu did not answer.

She only glanced at Xie Rui Zhi and gently patted her shoulder, as a way of comforting her.

During their conversation, the performance had ended.

Qiu Shiyi Niang generously bowed to everyone and sat back down.

Xie Jin Yan also walked over unhurriedly. Seeing that Xie Rui Zhi had taken his seat, he glared at her and said in a commanding tone, "Xie Rui Zhi, is this your seat? Go back!"

"Of course this isn't my seat! It should be for that Qiu Shiyi Niang!" Xie Rui Zhi said sarcastically, without thinking.

Xie Jin Yan looked at her deeply, didn't explain, only pointed to a seat in the distance, and said again, "Go back!"

Seeing her brother being so fierce to her, Xie Rui Zhi felt even more wronged.

Her eyes turned red, but she was trying to control her emotions, and replied to Xie Jin Yan, "Do you know what those female relatives are saying? They say you're too absurd and deliberately slander her because you can't get Qiu Shiyi Niang's favor. Now that she's beckoning, you crawl over like a dog!"

"Xie Rui Zhi!" Xie Jin Yan interrupted her sternly, took a deep breath, and dragged her back.

But he couldn't help but sneak a peek at Xie Rui Zhi, only to see her sobbing there.

Yes, someone who used to bully herself was now favored by her brother and mother. Who wouldn't feel wronged?

Xie Jin Yan sighed, lowered his eyes, and didn't speak.

Yu Qing Wu picked up a bowl of tea and handed it to him, asking, "Why doesn't Your Highness explain it to the Sixth Princess?"

"Since she can't see it, why bother to say more?" Xie Jin Yan frowned, and said in a somewhat helpless tone, "Rui Zhi is too straightforward. If I told her everything, she would inevitably ruin things."

"Only when she sees the result will she understand everything..."

As he spoke, Xie Jin Yan's eyes slowly moved to Xie Qi Yun opposite him.

The anger in Xie Qi Yun's expression could no longer be hidden. Turning his head and seeing Xie Jin Yan looking at him, his face became even more ugly.

He bit his teeth and said to You Wan Wan in a low voice, "I'm going to the restroom."

After speaking, he stepped out of the hall.

Before long, Qiu Shiyi Niang was also sent by the Empress to Fengzao Palace to 'retrieve something'.