Xie Jiang followed the attendant to the main hall where the Duke of Wei usually received guests.
The Duke of Wei and Second Master Xu were both present, conversing with a middle-aged noblewoman.
The middle-aged noblewoman's well-maintained face was cold and indifferent. Although her gaze was not directed at the Duke of Wei and Second Master Xu, a visible anger was evident on her face.
Meng Junyu stood beside the middle-aged noblewoman, his face bearing obvious abrasions, and his left hand was wrapped in a snow-white bandage.
No wonder Princess Le'an had only broken her leg.
Clearly, the middle-aged noblewoman was Princess Qingyuan.
Upon hearing the approaching commotion, Second Master Xu and Princess Qingyuan stopped their conversation and looked up towards the entrance.
As Princess Qingyuan saw Xie Jiang, a flicker of astonishment crossed her eyes. She hadn't expected the renowned poison doctor to be so young and possess such striking beauty.
Meng Junyu's gaze towards Xie Jiang was as cold as a blade. If it weren't for the presence of the Duke of Wei and Second Master Xu, he would have rushed forward to chop off one of Xie Jiang's legs.
After entering, Xie Jiang casually found a chair and sat down. She nodded at the Duke of Wei and Second Master Xu as a form of greeting, as they no longer expected her to formally bow.
Her attitude clearly implied that they should be the ones to bow to her, and she, in her magnanimity, was unwilling to hold their lack of etiquette against them.
The Duke of Wei and Second Master Xu already knew that Xie Jiang hailed from Lanyong and held a prominent position.
Although they knew little about Lanyong, Xie Jiang's usual demeanor indicated that the Xie family's status in Lanyong was no less significant than the Xu family's in the Great Yu Kingdom.
Having grown up accustomed to being second only to the emperor, with everyone showing reverence and prostrating themselves wherever she went, it was understandable that she would not regard anyone else with much importance.
From Heng Yi's account, it was known that Xie Jiang remained unfazed even after learning that the Meng siblings were backed by Marquis Yongjia and Princess Qingyuan.
This suggested that Xie Jiang was likely a member of the Lanyong royal family.
Furthermore, she held a very high position within the Lanyong royal family.
Seeing Xie Jiang enter with such composure, sit down without ceremony, offer a greeting only to the two brothers, and then casually glance at Princess Qingyuan and her son, the Xu brothers knew their suspicions about Xie Jiang's identity were likely correct.
Princess Qingyuan, however, thought differently. What right did the royal family of the insignificant land of Lanyong have to act so high and mighty in Great Yu! Seeing her, a dignified princess, treated with such utter disregard for etiquette, it was clear Xie Jiang didn't take her seriously!
"Young Master Xie displays great arrogance. Does Young Master Xie pretend not to see me, a living person, here?"
Xie Jiang looked at the small flames igniting in the other's eyes and replied, "Did Princess Qingyuan invite me here just to look at you?"
With that, Xie Jiang appraised Princess Qingyuan from head to toe with a critical gaze and nodded, deeming her passable.
Princess Qingyuan was furious. "You!"
Meng Junyu had already lunged forward.
The Duke of Wei and his brother: "..."
Despite being a royal noble from Lanyong, the Xu brothers had never encountered someone so arrogant, so brazen, and so adept at stirring up trouble.
"Young Master Meng! This is not permissible—"
Seeing Meng Junyu charge forward as if ready to fight to the death, the Duke of Wei and his brother stood up in alarm.
Although the young man surnamed Xie was indeed deserving of a thrashing, if he were to be seriously injured and provoke the Lanyong royal family, Great Yu might once again be plunged into war.
The people of Great Yu had suffered for nearly a century, and only in the past few decades had they found peace. They could no longer afford to endure the ravages of war.
The Duke of Wei and his brother had only managed to shout half of their warning.
The other half was no longer needed.
This was because Meng Junyu never managed to get close to Xie Jiang. Before he could, his arm was casually restrained by Xie Jiang, and with a gentle kick, Meng Junyu was sent flying.
Princess Qingyuan cried out in alarm, "Junyu—"