"Come out!"
A shout echoed through the grand hall. Four or five people emerged, none other than Wei Lanxuan, Liang Luo, and Wen Yuwei, whom she hadn't seen in a long time.
Upon seeing them, Wei Lanxuan's eyes widened in surprise.
Then, she noticed the fire fox nestled in Feng Jinyao's arms and immediately understood that the creature that had startled them was Feng Jinyao's pet.
"I wondered who dared to barge into the hall so recklessly. Not only did you startle my sister-in-law, but you also disturbed Xueqiu in my arms. Truly, the master reflects the pet; neither of you understands proper etiquette!"
It was Liang Luo who spoke, her gaze fixed on the fire fox in Feng Jinyao's embrace with evident disdain. This was because Feng Jinyao was holding a snow-white Persian cat with heterochromatic eyes, a breed she had heard her fourth aunt mention as a rare tribute item.
Given Liang Luo's status, it was impossible for her to own such a cat. The only explanation was that it was a gift from Consort Wei.
Feng Jinyao's eyes narrowed further. The Liang family was truly adept at seizing opportunities. After sabotaging the marriage alliance between the Wei family and the Ninth Prince, they were now enjoying such favor.
It seemed the chosen consort for the Ninth Prince would need to have a higher standing than a daughter from a Duke's household.
Thinking this, she concluded it must be a princess. She wondered which of the feudal lords' daughters the Duke of Wei and Consort Wei had in mind.
Wen Yuwei, rarely seeing Feng Jinyao at a disadvantage, felt a surge of delight. Unfortunately, her own status was insufficient to confront them directly, so she could only stand by and watch the spectacle.
Feng Jinyao, you deserve this!
The humiliation from that day would be repaid tenfold, a hundredfold!
Feng Jinyao cast a cold glance at the three figures on the stone steps. Wen Yuwei flinched back half a step, intimidated by the chill in Feng Jinyao's gaze. Wei Lanxuan also frowned. However, Liang Luo, with her stubborn temper, stood as proud as a peacock.
Having gained the favor of Consort Wei, she now looked down on everyone else.
Her constant address of Wei Lanxuan as "sister-in-law" earned her respect due to the Wei family's influence, discouraging many from crossing her. This only fueled her arrogance further.
She even disregarded Feng Jinyao and Xu Mingyue, for in terms of status, the two of them were far more noble than Liang Luo.
Her again!
Xu Mingyue harbored little resentment towards the Liang family. Instead, it was their conduct after the broken engagement that she found contemptible. If she continued to tolerate Liang Luo's words and actions now, anyone in the capital would dare to bully the Xu family.
Thus, with a cold expression, she stepped forward and declared, "You presume to speak of etiquette?"
Xu Mingyue looked at Liang Luo, her narrowed eyes revealing undisguised mockery. Liang Luo's face flushed crimson, and her chest tightened with anger.
"You... How dare you say that!"
"Hmph, I heard years ago that Lord Liang came from humble beginnings, struggling to even get a hot meal before entering officialdom. If not for the advantageous marriage to the Marquis of Changyi's family, Miss Liang would likely not even know the gates of the capital. And yet you have the audacity to speak of etiquette here? Truly ignorant. It is fortunate that Madam Liang passed away early and did not live to see the current conduct of you and your brother, or she would surely have died of grief."
Xu Mingyue had never reprimanded anyone so fiercely. Everyone present was stunned by her words.
Wen Yuwei covered her mouth in surprise, her eyes filled with panic, as if she herself had been insulted. She felt extremely awkward.
Wei Lanxuan parted her rosy lips, intending to defend Liang Luo, but was deterred by Xu Mingyue's resolute demeanor.
The Wei and Xu families already had friction due to the marriage. If these two women were to stir up more trouble, it would only add fuel to the fire.
Feng Jinyao, however, was quite impressed by Xu Mingyue's actions. Having been reborn, she believed in the principle: "If others offend me, I will offend them."
If Xu Mingyue hadn't spoken first, she would have also shamed Liang Luo into utter embarrassment.
The morning breeze carried a hint of coolness, more so in the winter mountains.
Yet, even so, Liang Luo's face was as red as if it had been scorched by flames.
If their past grievances were merely born of jealousy, then now it was an irreconcilable hatred.
"You, surnamed Xu, what makes you think you're of noble birth? Didn't Elder Xu also come from humble beginnings? Stop pretending to be a lady of a noble family!"
"It is true that my grandfather came from humble beginnings, but over the years, he served in the court based on his own merit. My Xu family is neither arrogant nor does it bully others. We do not flatter or forget our origins. My father died in Jingchuan while rushing to repair flood defenses. My mother, caring for the widowed and orphaned, overworked herself to the point of palpitations and later passed away. My maternal uncle's entire family perished in the battle of Nan Yue, and even His Majesty personally bestowed upon him the title of General Zhongwu. My Xu family has been loyal to the nation and responsible to the people, with no shame before heaven and earth. And you? What about the Liang family?"
Xu Mingyue never spoke of these matters in public. Feng Jinyao knew little about the Xu family's affairs. In her previous life, she had only heard that Elder Xu had received several "Ten Thousand People's Umbrellas" during his tenure, indicating his immense popularity among the populace. She had never realized that it was the Xu family's blood that had watered their reputation.
Xu Mingyue spoke with righteous indignation, leaving Liang Luo with no room for rebuttal. Burning with rage, she knew this was not the time to erupt. Closing her eyes, she forcefully suppressed her anger.
Seeing this, Wei Lanxuan quickly intervened to smooth things over. "Sister Liang spoke out of momentary confusion. Please, two sisters, do not take offense. I apologize on her behalf."
"Miss Wei, please be mindful. My father and mother have only one daughter, where do I have sisters? If you must speak of sisters, besides Si Ruo of the Bai family and A Yao here, I acknowledge no one else!"
Xu Mingyue replied resolutely. This time, they had truly angered her.
As the granddaughter of Elder Xu, when her temper flared, no one dared to confront her directly.
"Don't mistake my kindness for weakness! My sister-in-law is the Consort's most beloved niece. If you don't even show her respect, do you also disrespect the Consort?"
Liang Luo retorted, employing a similar tactic of putting others on the spot.
Feng Jinyao let out a cold snort. "The Liang family's etiquette truly knows no bounds. Miss Wei has not yet married into the Liang family, and you are already calling her 'sister-in-law' repeatedly. Miss Liang certainly has good upbringing."
Her veiled words infuriated Liang Luo. Wei Lanxuan also felt that calling her "sister-in-law" so early was inappropriate, but Liang Luo insisted it showed intimacy, so she indulged her.
"It's no wonder that under such upbringing, Young Master Liang is also such a warm-hearted person, leading to this good marriage. Miss Liang, are you perhaps the one who orchestrated this engagement with such closeness?"
"Stop your slander! I was in the Water Pavilion at the time, and only later went to Mufeng Pavilion."
"Oh? I recall that on that day, several princes and Prince Ding were in the Water Pavilion. Most of the young ladies from noble families avoided suspicion and went to the gardens outside. Miss Liang, however, had such a refined taste to remain in the Water Pavilion without moving!"
These words were sharp, implying that she had eagerly sought the company of the princes, likening her to a woman of ill repute.
Upon hearing this, how could Liang Luo endure it any longer!
She roared and charged towards Feng Jinyao, shouting as she ran, "I'll rip your mouth open!"