She had already participated in the tea ceremony once and had no desire to do it again.

But her disinterest was one matter; whether the other party would come to offer tea was another entirely.

That rebellious Seventh Son had shown his disrespect for her, and now was his wife following his example?

When you love someone, you love everything associated with them—the same applies to disdain.

Noble Consort Xian held no affection for Yu Jin; she only harbored resentment for her son’s disrespect, which naturally colored her view of her daughter-in-law. Moreover, this daughter-in-law was born to someone she despised, making her even more unwelcome.

Noble Consort Xian felt this couple’s union perfectly embodied everything that vexed her.

“Your Grace, Prince Yan, and his Princess Consort have arrived.”

The sun had climbed high, cicadas were chirping outside, and the weather was oppressively hot.

Yet Noble Consort Xian’s face frosted over.

“Tell them I grew tired of waiting and am taking a rest. Have them wait in the hall.”

The palace maid departed and delivered the message expressionlessly.

Yu Jin and Jiang Si exchanged glances.

“Very well, we’ll wait,” Yu Jin replied.

Today, Yu Jin wore a dark red robe that emphasized his fair complexion, making him appear even more handsome and radiant.

His casual tone, tinged with an indolent smile, made the message-bearing palace maid blush, momentarily unable to maintain her cold demeanor.

Nevertheless, mindful of Noble Consort Xian’s displeasure, she offered the couple no courtesy.

Time ticked by as the pair waited quietly.

Just as the attending palace maids thought Noble Consort Xian might be ready to receive them, Yu Jin suddenly grabbed a teacup and hurled it to the ground.

The cup shattered with a loud crash.

For palace maids accustomed to walking as quietly as possible, this was an earth-shattering sound.

Several maids blanched, momentarily at a loss.

“Seventh Son, what are you doing?” The curtain rustled as Noble Consort Xian emerged, supported by her maids.

The scattered porcelain shards pained her eyes, but the newlyweds’ lack of contrition angered her even more.

Noble Consort Xian stared at Yu Jin, sneering, “Seventh Son, do you remember that I am your Imperial Mother?”

Yu Jin lowered his gaze and replied flatly, “Of course I remember.”

“Remember?” Noble Consort Xian’s voice rose. “I think not! You wretch, I waited for you nearly an hour, and when I retired to rest, you dared create such havoc in Yuquan Palace! Do you have any respect for me as your mother?”

Yu Jin smiled. “Your Grace, it’s precisely because I consider you my closest relation that I must help you discipline these ignorant servant dogs!”

Noble Consort Xian coldly waited for him to continue.

Yu Jin showed no discomfort, his smile unwavering. “While Your Grace rests, it’s only proper for my wife and me to wait. However, we’ve waited all this time, and your Yuquan Palace servants haven’t even offered tea. These servants lack all proper training. While my wife and I might overlook this, what if other visitors receive such treatment? It would shame you. As your son, I naturally must consider your reputation. Upon reflection, these servants must be taught a lesson…”

As Yu Jin spoke, the palace maids had already fallen to their knees, faces pale with fear.

They had only thought to please their mistress, never expecting Prince Yan to be so domineering.

Noble Consort Xian hadn’t anticipated Yu Jin would overturn tables over tea service, yet his words left no room for argument. Especially those words “your son”—she couldn’t help but hear them as mockery.

“I’ve been too lenient with them. However, this is your first visit to Yuquan Palace with your Princess Consort. Don’t let these thoughtless servants ruin the occasion.” Noble Consort Xian glanced at the kneeling maids and said coolly, “Withdraw and await punishment.”

The palace maids hurriedly begged forgiveness and retreated.

Jiang Si couldn’t help but smile slightly.

After Yu Jin’s display, these palace maids wouldn’t dare slight them again without Noble Consort Xian’s explicit instructions.

Soon, maids cleaned up the mess and served fresh tea.

Yu Jin raised his cup to offer tea to Noble Consort Xian.

“I thought I’d have to wait until noon for this tea,” she said neither warmly nor coldly.

Yu Jin smiled. “I wanted to come earlier, but Father Emperor insisted on speaking with me, and time slipped away.”

He detested making such pointless conversation in the inner palace, but this was their first day of marriage—for his and Ah Si’s good fortune, he had to endure.

Noble Consort Xian’s interest was piqued at the mention of Emperor Jingming.

The Emperor detained the Seventh Son for conversation. What could that mean?

“Your father isn’t one for lengthy discussions,” she probed.

Yu Jin smiled, drawing Jiang Si closer. “Joy makes one’s spirits soar.”

Noble Consort Xian’s mouth twitched.

What nonsense about soaring spirits—the Emperor had married off daughters more than ten times and welcomed daughters-in-law six or seven times. He must find it tedious by now.

Suppressing her doubts, she accepted Yu Jin’s tea and took a small sip.

When it was Jiang Si’s turn to offer tea, Noble Consort Xian didn’t accept.

“The tea can wait. I have some words of advice for the Princess Consort.”

“Please instruct me, Imperial Mother,” Jiang Si maintained her tea-offering posture, appearing demure.

Her submissive, respectful manner gave Noble Consort Xian the wrong impression.

Noble Consort Xian launched into a lecture about how women should maintain virtue and propriety, continuing for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea with no sign of stopping.

If she couldn’t control her unorthodox son for now, it would be laughable if she couldn’t keep her daughter-in-law in line.

Jiang Si held the teacup with both hands, silently counting: one, two, three…

Sure enough, before she reached ten, Yu Jin snatched the teacup from her hands and set it heavily on the table.

“Your Grace, enjoy your tea at leisure. It’s almost noon, and I must take my Princess Consort to our next appointment.”

Seeing Yu Jin leading Jiang Si toward the door, Noble Consort Xian’s shock turned to fury. She grabbed her teacup and smashed it to the ground. “Enough! I won’t drink this tea!”

Yu Jin paused, turning to look at her. “If Your Grace dislikes tea, that’s your prerogative. My wife and I certainly won’t force our elder.”

In front of all the palace maids, Noble Consort Xian trembled with rage. “You fool! Don’t you know that if I don’t drink this tea, the Princess Consort won’t be considered properly recognized?”

Yu Jin appeared startled.

Seeing his confusion, Noble Consort Xian sneered.

Even in common households, a new bride offering tea to her mother-in-law must tread carefully, enduring whatever trials the mother-in-law presents. If the mother-in-law refuses the tea, it means refusing to acknowledge the daughter-in-law.

After such a refusal, the new bride would never be able to hold her head high in the clan again.

She wanted to see how the Prince and Princess would handle her refusal of this ceremonial tea!

Yu Jin suddenly smiled. “Your Grace, perhaps there’s been a misunderstanding? The Emperor and Empress have already accepted my wife’s tea offerings. The Empress even awarded her a Lingxiao bracelet. So regarding proper recognition, no one is more officially recognized than my Princess Consort.”

With that, he led Jiang Si away.

Noble Consort Xian stared at the swaying beaded curtain, her well-maintained face alternating between green and white, nearly fainting from anger.