Chu Feiyan had already been seething with frustration, and Ziqing’s pointed question nearly pushed her past the breaking point!

But she had no choice but to endure it. She truly wanted to return to Xichu, to show Han Ziqing a thing or two, to make her regret this. But she couldn’t go back—Chu Tiange had already sent a third letter. If she didn’t go to the Prince Yao’s estate to apologize soon, even her father the emperor would start pressing her about it!

Originally, riding high on Prince Nanzhao’s favor, she had been so proud, so eager to rush here and show off in front of Han Ziqing, to declare war on her! She had even planned out exactly how she would humiliate Han Ziqing during the long journey from the capital to Nanzhao!

That journey was so long, and Jun Beiyue would have to look after her the entire way—he couldn’t let her get hurt, frightened, or fall ill. How many opportunities would she have to make Han Ziqing seethe with jealousy, and how many chances to grow close to Jun Beiyue?

But somehow, without her even understanding how, all of that had crumbled to nothing!

And today, she found herself in the reverse position, having to beg this very woman!

Chu Feiyan didn’t dare answer—she was afraid that if she opened her mouth, she wouldn’t be able to hold back, and everything would fall apart at the last moment!

Consort Yi had been right—she needed to endure this for now. The journey ahead was still long, and there would be plenty of opportunities once they reached Nanzhao!

She had to endure. She mustn’t be hasty!

Chu Feiyan thought that by not answering, she could avoid the issue entirely. But Ziqing, lounging lazily, deliberately pressed the question. “Princess Imperial, weren’t you saying you’d go back to Xichu?”

Chu Feiyan took a deep breath, forcing herself to ignore the jab, and said earnestly, “Princess Yao, please, drink this. Everything before was a misunderstanding. Once you drink this cup of tea, let’s consider the matter closed, as though nothing ever happened.”

As she spoke, her attending maid immediately brought forward tea that had been prepared in advance—tea she’d had ready since leaving the envoy’s residence, precisely fearing Han Ziqing might make things difficult for her!

But would it really be that simple?

Once before, right here in this very place, Ziqing had offered tea three times as an apology—had Chu Feiyan ever eased up on her even once? Had she ever let Ziqing off the hook?

With this tone and attitude, was this really someone coming to apologize?

Shouldn’t an apology at least look like one?

Ziqing didn’t even spare her a glance, saying flatly, “Princess Imperial, weren’t you going back to Xichu?”

Chu Feiyan was so furious she nearly crushed the teacup in her hand, yet she still had no choice but to answer. She said coldly, “I didn’t go. That was just something said in anger.”

“Oh, I see, just something said in anger.” Ziqing smiled faintly, her expression carrying no hint of mockery at all—but to Chu Feiyan, that faint smile alone was enough to drive her mad!

At that very moment, Jun Beiyue walked in from outside, and the instant he entered, he gave a cold laugh. “Why is the Princess Imperial here? Didn’t you say you were going back to Xichu?”

At these words, Chu Feiyan nearly choked on blood. She turned to look at Jun Beiyue, still bowing slightly in courtesy. “Prince Yao.”

“No need for formalities, Princess Imperial. Please, sit.” Jun Beiyue was courteous enough, moving to the seat of honor and pulling Ziqing into his embrace. The weather was growing colder, and he worried Ziqing would feel the chill.

Ziqing settled lazily against him, all her former stiffness and reserve gone, considerably relaxed, carrying herself with the regal ease of a queen. Chu Feiyan took several deep breaths, refusing to sit, once again offering the teacup to Ziqing. “Princess Yao, please. What happened before was a misunderstanding.”

Still that same tone. Chu Feiyan still didn’t seem to understand where she’d gone wrong. Though she held the teacup with both hands, she didn’t even lower her head—she remained standing while Ziqing sat, practically looking down on her from above!

Ziqing ignored her, and Jun Beiyue ignored her even more, saying quietly, “It’s gotten cold. You should have worn more when you came out.”

“We can’t keep our guest waiting too long, can we?” Ziqing said flatly.

Chu Feiyan glared coldly at Ziqing, fire practically blazing in her eyes. Why should this woman get to enjoy Jun Beiyue’s protection?

She thrust the teacup forward abruptly, nearly striking Ziqing’s face, but Ziqing remained perfectly still, entirely unafraid.

“Princess Yao, please!” she said coldly.

Only then did Ziqing slowly push the cup away, saying with a smile, “The Princess Imperial coming to my estate to offer me tea—isn’t that just a little too amusing?”

“You!” Chu Feiyan choked with rage—she knew exactly what Han Ziqing meant!

“Isn’t it, though?” Ziqing shot back, her smile utterly innocent.

Chu Feiyan took a deep breath, stepped back, then bowed respectfully and offered the tea once more. “Princess Yao, this consort offers you this tea.”

“Offer? This consort can hardly accept such an offering for no reason at all,” Ziqing said with another smile.

Chu Feiyan finally couldn’t take it anymore, slamming the teacup down and shouting furiously, “Han Ziqing, don’t go too far!”

Ziqing’s expression darkened instantly as well. “If the Princess Imperial has no other business, please take your leave.”

Having said this, she added, “Please return to Xichu.”

“Han Ziqing, you! You!” Chu Feiyan was so furious she was practically hopping, her face flushed red with suppressed rage. Yet she had no choice but to bring the teacup forward once more, lowering her proud head, gritting her teeth as she said, “I offended Princess Yao previously—it was purely a misunderstanding, an unintentional fault on my part. Today I have come specially to offer tea as an apology. I hope Princess Yao, in her graciousness, will overlook this petty person’s transgression.”

Now that finally looked something like an apology. Since she had come to apologize anyway, why not show a bit more grace and dignity, instead of making things so humiliating for herself?

Ziqing accepted the teacup but didn’t drink it—she would only accept this cup, never drink it.

Once the cup was set down, Chu Feiyan said, “Prince Yao, we’ve delayed several days already—shouldn’t we be setting out soon?”

“This king defers entirely to the Princess Consort’s wishes,” Jun Beiyue said with a smile, lazily toying with Ziqing’s hair. Such an enormous matter, yet he wore an expression of complete indifference, which left Chu Feiyan not angry, but nearly in tears!

Yet having reduced herself from her once-lofty position to now having to beg for favors, what else could Chu Feiyan do?

She glared resentfully at Ziqing again. “The Prince Yao’s estate—Prince Nanzhao sent a letter just the other day, urging us onward!”

At least she still had Prince Nanzhao’s name to invoke, didn’t she?

Yet Ziqing wasn’t rattled at all, pondering for a moment before saying, “Beiyue, didn’t you once say that an apology requires three cups of tea?”

“I only brought one cup—it was made with tea leaves I brought from Xichu myself, from the envoy’s residence. That shows sincerity!” Chu Feiyan immediately explained. Of course she knew it should be three cups—which was exactly why she’d only brought one!

“Hongyi, bring tea.” Ziqing paid no mind to her excuse at all—she wanted her three cups, no matter what!

If she didn’t crush Chu Feiyan’s arrogance right now, if she didn’t make her understand that some people weren’t hers to provoke, who knew how much venomous scheming she’d have to endure on the long journey from the capital to Nanzhao?

Chu Feiyan couldn’t help but step back, glaring resentfully at Ziqing, who let her stare without the slightest trace of guilt or fear, utterly composed and unbothered.

Soon, Hongyi brought two cups of tea. But Ziqing looked at them and said, “I want three cups. Bring one more.”

“I’ve already offered one cup!” Chu Feiyan snapped sharply, reminding her!

“And I never agreed to drink it, did I?” Ziqing said, rising lazily from Jun Beiyue’s embrace to sit properly to one side. Jun Beiyue watched her, a flicker of admiration and affection passing through his eyes, though he said nothing.

“Princess Imperial, there’s no need for you to trouble yourself bringing tea—the Prince Yao’s estate has plenty. Please.” As she spoke, Hongyi immediately brought three cups of tea to Chu Feiyan’s side.

…