“What, she ran away?”

Second Miss You Yue of the You household was entertaining guests in the flower hall when her personal maid pulled her aside to the corridor to speak privately. Upon hearing that You Fangyin had actually escaped from the woodshed at this time, her pretty little face turned dark and gloomy.

“Wasn’t I told to have the rough servants keep watch? What were they all doing?”

Seeing her anger, the maid trembled and dared not speak.

You Yue snorted coldly and said, “But she’s only going to see that lowborn concubine mother of hers one last time. Since we have guests at home today, it’s not good to make a scene. Tell them not to bother with it for now, lest people see and spread unseemly gossip. Wait a while until my elder sister and I take the guests to the garden to admire the flowers, then you can go directly to that wretch’s room and capture her for me, and punish her properly.”

The maid softly acknowledged and went down to pass on the message.

At this moment, the guests invited to the banquet arrived one after another.

Everyone gathered in the flower hall to talk.

Many young ladies from noble families had not originally planned to come, but when they heard that Yan Lin and Shen Jie would be at Count Qingyuan’s manor, how could they possibly sit still?

Who in the capital didn’t know that Young Marquis Yan was handsome and talented?

Skilled in both martial arts and scholarly pursuits, his position as heir had long been secured, and in just two more months he would undergo his coming-of-age ceremony.

Logically, after the coming-of-age ceremony, marriage discussions would begin.

Even if one didn’t covet the prestigious Marquis Yongyi’s household, Yan Lin alone was enough to make people flock to him, not to mention there was also Prince Linzi Shen Jie, who had yet to take a principal consort.

When Jiang Xuening walked into the flower hall from outside, she swept her eyes around and saw the entire hall filled with red scarves and emerald sleeves, powdered faces and vermilion lips. Regardless of family status, everyone wore smiles on their faces that seemed overly proper and polite, making them appear superficial.

Only two people’s smiles seemed genuine.

One was the You household’s eldest daughter You Shuang, and the other was the You household’s second daughter You Yue.

This was hardly surprising.

Count Qingyuan’s manor, which in her memory had already declined, was hosting a banquet that even clashed with Duke Chengguo’s gathering, yet so many people still came to attend. If Jiang Xuening were in their shoes, she probably couldn’t hide the joy on her face either.

The servant who had escorted her in had just reached the entrance hall when he announced with a smile toward the inside, “Second Miss from Chamberlain Jiang’s household has arrived.”

The noble ladies and gentlewomen who had been chatting together in the hall heard this announcement and initially paid little attention, only habitually raising their heads to glance toward the entrance.

But who could have known that this one glance would dazzle their eyes.

The moment Jiang Xuening walked from outside into the hall, no one knew who fell silent first, but the silence spread, and suddenly the entire hall lost all sound.

Since returning to the capital, Jiang Xuening rarely participated in such gatherings.

Most of these girls in the capital were daughters of great families, each raised with the same bearing as Jiang Xuehui. During her first two years back in the capital, she had been learning proper etiquette, and Meng Shi had no way to bring her out. Later, after meeting Yan Lin, she simply couldn’t be bothered learning those tedious rules or the fragrance blending and zither playing that all the proper young ladies enjoyed, so naturally she even less liked joining these gatherings that didn’t suit her temperament.

Not to mention that Jiang Xuehui was basically always present at such occasions.

With such a capable elder sister around, even though Jiang Xuehui actually had no intention of deliberately overshadowing her, in outsiders’ eyes this second miss of the Jiang family was inferior in every way. She was too lazy to invite trouble for herself.

Therefore, at this moment, although many people in the hall had heard of her existence, most had never personally seen her appearance or conduct.

Seeing her for the first time, each felt their hearts turn sour.

When Heaven created this person, it was far too biased—

Even though she hadn’t come in formal dress and her makeup was overly plain, the plainer it was, the more it made people feel she was naturally beautiful. Her brows were dark without drawing, her lips vermilion without rouge, her snow-white complexion like the snow atop heaven’s peaks, giving one a sense that she was untouchable. Yet those bright eyes like lacquer, when their gaze gently wandered, pulled her down to the mortal realm, revealing a natural charm and vivacity.

Even somewhat alluring.

Both rejecting people from a thousand miles away, yet beckoning them to improper thoughts.

Her thick dark hair was styled in a Cloud-Near-Fragrance coiffure.

Though the young maiden’s figure had not yet fully matured, it already possessed countless graceful and exquisite qualities. Her slender waist swayed gently as she walked, reminding one of willow branches swaying in the spring breeze, fresh and tender.

In the brief silence, someone snorted, “Why did she come?”

Only then did the young ladies sitting farther away react.

Some who had seen her before whispered to each other, while those who had never seen her before inquired from others.

Though these voices were fragmented, Jiang Xuening casually swept her gaze over these so-called “noble ladies and gentlewomen” and knew that these people’s impression of her was not very good, with a vaguely transparent hostility lurking beneath.

But very quickly this hostility transformed into knowing contempt.

After all, a country wild girl who had spent her first fourteen years growing up on a rural estate, even after returning to the capital, putting dragon robes on her wouldn’t make her look like a crown prince—how could she compare with these pampered noble young ladies who had been carefully raised since childhood?

In her previous life, she particularly minded these gazes.

But in this life, she looked at them much more composedly: having been Empress, even if she couldn’t outmaneuver those shrewd people in the outer court, she was still a winner who had fought her way through thorns and brambles to ascend to the Empress’s throne. Looking at these “defeated opponents” was no different from looking at clowns.

The atmosphere in the flower hall was somewhat strangely awkward.

Fortunately, the two hosts of this banquet were present.

When she heard the servant’s announcement, You Shuang hurried forward to greet her. Seeing her, her gaze flickered as she smiled slightly and exchanged courtesies with Jiang Xuening, “In the past, I only met Second Miss Jiang at Minister Zhang’s banquet. I didn’t expect that Second Miss would actually come today. Please, come inside.”

You Yue, however, fixed her eyes deadly on Jiang Xuening and stared at her twice.

Today she was the host, so she could be said to be dressed in full splendor. Before going out, when she looked at herself in the mirror, she thought the person in the mirror could be considered quite beautiful. Moreover, the You household hadn’t encountered such a face-giving happy occasion in a long time, so the corners of her eyes and brows were tinged with some enthusiasm, like the bright red flowers blooming on the branches. Even if she couldn’t outshine all the beauties, she was absolutely radiant, allowing people to pick her out from a crowd at a glance—a dazzling pearl.

But when Jiang Xuening arrived, she completely overshadowed her.

Like a bright moon rising into the night sky, causing the pearl to dim.

You Yue’s heart was already petty to begin with. On one hand, she found Jiang Xuening so beautiful that it was offensive to the eye; on the other hand, she looked down on her for growing up in the wilderness during her youth. So she gave a fake laugh and deliberately said, “Why do we only see Second Miss alone today? Where is your elder sister?”

Many people around secretly observed.

Most everyone had heard the Jiang household’s version of the situation regarding these two legitimate young ladies.

To bring up the elder sister in front of the younger sister for no good reason—You Yue’s intention to make Jiang Xuening uncomfortable was quite obvious.

They all harbored some anticipation of watching a joke unfold, first waiting to see how Jiang Xuening would respond.

But who would have thought that she would actually remain quite composed, neither embarrassed nor angered, only smiling back at You Yue and saying lightly, “Of course Elder Sister and Mother went to Duke Chengguo’s manor, and they especially had me convey their apologies to the You household.”

You Yue’s expression suddenly changed drastically.

The others all secretly drew in a breath of cold air: This Second Miss Jiang appeared calm and collected, but her words were sharp enough!

Who didn’t know that today Count Qingyuan’s manor and Duke Chengguo’s gathering clashed?

Clever families with many members had some people go to one place and others to the other. Everyone knew this in their hearts but wouldn’t say it out loud. Yet Jiang Xuening’s response clearly stated that the higher-status Madam Jiang from the Jiang household had taken the eldest daughter to Duke Chengguo’s manor, while only she alone came to Count Qingyuan’s manor. What difference was there between this and slapping You Yue’s face in public?

You Yue took a step forward, about to lose her temper.

Standing beside her, You Shuang’s eyelid twitched. With quick eyes and hands, she grabbed You Yue’s hand and hastily took over Jiang Xuening’s words, “What does it matter? After all, everyone lives in the capital for a long time. In the future, there will be plenty of opportunities for flower viewing and moon gazing. We’ll always have chances to gather. Let’s sit down and continue talking. Please.”

Only then did she invite Jiang Xuening to sit.

Some noble family young ladies who had previous contact with Jiang Xuening, seeing her composed and calm demeanor, began to doubt their former impressions of her: This second miss of the Jiang family, aside from that face, had always been considered beneath notice. How was it that today her bearing seemed even more noble than theirs?

Jiang Xuening knew many people were secretly observing her, but she didn’t care.

She hadn’t come for the banquet in the first place.

Moreover, having grown weary of these hypocritical social gatherings in the capital, after sitting down she basically stopped talking, only half-listening to others’ idle chatter, her mind fully preoccupied with thoughts of You Fangyin.

The face of You Fangyin that she had known in her previous life and the figure of You Fangyin she had encountered in this life kept flashing and overlapping in her mind, merging and separating, stirring up restlessness in her heart.

You Yue fumed to herself for a while, but seeing that Jiang Xuening had stopped talking after sitting down, and that the other young ladies, because the You household had invited Yan Lin and Shen Jie this time, kept praising and flattering her in their words, she gradually forgot the earlier friction.

At this moment, she chatted with people about recent events in the capital.

She clapped her hands, remembering something, “Oh, there’s an interesting matter—have you all heard about it? That business with some Investigating Censor of the Office of Scrutiny challenging the Embroidered Uniform Guard.”

Jiang Xuening had just absentmindedly picked up a small piece of osmanthus cake from the table. Hearing the five words “Investigating Censor of the Office of Scrutiny,” her heart trembled, her hand paused, and she suddenly raised her eyes to look at You Yue.

You Yue wore a face full of contemptuous mockery as she laughed to the others, “Who doesn’t know that after the Late Emperor of the previous dynasty established the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he relied on them heavily, handing many criminal cases down to them? The other day, Commander Zhou of the Embroidered Uniform Guard led people to arrest two pedantic scholars who wrote books slandering the court—who doesn’t know that was His Majesty’s intention? The people were already arrested and imprisoned, but guess what? The next day someone submitted a memorial to His Majesty saying that the Embroidered Uniform Guard arrested people without going through their Office of Scrutiny for approval, and wanted to impeach Commander Zhou! Upon investigation, it was one Zhang Zhe, just a small seventh-rank Investigating Censor of the Office of Scrutiny—quite bold he is, courting death!”

Commander Zhou had some connection with Count Qingyuan’s manor.

Because of this court matter, Count Qingyuan had already cursed furiously several times in his study. Naturally You Yue felt this man surnamed Zhang was making trouble, and her words were quite impolite.

The others also chimed in, “This sesame-seed-sized petty official actually dares to challenge the Embroidered Uniform Guard—how ignorant of his place!”

Jiang Xuening’s fingers relaxed slightly, and the piece of osmanthus cake she had picked up fell back onto the plate. For the first time, she interjected with a laugh, “If this is called ‘ignorant of one’s place,’ then according to your esteemed opinions, what would be called ‘knowing one’s place’?”

Everyone was stunned.

They had been sitting here talking for a long time without hearing Jiang Xuening say half a sentence, gradually almost forgetting such a person existed beside them. Suddenly hearing her speak, they all felt momentarily bewildered.

Looking again at this Second Miss Jiang’s expression, they couldn’t help but feel slightly alarmed—

Even when You Yue had earlier used words to provoke her, Jiang Xuening’s face had remained indifferent, appearing unconcerned.

But at this moment, though a smile hung on her lips, it was somewhat cold.

Her pair of beautiful eyes lifted, quietly looking at people, inexplicably revealing a somewhat intimidating quality. Combined with the cold smile at the corner of her lips, there was actually a sharp, mocking quality to it.

You Shuang was stunned.

You Yue, on the other hand, was immediately ignited by this remark and completely dropped her pretense, “Your words sound as if you want to defend this man surnamed Zhang, but I haven’t heard that Chamberlain Jiang is so capable that he would even provide patronage to some seventh-rank official of unknown origin.”

These words actually insinuated that Zhang Zhe was backed by Jiang Boyou.

Jiang Xuening had never been good-tempered in her previous life, much less when You Yue’s series of remarks repeatedly touched her taboos!

Thus, the last trace of smile disappeared completely from her face.

She took the brocade handkerchief Tang’er handed her and wiped her hands, saying word by word, “According to court law and regulations, aside from requiring an imperial warrant, the Embroidered Uniform Guard must also have the signed approval of an Investigating Censor from the Office of Scrutiny before they can arrest anyone. This Commander Zhou was audacious and reckless, daring to disregard even court law and regulations. Being impeached by Minister Zhang is entirely his own doing! How is it that it’s Miss You’s turn to cry injustice and plead grievances for him? Could it be that you want to disregard our dynasty’s laws and regulations and turn black and white upside down?”

The others around them all changed their expressions in unison.

Though the Embroidered Uniform Guard had become increasingly arrogant and people in both court and countryside had gradually grown accustomed to their conduct, this was the first time at such an occasion that someone had brought up the legal regulations to argue, truly making people not quite dare to interject.

Even You Yue felt alarmed when she came to her senses.

However, she had originally disliked Jiang Xuening, and had just had her face refuted by her for no reason. If she retreated and kept silent now, it would really be losing face. So she gritted her teeth and retorted, “You’re the one bringing up legal regulations—just wait and see what becomes of this ‘Minister Zhang’ in the end.”

Jiang Xuening smiled leisurely, “I’m also waiting to see what becomes of Commander Zhou.”

When she smiled, there was no smile in her gaze at all. She only stared at You Yue, her eyes actually brimming with fierce hostility!

Though she had never actively harmed anyone in her previous life, she had experienced a dynasty’s killing and warfare, and certain things in her bones had been cultivated differently from these boudoir young ladies.

This gaze concealed some bloodthirsty energy.

How could You Yue have ever seen such a thing?

For a moment she was actually made to tremble by this gaze. She opened her mouth but couldn’t utter a single word.

How could she know what the name “Zhang Zhe” meant to Jiang Xuening? This person was the only one she felt she had wronged in her previous life. Though she had been greedy for life and afraid of death, at the end of her life, she had entrusted him with all the courage of her entire existence.

How could she tolerate others defiling even half a word about him?

Never mind that sitting here today was the minor You Yue—even if Xie Wei were sitting here, she would dare to rebuke him just the same!