Eighth Prince Chu Xin, seeing Mu Lingzhu interrupt, immediately felt displeased and retorted, “Could it be that you think this prince and Third Brother are speaking nonsense?”

Mu Lingzhu hadn’t expected Chu Xin to confront her directly. Unable to find words, she pressed her lips together and smiled awkwardly. “The Eighth Prince’s words are too heavy. Lingzhu didn’t mean that.”

In Plum Blossom Pavilion, the atmosphere became somewhat awkward. Mu Yunjin glanced at Mu Lingzhu’s face, which had turned ashen with anger, and felt considerably better.

“By the way, this old one invited Li’er to come today. Why hasn’t he arrived yet?” Empress Qin checked the time, slightly furrowing her brow.

She then looked at Mu Yunjin. “Jinner, weren’t you with Li’er earlier? Why didn’t you come together?”

Mu Yunjin was at a loss for words, inwardly cursing. It seemed she and Chu Li couldn’t be separated.

Just as Mu Yunjin was struggling with how to answer Empress Qin, Mamma Qu’s delighted voice came from the side, “Empress Qin, look, the Sixth Prince has arrived.”

At these words, everyone followed Mamma Qu’s gaze.

They saw a figure in dark ink-colored clothes slowly approaching Plum Blossom Pavilion, a jade crown on his head, emanating an aura of cold arrogance and dignity that was also imposing.

…

…

Watching the approaching figure, Mu Yunjin inwardly sneered. How nice—he even had time to change clothes.

To the side, Mu Lingzhu bit her lip, watching the man she had been pining for day and night draw closer. Her heart was nearly in her throat.

Sixth Prince Chu Li, the man she had admired for years.

Chu Li quickly entered Plum Blossom Pavilion, first bowing to Empress Qin, then scanning his surroundings.

Noticing Mu Yunjin sitting beside Empress Qin, Chu Li’s eyes flashed briefly before he quickly averted his gaze.

Mu Yunjin had also briefly met Chu Li’s gaze. She glared at him in displeasure before immediately looking away.

This exchange between the two was witnessed by almost everyone present. Particularly, Mu Yunjin’s glare at Chu Li, in the eyes of the onlookers, became a signal of flirtation.

“Commoner Lingzhu pays respects to Your Highness the Sixth Prince.” Mu Lingzhu composed herself and was the first to stand up to greet Chu Li.

Having heard that the Sixth Prince’s residence contained a large patch of hibiscus flowers, she had deliberately chosen a hibiscus brocade dress today, hoping to firmly capture Chu Li’s attention.

Who would have thought that Chu Li would casually respond with a mere “Hmm,” without even lifting his eyelids toward her.

Mu Lingzhu immediately felt humiliated, her heart full of bitterness. She was, after all, a daughter of the Prime Minister’s household, raised amid adoration since childhood. Why did everything change once she left home?

Was a devastatingly beautiful face truly necessary?

“Since everyone is here, follow this old one to the Plum Blossom Garden in the back. This old one has prepared a banquet there.” With that, Empress Qin stood up and, supported by Mamma Qu, headed toward the Plum Blossom Garden behind the pavilion.

The group followed toward the garden.

Mu Yunjin was the last to rise. Just as she was about to follow, Mu Lingzhu, walking ahead, suddenly stopped and glared at Mu Yunjin. “Remember, don’t speak nonsense later and disgrace our household. See how Father will deal with you.”

Mu Yunjin nodded, a gleam of cunning in her eyes, but pretended to be obedient. “Sister, I understand.”

“You’d better. Hmph.” Mu Lingzhu snorted coldly and walked toward the Plum Blossom Garden.

In the Plum Blossom Garden.

It was early spring, and the plum blossoms in the garden were in full bloom. Even before approaching, one could smell their fragrance.

Empress Qin’s banquet was set in a spot surrounded by plum trees.

After Empress Qin took her seat, she turned her gaze to the younger generation standing before her. At that moment, everyone understood the purpose of today’s banquet.

“Li’er and Jinner, sit here.” Empress Qin pointed to the position on her right, addressing Mu Yunjin and Chu Li.

Originally, everyone thought these two would hesitate or raise objections to Empress Qin, but unexpectedly, they both sat down at the small table on the right without a word, showing perfect tacit understanding.

This couldn’t help but make everyone once again question the relationship between the two.

As soon as Mu Yunjin sat down, she sensed the person to her left and glanced sideways at Chu Li, slightly furrowing her brow. Her stomach was full of words she wanted to say but could only suppress at the moment.

But sitting at the same table was just sitting at the same table. It wasn’t like they hadn’t done it before.

Ding Xian, standing at Chu Li’s side, seeing this scene, pursed his lips and also silently noted the familiarity.

Next, Empress Qin had Chu Qing and Chu Xin sit together at a table on her left, while Yan Lingshang, daughter of the Assistant Minister of Rites, and Wen Ruhan, daughter of the Assistant Minister of Works, sat together.

Only Mu Lingzhu was arranged to sit alone at a table.

Seeing this arrangement, Mu Yunjin slightly lowered her eyes, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

It seemed that Empress Qin also disliked Mu Lingzhu. Inviting her today was meant to infuriate her.

After everyone was seated, several palace maids entered the Plum Blossom Garden, each holding a tray with a wine pot.

“This is plum blossom wine that this old one ordered to be brewed a few days ago. It’s fragrant and sweet. Today, this old one especially invited you all to taste it. Don’t say this old one doesn’t think of you, younger generation.” Empress Qin smiled as she ordered the plum blossom wine to be poured for everyone.

Mu Yunjin looked at the wine glass in front of her, which had been filled to the brim. Taking a light sniff, she indeed smelled a fragrance, and couldn’t help but pick up the wine glass happily, taking a small sip.

Chu Li took in this scene, his thin lips curving slightly into a smile that disappeared instantaneously, reverting to his previous expressionless demeanor.

“The taste seems quite good.” Mu Yunjin said softly, proceeding to drain the wine glass in one go.

“This wine is sweet but can easily intoxicate. It’s better to drink less.” Chu Li, looking at Mu Yunjin’s empty wine glass, finally spoke his first words since arriving.

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin turned her head to look at Chu Li. “Thank you for the kind reminder, Sixth Prince.”

“Hmm.” Again, just a faint syllable, and Chu Li fell silent, his lips tightly pressed.

At this moment, Mu Lingzhu tightly gripped her wine glass, her gaze constantly fixed on Mu Yunjin and Chu Li opposite her. Especially when she saw Chu Li remind Mu Yunjin, Mu Lingzhu wished she could smash Mu Yunjin’s head with her wine glass.

This good-for-nothing, worthless person—why did she deserve the Sixth Prince’s favor?

Just thinking about this fool having a marriage agreement with the Sixth Prince made Mu Lingzhu’s teeth itch with rage, her hatred and murderous intent toward Mu Yunjin growing stronger.

In the main seat, Empress Qin occasionally looked at the younger generation below, her eyes slightly turning as she suddenly directed her attention to Yan Lingshang and Wen Ruhan, whom she had been ignoring.

“Shang’er and Han’er, how old are you this year?” Empress Qin asked.

Yan Lingshang and Wen Ruhan, whose names were mentioned, immediately felt delighted. They had thought they would be completely overlooked today, but unexpectedly, Empress Qin finally remembered them.

“In response to Empress Qin, Shang’er is sixteen this year, having just come of age.”

“Han’er as well, having come of age just two months ago.”

Hearing this, Empress Qin nodded understandingly, glancing at Chu Qing and Chu Xin on her left. “Shang’er and Han’er are the daughters of Assistant Minister of Rites Yan Qiuhuai and Assistant Minister of Works Wen Qi, respectively.”

Chu Xin’s face reddened. With Empress Qin’s words, he suddenly became shy, nowhere near the little tyrant he was earlier.

Chu Qing merely took a sip of wine, appearing nonchalant, not even glancing in the direction of Yan Lingshang and Wen Ruhan.

The atmosphere momentarily turned awkward.

From beginning to end, Mu Lingzhu completely understood now. Empress Qin hadn’t invited her to attend a banquet; she had come to humiliate her.

Inviting four young women but only three young men—what did that mean?

Wasn’t it intentionally leaving her aside?

Who knows what love potion that fool Mu Yunjin had given this old woman to make her so fond of her, even forcibly trying to match Mu Yunjin with the Sixth Prince.

How infuriating!

The handkerchief Mu Lingzhu had brought was almost torn to pieces in her grasp. She inwardly vowed that once she returned to the mansion, she would make Mu Yunjin pay!

“Empress Dowager arrives—”

Suddenly, an announcement rang through the Plum Garden. Following it, a figure dressed in deep red brocade entered the garden, followed by numerous attendants, creating quite a spectacle.

Hearing that the Empress Dowager had arrived, Mu Yunjin shifted her gaze. She saw that the newcomer already had a head full of white hair and a somewhat aged face, yet was wearing bright red formal attire, adorned with numerous pearl hairpins and dangling ornaments, which seemed extremely incongruous.

Seeing this, Mu Yunjin suddenly recalled what Zixiang had told her: the current Emperor’s birth mother was Empress Qin. So even though her rank was one level below the Empress Dowager, almost everyone in the palace respected Empress Qin as the Empress Dowager.

Therefore, the legitimate Empress Dowager probably did not get along well with Empress Qin. This red formal attire was likely a show of defiance to Empress Qin, and a way to assert her position.

“This son pays respects to Empress Dowager—”

“This commoner pays respects to Empress Dowager—”

After everyone had paid their respects to the Empress Dowager, Mu Yunjin stood in place, pondering how the princes had addressed the Empress Dowager.

These princes, who had all affectionately called Empress Qin “Grandmother” before arriving, now respectfully addressed this woman as “Empress Dowager.”

At that moment, Mu Yunjin felt undercurrents flowing beneath the surface, as if a bloody storm between women was about to unfold.

“Everyone, be seated.” The Empress Dowager said flatly.

Her phoenix eyes surveyed the surroundings before landing on Empress Qin, who had remained seated in the main position. “Xiangxian, you’re in quite the mood today, inviting so many young ones here to play matchmaker. Without even inviting this old one to join the fun. This old one stays all day in Fengming Palace, nearly dying of boredom.”

“The palace is filled with your spies, Empress Dowager Zheng. Even if this old one didn’t invite you, you would still come uninvited. Quickly, come sit here!” Empress Qin pointed to a chair that had just been brought over beside her.

Hearing this, Empress Dowager Zheng gave a cold laugh, her phoenix eyes sharply sweeping over Empress Qin before leisurely proceeding to the main seat and sitting down.

After sitting down, Empress Dowager Zheng looked at those below with a half-smile. “Xiangxian, Li’er, and Qing’er are, after all, princes. If they fancy any young lady, they could simply ask the Emperor to issue a decree for their marriage. Why go to such great lengths?”

“Those who know would say you have good intentions. Those who don’t might think that the princes of our Western Yuan Country can’t find wives!”