Upon entering the main hall, Wenyu was chatting and laughing with Princess Xin’an, while a young man with red lips, white teeth, and handsome features was pouring wine for the two women beside them. Wenyu’s eyes would occasionally glance at him, her gaze full of smiles.

Seeing Yunyi barge in like this, all of them were stunned for a moment. Princess Xin’an was the first to react, laughing: “We were just talking about Fourth Sister, and Fourth Sister arrives – what a coincidence.”

The palace servant said to Wenyu with a face full of alarm: “Princess, this servant said I should go in first to announce, but Princess Jinyang insisted on entering. This servant really couldn’t stop her.” Wenyu’s bad temper was notorious – when subordinates made mistakes, light punishment meant scolding, heavy punishment meant flogging. The palace servants were all very afraid of her.

This time Wenyu didn’t lose her temper, waving her hand: “Alright, you may withdraw.”

The palace servant felt as if granted amnesty and quickly withdrew. When only the few of them remained in the hall, Wenyu smiled: “Seventh Sister’s timing is perfect. Fourth Sister spent heavily a few days ago to purchase two barrels of grape wine from Western Region merchants. One barrel was presented to Father Emperor, and the other was just brought here – we just poured it.”

Princess Xin’an lifted the white jade wine cup filled with dark red liquid, smiling: “This grape wine from the Western Regions is quite different from what we usually drink – it has much more flavor. Since Seventh Sister is here, you must try it.” Then she said to the handsome young man: “Why don’t you pour a cup for Princess Jinyang?”

The young man responded and took the wine barrel from the small table, which was not much larger than an ordinary wine pot. After filling the cup to eighty percent, he held it with both hands before Yunyi, gazing greedily at that face as exquisite as a fine painting: “Princess, please!”

He had long heard that Empress Xiao was a beauty without equal in the world, but unfortunately had never had the chance to see her. However, seeing Princess Jinyang born to her today was enough to prove the rumors were true. Princess Xin’an could also be considered a beauty, but compared to the one before his eyes, she immediately became common powder and rouge. How wonderful it would be if he could serve her instead.

Yunyi took the wine he offered and said coolly: “Grape wine… I’ve often heard of it, but this is my first time seeing it.”

“Then Seventh Sister should taste it properly. Ever since I had it once two years ago, I’ve never forgotten the taste.” Before she finished speaking, Princess Xin’an saw Yunyi tilt the wine cup, letting the dark red liquid pour onto the ground without a drop remaining.

Princess Xin’an was greatly distressed seeing her hard-to-obtain grape wine wasted by Yunyi like this, and scolded: “What are you doing?”

Wenyu also said: “What is Seventh Sister doing? This represents Fourth Sister’s goodwill – how can you waste it like this? It’s really unreasonable.”

“What am I doing?” Yunyi walked before her and said coldly: “That’s what I should be asking you. Why did you speak nonsense before Father Emperor?”

Wenyu was stunned for a moment, then laughed lightly and tilted her head: “Seventh Sister asks such a strange question. What did I say before Father Emperor?”

Yunyi said coldly: “Do you dare to act but not admit it? That day in Mother Empress’s palace, only you heard me speaking with Mother Empress. Besides you, I can’t think of anyone else.”

Wenyu feigned sudden realization: “So that’s what this is about. Although Mother Empress said Seventh Sister was calling Father Emperor, but… no matter how I think about it, it doesn’t seem right, so I casually mentioned it to Father Emperor.” Then she rolled her eyes and said: “Seventh Sister, there are no outsiders here, so why don’t you tell us – who exactly were you calling?”

“Who I was calling is none of your business, but Wenyu…” Yunyi stared at her: “I advise you not to always go around stirring up trouble, or don’t blame me for not remembering our sisterly bond.”

“Sisterly bond?” Wenyu said while covering her mouth in laughter, then turned to Princess Xin’an: “Fourth Sister, did you hear that? Seventh Sister is actually talking to us about sisterly bond.”

Princess Xin’an smiled falsely: “How could I not hear? She really has the face to say it – I’m embarrassed for her.” At this point, her expression turned stern and she said coldly: “If you truly remembered sisterly bond, you wouldn’t oppose me in everything and refuse to fulfill my wishes!”

Yunyi stared at her: “You still resent the matter with Ruhui?”

Princess Xin’an glanced at her and suddenly smiled: “It doesn’t matter anymore. Do you see Shen Qian? He’s equally skilled in music, chess, literature, and painting. In talent and looks, he’s no inferior to Du Ruhui.”

Yunyi glanced at the man called Shen Qian and said coolly: “His appearance isn’t bad, but unfortunately he lacks any heroic spirit. He looks more like a woman – with such bearing, Fourth Sister actually finds him appealing.”

Shen Qian’s face turned pale at her words, but he didn’t dare interject and could only silently grow angry. Princess Xin’an’s expression also didn’t look good, and she said ominously: “Jinyang, you really still love opposing me.”

Yunyi glanced at both of them and said coldly: “I’ve said what needed to be said. I hope there won’t be a next time.”

After Yunyi left, Wenyu snorted coldly: “Look at her manner of bringing charges against others – it’s really disgusting. I wonder when we won’t have to see that face anymore.”

Princess Xin’an frowned: “From her appearance, Father Emperor has already summoned her, but… he didn’t hold her accountable. It’s strange – with Father Emperor’s temper, he shouldn’t have let her off so easily.”

Wenyu also thought of this point: “Could it be… we guessed wrong?”

Princess Xin’an was silent for a moment, then said: “Did you really hear her call someone else father that time?”

“Although I didn’t hear it completely, I definitely heard that word – there’s no mistake. Mother Empress’s words were more like covering up than explaining.”

Shen Qian, listening to their conversation from the side, said quietly: “Princess, what’s wrong with Princess Jinyang?” Before he finished speaking, he had already received a slap from Princess Xin’an, while hearing her rebuke: “You still have the face to ask! Don’t think I didn’t see you staring at that dead girl Jinyang just now. What, you fancy her?”

Shen Qian covered his cheek and said hurriedly: “I only have you in my heart, Princess. How could I fancy anyone else? Princess, please don’t misunderstand.”

Princess Xin’an said with a cold face: “Get out!”

Watching Shen Qian’s departing figure, Wenyu said: “Sister is really being too harsh. It’s just a small matter – why get so angry?”

Princess Xin’an glanced at her and said coolly: “What, you feel sorry for him?”

Wenyu smiled: “I’d like to, but unfortunately Shen Qian is Fourth Sister’s person – it’s not my turn to feel sorry for him.”

Princess Xin’an waved her hand impatiently: “Enough, let’s not talk about him. I’m just puzzled why Father Emperor would be so lenient with Jinyang, not punishing her at all. I thought she would at least be confined for a while!”

Wenyu thought for a moment with her head down: “In my opinion, eight or nine times out of ten it’s still because of Mother Empress. As long as Mother Empress is here for one day, her Jinyang will forever be above us.”

Princess Xin’an heavily slapped the armrest and said through gritted teeth: “I won’t let this matter rest like this. Mother Empress… hmph, let’s see if she can protect Jinyang for a lifetime!”