Chapter 106: The Separate Residence (Part 3)

After dinner, Yin Qianhua accompanied the young girls to watch a play. Yun Ruonan, however, didn’t want to stay outside for long and intended to return to her room to rest.

Whether intentional or not, Xiao Yao’s dress was soaked with tea carried by a servant girl from the He family passing by.

“Oh dear! Miss Xiao, I’m terribly sorry. This servant of mine is clumsy as usual. You foolish servant! Kneel and apologize to Miss Xiao immediately,” He Jinzhi reprimanded her maid sternly.

“I’m sorry, Miss Xiao. I truly didn’t mean it,” the maid replied nervously, trembling.

“Kneel down now!” He Jinzhi barked again.

“It’s fine. She already said it wasn’t intentional. I don’t blame her. Please don’t kneel—I can’t bear it,” Xiao Yao interjected, signaling to Xiying with her eyes. If she allowed the maid to kneel publicly, the whole capital would soon hear rumors of how tyrannical and arrogant the Xiao family’s young lady was.

“Our young lady has said it’s not a big deal. In the Xiao family, masters never punish servants for trivial matters. Our lady would certainly never do so. As for the customs of your household, we wouldn’t know,” Xiying firmly stopped the maid from kneeling, her expression calm though she was seething inside. Why did so many people seem to target her young lady? Xiao Yao was still young and posed no threat to them. This was utterly unreasonable.

“What’s going on here?” asked Yin Qianhua as she returned from escorting her daughter and noticed the gathering of young ladies.

“Reporting to the Princess, my servant accidentally spilled tea on Miss Xiao’s dress,” He Jinzhi explained, her eyes welling with tears and her face full of grievance. To an uninformed observer, it would seem Xiao Yao was the one bullying her.

Xiying was ready to expose He Jinzhi’s twisting of the truth, but Xiao Yao shook her head, indicating it wasn’t worth the trouble. With the gathering about to end, it was better to avoid unnecessary drama. Besides, she was too weary to argue with such people.

Over the past six years, Xiao Yao’s life had been peaceful and serene, almost making her forget that scheming “white lotus” types still existed. She hoped her forbearance today would grant He Jinzhi her desired outcome—preferably to marry Young Lord Yun. That way, two nuisances could be removed from the world at once.

Although Yin Qianhua wasn’t present during the incident, her attendants had witnessed everything and were quietly reporting the details to her.

As she listened, Yin Qianhua’s expression grew colder and colder. If not for her husband’s sake, she would have thrown He Jinzhi out of the mansion immediately. Ping’an really shouldn’t have endured this silently. Didn’t she trust that her aunt would stand up for her? This child worried too much.

“Ping’an, go change out of that wet dress before you catch a cold. Qiuying, fetch the newly made cloud brocade gown for the princess and let Ping’an wear it.”

“Thank you, Princess, but I have my own spare clothing. There’s no need to trouble you, and I absolutely cannot take the princess’s new dress before she has worn it,” Xiao Yao firmly declined.

Cloud brocade was one of the most precious and rare fabrics in Tianyu, often impossible to buy even with money. Few people ever had the chance to wear clothing made from it.

Xiao Yao truly didn’t want to take advantage of the prince’s residence. Besides, she found common materials more comfortable. Most of her loungewear and undergarments were made of fine cotton.

“You’ve been wronged here at the prince’s residence, so it’s only right that you’re compensated. Otherwise, how could your aunt have the face to invite you again in the future?” Yin Qianhua smiled at Xiao Yao, her tone gentle yet firm. From start to finish, she didn’t spare He Jinzhi a glance.

The other young ladies, being sharp observers, immediately realized that the Princess was standing up for Xiao Yao while completely disregarding He Jinzhi. The stark contrast was unmistakable, and He Jinzhi’s face turned pale with embarrassment as she stood there awkwardly.

“I’ll take you to change your clothes,” Qiuying said kindly.

“I’ll go with my sister!” Xiao Yuan grabbed her sister’s hand, huffed heavily in He Jinzhi’s direction, and thought to herself, “When we get home, I’ll tell Grandpa that this He girl bullied my sister and have him smash down their front door!”

The Xiao sisters went to change clothes, while the maid had already cleaned up the area. It was as if nothing had happened.

“Your Highness, the Ninth Prince and Young Master Mu have arrived. The Young Lord is accompanying them here,” a servant reported.

“This…” Yin Qianhua glanced at the young ladies nearby. They were all at an age where gender segregation mattered. If she asked them to leave, some might harbor resentment. If she didn’t, it would be inappropriate.

“Let’s move to the side hall,” suggested Yuan Min, curtsying before leading the Yuan sisters away.

The other young ladies reluctantly followed suit, lamenting their missed opportunity to meet the Ninth Prince. The Ninth Prince, Young Lord Yun, and Young Master Mu were among the most outstanding youths in Tianyu.

Some whispered among themselves, speculating that the Xiao family might have ulterior motives since these exceptional young men were training under General Xiao. This perhaps justified He Jinzhi’s deliberate targeting of Xiao Yao. They hoped the Xiao and He families would fight it out, preferably to mutual ruin.

“Your Highness, forgive my tardiness,” the Ninth Prince, Yun Yifan, greeted Yin Qianhua. He had been delayed by the Empress Dowager Han, who used every excuse to prevent him from attending Yun Ruonan’s birthday celebration. It wasn’t until the Emperor himself intervened, citing Yun Yichen’s invitation, that the Dowager reluctantly allowed him to leave. Even Mu Fengwu had been delayed as a result.

“Your presence is more than enough. Have you eaten yet? I’ll have the kitchen prepare something.”

“We’re famished! This guy caused me so much trouble today…” Mu Fengwu began to complain but was simultaneously nudged by Yun Yichen and Yun Yifan. Glaring at them, he bit back his words, realizing belatedly the sensitive tension between the Dowager and the Princess.

Feigning ignorance of their antics, Yin Qianhua calmly sipped her tea and instructed, “Qiuyue, tell the kitchen to prepare a feast, including stewed fish slices and chestnut chicken.”

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Yun Yifan said warmly. It felt good to be remembered and cared for, though he couldn’t understand why the Empress Dowager targeted someone as kind as his aunt.

“And a braised lamb dish would be perfect,” Mu Fengwu added cheekily.

“You’re lucky to have anything at all. Clearly, you’re not hungry,” Yun Yifan retorted.

“I’ll have the dishes set in the front hall for you. Yichen, look after them well,” Yin Qianhua instructed before accepting their birthday gifts for Yun Ruonan.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yao, having changed clothes, noticed an unusual number of people in the courtyard, many dressed as palace guards.

“Miss Xiao, why aren’t you moving?” Qiuying asked.

“It seems more people have arrived. Perhaps more guests? I’d rather not go over just yet. You can go ahead, Aunt Qiuying,” Xiao Yao replied, glancing around cautiously.

Qiuying also noticed the unusual activity and said, “Let me take you to the side hall first.”

“I saw a pavilion on the way here. I’ll sit there instead,” Xiao Yao suggested.

“That won’t do. Let me escort you to the side hall,” Qiuying insisted, mindful of her responsibility.

Reluctantly, Xiao Yao agreed.

Xiao Yuan, however, had grown impatient and darted toward the stage without informing anyone.

“Ruyi!” Xiao Yao called out, but Xiao Yuan was already too far ahead.

Qiuying reassured her, “Don’t worry. With the Princess present, nothing bad will happen. I’ll take you to the side hall and then check on your sister.”

Reluctantly, Xiao Yao agreed to be escorted.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yuan reached the gathering and realized something was amiss. She was about to retreat when Yin Qianhua called out to her.

“Why are you alone? Where are your sister and Qiuying?”

Xiao Yuan glanced at Yun Yichen and the others, then pointed in the direction she came from without speaking.

“Who’s this little one? She reminds me of little Chubby Xiao,” Mu Fengwu said bluntly, amused by her resemblance to Xiao Qi.

“For once, you’re right,” Yun Yichen replied, glancing behind Xiao Yuan, wondering where her sister was.

“This is General Xiao’s youngest granddaughter,” he explained.

Hearing this, Xiao Yuan tugged on Yin Qianhua’s sleeve and asked, “Auntie, can you take me to find my sister?”

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