It had only been a matter of venting her frustrations, the Fifth Princess had never expected the situation to escalate. Flustered, she stammered, “I… I… you…”

Princess Mingyue stepped forward, narrowing her eyes. “Liu Yin, how dare you! Demanding an apology from the princess? Do you have no sense of propriety or respect for the social hierarchy?”

At once, murmurs broke out among the surrounding onlookers. People whispered about Liu Yin’s audacity, saying she had overstepped her bounds by expecting an apology from the princess. Did she really think the Liu family could act with impunity?

“Is the County Princess hard of hearing?” Liu Yin’s tone was calm, her gaze sharp as she fixed it on her opponent. “When did I ever say the princess needed to apologize to me?”

Her voice grew steadier as she continued, “I merely asked for an explanation as to why Her Highness would go so far as to insult me, a mere lady.”

She stepped forward with her hands clasped behind her back, locking eyes with the County Princess. Her words were deliberate and unwavering: “The Emperor is just and fair, never punishing his subjects without cause. Yet here you stand, treating people with such disdain. Does the County Princess believe we are inherently inferior, deserving of mistreatment at the hands of royalty?”

Faced with Liu Yin’s piercing gaze, the County Princess involuntarily took a step back. Her expression faltered as she looked at the person in front of her, unable to comprehend how this so-called fool had become so quick-witted and eloquent.

“When did I ever say that? Don’t twist my words!” the County Princess retorted, letting out a cold huff, her face filled with displeasure.

Raising an eyebrow, Liu Yin casually adjusted the beaded ornament in her hair. Her tone was cool as she said, “So what you’re saying, County Princess, is that the Liu family has no one to speak for it, making it fair game for your bullying and abuse?”

“I—” The County Princess’s face turned an even deeper shade of red. She gripped her handkerchief tightly, glaring daggers at the person before her.

The woman, dressed in a simple blue palace gown, exuded an air of elegance with her slender figure and delicate, charming features. Gone were the traces of her former brashness and unruly demeanor. Instead, her arguments were clear and forceful, leaving no room for refutation. The others could hardly believe their eyes—was this truly the same Liu Yin they had once deemed foolish and brainless?

Even her maid Xiyun stood stunned to the side, wide-eyed in disbelief. Is this really my lady?

The atmosphere grew tense, but Shen Yao’s calm voice suddenly broke the silence. “This is merely a misunderstanding. Why make such a fuss, Sister Liu? The princess simply spoke her mind without ill intent. With your generous heart, I’m sure you won’t take it to heart.”

Liu Yin cast a sidelong glance at the serene and poised woman, her tone cooling as she replied, “Apologies, but I’ve never been known for having a generous heart.”

Shen Yao’s expression faltered, clearly caught off guard by the unexpected retort. The others quickly chose to hold their tongues, not daring to get involved lest they invite trouble upon themselves.

“Liu Yin, don’t you dare push your luck!” Princess Mingyue finally snapped, her face flushed with anger.

Liu Yin merely shrugged innocently, her expression aggrieved. “County Princess, this is truly too much. A group of you have been here bullying and insulting a humble court lady, yet you accuse me of pushing my luck? Is this the justice of the world?”

“You—” Princess Mingyue’s anger flared as she stepped forward, only to be held back by a palace maid.

Liu Yin lazily swept her gaze across the group and raised her voice. “It seems Her Highness the Princess has no intention of giving me an explanation. Very well, then. I was planning to visit my aunt anyway. I suppose we can settle this later in the presence of the Noble Consort.”

Without sparing a glance at the Fifth Princess’s anxious expression, Liu Yin turned and strode off decisively, heading straight for Changchun Palace.

As Liu Yin walked away, the Fifth Princess grew flustered and quickly grabbed Shen Yao’s sleeve. “Sister Shen, what should I do? If Mother finds out I argued with her, she’ll definitely scold me!”

Hearing this, Princess Mingyue scoffed and tilted her chin up, her striking features etched with disdain. “That wretched girl wouldn’t dare. Why are you so anxious? Are you, a princess, really afraid of her?”

Despite Mingyue’s words, the Fifth Princess could only close her mouth, though her face still betrayed her unease. If it were anyone else, she wouldn’t have been concerned—but Liu Yin was from the Liu family.

Strolling through the imperial garden, Liu Yin plucked a blooming rose and twirled it playfully in her fingers, her mood clearly lifted. She might not be able to read, but she wasn’t some clueless child. With such a powerful family backing her, if she still allowed herself to be bullied, she might as well bash her head in with a block of tofu and call it a day.

Humming a tune, Liu Yin arrived at Changchun Palace, where the palace maids inside froze for a moment, surprised to see her dressed in a maid’s attire.

Liu Yin planned to have lunch here before heading back home. She figured she should at least put on a show to scare the Fifth Princess a little. As for complaining, she decided against it—after all, it was just a small matter, and making a fuss would only make things worse for everyone.

However, when she reached the outer hall, she noticed quite a few guards from Qianqing Palace, as well as the Emperor’s chief eunuch, Li Yuanhai, standing outside. It seemed like she had come at an inopportune time.

“Miss Liu, you’re here at just the right time. The Emperor is having lunch with the Empress. I’ll go inform them right away,” Li Yuanhai said with a smile as he made his way inside.

Liu Yin quickly called out, “Eh… no need…”

But he didn’t stop and quickly disappeared through the palace doors. Liu Yin sighed and looked up at the sun, feeling a bit worn out. The Emperor didn’t often visit her aunt’s palace, and here she was, interrupting their private time. It really felt inconsiderate.

Soon enough, Li Yuanhai emerged again, still smiling. “The Emperor invites Miss Liu to enter.”

^_^