Chapter 18: The Eldest Miss Tang Belongs to the Prince

“How did it tear?” Ban Xia was dumbfounded, looking at the ripped hem of the ceremonial dress with heartache.

Tang Mi’s eyes darkened as she turned her gaze to Fu Ling.

Startled, Fu Ling immediately knelt down. “This servant accidentally tore Miss’s ceremonial dress. Please punish me.”

Tang Mi narrowed her eyes dangerously. “You don’t need to attend the Mid-Autumn banquet tonight.”

“Miss…” Fu Ling turned pale, completely caught off guard that her punishment would be missing the banquet.

“Leave!” Tang Mi ordered coldly.

“Yes.” Fu Ling didn’t dare say anything more and left, clearly feeling aggrieved.

Ban Xia, seeing Fu Ling dismissed, couldn’t help but speak up for her. “Miss, I don’t think Fu Ling did it on purpose. Can’t you forgive her this once?”

Tang Mi said nothing, but she changed clothes and brought over a pair of scissors. She then cut off the torn piece of fabric. “Look at these two rips, see any difference?”

Ban Xia leaned in and examined the tears carefully, but shook her head. “I don’t see any.”

Tang Mi sneered coldly. “One is torn by pulling, the other is cut by scissors. If you can’t tell them apart, what does that mean?”

Even someone as slow as Ban Xia realized it now. Her eyes widened in shock. “Fu Ling did it on purpose? But why? Why would she harm you?”

“Don’t alert her for now. Keep an eye on her for me,” Tang Mi ordered, eyes narrowed.

“Yes.” Ban Xia also sensed the gravity of the situation and immediately agreed.

In the front yard of the General’s Manor.

By evening, everyone heading to the palace banquet was already gathered.

On the men’s side, with Third Master absent, Second Master Tang Shuanghu led the eldest branch’s Tang Feng, the second branch’s Tang Song, and the third branch’s Tang Bai. On the women’s side, Madam Lin led Tang Ying from the second branch and her own daughter Tang Ning.

Seeing that Tang Ying wasn’t wearing the dress she had sent, Lin raised an eyebrow and asked, “Did the third young lady not like the dress made by the embroiderers?”

Tang Ying’s eyes flickered slightly, and she smiled. “It’s not that. Yesterday while trying it on, a maid accidentally tore it, so I changed into another.”

That dress had originally been prepared for Tang Mi, ugly beyond measure. There was no way she’d be foolish enough to wear such a thing to the banquet and be laughed at.

Lin wasn’t unaware of her little scheme and smiled faintly. “I heard you personally requested that design. I thought you liked it?”

Tang Ying’s smile stiffened. “Of course I liked it, but once it’s torn, there’s nothing to be done.”

Changing the subject quickly to avoid further probing, Tang Ying asked, “Is Eldest Sister alright? Why isn’t she here yet?”

Just as she finished speaking, Tang Mi appeared like a rainbow gliding through the air.

Everyone turned to look toward the gate, and there she was in a seven-colored flying peacock immortal gown, every step she took was breathtaking.

When she drew near, everyone was finally able to catch their breath.

Lin was the first to praise, “This gown suits you perfectly, matching your peerless beauty.”

“Big Sister, you’re so beautiful!” Tang Ning exclaimed as she excitedly circled around Tang Mi.

Tang Shuanghu, looking at her, was reminded of that woman from the past. His fists clenched tightly without him realizing.

Tang Song, Tang Bai, and Tang Feng were all stunned by her appearance.

Tang Ying, however, looked extremely displeased.

Why didn’t Fu Ling destroy that dress? Useless idiot, couldn’t even do such a simple task!

After greeting Tang Shuanghu and Lin, Tang Mi looked at Tang Ying. “You don’t look well. Are you feeling unwell?”

Tang Ying tried to compose herself and forced a smile. “Maybe I waited too long and got a little dizzy.”

Tang Mi smiled. “There was a small issue with my dress. Sorry to keep you waiting.”

Lin frowned. “Your dress had a problem too?”

Tang Mi glanced at Tang Ying and said, “A maid accidentally tore it.”

Lin’s expression instantly became strange. “What a coincidence. The third young lady’s dress was also torn by a maid.”

Tang Mi looked at Tang Ying’s outfit and sneered. “Indeed, quite the coincidence.”

Her smug gaze made Tang Ying feel like she was being pricked by needles. “It’s getting late. Let’s depart.”

The women got into carriages, while the men all rode horses including Tang Feng.

At the palace gates.

Hong Fei had just arrived when he spotted Tang Shuanghu’s party.

“Your Highness, that’s the General’s Manor’s carriage.”

Inside the carriage, Yan Shu’s eyes lit up when he heard it was from the General’s Manor. He eagerly lifted the curtain and peeked out. “It’s the Mid-Autumn banquet tonight. I wonder if Eldest Miss Tang will come?”

Upon hearing this, Ye Chenxuan instinctively looked out through the small gap in the curtain.

Before he could say anything, Yan Shu continued, “I heard she’s very proper and rarely leaves home. That visit to the Princess’s manor was the first time. I doubt she’ll”

His words were cut short as he stared blankly at the stunning beauty being helped down from the carriage.

Even Ye Chenxuan didn’t expect her to actually come, let alone look this beautiful.

“Eldest Miss Tang is like a celestial being!” Yan Shu stared, mesmerized, and even gulped hard.

Ye Chenxuan’s expression immediately darkened. He raised a hand and smacked Yan Shu hard on the head.

“OW!” Yan Shu cried out, clutching his head with tears in his eyes. “I was wrong, I was wrong! I shouldn’t covet Eldest Miss Tang. She belongs to you, Your Highness!”

Ye Chenxuan’s face flushed crimson, and he immediately kicked Yan Shu out of the carriage.

Peeking again through the curtain, Ye Chenxuan looked toward Tang Mi.

Belongs to him…?That thought brought a smile to his lips before he even realized it.

As if sensing something, Tang Mi suddenly turned to look back at the carriage.