Chapter 19: Let Them Taste the Spit-Covered Shame

When she looked over, Ye Chenxuan inexplicably felt guilty and immediately withdrew his gaze.

Seeing nothing, Tang Mi frowned slightly.
Had she just imagined something?

“Father, that looks like the Xuan Prince’s carriage,” Tang Song said to Tang Shuanghu as he looked behind them.

Xuan Prince?

Tang Mi’s eyes flickered. She remembered this man had a tragic end in the previous life.

Tang Ying also glanced toward the carriage, stars sparkling in her eyes.
Xuan Prince was said to be the most handsome man in all of Qi. If not for his cold, detached nature and his notorious indifference to women, she wouldn’t have chosen the Duke Yu as her suitor instead.

Tang Shuanghu immediately led Tang Song and the others forward to pay respects.
“Greetings to His Highness, Prince Xuan.”

Ye Chenxuan didn’t show his face, remaining in the carriage. “You may rise, Vice Minister of Rites.”

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Tang Shuanghu quickly bowed.

“Enter the palace,” Ye Chenxuan ordered. Hong Fei immediately drove the carriage into the imperial grounds.

Only after Ye Chenxuan’s carriage had moved on did Tang Shuanghu lead his household into the palace.
Normally, a fourth-rank official like him wouldn’t be permitted to bring so many family members into the palace, but under the name of the Grand General’s estate, no one would dare accuse him of overstepping.

The Mid-Autumn Banquet was set in the Imperial Garden.

By the time the Tang family arrived, many guests had already gathered.

“Minister Jian.”
“Minister Tang.”

Spotting familiar faces, Tang Shuanghu led his sons and nephews over to exchange greetings.

Left behind were Lin-shi and the younger ladies, who found themselves momentarily at a loss, unfamiliar with where to sit or how to proceed at such an event.

Their group quickly caught the attention of the noble ladies nearby.

“Isn’t that the third wife from the General’s estate? Why isn’t the second wife here?”

“You didn’t hear? Something happened with the General’s daughters during the princess’s birthday banquet.”

“What happened? Tell me quickly.”

Whispers flew, and soon disdainful remarks followed:

“Really? That’s so shameless!”

“That second wife is vile, bullying the poor orphaned daughter of the main wife like that.”

“Exactly. Qin-shi used the fact that she had no parents to frame her. That mother-daughter pair is disgusting.”

“I heard Tang Rong was sent to a temple by the old madam of the Tang family!”

“Serves her right! A woman like that belongs with Buddha and incense to cleanse her filthy sins.”

“Honestly, sending her to a temple is an insult to the gods!”

Tang Mi listened to these whispers with great satisfaction.

Just a while ago, she had been the one gossiped about like this at the Mid-Autumn Banquet.
Too bad Qin-shi and Tang Rong weren’t here. She’d have loved to watch them squirm, drenched in the public’s scorn like she had once been.

“Qin-shi didn’t show up today, but the eldest young lady came the beautiful one.”

“People used to say the second daughter was the most beautiful in the capital, but it turns out the eldest daughter of the General’s estate is even more stunning.”

“She was raised by the old madam herself and rarely left the estate. That’s why no one knew about her beauty. Not like the second daughter, always out flaunting herself.”

“I’d say the second daughter is far beneath her older sister in both looks and character. Considering her mother and sister, I doubt she’s any better.”

“Agreed. I’ll make sure my daughter stays far away from Tang Ying. Who knows what kind of schemes she might pull?”

These mocking comments reached their ears, and Tang Ying’s face turned grim.

She had expected whispers after what happened to Tang Rong, but she hadn’t anticipated such blatant and cruel contempt.

Saying she wasn’t as good as Tang Mi?

Tang Ying stared at Tang Mi’s breathtaking face, eyes burning with jealousy.

Aside from her looks, what else did Tang Mi have over her?

She had always known Tang Mi was prettier. As a child, she had refused to leave the estate with her mother to avoid being overshadowed.
Now that Tang Mi was of age, Grandmother would no longer keep her hidden.
So she planned to disgrace Tang Mi at her first public appearance ruin her innocence, fulfill the prince’s orders, and use Tang Mi’s fall from grace to elevate herself.

But all her careful scheming had been destroyed by that idiot Tang Rong.

This time, she wouldn’t let Tang Mi slip away again.

Tang Ying’s gaze was obvious, and Tang Mi’s eyes narrowed coldly.

Let’s see what other venomous tricks you’ve got left.
If you don’t move, fine.
But if you do, I’ll make sure you choke on your own poison.

As more guests arrived, Tang Mi soon spotted someone from the Duke Rong’s estate.

“It’s Mi’er!” Su-shi exclaimed in delight upon seeing her.

Jun Mingren and Jun Qianche also turned to look.

“Third Uncle, Third Aunt, Cousin.” Tang Mi quickly stepped forward to greet them.

“You silly girl, still so formal with your own family.” Su-shi helped her up with a warm smile, looking her up and down. “Mi’er is getting prettier and prettier. This dress suits you beautifully.”

Tang Mi blushed and smiled. “Third Aunt picked it out for me.”

Su-shi then looked at Lin-shi and greeted her warmly, “Thank you so much for taking care of our Mi’er.”

“You’re too kind, Madam,” Lin-shi quickly replied, stepping aside respectfully. Then she pulled Tang Ning over and said, “Ning’er, this is the Duke and Duchess of Rong your older sister’s uncle and aunt and this is your Cousin Jun.”

“Greetings to the Duke, Duchess, and Cousin Jun,” Tang Ning said gracefully.
But when her eyes landed on Jun Qianche’s handsome face, she couldn’t help but blush.

Su-shi nodded and praised her politely, but didn’t spare even a glance at Tang Ying, as if she didn’t exist.

Su-shi had never liked the second branch of the Tang family. When Qin-shi was still around, she would force conversation, and Su-shi would at least respond out of courtesy.
Now that Qin-shi was gone, she couldn’t be bothered with them at all.

After chatting briefly with Lin-shi and her daughters, Su-shi took Tang Mi by the hand and smiled at Lin-shi.
“I haven’t had time with Mi’er in so long. We’ll be over there chatting for a bit.”

“Of course,” Lin-shi nodded quickly, then looked at Tang Mi.
“We’ll go sit over there. Come join us later.”

Tang Mi gave a graceful bow and followed Su-shi to a quiet corner.

Once out of earshot, Su-shi looked at her, worried.
“I heard something happened last time at the princess’s banquet. What really went on?”