Chapter 20: “Your Cousin Has to Marry Eventually, Why Not Marry Me?”

Tang Mi could tell Su-shi was genuinely concerned about her, so she didn’t hide anything. She briefly recounted the events and the outcome. Su-shi broke out in a cold sweat as she listened, overcome with lingering fear.
“They actually went so far? Good thing you were clever, or the consequences would’ve been unimaginable.”
Then, she was overcome with fury. “That Qin-shi and the fourth girl, truly vicious! That phrase ‘the most venomous is a woman’s heart’ must have been coined for the likes of Qin-shi!”

She had long known Qin-shi wasn’t a good person, but this was wicked beyond belief.

“It’s all in the past now. Grandmother has already punished Qin-shi and Tang Rong. They’ve gotten what they deserved,” Tang Mi quickly reassured her, seeing how angry she was.

Su-shi nodded. “It’s because your grandmother still has some sense. Otherwise, how could your maternal grandmother have been willing to let her raise you?”

When Su-shi’s sister-in-law passed away, her own grandmother had turned gray overnight with grief. She constantly visited the Tang residence, hoping to bring the children back to the Duke’s estate. But the old madam of the Tang family had refused adamantly, swearing on her life that she would raise them with love and teach Tang Mi personally. Eventually, the Duke’s old madam had agreed, on the condition that if she ever failed them, they’d bring the children back.

But to their surprise, the Tang matriarch had kept her word and treated the siblings sincerely, especially Tang Mi. She had protected the girl well, leaving them with no reason to take the children back.

Tang Mi smiled, “Grandmother truly is wise.”

Su-shi couldn’t find fault with the old lady either. “But you must still be careful of Qin-shi and her daughter. They didn’t succeed this time, but they won’t give up easily.”

Tang Mi’s eyes flickered. She gently assured, “Don’t worry, Aunt. I’ll never blindly trust them again. Whatever they try, I’ll be ready for it.”

Seeing how clear-headed Tang Mi was, Su-shi relaxed a bit. “It’s a blessing in disguise then, that you saw their true faces. Just be careful in the future.”

“I will,” Tang Mi nodded obediently.

As they continued their private conversation, they heard a eunuch’s loud announcement outside:

“Her Highness the Princess Royal arrives! The Marquis of Chang’an arrives! The Heir of Fengze arrives!”

With that announcement, everyone immediately fell silent and turned to the entrance of the Imperial Garden. The Princess Royal and the Marquis of Chang’an entered, accompanied by their son.

Everyone rose and greeted them in unison, “Greetings to the Princess Royal, Marquis of Chang’an, and Heir of Fengze!”

“No need for such formalities tonight, it’s the Mid-Autumn Festival,” the Princess said, raising her hand slightly.

“Thank you, Your Highness!” the crowd responded and sat back down.

The Princess Royal immediately spotted Su-shi and teased, “You really know how to hide! I almost didn’t see you.”

Su-shi laughed and gestured at Tang Mi beside her. “I saw my niece and didn’t want to join the bustle at the front.”

The Princess looked at Tang Mi and was instantly stunned.

She’d heard the girl was beautiful, but hadn’t expected her to be this stunning like a celestial maiden descending to earth.

And she wasn’t the only one stunned. Even Xiao Fengze, standing behind, couldn’t take his eyes off Tang Mi.

Who knew such a beauty existed in the capital? Why had he never seen her before?

“Greetings to Your Highness, the Marquis, and the Heir of Fengze,” Tang Mi bowed gracefully.

The Princess Royal helped her up with a smile. “Even though it’s not our first meeting, you still take my breath away, Miss Tang.”

Tang Mi blushed and lowered her gaze, “Your Highness flatters me.”

Seeing her niece embarrassed, Su-shi quickly stepped in. “Oh, don’t tease her. Our Mi-er isn’t used to social occasions, she’s shy.”

The Princess gave Tang Mi a meaningful look. Wanwan (Su-shi) probably didn’t truly understand her niece. She might not appear in public much, but she was no fool.

“Oh right, where’s Zhiqing today?” Su-shi asked, as if just remembering.

The Princess’s gaze flickered. She smiled, “She made a mistake and is grounded at home for reflection.”

Su-shi rolled her eyes. “It’s Mid-Autumn, and you’re still punishing her? What mistake could be so bad?”

The Princess smiled bitterly. “You don’t know what I go through. If only my children were as well-behaved as your Qianche, I’d sleep soundly.”

“Ha! As if. He still refuses to marry,” Su-shi grumbled, clearly the only thing she resented about her son.

Their conversation quickly turned toward marriage prospects, making Jun Qianche visibly uncomfortable. He was about to drag Xiao Fengze away, but Fengze had his eyes glued to Tang Mi.

Seeing the look on his friend’s face, Jun Qianche scowled and grabbed him.

“What are you doing?!” Xiao Fengze complained, irritated at being dragged away just when he was admiring a beauty.

“What were you just looking at? I’m warning you, don’t even think about Mi-er.” They’d grown up together, and Jun Qianche knew every one of Fengze’s tells.

Xiao Fengze instantly lit up. “I had no idea your cousin was this beautiful. If I’d known, you should’ve brought her out more. We could’ve been childhood sweethearts!”

“You pervert!” Disgusted, Jun Qianche gave him a smack on the head.

Xiao Fengze yelped and rubbed his head, eyeing his friend warily. “Don’t tell me… you like your cousin too?”

“What nonsense are you spouting?!” Jun Qianche was furious and raised his hand to hit him again.

Xiao Fengze jumped away. “Fine, fine! But your cousin has to marry someday. Why not marry me? I’d treat her well!”

“In your dreams!” Jun Qianche scoffed. He didn’t believe a word of it. Xiao Fengze, the notorious playboy, how could he be worthy of Mi-er?

Seeing how little Jun Qianche thought of him, Xiao Fengze was hurt. He threw an arm around Qianche’s shoulders. “Come on, I’ve been good to you, haven’t I? Didn’t I always introduce you to the best girls?”

Jun Qianche rolled his eyes and pushed him off. “Best girls? You’ve got nerve even saying that. Do you ever think about who you’re introducing me to?”

Just then, a new round of announcements rang out:

“His Majesty arrives! The Empress Dowager arrives! The Empress arrives! Consort De arrives! Consort Shu arrives! Consort Lan arrives! Prince Xuan arrives! Prince Yu arrives! Prince Ming arrives…”

The boys immediately stopped arguing as the long list of royal titles filled the garden.