Chapter 21: “Royal Brother Got a Leg Cramp?”

As soon as the ceremonial chanting began, everyone except the Eldest Princess knelt down.

“Long live the Emperor, long live the Empress Dowager, long live the Empress, may Your Highness enjoy eternal peace…”

Emperor Ye Zhengxiong entered the Imperial Garden with the Empress Dowager, the Empress, Consort De, Consort Shu, Consort Lan, and a few of his sons.

“Greetings to the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, and the Empress,” the Eldest Princess bowed respectfully to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor and Empress.

“Huanyan, you’re here,” the Empress Dowager beamed with joy at the sight of the Eldest Princess.

“You’re early today, Royal Sister,” the Emperor said with a smile.

“It’s the Mid-Autumn Festival today, so I thought I’d come early to accompany the Empress Dowager,” the Eldest Princess said warmly, stepping forward to help support the Empress Dowager alongside the Empress.

“Why don’t I see that girl Zhiqing?” the Empress Dowager asked, glancing around for Xiao Zhiqing.

“She made a mistake, so I left her at home to reflect on it,” the Eldest Princess said frankly.

Before the Empress Dowager could say anything, the Empress chimed in reproachfully, “You’re really something, leaving her home alone on the Mid-Autumn Festival. How could you?”

“Exactly! That girl Zhiqing is such a sweet child, and yet you’re always so strict with her,” the Empress Dowager added, sounding displeased.

The Eldest Princess gave a bitter smile and said nothing more.

From behind, the other consorts listened quietly, while Ye Junyu and the other princes walked at the back.

As he passed by Tang Mi, Ye Junyu deliberately glanced at her and was instantly stunned.

So this was Tang Mi?

She was even more beautiful than he had imagined! He had only seen a portrait of her before, but that portrait hadn’t done her justice at all.

He had tried everything to marry her, had given all his sincerity, so why had she rejected him again and again? If it weren’t for the persistent refusal from the General’s Mansion, he wouldn’t have resorted to such dishonorable methods.

Feeling Ye Junyu stop beside her, Tang Mi clenched her fists tightly and bit her lips to restrain herself.

This was the man who had conspired with Tang Ying to destroy her life. He had used her completely and heartlessly, and after achieving everything he wanted, he let Tang Ying humiliate and ruin her.

She remembered how, in her past life, her unborn child was taken from her and her entire maternal family was annihilated. Hatred surged through her, she wanted nothing more than to tear him and Tang Ying into pieces.

But she clenched her fists tighter and forced herself to remain calm. She repeated to herself over and over: There’s still time. I can’t rush. I’ll make them pay slowly.

Seeing Ye Junyu standing still beside Tang Mi, Ye Chenxuan couldn’t hold it in any longer and spoke up, “Royal Brother, did your leg cramp?”

His sudden comment immediately drew everyone’s attention. They all turned to look at Ye Junyu.

Even the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, seated on the main throne, looked over.

Ye Junyu, caught off guard, glanced awkwardly at Ye Chenxuan. “You jest, Royal Brother.”

He said no more and quickly moved to his seat.

Tang Mi let out a silent sigh of relief. For a moment, she wanted to glance at Prince Xuan (Ye Chenxuan).

Was he helping her?

But why would he help her?

Ye Chenxuan gave her a brief look before sitting down beside Ye Junyu.

The Emperor glanced meaningfully at the two brothers before saying, “You may all rise.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!” the crowd chorused, and everyone stood up.

Madam Su wanted Tang Mi to sit with them, but because their seats were too close to Ye Junyu, Tang Mi politely declined.

She returned to sit next to Madam Lin, feeling slightly more at ease.

Meanwhile, Xiao Fengze pulled Jun Qianche to sit directly across from Tang Mi. After sitting down, he shamelessly waved at her, which made Jun Qianche want to strangle him.

Tang Mi kept her eyes down, clearly uninterested in Xiao Fengze.

But Tang Ying, seeing Xiao Fengze’s behavior, was filled with jealousy.

Shameless slut! Seducing men everywhere like a damn fox spirit!

Tang Mi ignored Xiao Fengze, who was left feeling a little disappointed. He nudged Jun Qianche and said, “Don’t you think that was strange?”

Jun Qianche ignored him completely, treating his words as nonsense.

Undeterred, Xiao Fengze continued to nudge him, “Did you notice Prince Xuan just now? He actually spoke up to help your cousin!”

“Did he?” Jun Qianche glanced at Prince Xuan, still not quite seeing the significance.

Xiao Fengze looked at him like he was an idiot. “You don’t actually think he said that out of concern for Prince Yu, do you?”

“What else then?” Jun Qianche couldn’t think of another reason.

“Idiot!” Xiao Fengze finally couldn’t take it anymore and rolled his eyes. “Prince Xuan and Prince Yu don’t get along at all. Why would he care about him?”

He stroked his chin thoughtfully. “But Prince Yu really was acting odd earlier. He stood beside your cousin for quite a while.”

Before Jun Qianche could respond, Xiao Fengze suddenly got excited. “Could it be that both Prince Xuan and Prince Yu have fallen for your cousin? This would be the ultimate royal drama! Two brothers turning against each other for a beauty! And maybe she doesn’t like either of them maybe she likes me, the heir to a dukedom!”

His eyes practically sparkled with excitement.

Jun Qianche, unable to deal with this fool, silently picked up his dishes and moved to a seat farther away.

The Emperor glanced around and said, “It’s the Mid-Autumn Festival, a family banquet. Everyone, feel free to relax.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!” everyone said gratefully.

“Let the banquet begin,” the Emperor instructed his attendants.

Soon, the Mid-Autumn banquet was in full swing. Palace maids filed in with fine wine and delicacies. Singers and dancers began to perform, and the atmosphere quickly became festive.

Tang Mi absentmindedly nibbled on some snacks. The gaze from the front was far too intense, she didn’t need to look to know who it was.

In her previous life, he had hated her so deeply. Even after their marriage, he never touched her. So what did this mean now?

Not only was Tang Mi distracted, Tang Ying was also feeling anxious. She sat right next to Tang Mi and could clearly sense the burning gaze Prince Yu was casting at Tang Mi.

She had always known Tang Mi was beautiful, which was why she had deliberately prevented Prince Yu from seeing her in person. According to her plan, by the time he did, Tang Mi would already be disgraced. No matter how beautiful she was, Prince Yu wouldn’t be interested.

But all of that had been ruined by that fool Tang Rong. She couldn’t afford to lose again.

The Empress followed Ye Junyu’s gaze toward the Tang family’s table and smiled at the Emperor. “Your Majesty, these dances are rather dull. Why not have the noble ladies perform something new?”

The Emperor nodded with a smile. “That sounds good.”

The Empress then turned to Tang Ying with a smile. “Lady Tang, you usually lead the performances. Why don’t you start today as well?”

Tang Ying immediately stood and curtsied. “Your Majesty, my elder cousin is attending her first palace banquet today. I’d like to have her join me in a dance.”