Chapter Fifteen The Matter Falls Apart

The Princess Royal’s expression was grim. Earlier, when Yun Fengxiao had ordered a beating, it was to tighten lips and keep secrets; now that Yun Yanxi had stepped forward, it seemed he intended to make a spectacle of the matter.

“As for me, I believe this is merely the work of unruly servants. Why make such a fuss, Prince Xi? The Princess Royal is already troubled enough,” Yun Fengxiao remarked, his cold gaze falling upon Su Lilu, who stood quietly by Yun Yanxi’s side. She was fortunate, he thought, to have escaped disaster.

Prince Xi replied, “I am only concerned for the Princess Royal. When servants act so shamelessly behind their master’s back, today it has been discovered, but who knows how many more times have passed unnoticed? Does Her Highness intend to let such servants off so lightly?”

The matter could be grave or trivial. If left unpunished, the servants might grow bolder, deceiving their masters. On the other hand, it could be resolved with a few words from those in authority.

The Princess Royal saw the young ladies whispering among themselves. The flower-viewing banquet had to continue, and it was but a matter of a few servants. “Let it be as Prince Xi suggests. For the sake of discipline, each offending servant shall receive twenty strokes.”

“Your Highness, Prince Xi is but an outsider. Matters within the palace should be decided by you alone, not by the counsel of others…” Yun Fengxiao had not finished before Bai Yingnan interjected sharply.

“Your Highness, the Crown Prince is also an outsider. The Princess Royal has her own wisdom—there’s no need for the Crown Prince to meddle. Matters among elders are best left to them; we juniors should not interfere,” Bai Yingnan said, her heart pounding as Yun Yanxi glanced at her. She had admired him for so long, and this was the first time she had caught his attention. Determined to seize the moment, she continued, “Does the Crown Prince mistake the Princess Royal’s residence for his own Eastern Palace?”

“Lady Bai’s tongue grows sharper by the day,” Yun Fengxiao conceded, knowing that with Bai Yingnan present, he would gain nothing. Women, he thought, were most unreasonable.

The atmosphere became tense. The Princess Royal, seeing Yun Fengxiao’s displeasure but recalling he had just spoken in her favor, sought to smooth things over. “Both the Crown Prince and Prince Xi speak out of concern for my household. There’s no need for anger. The servants will be dealt with as necessary, so let us not spoil the mood for flower viewing. Let us return to the garden; I will have the matter handled by my staff.”

As mistress of the house, her words carried weight. Yun Fengxiao took her advice and headed towards the garden, with the others following suit.

Su Lilu walked beside Yun Yanxi, suddenly feeling a fierce gaze upon her. She turned and saw Bai Yingnan, eyes burning with malice, fixed on herself and Prince Xi. Su Lilu’s heart trembled—was she now considered a rival in love?

“Your Highness, does Lady Bai have feelings for you?” Su Lilu asked curiously, wondering if the man beside her realized he had caught someone’s attention.

“Su Lilu, you’d best mind yourself. Do you not know there are those working behind the scenes to bring you down?” Yun Yanxi’s tone was sharp, frustrated by her apparent lack of understanding. This woman, he thought, always concerned herself with the wrong things.

Su Lilu lowered her head, suspicion already forming in her mind. Yet, as the matter concerned the reputation of the Su family, she could not confide in Yun Yanxi.

“Rest assured, Your Highness. I understand, and I am grateful for your concern,” she replied, knowing his words were harsh but well-intentioned.

Yun Yanxi said no more. Since she was aware, he need not worry further.

Su Lilu pondered how much effort Su Baizhi had put into this affair. Why had Yun Fengxiao sided with Su Baizhi against her? Perhaps there was some benefit involved. Her thoughts swirled, but she shook them off. If Su Baizhi truly was behind this, she would not let it go unchallenged.

After the mishap at the banquet, the Princess Royal had lost interest in entertaining the young ladies. With Yun Fengxiao and Yun Yanxi leaving first, the others’ enthusiasm waned as well. The Princess Royal seized the opportunity to attend to household matters, and the gathering, which had begun lively, ended in cold silence.

As Su Baihan and Su Shaner disliked Su Lilu, the group exchanged no words on the way back. Once off the carriage, they headed straight to Su Baizhi’s quarters. Su Dongxuan, being young and timid, went to her own chamber, avoiding the others’ conflicts.

Su Lilu and Su Shaner lagged behind Su Baihan, who, upon entering, had already relayed the entire incident at the Princess Royal’s residence to Su Baizhi. “Sister, you wouldn’t believe how disorderly the servants were, behaving so disgracefully on such an important day…”

Unable to finish, Su Baihan’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment, but her eyes revealed clear disgust and disdain.

She hadn’t noticed Su Baizhi’s face growing paler, lips bloodless, her appearance startling.

When Su Lilu entered and saw Su Baizhi’s state, she became more convinced of her involvement. Smiling faintly, she offered comfort, “Don’t worry, Baizhi. Once you recover, you can join us in our outings.”

Su Shaner sneered, “Su Lilu, you still act as if you’re above us. Second Sister is now the Crown Prince’s fiancée; once married, she will be the Crown Princess. Of course she must prepare for marriage at home—unlike you, always running about without a maiden’s dignity.”

Su Baihan chimed in, “Yes, my sister is the future Crown Princess. What a pity for you, Su Lilu, without even a proper match. With your looks, who would want you?” She delighted in recalling that the Crown Prince had broken off his engagement with Su Lilu and instead was betrothed to her own sister.

Su Lilu lowered her head and replied sadly, “I know I cannot compare with Baizhi. So as not to hinder her, I will ask Mother to help me find a suitable match soon. Wouldn’t you agree, sisters?”

Before Su Baihan could say more, Su Baizhi pulled her back, face growing paler. Su Lilu had reminded her that as the eldest daughter, unless Su Lilu married, the younger sisters could not wed. Exceptions might be made, but the family’s reputation would suffer. If Su Lilu intended to use her own marital prospects to hold back Su Baizhi, it would drive her mad.

“Let’s not speak of marriage yet—it’s far too early. I’m embarrassed—let’s not discuss it further,” Su Baizhi deflected, hoping to shift Su Baihan’s attention elsewhere.

She took her sister’s hand and asked about the Princess Royal’s residence, prompting Su Baihan to recount all she had seen, including the young ladies she met and which families had close friends.

Su Shaner, seeing Su Lilu standing idly aside, grew increasingly irritated. She could not understand why Su Baizhi prevented further discussion, allowing Su Lilu to watch them as if amused by their troubles.