WBSGVS Chapter 197 V1

Yiyue’s apology made the people around them speak even more quietly, afraid of accidentally offending the princess.

But everyone figured things should end here.

Yiyue wasn’t just anyone—she came from the Yi family, a long-standing military household with real influence. Although their presence had faded somewhat in recent years due to the lack of war, their ancestral merit still held weight.

As for Sima Qingli, a princess who had only just come out of the Cold Palace, she should know when to stop.

But Qingli stepped forward, stopping just in front of Yiyue. Chin slightly lifted, she said, “Since you’ve apologized, shouldn’t there be a punishment as well?”

Yiyue snapped her head up, staring at her in disbelief.

She had already apologized—what more did this woman want?! Apologizing in front of all these people wasn’t enough of a punishment?

Fu Cheng’s eyelid twitched. Remembering what had happened in the Qilin Hall, he had a bad feeling and stepped forward to intervene.

But Qingli had already spoken. “A slap to the face should do.”

“You—!” Yiyue stomped her foot in fury. “Don’t push it!”

Qingli didn’t argue. She simply raised her hand and struck with a crisp smack that echoed through the hall, silencing the crowd in an instant. Everyone stood frozen in shock.

This newly returned princess… was something else!

“You hit me?! I—!” Yiyue was stunned. Clutching her burning cheek, she stood there for a long second before erupting in fury, ready to retaliate—but her attendants quickly dragged her away, covering her mouth and holding her back.

Fu Cheng was furious. The incident had happened too fast for him to react. He grabbed Qingli’s arm and snapped, “Princess, that was completely out of line!”

Qingli sidestepped his grip and said calmly, “She failed to show respect and spoke rudely to a princess. Isn’t punishment appropriate?”

“That was the Yi family’s eldest daughter!” Fu Cheng hissed.

He had brought her here to stir up trouble—but not to offend the Yi family!

Qingli sneered. “So what? I’m a princess. She’s a minister’s daughter. That’s all there is to it. Or are you suggesting she holds some other special status?”

Fu Cheng looked at her—this cold, proud girl—and anger surged in his chest, choking him. His face shifted through several expressions before he finally ground out, “Princess, male and female guests are separated. I’ll have a maid escort you.”

“Fine.” Qingli nodded coolly, as if he were nothing more than a guide rather than a companion.

Fu Cheng’s eyes darkened. This woman was far too arrogant.

But soon she’d be in a room filled with people of higher rank—she’d get a taste of humility and stop expecting everyone to bow before her.

With a wave of his hand, a maid came to lead Qingli away.

Qingli didn’t look back. She followed the maid, unaware of Fu Cheng’s inner thoughts. If she had known, she might have laughed. They saw her as a tool, but now that she pushed back, she was the arrogant one?

The maid, from the prime minister’s household, was well-trained. As they entered the women’s reception area, she began introducing the various guests.

Qingli was no longer the cold and aloof girl from before. When appropriate, she initiated greetings herself—polite, poised, and refined—leaving a favorable impression on those she met.

If Fu Cheng had seen her now, he would’ve been dumbfounded.

She knew her etiquette, maintained proper boundaries, and didn’t come across as overly eager. The awkward tension he had anticipated never happened.

After chatting for a bit, Qingli excused herself, saying she was tired, and went to take her seat. She quietly observed each woman who entered, studying their features with a discerning gaze.

She hadn’t come here just to be obedient.

She was looking for an opportunity.

Qingli needed allies, but she had no leverage to win them over yet. What she needed most was a chance to showcase her abilities. At a prime minister’s wedding celebration, the guests were all nobles and officials. If she could find someone in need and offer help, she might just get what she wanted.

Everyone’s face told a different story—some good, some bad—but most were unremarkable. Qingli grew tired and took a short break. The little maid beside her poured some tea.

Qingli glanced at her face—her glabella was slightly flushed, but not in a career sense. Her eyes were bright, her brows soft and romantic.

Qingli smiled, leaned closer, and asked, “Are you engaged?”

The little maid gasped, covering her mouth with wide eyes. How did the princess know?

Qingli chuckled, gave her temple a gentle rub, and went back to watching the crowd.

She wasn’t looking for minor misfortunes. Those, even if resolved, would be dismissed as a coincidence or unimportant.

What she needed was something major.

And those were rare.

As she scanned the room, her gaze landed on the prime minister’s wife. Her face was flushed—an omen of celebration—but beneath the healthy glow, Qingli detected a faint trace of shadow.

It was blurry.

Like something was obscuring it—faint, indistinct, hard to read.

Not something she could point out casually. Bored, she picked up some food that had gone cold. It was fine—if this wasn’t the moment, there would be more chances later.

Just then, a middle-aged woman arrived, late.

Qingli immediately noticed her expression. Though she was smiling, it lacked joy. Her brows were furrowed with a persistent worry. Her glabella appeared bright, but the underlying gloom was stronger than anyone else’s in the room.

Qingli’s focus sharpened. She quietly asked the maid her name, already calculating her options.

Then the bride—who would be wed the next day—entered.

The room lit up. The beautiful young woman in red walked in amid admiring glances, her cheeks shy and pink, her eyes downcast. With perfect poise, she made her way to the prime minister’s wife.

Standing together, some of the shadow on the prime minister’s wife’s face lightened significantly. The source… was tied to the girl who had just entered.

Qingli’s eyes narrowed. She gestured to the maid.

The girl leaned closer. Qingli asked, “How old is your young mistress? And when was she born?”

The maid hesitated, but seeing that Qingli was waiting patiently, she eventually answered. It wasn’t exactly a secret, after all.

Qingli thanked her, fixed her eyes on the girl’s face, and mentally calculated. After a few seconds, her expression shifted slightly.

This young lady… her facial features suggested an early death, a childless life—yet she would leave behind many descendants.

And very soon.

This—

Qingli pretended to ask out of curiosity again, “And the prime minister’s future son-in-law—how old is he? When was he born?”

The maid’s expression darkened slightly, but she still answered, “The eldest young master is seventeen. As for the rest, I’m not sure.”

Qingli smiled and started calculating again.

The result wasn’t clear, but Qingli only needed a rough estimate. After a moment, she fell silent. In ancient times, such situations weren’t unheard of, but this one seemed more significant.

She mentally noted the woman’s name.

—

The bride was getting married the next day, so she couldn’t stay too long. After a short while, she left to rest.

Seeing that, Qingli immediately followed.

At a corner just outside the banquet hall, someone caught up to her.
“Miss Cheng!”

Cheng Ningyu stopped in her tracks and turned back politely. But seeing Qingli’s unfamiliar face, she hesitated.
“May I ask who you are, miss? Is there something you need?”

Qingli’s maid quickly stepped forward to explain,
“Miss, this is Princess Leyi.”