Typically, according to the customs of the time, married daughters wouldn’t face repercussions for their family’s actions, and only Ji Shuxin would be expected to attend.
The Ministry of Rites hadn’t even arranged a place for her.
But now that she had returned home after the divorce, the situation was different. The empress had always liked her, and upon hearing about her return, she worried about Qingli being looked down upon and specifically mentioned her to the emperor.
Thus, the emperor decreed her attendance.
Qingli was left speechless.
The eunuch delivering the decree was doing a favor for both the empress and her, and the weight of this imperial grace was both amusing and bewildering. Nonetheless, Qingli expressed her gratitude and rewarded the eunuch with a generous red envelope.
With just over ten days before the banquet, she hurriedly prepared new garments and jewelry, finally completing everything the day before the event.
On the day of the banquet, dressed to the nines, Qingli rode in a carriage to the palace.
As the carriage door opened, Ji Shuxin extended his hand. “Sister, come down.”
Qingli placed her hand in his, lifting her skirt with the other, using his assistance to gracefully leap down. Just as she was about to smile at her considerate younger brother, she caught sight of a familiar yet unfamiliar figure across the way.
Despite the distance, a strange connection seemed to spark between them.
The onlookers noticed the moment, their expressions shifting to curiosity and surprise.
What a coincidence!
Seeing Qingli gaze in that direction, Ji Shuxin followed suit but quickly averted his eyes, frowning as he whispered, “What bad luck.”
Qingli stood tall, hands resting on her abdomen, poised. After their brief exchange of glances, she offered a warm smile, treating the situation as though the other person were merely an acquaintance rather than a former rival, then lowered her eyes and walked ahead, playfully remarking, “Be careful; this is the royal palace.”
Ji Shuxin rolled his eyes but nodded obediently. “Got it.”
The Prince of Yu took a few steps but suddenly noticed his daughter lagging, turning to ask, “Tingxue, what’s wrong?”
Jiang Tingxue snapped back to reality, quickly joining her father, shaking her head with a faint, bittersweet smile. “Nothing.”
The Prince of Yu, in his forties but appearing youthful, was strikingly handsome despite a scar marring his cheek, giving him an unexpectedly fierce aura.
At that moment, he frowned, giving off a fierce impression. “Tingxue, you are my daughter, a member of the Jiang royal family. If you have something to say, just say it—being timid is pointless!”
Jiang Tingxue looked startled and quickly nodded, explaining softly, “I just… just saw Miss Ji from the Ji family.”
After saying this, she lowered her gaze, her eyes slightly reddened.
What she saw was a woman dressed in exquisite clothing, adorned with beautiful jade bracelets on her wrists, and a stunning headpiece. Even her shoes had two round, lustrous pearls.
Her father had told her that attending the national banquet was an opportunity, and she once felt that the lofty Zheng family was not even worthy. Yet here she was, easily able to attend.
Originally, as a concubine in the Zheng household, she had been looked down upon by some servants. Even Zhang, the matriarch, subtly reminded her on her first day to be mindful of her status and to produce heirs for the Zheng family.
After her identity as the king’s daughter was revealed, Zhang never uttered a single disparaging word again.
Her identity and status had risen significantly, and she thought she would bask in the envious gazes of others. However, Ji Qingli’s smile just now left her feeling utterly ashamed.
Since that day, she hadn’t seen Ji Qingli again, and to her surprise, Ji had not become despondent at all; in fact, she seemed even more radiant. When she saw Ji Qingli, there was no hint of disdain in her expression, even though she was the king’s daughter—she remained fearless.
Jiang Tingxue bit her lip, trying to appear more pitiful.
Upon hearing the words “Miss Ji,” the King’s expression darkened as expected. He glanced at the already vanished Queen and heir, hesitating for a moment. As a prince, he had to maintain a certain decorum towards her, despite his feelings. He said, “You are my daughter, so why be afraid? Just go over and greet her; she might even bow to you!”
Jiang Tingxue felt a bit disappointed, but hearing his words, she nodded obediently, “I will listen to Father.”
The King smiled gently, leaving the attendants beside her while he hurried to catch up with the Queen. Lately, the Queen had been behaving oddly, entering the palace alone—was she trying to attract ridicule?
Jiang Tingxue watched his hurried back, took a deep breath, and stepped toward Ji Qingli.
Gasps erupted around her.
Those observing were stunned.
Could they fight?
While pretending to head toward the palace gate, everyone discreetly moved closer to the two women, eager to gather gossip.
Meanwhile, Qingli found her path blocked and had to stop, looking at the person in front of her.
Jiang Tingxue walked too quickly, and her palms grew sweaty. After waiting a moment and seeing that the other hadn’t spoken, she directly said, “Sister Ji, it’s been a while. How have you been?”
Qingli’s smile deepened; indeed, her tone was different now, more assertive than before. She nodded slightly, “Thank you for your concern; I’m doing well.”
A slightly plump eunuch left behind by the King immediately piped up, “How bold! Do you not bow before the King’s daughter?”
Jiang Tingxue smirked, tilting her chin slightly as if expecting Ji Qingli to bow.
Season Shuxin’s expression darkened as he stepped forward, wanting to speak.
Qingli, as if she had eyes in the back of her head, reached out to stop him, smiling pleasantly. “I am not a royal, but I haven’t been out much lately and am unaware of many things. May I ask whether this princess is a county princess or perhaps a lady from the countryside?”
Jiang Tingxue’s smile vanished, her lips pressed tightly together as she stared at her.
Even though she was of royal blood, the royal clan did not acknowledge her and did not grant her any title. Many people in the capital knew this, and she felt it was a deliberate humiliation.
Qingli blinked in confusion. “What’s wrong? Did I say something incorrect?”
The eunuch’s face darkened, retorting sharply, “Miss Ji has a way with words, but regardless, the King’s daughter is still of higher status than you—so you will bow!”
Qingli straightened her face. “This esteemed eunuch, while I am not of royal blood, my father is a general of Jiang. What gives you the right to speak to me like this?”
The pale-faced eunuch was taken aback by her counter, realizing this was not the King’s territory but the capital, and the person before him was not some maid. Gritting his teeth, he reluctantly said, “It was my mistake; I ask for your forgiveness, Miss Ji.”
Only then did Qingli smile and say, “That’s more like it.” She glanced at Jiang Tingxue and gracefully curtsied, cheerfully saying, “However, this esteemed eunuch is right; I should pay my respects. I greet… Lady Su, or should I say, Lady Jiang~”
This time, Jiang Tingxue’s face turned pale, her teeth clenched as she glared at Qingli, squeezing out a few words through her teeth: “Ji Qingli! What do you mean by that?!”
The senior eunuch trembled with anger; referring to her as a concubine was a deep humiliation for Jiang Tingxue. The King had even forbidden people from mentioning it, limiting the Zheng family to three days to prepare for the main wife’s banquet. Now, this person was brazenly provoking her—it was truly audacious!
But since Jiang Tingxue had no official title, he, as a mere eunuch, couldn’t suppress her!
Qingli feigned confusion. “What’s wrong?” She patted her forehead in regret and apologized: “Look at me, I said something wrong again. This lady…” Qingli pondered for a moment, realizing she truly could not address her properly. Without the Emperor’s decree, just calling her Miss Jiang wouldn’t suffice, she was married, but she had already made a mistake once and couldn’t repeat it.
So she opted for the straightforward title: “This King’s daughter!”
Jiang Tingxue: “???”
She was so angry she nearly fell over, almost biting her lip until it bled!
Qingli smiled slowly. “I haven’t been out much recently, so I’m unaware of many matters. If I have offended you, please forgive me; my father is still fighting on the front lines. If he hears that I’m not feeling well, it could disturb his focus and affect military matters. Don’t you agree?”
A chuckle escaped from nearby, unable to be stifled.
Ji Qingli was truly ruthless, delivering a verbal assault that felt like grinding someone’s face into the ground!
“Ji Qingli!!!” Jiang Tingxue was so furious she burst into tears, her pale face turning as red as a monkey’s butt.
She looked around, noticing that the crowd that had gathered was now avoiding her, but the smirks on their faces were unmistakable—they were all mocking her!
Realizing this, Jiang Tingxue felt even more humiliated and furious. She stomped her foot in frustration, lifted her skirt, and ran away.
The senior eunuch glared at Qingli with malice before hastily chasing after her. “Miss, slow down~”
Sam Williams On TYMIMA Chapter 152