Reborn as a Hatrack in the Mystical Land
Chapter 141 - 41: The Feast at Hong Gate_2

Chapter 141: Chapter 41: The Feast at Hong Gate_2

Not having seen Yue Jinghua for a month, there was something different about her again. Her originally fair skin was now a healthy wheat color, her body clad in leather armor unlike the usual attire of court ladies, accentuating her curvaceous figure. The veil she used to wear to the palace banquets was now nowhere in sight.

Recalling the gossip and rumors that had reached his ears in recent days, Duke Fa Xiao Yi furrowed his handsome brows and set his wine cup down with a thud.

As the eunuch began to speak, he realized two lines of people were standing before him, causing his old face to redden with embarrassment, unsure of what to say next. Just then, he heard the sound of Prince Xiao Yi’s wine cup hitting the table not far behind him, making the eunuch even more nervous and causing him to stammer.

At this moment, the sisters from the Lie Family Mansion stood side by side, drawing conspicuous attention to themselves.

Feeling the malicious gaze of Duke Fa Xiao Yi, Yue Jinghua sneered inwardly.

No matter how deeply the "Yue Jinghua" of yesteryears was enamored with Duke Fa Xiao Yi, the current Yue Jinghua had absolutely no feelings towards the cold-faced Prince. Whether it was admiring flowers or eating, being in his presence made Yue Jinghua very uncomfortable.

Out of sight, out of mind, she was about to take Yue Chen to another side when snippets of conversation drifted to her ears.

"Yue Jinghua really has no shame. She doesn’t even consider her own status, attending today’s imperial family banquet is already a tremendous grace."

"Look at what she’s wearing; it’s neither here nor there. Could it be that the Yue Family has fallen so far that they can’t even afford a proper dress?"

"Just as I thought, this palace banquet has its own hierarchy. Look at her, daring to sit by Prince Xiao Yi’s table, not fearing that her presence might freeze everyone’s gaze."

"Sit... over there," Yue Jinghua’s hand was gently shaken by the little boy Yue Chen, who looked towards the table next to Duke Fa Xiao Yi.

It was Yue Chen’s first time in the Little Shang Palace, and his eyes sparkled with joy when he saw the various precious flowers outside the palace. Unfortunately for Duke Fa Xiao Yi, a pot of spiritual snow jade flowers was placed right behind him.

Yue Jinghua smiled slightly, fondly patting the little boy’s head. "You may."

Seeing Yue Jinghua standing still, Lie Sisi and her female companion chuckled lightly and started to move forward.

"Thank you, Eunuch, for showing the way," said Yue Jinghua, stepping forward to block the path of Lie Sisi and her companion.

"Yue Jinghua, what makes you think you deserve to sit there? The table next to Prince Fa is naturally for Sisi. What is your status, and what is hers?" Lie Sisi’s companion raised her voice, drawing curious glances from those nearby.

Those invited to this banquet primarily fulfilled a few criteria: they were from leading families of the Shang Kingdom and were typically the successors of their family’s second generation.

While they might come alone, each person represented numerous labels: a promising Dark Practitioner, a second-generation successor of an elite family, or other various appellations.

However, Yue Jinghua was the anomaly among them. Her family had fallen, and she was known as a good-for-nothing without any achievements; in the eyes of these so-called Shang Kingdom elites, she was merely someone who deserved to stay in a corner gnawing on a steamed bun so shabby that even dogs would disdain.

"What is my status, and what is hers? That’s a good question," Yue Jinghua pointed to her own face and then to Lie Sisi, her eyes brimming with intense mockery.

"My first identity is the daughter of the present Empress Dowager, second, I am the future Princess consort of Prince Xiao Yi, third, I am the legitimate eldest granddaughter of the Lie Family Mansion, and fourth, I am an elite student who defeated a group of good-for-nothings at the Xuanji Academy. Combined, are these four identities sufficient to warrant that seat?"

Her words were clear and measured, each one dropping like pearls and jades, resonating clearly to the more than a hundred people present.

Lie Sisi’s face changed immediately, and she looked towards Duke Fa Xiao Yi with a look of grievance.

Duke Fa Xiao Yi’s face still held a trace of astonishment. Their encounters at palace banquets had been few, and each time, she would hide in an inconspicuous corner, stealthily observing him. When had she become so articulate like today, turning the tables to criticize others? Her simple attire today only seemed to add a few points of undeniable sharpness to her.

No, Duke Fa Xiao Yi immediately refuted in his heart; it was Lie Sisi who was the future successor of the Lie Family Mansion. Her looks and cultivation were more fitting for him.

However... Duke Fa Xiao Yi couldn’t help but look towards Yue Jinghua, who was also looking over. Her clear eyes carried a hint of mockery, as if she had long anticipated his choice.

"The Consort has arrived," said the Empress Dowager of the Shang Kingdom, speaking of Duke Fa Xiao Yi’s mother, the Feise Empress Dowager.

Yue Jinghua felt a burst of brightness before her. The attractive visage of Duke Fa Xiao Yi was indeed inherited from this widely renowned Feise Empress Dowager.

The Feise Empress Dowager looked to be at most in her twenties, her skin fair as snow, dressed in a purple and gold silk gown, with a slender waist, slightly upturned beautiful eyes, and a hint of a smile playing on her lips.

"Sisi, you’ve come at last. I’ve been meaning to discuss some issues on the Alchemy Dao with you. The Snow Skin Pills you gave me before are indeed very effective. You may sit next to me, closer to this palace," said the Feise Empress Dowager as she spoke, her voice not only beautiful but as melodious as the oriole. No wonder the ignorant Second Prince mistook her for his sister.

The Feise Empress Dowager walked up and took Lie Sisi by the hand, intending to move forward, completely ignoring Yue Jinghua.

After hearing this, Duke Fa Xiao Yi also understood that his mother was reminding him that Lie Sisi was his rightful match.

What had happened to him? Since when had he started to consider Yue Jinghua’s opinions?

Silent, Duke Fa Xiao Yi picked up the cup on the table and took a sip.

The Feise Empress Dowager has never been particularly fond of Yue Jinghua, firstly for disliking her appearance, and secondly, for the slanders that had been spread about Yue Jinghua outside not long ago.

Lie Sisi immediately brightened up, walked towards the table near Duke Fa Xiao Yi with her companions, and before leaving, she did not forget to give Yue Jinghua a slight bow, saying indifferently, "Cousin Jinghua, I have overstepped my bounds."

Lie Sisi went over and sat down, smugly looking at Yue Jinghua with triumph on her face.

"The Empress Dowager has arrived," another announcement rang out as the Empress Dowager arrived, gracefully accompanied by Lie Rou.

Days earlier, the incident where the elder princess addressed the Feise Empress Dowager as "sister" and the Empress Dowager as "grandmother" had been spread by those with agendas.

At today’s palace banquet, the Feise Empress Dowager made an extra effort with her makeup, not expecting that as soon as the Empress Dowager appeared, the ladies from other palaces began to congratulate her on her radiant appearance.

In just a few days, the Empress Dowager’s appearance seemed to have rejuvenated by ten years, with some resemblance to her initial days at the palace. Her hair was dark as ink, her face without a single wrinkle, and with the dignified grace of a motherly figure, the aura she exuded matched the presence of the Feise Empress Dowager.

"Jinghua, we haven’t seen each other for many days, let me take a good look at you. Don’t just stand there, come sit with Xiao Yi. The two of you are already engaged, it’s official, you’re practically family. Why sit separately? Sitting together will be good for sharing your hearts," the Empress Dowager glanced subtly at Lie Sisi, who was shaking hands and chatting with the Consort, cursing inwardly: "A seductress will always be a seductress, even daring to meddle with the marriage I have decreed. I will not let your wishes be fulfilled."

Upon hearing this, Lie Sisi’s expression changed.

Little boy Yue Chen, upon hearing that he would have to sit away from Yue Jinghua, scrunched his face into a pout, almost resembling a steamed bun.

Hongling hurriedly stepped forward to console Yue Chen.

Yue Jinghua cursed inwardly, the old lady Empress Dowager sure liked to meddle with people’s fates. If she sat beside Duke Fa Xiao Yi, how could she find an opportunity to go looking for the Gold-eating Worm?

Thinking about how to slip away, Yue Jinghua reluctantly made her way to Duke Fa Xiao Yi’s table.

As she approached Lie Sisi’s table, a foot protruded from underneath, and upon looking at Lie Sisi, one could see a smile on her face but a jealous gleam in her eyes.

The mischief in Yue Jinghua’s eyes intensified. You wish to trick me? Try in your next life.

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