Chapter 28: The Princess Pays a Visit

"What a complete waste of a spot to enter the palace! If it were our Qian-er, who knows what kind of fortune she might have had. I don't know who she learned these tricks from—she's moved into the Prince's residence, yet hasn't sent a single word. As soon as she returns, she starts putting on airs. If she actually manages to enter the Prince's household later, that would be one thing, but if not, who knows how much the Xu family will be ridiculed! Even your official reputation as a father will be affected!"

The Old Madam vented her complaints at Xu Guodong. That dead girl—she had good things but didn't know to show filial piety to her elders, giving them only to those two shameless wretches instead. This was clearly a deliberate slap in the face to her, the old woman!

"Mother, please don't say that. The Fifth Miss is quite capable. Once she enters the Prince's residence in the future, we will all bask in her glory," Aunt Qiu said with a sour tone.

"I wouldn't dare count on that glory..." The Old Madam gave a cold snort and glanced at the items Yunxiang had delivered.

"Enough, both of you, say less," Xu Guodong muttered with a cough, assuming the posture of the head of the household. "Failing to be selected was within expectations. It can be considered a chance for her to have seen the palace and broadened her horizons; at least my efforts as a father weren't entirely in vain. Isn't she sick? I shall go and check on her."

If she could send such valuable gifts, Prince Su must still value the Fifth Girl to some extent.

"That's right, the Fifth Girl is ill; perhaps she didn't want to pass the sickness to the Old Madam. We shall go and see her as well," Madam Qiu said, seizing the opportunity to take Aunt Meng away. If the Fifth Girl couldn't stay in the palace but had found some other fortune, it would surely infuriate them.

Just as they were about to leave, a servant hurried in to report. "Master, Madam... there is an honorable guest outside the manor wishing to see the Fifth Miss!"

The mention of an "honorable guest" energized everyone.

"An honorable guest looking for the Fifth Girl? Could it be... quickly, invite them in! Someone, go and bring the Fifth Miss out! I will go to greet them; you all wait here." Xu Guodong assumed it was Prince Su.

The servant looked embarrassed and hurriedly explained, "Master, the honorable guest said they would not come inside..."

"The Prince won't come inside?!"

The Prince? The servant paused and continued, "Master, it is not the Prince, it is... it is a Princess, she says... Princess Nianzhao! The entourage is quite grand; they even have a ceremonial guard."

"A Princess? Nianzhao..." It wasn't Prince Su? Xu Guodong frowned, then his eyes widened as he asked urgently, "Princess Nianzhao from the Grand Princess's mansion?"

"It seems to be... it is the ceremonial guard of the Grand Princess's mansion."

"Good heavens... hurry and urge the Fifth Girl. Tell her to be quick; we cannot keep the Princess waiting. Mother, you all hurry and tidy yourselves up to go and meet her."

The Old Madam was still confused by the situation, but seeing her son so agitated and nervous, she decided not to ask questions and quickly tidied her appearance.

"Master, who is this Princess? Why are you so nervous?" Aunt Qiu asked boldly, relying on her favored status. Madam Qiu felt a wave of anxiety—how did the Fifth Girl get involved with a Princess from the Grand Princess's mansion? Did she meet her in the palace? Didn't she only stay there for one night?

"Don't ask for now. In a moment, just be respectful and bow; do not say too much, lest you offend a noble." Behind Princess Nianzhao stood the Grand Princess, whose power swayed the entire imperial court!

Xu Guodong felt uneasy as well, but not daring to delay, he tidied himself and led the others to pay their respects.

Inside, Zhao Jiao heard the news and rose calmly. Coming so promptly—they must know she had just returned from Prince Su's residence.

"Miss... if you don't want to see her, you don't have to!" Liuxu's words left Yunxiang, who had come to relay the message, stunned. A Princess had come to the door; could the Miss just say she wouldn't see her?

Zhao Jiao tightened her windbreaker and said softly, "Since she has come and even brought the Grand Princess's ceremonial guard, it would be unreasonable for me not to see her. You stay here! I will go and take a look."

Was this a visit to apologize or to show off? Back in the day, even she, a true Princess, hadn't had such a grand procession. However... this ceremonial guard must be the wish of Yin Ling. Using Feng Yu'er to build her own reputation while simultaneously teaching Feng Yu'er a lesson—it seemed she really had ruined the marriage between Feng Yu'er and Yin Changli. Otherwise, Yin Ling wouldn't have let Feng Yu'er come here to embarrass herself. This also confirmed her suspicion: the Empress Dowager and Yin Ling were not in agreement regarding the choice of the Crown Princess!

At the gates of the Xu manor, Feng Yu'er had already stepped out of her carriage and stood upright at the entrance, attended by four maids. Behind her was the Grand Princess's ceremonial guard and old women holding stacks of paper. This spectacle had already drawn a crowd of onlookers.

"The ceremonial guard of the Grand Princess's mansion... it seems to be Princess Nianzhao. Your Highness, should we go over and take a look?" Nearby, Yin Changli and several young noblemen happened to be passing by.

"The Xu manor..." Yin Changli looked at the plaque on the gate, lost in thought.

"It seems to be the residence of Censor-in-Chief Xu Guodong. Oh, by the way, I heard some rumors today—they say a young lady from the Xu family went to the palace to be selected but failed, and instead of coming home, she moved into Prince Su's residence..." a young man in blue brocade said with a mocking expression.

The events in the palace were kept strictly confidential by order of the Empress Dowager, so they hadn't spread outside yet, but the news of Zhao Jiao moving into Prince Su's residence had spread like wildfire. Yin Changli said nothing and turned to leave silently. Once he left, the other young men had no choice but to follow.

When Xu Guodong came out and saw Feng Yu'er, he bowed with a fawning smile. "Your Highness, forgive us for not greeting you sooner!"

"Greetings, Your Highness!" Madam Qiu and the others followed, not daring to be negligent.

"Master Xu, you are too kind. I have come here today on my mother's behalf specifically to apologize to the Fifth Miss of your household. Where is she?"

Apologize? On the Grand Princess's orders? Xu Guodong's face turned pale with fright—that dead girl had truly caused a disaster!

"Your Highness, why do you say that? How could my daughter be worthy of such an honor? Your Highness, did my daughter commit some indiscretion in the palace? Please be magnanimous and overlook her faults; I will have her apologize properly to you in a moment..."

"Don't bother, I cannot accept such an apology! Master Xu, your daughter is quite something; I should be the one apologizing to her instead." Feng Yu'er spoke coldly and sharply, making Xu Guodong's heart race with terror.

"I told you we shouldn't have let her go! She has truly offended a noble. Your Highness, please do not lower yourself to her level... I will surely discipline her properly later. Please calm your anger..." The Old Madam, relying on her seniority, spoke out of turn.

"Mother!" Madam Qiu and Xu Guodong exclaimed simultaneously. The Old Madam finally stopped, though she was clearly unconvinced. Why couldn't she speak?

Feng Yu'er sneered. What a bunch of people. How could such a family raise anything decent? What kind of taste did Prince Su have?

"Master Xu, the Fifth Miss puts on quite the airs, keeping our Princess waiting for so long. What is it? Does she need three invitations before she deigns to appear?" Qiaoxiu was full of suppressed anger, having received a beating herself, and naturally blamed it all on Zhao Jiao.

"Go and urge that wicked girl!" Xu Guodong's expression darkened, and he shouted toward the interior. He happened to see Zhao Jiao arriving late. Just as he was about to erupt, Zhao Jiao spoke first.

"Zhao Jiao has arrived late, keeping... *cough, cough*... Her Highness waiting..." Zhao Jiao appeared frail, leaning weakly against Yunxiang as she took small, slow steps.

"Jiao-er! Why are you so ill..." Aunt Meng finally saw her daughter, and her eyes turned red at the sight. She hurried forward to support her.

"Your Highness, please forgive her. My daughter did not intend to be disrespectful; she is truly very ill..." Madam Qiu was quick-witted and immediately interjected.

With so many people watching, Feng Yu'er couldn't lash out; otherwise, it would look like she was bullying a sick person.

"It seems the Fifth Miss is indeed quite ill. Master Xu, why didn't you say so earlier? Had I known, I would have gone inside to see her myself." Feng Yu'er's words were laced with sarcasm and frustration.

As Xu Guodong pondered how to respond, Zhao Jiao spoke again.

"Your Highness... you are too kind. May I ask what is the purpose of your personal visit?"

She played dumb, feigning ignorance. Since the other party had come to her door looking for trouble, she couldn't let them leave empty-handed!