Shangguan Luoyue’s slender fingertips suddenly gripped the corner of the table.
What did this person mean?
Did “she” know something?
At that moment, “Jiang Xingyan” gracefully rose to her feet. Every move she made was filled with the poise of a noble lady, without a single breach of etiquette.
Shangguan Luoyue’s eyes, hidden behind her mask, stared intently at “her,” trying to catch a clue from her face.
Yet, all she saw was a subtle, respectful smile with downcast eyes.
Could it be that she was overthinking things?
How infuriating!
This person looked almost exactly like the despicable woman in her foster father’s treasured portrait.
Especially those eyes—even the coquettish charm in them was inherited completely.
Anyone who saw her would immediately recognize them as mother and daughter.
Back then, she had only stolen a glance at that painting and was punished by her foster father to kneel for three days and three nights.
This showed how important that woman was in her foster father’s heart.
She had thought that no matter how important, she was nothing more than a dead woman.
But unexpectedly, a few days ago, after several nights of nightmares, her foster father resolutely abandoned Daxia, leaving it unattended, and insisted on coming to Xizhou.
He wouldn’t even travel with her and the guards.
Fortunately, Beiluo’s letter asking for help gave her a reason to follow.
Even so, at the border between the two countries, her foster father forced her to go ahead.
He even set a time for her arrival in Xizhou, allowing no delay.
Now, she had no idea where her foster father had gone.
If he found this person, her good days would truly come to an end.
She would never allow that to happen!
She, Shangguan Luoyue, was her foster father’s only daughter.
She was the future ruler of Daxia!
Since fate had let her meet Jiang Xingyan first, wasn’t that a sign for her to strike preemptively and eliminate her before her foster father found her?
Shangguan Luoyue suppressed the venomous desire to tear apart the face before her and let out a soft laugh:
“Madam Jiang is truly a breathtaking beauty. No wonder General Huo, despite talking about divorce, still can’t let you go.”
The Queen clicked her tongue inwardly.
Princess Huaiwan appeared harmless, yet she was so duplicitous, with a honeyed tongue but a venomous heart.
Wasn’t she blatantly telling Madam Jiang that her husband was preparing to take a new wife and was currently on the lookout?
Huo Ci understood all too well the reasoning behind A Yan’s actions—she simply wanted to exchange their souls back sooner and be rid of him.
Thinking of his heartfelt words from the night before, a bitter taste flooded his mouth.
The only thing he could do was to let her go and grant her wish.
Shangguan Luoyue didn’t see the pain or helplessness she had hoped for on “Jiang Xingyan’s” face. Instead, she saw a bitter sense of relief.
Huo Ci replied respectfully: “Whatever my husband does or says is always reasonable.
As his wife, even if we are divorced, I must abide by his decisions and must not speak recklessly.”
Shangguan Luoyue felt like she had punched cotton—her efforts had been futile, making her seem unreasonable.
The Queen quickly stepped in to mediate.
This princess was not someone they could afford to offend!
“Alright, alright. Matters within the inner quarters are like drinking water—only the one drinking knows whether it’s hot or cold.
Madam Jiang has had her share of hardships. Let’s not dwell on your sorrows.”
—She’s not without sorrow, she’s just putting on a brave face.
Shangguan Luoyue caught the underlying meaning in the Queen’s words and lowered her head with a faint smile: “Very well, very well. I’ll listen to the Queen.
But Madam Jiang, if you must weep through the long night, do so in moderation.
If your eyes swell and your beauty is ruined, won’t that make it even harder to win back General Huo’s heart?”
Though Huo Ci’s heart ached, he would not allow anyone to belittle A Yan like this.
“Princess Huaiwan, if I may clarify: it was not General Huo who cast me aside, but I who proposed the divorce.
Regardless of what General Huo may think, I am determined not to turn back.
If you doubt me, feel free to ask him yourself.”
Her words were neither servile nor overbearing, carrying a hint of Jiang Xingyan’s true spirit.
Xia Feng and Dong Yang, who were attending her from behind, were taken aback. They hadn’t expected their former master’s husband to say something so considerate of their young lady.
Shangguan Luoyue’s expression shifted several times.
Fortunately, her mask concealed most of it.
She had pursued Huo Ci eagerly, not only because she fancied his handsome appearance but also because she believed he was the husband Jiang Xingyan longed for but couldn’t have.
If she could make him her consort, wouldn’t that be akin to trampling Jiang Xingyan underfoot?
To think she had almost picked up something someone else had discarded.
Why bother entangling herself with him and risk being looked down upon?
Now, that Imperial Advisor was much more to her taste.
Even if she couldn’t make him her consort, a little flirtation wouldn’t hurt.
“…I won’t intrude further on the Queen and Princess Huaiwan’s reunion. I take my leave.”
While Shangguan Luoyue was lost in thought, she heard “Jiang Xingyan” preparing to leave and quickly stopped her:
“Wait!”
Huo Ci turned back. Though his expression showed no displeasure, the aura around him suddenly turned cold, sending chills down one’s spine.
Even the Queen, who prided herself on her composure, shivered.
Shangguan Luoyue was emboldened by her status. She raised her chin and pointed at the food box she had brought.
“The Queen said these are pastries newly developed by Madam Jiang’s shop.
Why doesn’t Madam Jiang serve them to Her Majesty?
It would be a great way to promote your business.
Isn’t that the usual tactic of merchants?”
This blatant insult was no longer concealed.
Huo Ci didn’t respond. Instead, he turned to the Queen, seeking her opinion with his gaze.
The Queen was more than happy to have someone put “Jiang Xingyan” in her place. Though she had copied the Book of Etiquette a hundred times, her maternal family’s standing in the emperor’s eyes had suffered irreparable damage.
“Princess Huaiwan has traveled a long way and is naturally curious about Xizhou’s delicacies.
It’s best if you stay. Introduce these new pastries to the princess in detail.
Perhaps she can bring them back to Daxia and help expand your business.”
Huo Ci watched the two women, each with their own hidden agendas, and sneered inwardly.
Weren’t they just trying to humiliate her?
And yet neither wanted to take responsibility, shifting the blame onto the other. How ridiculous.
He wanted to leave, but the constraints of court etiquette and the fear of implicating A Yan forced him to endure.
He stepped forward and opened the food box. A rich, sweet aroma filled the air, making one’s mouth water and fingers itch to taste.
The attending eunuchs and maids stepped forward with silver needles, ready to inspect the pastries.
But Shangguan Luoyue sharply halted them: “You servants, do you not understand your mistress’s arrangements?
All serving duties are to be handled by Madam Jiang personally.”
The Queen frowned, feeling that Shangguan Luoyue’s arrogance might backfire.
Before she could mediate, she heard “Jiang Xingyan” sneer: “Heh, Princess Huaiwan certainly wields great authority.
I’ve heard that Lord Shangguan, the ruler of Daxia, is known for his love for his people, his kindness, and his humility. I wonder how he would feel knowing that his adopted daughter is in Xizhou, bullying a defenseless woman with such arrogance?”
Huo Ci deliberately emphasized the words “adopted daughter,” striking a nerve. Just as Shangguan Luoyue was about to erupt, a spirited voice rang out from outside Kunning Palace:
“Where is Huo Jiangshi?
Don’t think you can hide in Kunning Palace and escape me.
Your husband, Huo Ci, caused my son to be publicly beaten with seventy heavy strokes in court.
I’m here to settle this score with you!”