She pointed delicately at the chests behind her. "Be careful! My belongings are very precious!"
"If you dare break anything, I'll break your legs!"
Hearing the commotion, the gatekeeper hurried out to inquire.
"Excuse me, Miss, who are you looking for?"
Yunmeng smugly raised her chin. "Are you blind? I am the niece of the Princess Consort! Hurry up and announce my arrival!"
Upon hearing this, the gatekeeper hastily went inside to report.
Xiao Yi was having Ling Yu pack things up. Hearing the gatekeeper's report, he paused.
This person had arrived at just the right time.
"Ling Yu, take her to the second gate."
"Also, have someone inform the Princess Consort."
"Yes, sir." Ling Yu left with the gatekeeper.
Xiao Yi did not take the matter to heart. He picked up a chess piece from the side and placed it in the middle of the board.
When the Princess Consort of Pingyang heard that her niece from her maiden family had arrived, she could not help but stand up.
"Baihe, go and bring her in."
"Yes, Your Highness." Baihe curtsied and walked out.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang paced happily around the room.
She wondered which niece her sister-in-law had agreed to send over.
Was it Yunxi, or Yunjing?
However, no matter who it was, she would be pleased.
Soon, footsteps sounded outside the door.
A girl walked in and called out loudly.
"Aunt!"
The Princess Consort of Pingyang looked at Yunmeng in front of her and blinked.
Was she dreaming or seeing things? Why was she seeing Yunmeng?
"Aunt? What's wrong? Do you not recognize me?"
Yunmeng happily walked up to the Princess Consort of Pingyang. She eyed the large chests in the room, a look of envy appearing on her face.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang finally realized that she was neither dreaming nor seeing things.
She looked at Baihe, and Baihe gently shook her head, indicating that there was no one else.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang put on a stern face and sat down.
"Yunmeng, come sit down. Aunt has something to ask you!"
Yunmeng held her temper. "What does Aunt want to ask?"
"Tell Aunt the truth. Did you sneak over here behind your family's back?"
Yunmeng blinked, a puzzled expression on her face.
"Aunt, Grandmother told me to come!"
"Grandmother said I should follow Aunt to see the world, so I can marry into a good family in the future!"
The Princess Consort of Pingyang rubbed her forehead and waved her hand at Baihe.
Baihe hurriedly ordered the maids who were packing things in the room to withdraw.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang looked at Yunmeng, who was glancing all around, feeling somewhat resigned.
"Is it just you? Where are your third and fifth sisters?"
Yunmeng looked completely baffled.
"Third Sister and Fifth Sister are at home, of course! They are so stupid. Grandmother said to let them go together."
"But they said they couldn't cause trouble for Aunt!"
"Aunt, we are family. How could it be called causing trouble? Aunt, tell me, am I right?"
The Princess Consort of Pingyang forced a smile. "Right."
Receiving validation, Yunmeng immediately became smug.
"Right? My mother says that a parent's love for their child means planning far ahead for them."
"Eldest Aunt can't compare to my mother at all!"
The Princess Consort of Pingyang felt a stir in her heart and asked probingly.
"Was it your mother who suggested you follow me to the capital?"
Yunmeng spotted the jewelry on the dressing table, and her eyes were instantly drawn to it.
"Yes! Mother said that Aunt is a Princess Consort, and as Aunt's niece, I will also marry into the royal family in the future."
"Then my brothers will be able to enjoy the blessings, unlike Aunt, who married a down-and-out prince, causing Father and the others to not benefit at all!"
The Princess Consort of Pingyang had just reached out for her teacup; after a busy morning, she had not even had time for a sip of tea.
As a result, she heard Yunmeng's speech.
With a crash, the teacup fell to the floor and shattered.
"Is that what your mother said?" The Princess Consort of Pingyang's hands were trembling slightly.
Hearing the sound of the shattering teacup, Yunmeng finally and reluctantly tore her gaze away.
She looked at the Princess Consort of Pingyang, whose face was extremely dark, and felt a bit scared.
"I didn't say anything!"
Yunmeng vaguely realized she had said something she shouldn't have, and flatly denied it.
Anyway, there was no one else in the room. Besides, those words were said by her mother, not her.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang stared dead at Yunmeng, her fingernails digging hard into her palms.
The sharp pain forced the Princess Consort of Pingyang to calm down.
Yunmeng was just a child. No matter how angry she got, it was useless.
If she did anything to this child, people would point fingers and curse her behind her back.
No!
She could not take this niece to the capital!
She had to be sent away immediately!
"Someone come!" the Princess Consort of Pingyang called toward the outside.
Lianxin and Baihe walked in. "Your Highness!"
"Lianxin, have someone clean this up, and keep an eye on the young miss!"
The Princess Consort of Pingyang stood up. Yunmeng panicked and reached out to stop her.
"Aunt, where are you going?"
Inside her sleeves, the Princess Consort of Pingyang's hands were clenched tightly into fists.
"I am going to speak with the Prince. Do you want to come?"
Yunmeng shook her head vigorously.
When it came to this uncle, she was terrified of him!
Just being glared at by those eyes made her feel like a hole was being burned right through her.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang gave Lianxin a meaningful look and walked out.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang walked faster and faster, her skirt flying up to reveal her embroidered shoes.
Behind her, Baihe looked surprised, lifted her skirt, and chased after her.
"Your Highness! Your Highness!" Baihe called out in a low voice.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang walked until a thin layer of sweat broke out on her skin before she finally slowed her pace.
Hate them as she might, they were still her maiden family.
She had to think about how she was going to explain this to the Prince.
Also, how could she smoothly send Yunmeng back?
After all, Yunmeng had been spoiled rotten by her mother.
It was easy to invite a troublesome guest in, but hard to send them away!
The Princess Consort of Pingyang arrived at the outer courtyard study, and the guards at the door hurriedly bowed.
"Is the Prince available? I have something to discuss with him."
"Please wait a moment, Your Highness. This subordinate will go and report." The guard knocked on the door and entered the room.
Soon, the guard came out and bowed.
"Your Highness, the Prince says you may enter."
The Princess Consort of Pingyang straightened her clothes and walked into the study.
Xiao Yi was holding a chess piece, studying the board. Beside him, Ling Yu saw the Princess Consort of Pingyang and hastily set down what he was holding to bow.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang nodded and walked up to Xiao Yi.
Xiao Yi looked up and noticed that the Princess Consort of Pingyang did not look well.
He glanced at Ling Yu, who nodded, retreated outside, and closed the door.
"Why did you come over? Didn't you say your niece arrived? Why aren't you keeping her company?"
Xiao Yi placed the chess piece back into the box.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang sat down opposite Xiao Yi, anxiously twisting the handkerchief in her hands.
Xiao Yi calmly watched her small movements without making a sound.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang bit her lip and mustered her courage.
"My Lord, I wish to have someone send her back!"
A flash of surprise crossed Xiao Yi's eyes.
"Have you thought this through?"
The Princess Consort of Pingyang nodded with absolute certainty. "I have thought it through!"
Xiao Yi pondered for a moment. "Someone come!"
Ling Yu pushed the door open and entered.
