The Princess Consort of Pingyang swiftly caught the jade Buddha hand, glaring unkindly at Yunmeng.
"Just now, Duoduo said you wanted to break this jade Buddha hand, but I didn't believe it."
As it turned out, golden text had suddenly appeared before Duoduo's eyes earlier.
[Could that Yunmeng be trying to shatter the jade Buddha hand and frame Duoduo?]
[Someone hurry and stop her!]
[Breaking an imperially bestowed jade Buddha hand is a grave crime!]
The text before Duoduo's eyes kept refreshing so fast she could barely keep up.
Duoduo glanced back at Yunmeng and happened to see her edging toward the table where the jade Buddha hand was placed.
Feeling anxious, Duoduo hurried over to the Princess Consort of Pingyang.
"Mother," she said, tugging at the Princess Consort of Pingyang's sleeve.
"What is it?" The Princess Consort of Pingyang bent down.
Duoduo leaned into the Princess Consort of Pingyang's ear and whispered her discovery.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang turned around just in time to see Yunmeng crouching under the table to hide.
She gently patted the back of Duoduo's hand, signaling her not to panic.
When Yunmeng reached out to grab the jade Buddha hand, the Princess Consort of Pingyang stood right behind her.
"What are you doing?" the Princess Consort of Pingyang shouted sternly.
Yunmeng's hand trembled, and the jade Buddha hand slipped toward the ground.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang caught the jade Buddha hand with lightning speed.
Yunmeng's eyes darted around, and a timid expression appeared on her face.
"I was just curious and wanted to take a look."
Seeing the Princess Consort of Pingyang looking at her daughter with a severe expression, Madam Zhao hurriedly ran over and shielded the girl in her arms.
"Your Highness, the child is just being mischievous. I will discipline her properly when we get back."
"Quickly, Yunmeng, apologize to Her Highness," Madam Zhao said, holding Yunmeng tightly.
"I'm sorry!" Yunmeng replied in a very small voice.
"You may leave."
The Princess Consort of Pingyang simply couldn't tolerate it anymore.
"Your Highness, it's normal for children to be naughty. Since you haven't given birth to one yourself, you wouldn't understand."
Madam Zhao's words caused the expression of Madam Lin, who had rushed over, to drastically change.
"Your Highness, our mother-in-law is unwell, so we should head back to attend to her."
"Another day, when Your Highness has time, just send a message, and I will send someone to bring you back for a visit."
Madam Lin knew they couldn't stay any longer.
Otherwise, what was meant to be a congratulatory visit would turn into intentionally making enemies.
"Sister-in-law, mother specifically instructed us to spend more time with Her Highness." Madam Zhao didn't want to leave.
Many noblewomen were present today, and she wanted to take the opportunity to network.
"You're not leaving? Well, I am." Madam Lin glared at Madam Zhao, frustrated by her foolishness.
Just moments ago, she had finally found a suitable young lady and was in the middle of talking to her.
But then this sister-in-law and niece of hers had to cause trouble.
"Mother, I don't want to stay here." Yunmeng broke free from Madam Zhao's grasp.
"Aunt doesn't like me at all. She gave gifts to Third Sister and Fifth Sister, but nothing to me."
"I'm going back to tell Grandmother so she can seek justice for me!"
Slap!
Unable to bear it any longer, Madam Lin slapped Yunmeng across the face.
Yunmeng was stunned. She covered her face, too frightened to even cry.
Madam Zhao hugged Yunmeng, her heart aching, and looked at Madam Lin accusatorily.
"Sister-in-law, what did the child say wrong? How could you hit Yunmeng?"
Madam Lin's face turned cold. "Say one more word, and see if I don't slap you too!"
Madam Zhao noticed that many noblewomen were pointing and whispering in their direction.
Feeling utterly humiliated, she carried Yunmeng and walked out without even a word of farewell.
Madam Lin curtsied apologetically to the Princess Consort of Pingyang.
"I am truly sorry. Mother originally wanted us to come and offer our congratulations today."
The Princess Consort of Pingyang replied in a light tone, "It's fine. What Third Sister-in-law said wasn't entirely wrong. A married daughter is an outsider."
Madam Lin grew anxious.
"She is foolish, but are you going to be foolish too, little sister?"
"Which of your brothers doesn't treasure you like the apple of his eye? Saying something like that will only break their hearts."
The Princess Consort of Pingyang nodded.
"Sister-in-law, my brothers are good to me, but they also have their own small families to take care of."
Madam Lin wanted to persuade her further, but the Princess Consort of Pingyang raised her hand to stop her.
"Thank you, eldest brother and sister-in-law, for not looking down on me. I gladly accept your kind intentions."
"By the way, I prepared gifts for mother and my brothers. I've already had someone place them in your carriage."
"Then I will take my leave. I will come back another day to properly apologize."
Worried about that shallow mother-daughter pair, Madam Lin hurriedly left with Yunxi and Yunjing.
Duoduo felt a bit disappointed.
She had just found some playmates, and now they were all gone.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang gently stroked Duoduo's head, feeling quite upset herself.
She had three brothers in total. Growing up, she was closest to her second and third brothers.
Because her eldest brother was mature and very much like their father, they were all a bit afraid of him.
It was her second brother who first suggested that she go to school.
Her third brother taught her how to write her first word.
From childhood, her second and third brothers had been the brightest colors in her life.
However, as her brothers started their own families and she got married, she felt the distance between her and her family growing wider.
Especially after her father passed away and the Prince of Pingyang had his accident, she had almost completely lost contact with her maiden home.
Today, when her eldest and third sisters-in-law visited, the Princess Consort of Pingyang had been genuinely happy.
But she never expected it to end like this.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang felt deeply saddened.
Suddenly, a small hand gently touched her cheek.
"Mother, don't be sad."
The Princess Consort of Pingyang snapped back to reality and saw Duoduo standing before her with a worried expression.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang touched Duoduo's cheek. "Mother isn't sad. Mother is very happy."
Duoduo didn't believe her, but she still gave the Princess Consort of Pingyang a bright smile.
"Mother, you have to smile!"
Looking at her sweet and caring daughter, the Princess Consort of Pingyang suddenly felt her mood lighten.
What was there to be troubled about? She had a different life now.
She smiled back at Duoduo.
"Mother is so pretty!" Duoduo praised, tilting her head.
"Your Highness is truly blessed! Such a sweet child!"
A voice called out from the side.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang looked up. "Jinxin, you're here!"
The Princess Consort of Pingyang stood up and took the woman's hands.
Duoduo curiously observed the woman before her, who was dressed in a heroic and dashing manner.
Behind her stood another girl, also wearing pants and looking very neat and agile.
Jinxin smiled graciously and handed the small box she was holding to Duoduo.
"This is a gift from your auntie. Please don't mind its simplicity."
The Princess Consort of Pingyang laughed. "Jinxin, you're just the same as before, especially that mouth of yours."
Xu Jinxin rolled her eyes. "You mind? If you mind, I'll just leave..."
The Princess Consort of Pingyang quickly grabbed her. "Hey, since when did you become so petty? I just said one thing and you're leaving?"
"People change. Besides, I'm a woman. As the old saying goes, only women and petty men are hard to deal with."
"Alright, I can never win an argument against you. Come, Duoduo, this is my closest childhood friend. Call her Auntie Xu."
"Auntie Xu," Duoduo called out obediently.
"Su Xian, you really are lucky to have such a well-behaved daughter. It makes me jealous just looking at her."
"Mother!" the girl behind Xu Jinxin called out indignantly.
