The Grand Princess turned her head to cast a glance at her, frowning slightly.
A future Crown Princess, and even the mother of a nation, could not do without tolerance. After all, the Emperor's favor was something for favored concubines to vie for, while the Crown Princess and the Empress should focus on assisting the Crown Prince and managing the inner court.
But displeasure aside, the Emperor's decision to bestow a marriage arrangement between the Grand Tutor's legitimate daughter and the Crown Prince definitely had its considerations and absolutely could not be changed.
As the banquet drew to a close, the Grand Princess showed a hint of fatigue. The noble young ladies were very tactful and stood up to take their leave one after another.
In less than a quarter of an hour, the guests had completely cleared out. Only the Grand Princess, Tang Qingwan, and Liu Wanting remained in the hall.
Of course, there were also Cui Yunchu and Cui Yunfeng.
Cui Yunchu had no desire to get involved in Tang Qingwan's affairs; she knew she didn't have the brains for it anyway.
Cui Yunfeng was looking at Tang Qingwan with concern when someone poked her hard in the small of her back.
Let's go, Cui Yunchu signaled with her eyes.
Cui Yunfeng glared at her and didn't move.
Cui Yunchu urged, Let's go. If you're not leaving, I am.
Exasperated, Cui Yunfeng lowered her voice, Have you forgotten grandmother's teachings? A family must love and support each other, and be of one heart and mind. Our cousin is clearly in a difficult spot; how can we just leave her behind?
Cui Yunchu rolled her eyes and drawled, You say that as if there's anything you can do about it.
Cui Yunchu had long experienced Tang Qingwan's tactics. Even if she were at a disadvantage, she had more than enough ability to minimize her losses.
Besides, in her past life, Tang Qingwan had dealt with her quite a bit. Even though she had been in the wrong first, expecting her to be loving and affectionate with Tang Qingwan was simply impossible.
Since Cui Yunfeng wouldn't leave, Cui Yunchu couldn't exactly just walk out alone. Thus, the five of them formed a circle, and silence spread throughout the banquet hall.
The Grand Princess looked at Cui Yunfeng and Cui Yunchu with a smiling face, though her expression practically screamed: Do you two have any other business here?
Cui Yunfeng spoke up, Our grandmother hasn't seen our cousin for some days and misses her quite a bit. When I came, grandmother repeatedly instructed me to bring our cousin back with us to ease her longing.
Hearing this, the Grand Princess's slight displeasure toward Tang Qingwan quickly dissipated.
Backing Tang Qingwan was not only the Tang family but also an uncle who was the Prime Minister, as well as the Cui family. Liu Wanting was important, sure, but compared to Tang Qingwan, she fell far short.
The position of Crown Princess could only, and must, belong to Tang Qingwan.
Old Madam Cui is in good health, and with plenty of free time, it's only natural that she misses you younger ones more. Since that's the case, I won't keep you any longer.
Wanting, come here, the Grand Princess beckoned. Liu Wanting immediately stepped forward with graceful strides.
The Grand Princess smiled and said, Wanting is a good child. She has a soft and sweet temperament, and is the most obedient.
Tang Qingwan, Cui Yunfeng, and Cui Yunchu remained silent, waiting for the Grand Princess's next words.
Given the Grand Princess's esteemed status, being brushed off by three juniors who were clearly playing dumb naturally caused her expression to darken. His Highness the Crown Prince also visited the estate today and will surely escort Qingwan back home. Later, you should take Wanting along with you; it will be convenient to drop her off at the Minister's estate.
The Grand Princess's words were incredibly straightforward. Anyone who wasn't a fool would understand what she meant.
But Tang Qingwan had not even married into the Eastern Palace yet. She hadn't even touched the Crown Prince's bed, yet another woman was being forcefully shoved onto her like this...
The Grand Princess's actions were truly too much.
Tang Qingwan dug her nails into her palms, then slowly released them. As my second cousin just mentioned, I need to make a trip to the Cui estate. I'm afraid it won't be on the way.
Tang Qingwan was also exceedingly proud.
The Grand Princess hadn't expected Tang Qingwan to still dare to reject her so blatantly. A cold light glinted in her eyes. Qingwan, this is... the Empress's intention.
Her eyes were full of threat.
Tang Qingwan's forcefully composed face turned ashen for a moment, and she bit her red lips so hard they nearly bled.
Cui Yunfeng's eyes grew red with heartache, but she couldn't find an opening to interject.
Cui Yunchu, however, maintained the attitude of a spectator watching a play. As long as the fire didn't burn her, it had nothing to do with her.
But there was someone who just couldn't stand to see her so comfortable. I heard that a few days ago, Eldest Miss Cui went to the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion to look for the Crown Prince?
... What did that have to do with her? Cui Yunchu's face went wooden.
The Grand Princess should have just asked directly: I heard you were thrown out of the restaurant by the Crown Prince? My, you didn't even break an arm or a leg; you sure can take a fall.
...
The Second Miss and Qingwan are cousins, after all. What does Old Madam Cui have to say about this?
The question was directed at Cui Yunchu, but it was a slap in the face to Tang Qingwan.
Your own sisters are fighting among yourselves, fighting over the same man, constantly making fools of yourselves. What right do you have to refuse Liu Wanting?
Cui Yunchu held back again and again, but finally couldn't hold it in anymore.
Although she wasn't as innocent and lively as Cui Yunfeng, nor as intelligent and perceptive as Tang Qingwan, her surname was still Cui. How could there be any logic in picking on her just because they couldn't bully the other two?
The Grand Princess truly predicts things like a god. When I left the estate this morning, my grandmother did indeed lecture me.
Grandmother said, Yunchu, a person of noble character does not take what others cherish. If it is not rightfully yours, do not take even the slightest bit. As the saying goes, a friend's spouse is not to be coveted; the same applies to women.
Fame, fortune, prestige, and glory are indeed covetable. But a person lives for a breath of dignity. If even that dignity is extinguished, one simply becomes a straw dog, a slave driven by such things.
Cui Yunchu's eyes were as clear as a pool of spring water, seemingly carrying a hint of foolishness as she sighed softly. It was also my own foolishness for acting so basely in the past. It was only after my grandmother's guidance that I finally saw the light.
After saying this, she lowered her head dejectedly, as if immersed in her own sorrow.
She completely ignored the extremely ugly expressions on the faces of the Grand Princess and Liu Wanting.
Acting basely? Was she talking about her?
The Grand Princess narrowed her sharp eyes. But staring at Cui Yunchu's foolish appearance, she felt that the girl wouldn't have the brains to make such veiled insults.
It was likely just a blind coincidence.
Not only the Grand Princess and Liu Wanting, but also Tang Qingwan and Cui Yunfeng were staring at Cui Yunchu, as if struck by lightning, full of disbelief.
Grand Princess, Cui Yunfeng reacted quickly to break the deadlock. It's getting late. If there is no other matter, I will take my leave with my sisters.
The Grand Princess was also someone who cared about her face. Since things had come to this, she could only nod, squeezing out a soft murmur of agreement from her throat.
Cui Yunfeng grabbed Cui Yunchu and left, looking extremely eager, as if terrified that Cui Yunchu would spout more earth-shattering nonsense.
Seeing this, the Grand Princess became even more certain of her assumption that it was a blind coincidence, and her expression softened a bit more.
She could be dissatisfied with Tang Qingwan, but arguing with a half-wit would lower her own status.
Liu Wanting watched the retreating backs of the three girls, so unwilling to concede that she nearly shredded the handkerchief in her hands.
