“Feicui…”
“Don’t worry, Miss. This servant won’t speak of it.”
Feicui turned around and replied with a beaming smile.
Yuan Siyin: ?
So now even jumping into the Yellow River couldn’t wash her clean, was that it?
When she looked back again, where was the shyness that had been on Yu Shiyan’s face?
If she hadn’t seen it clearly earlier, she would have truly thought it was just her imagination.
Yuan Siyin tightened her grip on the whip in her hand, finally understanding.
He was taking revenge on her.
Forget it, she would endure it.
The male lead could treat her however he wanted – she still needed to cling to his coattails.
“Greetings, Miss, Seventh Prince.”
Hongyu, who was standing guard outside, smiled and performed a slight bow, first paying respects to her two masters.
“Has the meal been served inside yet?”
Feicui glanced inside and asked her in a hushed voice.
“Yes, the Empress Dowager has been waiting for the young lady.”
Hongyu nodded, leaning closer to whisper in her ear: “Why has the Seventh Prince come as well?”
Feicui didn’t answer her, instead leading Yuan Siyin inside by lifting the gauze curtain first.
“You’re here, Yin’er. Come sit quickly. I’ve ordered the private kitchen to prepare your favorite dishes.”
Seeing her arrive, the Empress Dowager immediately set aside her stern expression, beaming as she waved her over.
“The Seventh Prince has come as well. Should we invite him in to dine together?”
After reporting the situation, Feicui respectfully bowed her head and awaited her decision.
The Empress Dowager slightly furrowed her brows, absentmindedly toying with her long, pointed nail guards, clearly not taking the matter to heart: “The Seventh Prince? Why has he come? Tell him I’m suffering from a headache and send him away.”
Because of her, her aunt had never been particularly fond of the Seventh Prince, and she knew this well.
But if she could help Yu Shiyan win her aunt’s favor, perhaps he would view her differently.
A sly glint flashed in Yuan Siyin’s eyes, a smile curling at the corners of her lips as she affectionately clung to the Empress Dowager’s arm: “Aunt, he’s already waiting outside. Why not let the Seventh Prince in? This way, when the palace servants spread word, they’ll praise you for being impartial and not neglecting any of the princes.”
The Empress Dowager looked up at her, clearly somewhat surprised: “What’s gotten into you today, child? Have you changed your nature?”
Yuan Siyin’s smile stiffened slightly, then she pouted and released her arm in a display of displeasure, putting on an offended act: “Aunt, you’re the one who said Yin’er would be an adult after her coming-of-age ceremony. Yin’er was immature before, but now that I’ve changed, would you really deny me this opportunity?”
“Alright, alright, whatever you say, you little clever one. I’ll do as you wish. Are you really going to throw a tantrum with me?”
The Empress Dowager gave a meaningful glance, and Feicui, understanding the signal, immediately hurried out.
Yu Shiyan had been waiting for a while without anyone coming to summon him. Thinking Yuan Siyin had played him for a fool again, he had just turned to leave when Feicui lifted the curtain and called out to him: “Seventh Prince, please wait.”
“Her Majesty truly isn’t feeling well today. She originally said she wouldn’t receive guests, but she couldn’t withstand the young lady’s persistent pleading and finally agreed. When you see the Empress Dowager later, Seventh Prince, please be sure to speak kindly and humor her.”
Yu Shiyan nodded and followed her inside.
“Shiyan pays respects to Grandmother Empress.”
The Empress Dowager maintained her dignified composure with a noncommittal hum, then picked up her chopsticks and served Yuan Siyin a portion of the bird’s nest dish into her bowl: “Yin’er, try this and see if it suits your taste. Although it’s just from my palace’s private kitchen, it’s no worse than the Imperial Kitchen.”
Without the Empress Dowager’s explicit permission, Yu Shiyan could only remain standing in his bowed posture with hands clasped, waiting.
“Thank you, Aunt.”
Yuan Siyin held her chopsticks without eating, frequently glancing toward Yu Shiyan.
The Empress Dowager naturally noticed her unusual behavior, observing how her gaze seemed almost glued to him while her food remained untouched.
She was deliberately creating difficulties, wanting to test Yu Shiyan’s character.
After all, she didn’t believe someone who had been bullied and suppressed by her niece since childhood could amount to anything, let alone compete for the throne.
The Yuan family’s daughter must become Empress.
A sharp glint flashed through the Empress Dowager’s eyes.