Wen Lier’s heart tightened at the sight, and she quickly stepped forward, bowing respectfully.
“Your Highness, as Mama Qin said, no one stepped on Xue Bao’er. It must have been frightened by suddenly seeing so many strangers.”
Yan Shiyan cast a cold glance at Wen Lier, noting her plain clothing and lack of makeup, yet her features were exceptionally delicate and elegant, appearing even more refined than herself.
This only deepened her displeasure.
These concubines from the Eastern Palace looked just as disgusting as that wretched Yan Shishu!
She sneered, her tone malicious, “And which palace’s servant are you? What, is there not a single mistress among your group?”
Wen Lier replied calmly, “Your Highness, this humble one is Wen Lier, Bong Yi of the Eastern Palace.”
Yan Shiyan let out a long, exaggerated “oh” as if suddenly understanding.
“So you’re from the Eastern Palace, no wonder you’re so ill-mannered, daring to bully my Xue Bao’er!”
Wen Lier’s heart sank, realizing Princess Tai’an was deliberately picking a fight.
But she dared not retort, silently watching to see what the princess intended to do.
Yan Shiyan scoffed, “What attitude is this? I’m certain it was you who bullied my Xue Bao’er. Come here, kneel and kowtow three times to Xue Bao’er, and I’ll let you off this time.”
Wen Lier realized that when people are speechless, they truly might laugh.
Yan Shiyan snorted coldly, “What are you laughing at?”
Wen Lier’s expression turned extremely serious.
“Your Highness ordered the person who bullied Xue Bao’er to come forward and kneel in apology, but since this humble one did not bully it, there is naturally no need for Your Highness to pardon me.”
After speaking, she said gently, “The Crown Princess is still waiting for us, so I shall not accompany Your Highness in searching for the one who bullied Xue Bao’er.”
Having said that, she turned to the group behind her, “Let’s go, we mustn’t keep the Crown Princess waiting.”
Lin Fujia looked at her in astonishment.
She never expected Sister Wen to have such courage—how impressive!
Mama Qin also stepped forward, taking Wen Lier’s arm as if to move forward.
Yan Shiyan was furious.
The Eastern Palace was truly defying heaven! Even a mere Bong Yi dared to disregard her, a princess!
She sharply ordered the palace maids and eunuchs behind her, “What are you staring at? Seize her for me!”
With a wave of her hand, the palace servants immediately surrounded Wen Lier and Lin Fujia.
Lin Fujia turned pale with fear, tightly clutching Wen Lier’s sleeve.
“Sister Wen, what should we do?”
Wen Lier felt somewhat uneasy herself, but she forced herself to remain calm, maintaining a composed demeanor.
They now represented the dignity of the Eastern Palace—how could they stand still and accept Princess Tai’an’s bullying?
Just as she was about to invoke the Crown Prince’s name to reason with the princess, a mocking laugh suddenly came from nearby.
“I say, royal sister, you’ve already had your coming-of-age ceremony this year, yet you’ve grown in body but not in brains? That ferocious dog of yours only bullies others—who would dare bully it? Could it be that some handsome young gentleman rejected your marriage proposal today, and you’re here taking it out on a mere Bong Yi? If you want to vent your anger, go back to your Yanxi Palace—don’t embarrass yourself here!”
Hearing this voice, Yan Shiyan’s pretty face twisted with rage.
Everyone turned to look.
They saw Princess Taiping approaching slowly, followed by several palace maids.
She wore a light purple palace gown, her demeanor both dignified and elegant, imposing and noble.
By comparison, Princess Tai’an appeared somewhat petty and narrow-minded.
Yan Shiyan shouted angrily, “Yan Shishu! I haven’t provoked you today, why are you acting so crazy?”
Yan Shishu sneered, “I simply can’t stand those who bully the weak.”
Yan Shiyan’s face turned pale with rage. Though unwilling to back down, she didn’t dare continue confronting this shrew. After all, their father was completely fooled by this hypocritical vixen!
She left with a threat: “Yan Shishu, just you wait!”
With that, Yan Shiyan picked up Xue Bao’er and turned to leave, followed by her palace attendants.
Only after watching her depart did Wen Lier and her companions bow to Yan Shishu.
“Greetings to Princess Taiping.”
Yan Shishu looked Wen Lier up and down before turning to Lin Fujia.
“Are you both alright?”
“Thank you for your assistance, Your Highness. This humble one is fine.”
Yan Shishu nodded, then looked back at Wen Lier.
“Wen Fengyi, you handled yourself well today. As women of the Crown Prince, you must never disgrace him in public.”
“Yes, this humble one will remember Your Highness’s guidance.”
Yan Shishu smiled and turned toward Yuqing Hall.
Wen Lier and Lin Fujia curtsied. “We respectfully send off Princess Taiping.”
The delay meant they were now late for Fuyao Hall.
The two quickened their pace.
Lin Fujia whispered, “Sister Wen, that truly frightened me. Fortunately, Princess Taiping arrived in time, or we would have suffered.”
Wen Lier nodded. They had been lucky today.
When they arrived at Fuyao Hall, the Crown Princess had already prepared seats in the garden.
It was peak blooming season, with flowers competing in splendor and fragrance filling the air.
The Crown Princess sat upright in the host’s seat, her expression cold and distant, lost in thought.
Yang Ni Shan had already arrived. Noticing their lateness, she made some sarcastic remarks.
Wen Lier and Lin Fujia ignored her, stepping forward to bow to Xie Zhenrong.
“We pay respects to the Crown Princess.”
Actually, attendants had already reported the incident on the road to Xie Zhenrong.
But pretending ignorance, she coldly asked, “Seeing the fine weather today, I thought it rare for you to gather like this, so I invited you to admire the flowers and chat. Yet you arrive so late!”
Lin Fujia hurried forward to explain their encounter with the two princesses.
After listening, Xie Zhenrong adopted her matriarchal tone, lecturing, “Princess Tai’an has a spoiled and domineering nature. In the future, avoid her directly to prevent unnecessary trouble for the Eastern Palace.”
“Yes.”
Xie Zhenrong then waved for them to take their seats.
Wen Lier and Lin Fujia bowed and retreated to the side.
Attendants came forward to serve them tea.
After a while, the Crown Princess began explaining the origins of the garden’s flowers.
Wen Lier lowered her eyes and took a sip of tea.
She thought to herself that the Crown Princess’s invitation today probably wasn’t solely for flower viewing.
Sure enough, perhaps having talked herself thirsty, Xie Zhenrong also picked up her tea and took a sip.
After drinking, she stopped discussing flowers and instead swept her gaze over the three Bong Yis, finally settling on Wen Lier.
“How have you been recently, Wen Fengyi? I heard His Highness awarded you a Golden Turtle – quite a rare item indeed.”
Wen Lier sighed inwardly. She had guessed correctly. It was exactly as she thought.