The Grand Princess’s fortieth birthday banquet was held with even more liveliness than the New Year celebrations in the Palace.
Carriages were lined up like dragons in front of the estate, and every person of status in the Capital City was racking their brains to squeeze their way in.
"Have you heard? The Envoys from Northern Hu and Xiliang have both arrived. The Grand Princess truly has great influence."
"That goes without saying. The Grand Princess is the biological older sister of His Majesty; who would dare not show her respect?"
The guests gathered in small groups, chatting and laughing, until an announcement caused the noisy atmosphere at the entrance to stop for a beat.
"From Dingguo Mansion, Eldest Miss Xue arrives—"
Everyone looked toward the sound and instantly gasped.
Xue Tingxue was wearing a Begonia Red gradient flowing dress today, and as she walked, the hem of her skirt seemed to shimmer with flowing light.
What was even more lethal was her face.
What kind of makeup was that on her face? Fine, shimmering sequins were dotted at the corners of her eyes and cheekbones, changing colors with the light. She looked as if she were enveloped in a layer of soft light, so bright and beautiful that people dared not look directly at her.
"Heavens! What kind of powder is that? How can it glow on the face?"
"This must be a new product from the Qingcheng shop that hasn't been released yet! It's too beautiful!"
The eyes of all the noblewomen present were fixed on her, with only one thought in their minds: when will this be released! I must buy it no matter the cost!
Just as everyone was stunned, another luxurious carriage pulled up.
"His Highness Prince Yu arrives—"
Fu Nanli stepped off the carriage and turned to help a woman in a plain white dress out.
It was Xue Manman.
She had deliberately applied a "pear blossoms with rain" pure and innocent makeup look today, making her appear fragile and guileless.
In the past, this appearance would certainly have elicited pity from many men.
But she happened to enter the venue right behind Xue Tingxue.
The two walked one after the other; one had an aura of total dominance, like a heroine who had returned after a dark transformation, while the other followed behind like a maid there to pour water, instantly appearing dull and lackluster by comparison.
From the moment Xue Tingxue appeared, Fu Nanli's gaze was as if it had been glued to her, unable to move away.
The woman who used to follow behind him, only knowing how to be timid and submissive, was now standing there like a ray of light.
A light he could no longer grasp, and one he didn't even dare to approach.
This huge sense of disparity made his chest feel stifled, and he could barely breathe.
Xue Manman sensed the man beside her losing focus and followed his gaze, catching sight of the center of attention, Xue Tingxue.
She clenched her palm, her fingernails digging deep into her flesh.
It doesn't matter, laugh. Laugh to your heart's content.
In a moment, let's see how you'll still be able to laugh.
In the main hall of the banquet, the Grand Princess, dressed in a gold-threaded Phoenix Robe, was looking at the birthday gifts presented by the people below with a sense of boredom.
"It's all gold and jade; how vulgar."
The Grand Princess was a famous aesthete with a near-obsessive pursuit of beautiful things; ordinary gold and silver jewelry had long since failed to catch her eye.
When it was Xue Tingxue's turn, she held a rosewood box and stepped forward gracefully.
"Tingxue wishes Your Highness the Grand Princess eternal youth and undiminished beauty."
The Grand Princess lazily raised her eyelids. "Oh? What good thing has this little girl brought me this time?"
"Hearing that Your Highness the Grand Princess is the most particular, Tingxue dared to custom-make a set of 'Eternal Spring' for you."
The box was opened, revealing a set of makeup products ranging from facial cleanser to essence and cream, all with exquisite packaging.
"What new trick is this?" The Grand Princess became a little interested.
Xue Tingxue smiled and beckoned for a little palace maid with some freckles on her face to come forward.
"Your Highness, please look."
She took out a concealer, dipped a little with her fingertips, and gently patted it onto half of the little palace maid's face.
A miracle happened.
The freckles on that half of the face instantly disappeared without a trace, and the skin became smooth and flawless, as if it were naturally so.
"Wow!"
The entire hall erupted in exclamations.
The Grand Princess even stood up from her chair with a start, walked a few steps to the palace maid, and pinched her chin to look left and right.
"Heavens! You really can't see them at all!"
The Grand Princess was so happy she couldn't close her mouth, and she immediately grabbed Xue Tingxue's hand and announced loudly to the full hall of guests.
"I'll say it right here today! When it comes to aesthetics and knowing how to play, our Tingxue is the best in the entire Capital City! She is the ceiling of the Capital's aesthetics. Who agrees, and who disagrees?"
Who would dare to disagree?
In an instant, flattery poured in like a tide.
Amidst the envious gazes of the crowd, Xue Tingxue smiled faintly and returned to her seat.
Halfway through the banquet, there was singing and dancing.
Xue Manman gave Fu Nanli a soft smile, stood up saying she needed to change, and quietly left the banquet.
She turned behind a rockery, where a household retainer dressed as a servant boy was already waiting.
"How did the matter go?"
The servant boy nodded and bowed, a fawning smile on his face: "Don't worry, Second Young Lady. This humble one has already taken care of the people around the Grand Princess and obtained the item. Just now, while no one was paying attention, I already stuffed it into Eldest Miss Xue's carriage."
Xue Manman nodded with satisfaction. "Very good. Once it's done, there will be plenty of rewards for you."
She returned to the banquet, her peripheral vision glancing at Xue Tingxue, a cold laugh echoing in her heart.
The trick that ruined your reputation in my previous life will work just as well when used again in this one!
She did not know that her every move had already been relayed word for word to Xue Tingxue's ears by eyes and ears hidden in the dark.
Xue Tingxue picked up her wine cup and sighed to a noblewoman beside her, appearing as if it were unintentional.
"Sigh, let me tell you about something annoying. A few days ago, when my 'Qingcheng' shop was taking inventory, we found that a South Sea pearl used to anchor the shop was missing. I don't know which blind thief swiped it."
Her voice was not loud, but it was just enough for the Grand Princess in the main seat to hear.
The Grand Princess had a fiery temper and hated people with sticky fingers the most.
She slapped the table, her willow eyebrows raised: "What? There is such a thing? Under my very nose, someone dares to steal?"
"Someone, come here!" the Grand Princess shouted sternly. "Search every guest's carriage and every birthday gift box brought along today, and search them thoroughly for me! I want to see which dog dares to stretch their claws into Tingxue's shop!"
Once the order was given, the whole hall was shocked.
Xue Manman, however, was overjoyed, feigning panic on her face while her eyes were full of schadenfreude.
Search! The more thoroughly you search, the better!
She couldn't wait to see what kind of wonderful expression Xue Tingxue would have when the Grand Princess's undergarments were found on her!
The Imperial Guards quickly began their action, and one carriage after another, and one gift box after another, were opened for inspection.
The atmosphere became tense.
Finally, a searching soldier stopped in front of the birthday gift box sent by Prince Yu's Estate.
From the very bottom of the box filled with rare treasures, he took out... a peach-red belly band.
The belly band was exquisitely crafted, and a peony in full bloom was embroidered on it with gold thread; it was precisely the Grand Princess's favorite private item!
The whole hall was in an uproar.
Everyone's gaze focused on Fu Nanli in an instant.
Fu Nanli was completely stunned; he looked at the belly band, his mind a blank slate.
What is this thing? How could it appear in my gift box?
The Grand Princess's complexion instantly turned darker than the bottom of a pot.
This was no longer just stealing; this was a blatant slap in her face! It was a provocation!
Fu Nanli knelt down with a thud, his face deathly pale: "Aunt! It wasn't me! I didn't do it!"
Xue Tingxue stood to the side, covering her mouth, revealing an innocent expression that said, "I didn't expect the Prince to have such a special hobby."
Thinking it wasn't chaotic enough, she gave a light "Oh my" and dealt another blow.
"So, has Prince Yu's estate been so financially strained lately? To the point of doing such things..." She shook her head. "Tsk, your character is truly small."
"Pfft—"
Fu Nanli couldn't catch his breath and only felt a sweetness in his throat.
He glared at Xue Tingxue, wishing he could tear her to pieces with his eyes.
The scene turned into a complete mess.
Xue Manman looked at the sudden reversal of the situation, her hands and feet turning cold with fear.
She knew the matter had been exposed, and staying any longer would only bring trouble upon herself, so she quietly stood up, wanting to slip away in the chaos.
Just as she reached the corridor, Bi Tao, who was walking toward her, seemed not to be watching where she was going and cried out, "Oops," losing her footing and crashing straight into her.
Xue Manman stumbled from the collision and fell backward.
In the confusion, a small white paper packet flew out from her tightly clenched cuff, tracing an arc in the air.
The paper packet opened, and the powder inside scattered everywhere.
It landed precisely on the nose of the most beloved Persian cat, which was lying at the Grand Princess's feet.
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