The next day, the Empress Dowager indeed sent someone to summon Xiao Li into the palace. She had long prepared a banquet to welcome her niece and wash away the dust of her journey.
"That Emerald Green Peony Dress," Xiao Li immediately picked the most eye-catching one.
Golden Branch Jade Hairpins adorned with red gemstones.
A single red dot amidst ten thousand greens—vulgar and exaggerated enough, yet absolutely vibrant and flamboyant.
She applied exquisite makeup, embellishing her forehead and the corners of her eyes with pearls.
Her lip rouge was a vivid crimson, her skin fairer than snow—every glance at her was strikingly stunning.
After Hong Yue and Lan Yue had styled her hair, they could only stand by and watch, utterly astonished as she completed her makeup alone.
Could makeup even be applied like this?
Having served the Princess, they had seen the most elite nobles in the world, witnessed all kinds of luxurious and breathtaking ceremonial dresses, and observed every beautiful makeup style—but this was different.
It was a kind of vulgarity piled high with various vibrant colors. At first glance, it did seem a bit tacky, but with just one look, one was captivated, and the more one looked, the more unique it appeared.
"His Majesty the Emperor has arrived!"
Out of respect for the Empress Dowager's dignity, he had no choice but to accept this cousin as his consort. But if this cousin harbored affection for someone else, and that someone happened to be his brother-in-law, how could he not mind? It was the common ailment of emperors: I may not care about you, but if you disregard me and still pine for another, then it is your fault.
Xiao Li swept a glance over him, unable to comprehend or understand—how could a man enjoy wearing green every day? Especially with rumors flying everywhere outside. Was he wearing this shade of green to irritate her, or to remind her that she ought to do something? "Princess."
Xiao Li shot him an impatient glance: "What is it?"
Seeing the Emperor's displeased expression, Xiao Li knew she had struck the right nerve.
Their eyes met in astonishment, and they shook their heads foolishly: "It's not that it's not good-looking—it is beautiful, just indescribably so."
The green was too bright, the red too eye-catching, and the makeup bold enough.
"Cousin Xuan Yang, why have you come alone? Where is your Imperial son-in-law?"
Xiao Li returned a hypocritical smile, disdainfully lowering her gaze: "Forgive my bluntness, it's all from cursing the Imperial son-in-law that I've honed this skill."
How could Xiao Li go over by herself? She walked up to the Imperial Desk, leaning forward slightly: "Emperor Brother, is Younger Sister Chen here to finalize her engagement?"
The Emperor felt a sting, as he realized he might be Chen Pingting's future husband.
Everyone inside, except the Empress Dowager, rose to greet him.
"The way you put it—if the Imperial son-in-law dislikes me and doesn't come, then if I don't come, what would he be here for? To welcome you?"
This shade of green… "You still have the mind to care about her?"
Lu Yanzhi coughed lightly: "Is the Princess going out?"
Just moments ago, laughter and chatter could be heard, but now it had all ceased.
Standing to the side was Madam Chen, while on the main seat, a young and beautiful woman clung closely to the Empress Dowager—this was Chen Family County Lord, Chen Pingting.
"Silence!" The Empress Dowager interrupted coldly, her face stern as she scolded Xiao Li: "What nonsense are you spouting? Don't corrupt Pingting."
Even if the Chen family was his maternal relatives, it didn't mean he was pleased with them scheming against him.
Chen Pingting immediately laughed mockingly: "I think it's the Imperial son-in-law who dislikes you and that's why he's unwilling to come, isn't it? Look at what you're wearing—that ghastly green is an eyesore."
Xiao Li stood up and twirled: "What, is it not beautiful?"
Madam Chen showered the Emperor with excessive concern, adopting the demeanor of an elder and truly treating him like a family nephew. Her words sounded innocent enough, but there was no kindness in her eyes—she was clearly picking a fight.
"Emperor Brother, won’t you go see Younger Sister Chen?"
Hmm, exceptionally beautiful, but seemingly exceptionally wicked too—clearly not someone easy to deal with, far too aggressive.
"You even scolded him?" Chen Pingting looked incredulous. Xiao Li thought she was overreacting: "Not just scolding, I’ve beaten him several times too. A disobedient man needs to be disciplined, or he’ll think you’re easy to bully and start overstepping."
Xiao Li retorted, "That’s not necessarily true. Even if I was immature in the past, I stole the man she loved. Who knows how she’s plotting to torment me now?"
Today, her attire was naturally the most dazzling—so much so that even Lu Yanzhi in his Light Green Dark Pattern Brocade Robe appeared dim beside her.
Xiao Li blinked: "Emperor Brother, you can’t possibly be unaware that she likes Lu Yanzhi, can you?" She let out a cold laugh. "After you arranged our marriage three years ago, she wanted to devour me." If she hadn’t been so young back then, she might have fought me for him. Every time she returned afterward, she never missed a chance to mock me subtly and secretly curry favor with the Imperial son-in-law. Now that she’s back, she must have heard some news, thinking I’m about to divorce Lu Yanzhi so she can take my place."
"Those were matters of youth. Now that you’ve all grown up and become sensible, she won’t act recklessly."
Lu Yanzhi glanced at Xiao Li twice, then somewhat uncomfortably averted his gaze.
The Emperor maintained a polite expression, though he was actually somewhat displeased. But Madam Chen didn’t notice, and the Empress Dowager remained oblivious, persistently praising Chen Pingting and repeatedly referring to "your cousin."
Xiao Li followed behind the Emperor, basking in borrowed authority, feeling quite pleased with herself.
The Empress Dowager and Madam Chen’s matchmaking intentions were obvious, but unfortunately, the Emperor didn’t engage, and Chen Pingting wasn’t very willing either. After perfunctorily responding a few times, she turned her focus to Xiao Li.
"Stinging the eyes is exactly the point—meant to make you uncomfortable."
Xiao Li glanced at the Emperor, saw him frown, and then replied with clear disdain, "He’s annoying to look at; I didn’t want to bring him."
The Emperor frowned: "What do you mean, you stole the man she loved?"
The Emperor looked up at her—just one glance, and he nearly forgot what he was going to say.
Xiao Li sighed: "I don’t want to care either, but Emperor Brother knows my relationship with her has always been strained. If she marries a powerful husband, won’t I be bullied to death in the future?"
Xiao Li adjusted her hair at the temple: "As long as it looks good."
"Xuan Yang Princess has arrived!"
The Emperor held a memorial, his expression stern: "We still have some urgent matters to attend to. You go ahead; We will join you shortly."
"Rise."
"If Emperor Brother doesn’t believe me, just watch later whether she’ll target me because of Lu Yanzhi."
Xiao Li didn’t even want to answer his tedious question. This man was always hovering around her—utterly irritating. The Empress Dowager didn’t like her, and County Princess Chen was also wicked. Knowing full well she’d be walking into a den of wolves, only a fool would go alone.
"Besides, the Imperial son-in-law has been particularly fond of green lately—the greener, the better!" He can’t wait to wear it on his own head. Tch.
"You—" Chen Pingting was left speechless, let out a cold laugh, and shot a glare as sharp as a blade: "A year apart, and Elder Sister’s tongue has grown even sharper. This younger sister is no match for you."
Xiao Li fell silent, but she was unconvinced. Chen Pingting was inherently rotten—did she need anyone to teach her that? This creature probably only lost her mind when encountering Lu Yanzhi.
Sure enough, the moment Lu Yanzhi wasn’t mentioned, Chen Pingting immediately switched faces, nestling obediently beside the Empress Dowager. "Aunt, look at Cousin—she’s so fierce! I was just asking a question, and she got upset and even hit me."
The Empress Dowager frowned, eyeing Xiao Li with displeasure. "You’d better restrain yourself in my presence, or I’ll teach you what proper decorum means all over again."
Xiao Li quieted down, mainly because arguing with the Empress Dowager was pointless—her goal had already been achieved anyway.