The banquet, regardless of any circumstances, commenced as planned.
Palace maids began serving dish after dish of delicacies.
As Ye Qingcheng looked at the array of exquisite foods, she thought that quietly eating behind Xiao Wangye wasn't too bad.
Picking up the chopsticks from the table, Ye Qingcheng was about to reach for a dish.
Unexpectedly, a palace maid behind her was about to place a dish on the table.
Ye Qingcheng's movement to pick up food brushed against the palace maid, causing the dish in the maid's hands to spill onto the person next to Ye Qingcheng.
"Ah!" someone beside her cried out in alarm.
The palace maid instantly turned pale with fright and quickly knelt down to beg for mercy.
Ye Qingcheng turned her head to look. Seated beside her was the little princess, the Emperor's youngest sister.
She looked at the soup stains on her new dress with disdain and angrily scolded the kneeling palace maid, "You blind fool! My new dress, which I just put on today, is ruined by you!"
"Guards, drag this palace maid out and beat her to death!"
Ye Qingcheng was shocked by the little princess's explosive temper. She couldn't believe someone would be beaten to death for such a small matter.
"Princess, please show mercy," she said, looking at the pitiable palace maid kneeling on the ground.
"This is also my fault. I wasn't paying attention earlier and bumped into this palace maid. I'm truly sorry for her spilling the food on you."
"You…" The little princess narrowed her eyes at Ye Qingcheng. Wasn't this the king's consort, the daughter of a concubine?
"Since you say it's your fault, what do you intend to do about it?" She shook her dress, "This is a one-of-a-kind garment from Tianyi Pavilion."
"Princess, I will go to Tianyi Pavilion and have them tailor a new one," Ye Qingcheng said. "Or, Princess, could this dress be converted into cash?"
"You have quite the nerve to say you'll have Tianyi Pavilion make a dress. I waited a whole year to get this one!" The little princess laughed in anger.
"How can a mere sum of money compare?"
Seeing the little princess's unreasonable persistence, Ye Qingcheng felt a headache coming on. "Then, Princess, what must I do for you to spare this palace maid?"
"Impossible," she thought. Being a good person wasn't worth it; if you can't afford it, step aside. This palace maid wouldn't get away so easily today.
"Princess," Xiao Wangye turned his wheelchair towards them. "The consort was impolite, and I hope the Princess will not hold it against her."
He then glanced around. "Besides, it is a joyous occasion today, and it is not good to see blood. I hope the Princess will be magnanimous. This King will send the silver to the Princess's manor later; I believe you will be satisfied once you see it."
The little princess looked around. Due to the commotion, many people had already looked over. Her imperial brother, seated at the head of the table, also cast his gaze their way.
"Yu Ning, what happened?"
"Imperial Brother," the little princess Yu Ning forced a smile. "Nothing, it's just that the consort and I got a bit too excited while chatting."
"Since the consort did not do it intentionally, let it go then." Turning away, the little princess said through gritted teeth and paid them no further mind.
If it weren't for the Emperor and Xiao Wangye's presence, the little princess cast a resentful glance at Ye Qingcheng. She beckoned her personal maid and whispered instructions.
"But Princess…" the maid looked troubled.
"Just do as I say, why are you asking so many questions?"
Under the little princess's sharp gaze, the maid had no choice but to comply with her orders.
The meal concluded with the princess occasionally casting glances their way, and Ye Qingcheng sighed.
As long as she reached the carriage, she would be completely free for the night.
Xiao Wangye was still talking with other officials outside the carriage. Bi Xi boarded the carriage first and then helped Ye Qingcheng inside.
The wide skirts obstructed Ye Qingcheng's view of her footing in the dim carriage.
After taking just two steps inside, a wooden plank underfoot snapped with a creak.
"Ah!" Ye Qingcheng cried out, falling out of the carriage.
"Consort!" Bi Xi exclaimed, also losing her footing on the broken plank and tumbling out of the carriage.
The commotion attracted everyone around. Hearing the growing sound of footsteps and discussions, Ye Qingcheng felt a wave of mortification.
"Consort, are you alright?" Bi Xi said as she got up, rubbing her sore back. Xiao Si had helped her up.
"Bi Xi, my foot got caught in the plank. I probably can't walk," Ye Qingcheng said with a wry smile. The quality of the carriage's floorboards was indeed terrible.
"Xiao Si," Bi Xi was about to call Xiao Si for help when someone walked over.
Seeing Xiao Wangye dismount from his wheelchair and lift her lady from the ground, Bi Xi couldn't help but be surprised. The Prince's legs had recovered to this extent.
"Your Highness, you don't need to force yourself," Ye Qingcheng could feel the hesitation in Xiao Wangye's leg movements. "This is a critical time, and it would be bad if your leg injury worsened."
"Be quiet," he said. "Now is not the time to say this. Do you want Xiao Si to carry you in front of everyone?"
"Xiao Si, arrange another carriage."
"Yes, Your Highness." Soon, Xiao Si brought over another carriage. "Your Highness, this carriage was lent to us by Elder Zhang. He said his home is nearby, so he can walk back."
Xiao Wangye carried Ye Qingcheng into the carriage, finally shielded from the prying eyes of those around them.
Ye Qingcheng finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thank you, Your Highness," she said, looking at Xiao Wangye beside her.
"No need," Xiao Wangye replied. "You represent the Royal Manor when you are out. From now on, come to me with any matters."
Ye Qingcheng thought he was concerned about the near incident of Xiao Si having to carry her. After all, in this era, propriety had to be considered.
"I understand."
Upon returning to the manor, Xiao Wangye insisted on carrying Ye Qingcheng to her room.
Previously, she had lived on the second floor, but now Xiao Wangye had everything moved downstairs.
Chu Xiu came to examine her and diagnosed a sprained ankle, requiring a period of rest.
The thought of recuperating from her injury within the courtyard made Ye Qingcheng feel frustrated.
Master Su would also not be able to teach her during this time.
After nearly a month in the courtyard, Ye Qingcheng attempted to walk. Although there was still some pain, it was much better than at the beginning.
She was nearly going mad from being confined here.
Ye Qingcheng decided to go out for a walk.
Bi Xi followed Ye Qingcheng out, constantly on guard to ensure pedestrians didn't bump into her lady.
However, Ye Qingcheng walked slowly, pausing to rest along the way. When she grew tired, she found a tavern to eat.
"Miss, shouldn't we go to a restaurant?" Bi Xi said, looking at the common folk coming and going in the tavern, the noise filling the air, and felt a bit worried.
"It's fine. Most of the dishes in restaurants look good but don't taste great. I heard the snacks here taste good. Sit down and try some," Ye Qingcheng said.
The waiter brought many specialty snacks. Ye Qingcheng looked at the table full of dishes and immediately began to eat heartily.
"Miss, what if we can't finish all this food?" Bi Xi asked, looking at the considerable amount of leftover dishes.
"Let's take it to Xiao Hua and the others," Ye Qingcheng said. She had wanted to see them anyway, and she hadn't seen the children in a long time.
"Alright, I'll ask the waiter to pack it up."
While waiting for Bi Xi to return, Ye Qingcheng saw an old man and a young girl walk in from the tavern entrance.
The old man was playing a *erhu*, and the little girl beside him clung tightly to his clothes. They went from table to table, playing the *erhu* to beg for money.
Some sympathetic patrons would toss a few copper coins into the little girl's broken bowl.
The little girl was very well-behaved. Upon receiving money, she immediately said, "Thank you, honored guests."