Tonight was Prince Yu's birthday banquet. As the hostess, Prince Yu's Consort had been all smiles, facing all the guests.
Until she saw the woman Feng Yexuan had brought.
"Fourth... Imperial Brother means, you want... this Miss Li to sit with us?"
No matter how good Prince Yu's Consort's upbringing was, she was now expected to sit with a mere concubine, and the smile on her face gradually faltered.
She hadn't completely lost her temper only out of respect for Prince Xuan.
But who were the people seated here?
Prince He's Consort had passed away two years ago, and Prince He had not remarried a principal wife. Therefore, even his most esteemed secondary consort did not have the资格 to sit here.
And she, Chu Qianli, was known throughout the imperial family as just a concubine.
For a concubine to sit with princesses and consorts like them, what right did she have?
Princess Nan, Princesses Seven and Eight, and Princess Ba's expressions also changed instantly.
"Fourth Imperial Brother, I heard she is a concubine now," Princess Ba said, her voice filled with grievance.
Although she dared not be presumptuous in front of Fourth Imperial Brother, even if Fourth Imperial Brother was overbearing, he shouldn't humiliate them like this!
If people knew that they, princesses and consorts, had once dined at the same table as a concubine, wouldn't everyone look down on them in the future?
"Fourth Imperial Brother, the concubine's seat is at..."
Feng Yexuan's cold gaze made Princess Ba swallow her words.
Despite feeling wronged enough to cry, her tears could only gather in her eyes, not daring to fall.
"A concubine is a concubine. Who can guarantee that a concubine won't become Prince Xuan's Consort in the future?"
It was Princess Jiu, Feng Mingzhu, who smiled and took Chu Qianli's hand. "Little Li'er, come, sit next to me."
Chu Qianli, however, only looked at Feng Yexuan, as if awaiting his command.
This demeanor was truly obedient.
Feng Yexuan looked at her coldly. He didn't seem to hear a single word from the people around him.
Prince Yu's Consort clenched the silk handkerchief in her hand in anger, while Princess Nan, though silent, also looked displeased.
The other princesses bit their lips, daring not to speak their minds.
Finally, Feng Yexuan turned and left.
Without a word.
There was no need for any explanation.
Where the people he brought sat was not for others to arrange.
Prince Yu's Consort's face turned green with anger, but he was Prince Xuan!
Currently, in the imperial court, only Prince He had the ability to contend with him.
As for the other princes, even their own Prince Yu, they were always somewhat wary of the Eldest Imperial Brother and Fourth Imperial Brother.
How could she, a mere prince's consort, dare to say more?
After Feng Yexuan left, Chu Qianli sat down beside Feng Mingzhu.
Prince Yu's Consort, however, remained standing, glaring at Chu Qianli with a furious expression.
Now that Prince Xuan had left, all eyes instantly fell on Chu Qianli.
They dared not be presumptuous in front of Prince Xuan, but could they not deal with a mere concubine?
"Someone! Change this woman's tableware!"
A maidservant immediately came over. After glancing at Prince Yu's Consort, she quickly replaced Chu Qianli's set.
Everyone's cups and bowls were exquisitely carved from the finest white jade.
However, what was brought to Chu Qianli was a set of porcelain cups meant for servants.
It was the lowest grade of earthenware, something even servants with a little status would refuse to use.
The princesses finally smiled. At least their moods had improved somewhat.
"Exactly. What kind of person deserves what kind of tableware. Otherwise, people might think that just because they have the chance to sit with us, their status is somehow elevated."
Princess Ba was the happiest.
She hadn't had any particular opinion of Chu Qianli before. A mere concubine wasn't worth her attention.
But now, she couldn't wait to see Chu Qianli humiliated.
She wished Chu Qianli would just disappear, as if her very breath would contaminate the surroundings.
"Isn't that right?" Princess Seven chimed in with schadenfreude. "Second Imperial Sister-in-law, you must distinguish clearly. The wine we are drinking, a concubine has no right to partake."
"I heard her mother was a courtesan... Tsk tsk, like mother, like daughter. And she actually wants to impersonate Lady Long's daughter and enjoy blessings. It's truly disgusting!"
"Heh, whatever her mother was, she is the same. They are birds of a feather!"
"Alright, it's a fate that we can all sit together. Why speak so harshly?"
Feng Mingzhu interrupted. "Why don't we chat about other topics? Lest any words fall into Fourth Imperial Brother's ears and displease him."
Among the princesses, she ranked the lowest and dared not be too rude in front of them.
If their words hadn't been so harsh, she wouldn't have spoken up.
She tugged at Chu Qianli's hand and whispered, "Don't mind them."
Chu Qianli merely nodded, remaining silent.
Prince Yu's Consort and Princess Nan were somewhat surprised.
Rumor had it that this Miss Li had a very fiery temper.
They had expected her to fly into a rage when they taunted her so fiercely.
Then, with everyone in agreement, it would be her fault for causing trouble.
Even if Prince Xuan intended to protect her, when the Emperor and Empress Dowager arrived, they would surely punish her.
Ideally, they would have her thrown out!
After all, at such a prestigious banquet, no one wanted to see such a lowly person.
But to their surprise, despite the princesses' harsh words, Chu Qianli remained silent and indifferent.
No reaction at all?
Was she deaf?
"Why is my household so poor that we have to entertain guests with such cups?"
Suddenly, a gentle voice was heard.
Everyone turned to look, and they immediately stood up and bowed. "Eldest Imperial Brother, Second Imperial Brother!"
The speaker was Prince Yu, but Prince He walked right behind him.
"Your Highness." Prince Yu's Consort looked up and met her husband's icy gaze, immediately feeling uneasy. "Your Highness, she... she is just a concubine..."
"Since she is a concubine, she should not be seated with you. And since she is seated with you, she should not be treated as an ordinary concubine."
Prince Yu was somewhat angered.
The petty squabbles between women had been brought to his own banquet.
This was clearly making a mockery of him!
Prince Yu's Consort was both angry and flustered, feeling so wronged that she wanted to cry.
She could only lower her head and say softly, "Yes, Your Highness is right. This concubine knows her mistake."
Even though her voice was hoarse with grievance, she immediately ordered someone to replace Chu Qianli's tableware with the original set.
"My wife is ignorant of the rules. Imperial Brother, please forgive my oversight."
Unexpectedly, as Prince Yu turned around, he saw Prince He staring intently at a certain young lady, completely ignoring his words.
Prince He was staring at Chu Qianli!
Staring with such absorption!