Chapter 053: Wu Tan? You’re here too!

Wu Qingqiong still held a grudge against her for having caused her to be beaten by Lady Meng and then locked up by the old madam. She shot to her feet, snapping, “Fine, I’ll go! Who’s afraid of you?”

Her outburst was rather loud.

It drew the attention of Princess Lin’an and the others, who all paused and turned around.

At the corner of Huo Yunhua’s lips, a barely discernible, mischievous smile appeared.

Just as Wu Qingqiong was about to storm out, Wu Tan suddenly rose, stepped in front of her, and, without giving her the chance to resist, pressed her back down onto her seat.

“What are you doing?” Wu Qingqiong glared.

She had never been one to think things through, and Wu Tan had no patience to reason with her. She rolled her eyes and retorted harshly, “Weren’t you embarrassed enough this afternoon? Sit down and behave. If anyone’s to go, it’ll be me!”

Wu Qingqiong’s first reaction was to think Wu Tan was trying to suppress her and steal her moment, her anger flaring so much that her eyebrows nearly stood on end.

Wu Tan, too, was infuriated—

All of Huo Yunhua’s actions were subtle insinuations that she had tampered with things in Huayang Palace. If Wu Qingqiong were to follow, she would be dragged down with her, and things would spiral out of control. Now that Huo Yunhua had made her challenge in public, she had already drawn Princess Lin’an and the others’ attention to the Wu sisters. Since Her Highness had extended a sincere invitation, if she refused too forcefully, and anything happened on that end, with Huo Yunhua’s character and cunning, she would surely seize the opportunity to pin the blame on the Wu family.

Wu Tan understood the stakes perfectly, so she acted quickly, creating an illusion of discord between the sisters and seizing the initiative from Wu Qingqiong.

As soon as she mentioned the incident from the afternoon, the young ladies covered their lips and giggled, pointing and whispering about Wu Qingqiong.

Face flushed crimson, Wu Qingqiong hated Wu Tan to the core, but she also knew she’d just caused trouble earlier and dared not make a scene again. Clenching her fists, she could only glare at Wu Tan in frustration, her eyes rimmed with red.

Princess Lin’an hadn’t expected that, after kindly inviting everyone for tea, the Wu sisters would quarrel right in front of her. Instantly annoyed, she cast an impatient glance at Wu Tan. “Let’s go, then!”

She turned and led the way out of the hall.

Among those present, there were some who, out of propriety, didn’t wish to act without imperial permission during the emperor’s birthday banquet; some who were not on good terms with the Zhao family, Consort Xian’s maternal clan; and others whose status was too low to converse with Princess Lin’an. Setting those aside, in the end, about ten people, including Wu Tan, followed.

Palace maids carrying lanterns led the way on either side. Princess Lin’an and Lady Changping walked arm in arm at the front.

Inside the great hall where the banquet had just been held, there were palace maids assigned to serve the tables. Before the banquet began, all the attendants and maids from each household had been taken elsewhere to wait. So, as the group of young ladies went out, aside from the eight palace maids accompanying Princess Lin’an, there were no other servants with them.

Wu Tan, reluctant as she was, dawdled at the very end of the group.

Halfway there, Huo Yunhua deliberately slowed her steps. When Wu Tan caught up to her, Huo Yunhua teased, “You and Wu Qingqiong aren’t close. Why bother standing up for her?”

Wu Tan sneered coldly, not even glancing at her, countering with a question, “Since I’m not close with her, should I be close with you?”

Huo Yunhua’s expression faltered, stung by the retort.

But in truth, she was helpless against Wu Tan. After several encounters, she had realized that Wu Tan, though she appeared unremarkable—a mere slip of a girl—was in fact a tough nut, unmoved by either kindness or threats.

If you tried to provoke her with words, she simply wouldn’t take the bait. No matter how you circled around or set traps, her composure was unshakable. And if it came to physical confrontation...

Not only was she outmatched, but Wu Tan’s resolve was far fiercer than her own.

So now, Huo Yunhua regarded Wu Tan with the same mix of hatred and frustration as Wu Qingqiong—she wished dearly to flay her alive on the spot, but lacked the ability, and could only stew in silent indignation.

Once again rebuffed, Huo Yunhua ground her teeth and swallowed her resentment, asking again, “Why don’t you want to go to Huayang Palace?”

She was sure Wu Tan couldn’t possibly foresee her scheme, but having developed a psychological shadow when it came to Wu Tan, every little thing now made her suspicious, compelled to probe.

“You’re overthinking it,” Wu Tan replied coldly, not even turning her head. “I just don’t want to be seen with you. After all, our relationship is truly terrible, isn’t it?”

Huo Yunhua laughed coldly. “Then why are you here?”

At this, Wu Tan finally turned to look at her.

Her expression was so grave that it unnerved Huo Yunhua, who was on the verge of losing her composure when Wu Tan sighed and said leisurely, “Honestly, I really didn’t want to come. But if I’m not there to keep an eye on you, what if you do something again and, unable to bear the consequences, try to pin the blame on me? If I’m present, no matter how clever your schemes, even if I’m forced into a corner, at the very least I can beat you up to vent my anger, can’t I?”

Huo Yunhua: “...”

This girl’s guard was tighter than anything, and her words always carried a hint of madness, half true and half false, making it impossible for Huo Yunhua to grasp her intentions.

After several failed attempts to test her, Huo Yunhua finally gave up.

The group continued on, chatting and laughing, taking the shortcut. Ahead, they could see the waterside corridor when suddenly a young lady pointed ahead and exclaimed, “Oh, there’s someone over there!”

Their laughter ceased abruptly, and all turned toward the sound. Indeed, in the dim night, a tall figure stood by the lake’s edge.

The evening breeze caught his wide sleeves and robe, lending his silhouette an air of effortless grace, yet with no loss of presence.

The group slowed their pace, continuing forward, until Princess Lin’an was the first to recognize him. She curtsied openly. “Greetings, Royal Uncle.”

Xiao Yue stood alone by the lake, apparently enjoying the night air.

He turned around.

Although all the noble young ladies in the capital now knew that His Highness Prince Sheng, the emperor’s own brother, had returned from his travels, this was his first time attending such a palace banquet since coming back, so few present recognized him.

When they heard Princess Lin’an address him as Royal Uncle, the young ladies exchanged puzzled glances.

After returning to the capital, the emperor had hosted a family banquet in Xiao Yue’s honor. Lady Changping had met him then and now greeted him with delight. “Uncle Sheng!”

“Ah!” someone gasped softly. Only then did Wu Tan hurriedly follow the others in saluting. “Your Highness Prince Sheng.”

“That’s enough,” Xiao Yue replied coolly, then turned to ask Princess Lin’an, “Where are you all going?”

“The banquet was too dull, so I’m taking Xun’er and the others for some tea at my place,” Princess Lin’an replied with a smile, glancing around curiously at his solitary figure. “Why are you out here too, Royal Uncle?”

“I drank a bit too much and came out for some fresh air,” Xiao Yue said. It was a perfectly ordinary exchange between uncle and niece, and with the darkness hiding her face, Wu Tan, keeping her head down behind the others, had no particular thoughts, nor did she deliberately avoid him. After all, there was no entanglement or past grievances between her and Xiao Yue. She felt quite at ease following the crowd—only for Xiao Yue to single her out. “Wu Tan? You’re here as well?”

Wu Tan: “...”

—Endnote—

Hmm, the legendary forced conversation!

Huo Yunhua: [Aggrieved] I’m always at a loss for words when Wu Tan retorts. It’s so frustrating being the villainess, boohoo~

Lanbao: [Patting] Don’t be upset, don’t be upset. Isn’t this poetic justice? She’s at a loss for words too, isn’t she~

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