Chapter 145: Someone You Cannot Afford to Provoke

Lian Yue’s eyes darkened at those words. She took two quick steps toward Qiao Yu, towering over her. Narrowing her almond-shaped eyes into a dangerous arc, she said, "I warn you: my eldest sister marrying into your family was a blessing you earned in your past life. The Yue family and the Hidden Sect may not be absolute, but when it comes to making a princess disappear, even the Retired Emperor would be powerless to intervene."

The formidable aura radiating from Lian Yue stunned not only Qiao Yu but everyone else present. Those with any measure of insight knew she was not bluffing. Although the royal family of the Nishang Empire held great power, they were merely one of the seven major factions. An esteemed young lady of the Yue manor was far more precious than a princess like her.

Moreover, the story of the Princess of Nanping and the Prince of Nanping was a celebrated romance in the Nishang Empire; it was the Prince who had traveled thousands of miles to woo the eldest daughter of the Yue family. Having attended many palace banquets, these young ladies knew that even the Empress Dowager and the Empress treated the Princess of Nanping with courtesy.

As for the "fishing in troubled waters" remark Qiao Yu made about the Hidden Sect, one could only hope she had the capability to survive among the seven major factions herself. Qiao Yu had finally run into a hard wall; she was bound to lose a few teeth over this.

Nurse Li, who had followed closely behind, watched as Qiao Yu was forced back several steps by Lian Yue. She shook her head helplessly. To provoke a lady of the Yue family—the Eleventh Princess was truly ignorant. Glancing at Xiang Ju and Xiang Zhu standing aside, she knew this matter could no longer be kept under wraps.

Mindful of the Empress Dowager’s instructions, she hurried forward and said respectfully, "Miss Yue, please calm your anger. The Princess speaks without thinking; this servant apologizes on her behalf."

Lian Yue cast a look of disdain at the hateful Qiao Yu, a mocking smile playing on her lips. She stepped back and looked at Nurse Li. Recognizing her as one of the Empress Dowager’s personal attendants, her tone softened. "Nurse, you are too kind. Yue’er was momentarily agitated and acted improperly; I hope you will forgive me."

With that, she turned to Qiao Ling behind her. "Can you take me around the grounds now?"

Perhaps it was the weight of Lian Yue’s words, or perhaps she was emboldened by seeing Qiao Yu forced back, but Qiao Ling nodded firmly.

Lian Yue scanned the others. "If any of you fear trouble by association with me, you are free to go."

Zhang Yuying, already completely won over by Lian Yue, was the first to speak up. "Sister, your words were so satisfying! I like you; I’ll join you."

The others present had little affection for the Princess, and Qiao Yu’s earlier barbs had deeply offended them. True, their families were subjects of the throne, but they knew the royal family only maintained its position among the seven major factions because of the support of such clans.

Besides, Qiao Yu’s mother was merely a neglected concubine; if not for the title of princess, she was hardly more precious than any of them. Given how many princesses there were in this dynasty, offending one was no great matter.

One by one, they expressed their desire to join Lian Yue. Han Liu, whose eyes flickered with a sharp glint, also moved to Lian Yue’s side.

***

Qiao Yu was now left isolated. She glared at the group and hissed, "Fine! You all are truly something. I’ll remember this—we’ll settle our accounts another day."

Lian Yue did not even glance at her, turning instead to the others. "Let’s go."

She had effortlessly become the most influential person among them.

"Let’s head to the Imperial Garden. There are pavilions there where we can take shelter when the sun gets too harsh," Qiao Ling said, still slightly timid, seeking Lian Yue’s approval.

Lian Yue did not reply, instead asking the others, "What do you all think?"

The Imperial Garden was the pride of the palace, and its beauty went without saying. Naturally, no one objected.

The group of nine, accompanied by their maids, made for a grand procession. Seeing herself completely ignored, Qiao Yu stamped her feet twice, her once-delicate face twisting into a hideous expression.

Nurse Li, well-versed in Qiao Yu’s temperament, feared the girl might do something rash that would put the Empress Dowager in a difficult position. She stepped forward and bowed. "The Empress Dowager has some words she asked me to convey to you, Highness."

As a senior servant, Nurse Li commanded a degree of respect even from the arrogant Qiao Yu. The Princess restrained herself slightly and said, "Speak, Nurse Li."

Nurse Li gestured for the nearby maids to step back before saying, "The Empress Dowager instructed me to remind you that Miss Yue is not someone you can afford to provoke."

Having just suffered a defeat at Lian Yue’s hands, Qiao Yu found the lecture grating. Her tone was sharp. "Is Grandmother making a mountain out of a molehill? Should I just swallow this insult?"

Nurse Li wished she didn't have to waste time here, but if she didn't make things clear and the Princess did something foolish, it would be the royal family that lost face.

"I heard what you said to Miss Yue, Highness. Perhaps you are unaware that in the Nishang Empire, the royal family, the Yue family, the Yuwen family, the Zhou family, the Hidden Sect, the Xiaofeng Pavilion, and the Yanyu Tower exist as equals. The Yue family is not a subordinate of the royal family. Do you understand, Highness?"

"That’s just the pugilistic world inflating the importance of those factions. Why would you believe such things, Nurse? My Imperial Father is the master of this world."

Since the Eleventh Princess remained so willfully blind, Nurse Li had to resort to stronger measures. "If you insist on thinking that way, Highness, there is little I can do. However, the Yue, Yuwen, and Zhou families have always been allies, and Miss Yue is betrothed to the Young Master of the Yuwen family. If Miss Yue were to suffer harm in the palace, and the three great families were to retaliate, the Emperor and the Empress Dowager might be forced to take drastic measures to appease their anger. After all, there are only two Miss Yues, but there are sixteen princesses."

***

These words were bordering on treason, but Qiao Yu understood the implication perfectly. She glared at Nurse Li, shouting, "What do you mean by that? Are you saying my Imperial Father would kill me? Whose side are you on, Nurse Li? I will tell Grandmother about this!"

Nurse Li decided there was no point in continuing. "I am, of course, the Empress Dowager’s servant, and I say this for your own good, Highness. Whether you listen or not, my message is delivered. If you feel aggrieved, you are welcome to ask the Empress Dowager herself. I will not stop you."

With that, she cast a pitying look at the furious Qiao Yu, waved to the maids she had brought, and walked briskly in the direction Lian Yue had taken.

Left behind, Qiao Yu could not believe that even a servant dared to speak to her this way and leave without her permission. With nowhere to vent her rage, she snapped at her own maids, "What are you staring at? Let’s go!"

Qiao Yu had taken Nurse Li’s words to heart, but it only made her loathe Lian Yue more. *She already has a fiancé, yet she still comes here to seduce my sixth uncle. How truly shameless!*

Meanwhile, Lian Yue had already become acquainted with everyone. Han Liu was the niece of the Empress Dowager; two others were the granddaughters of Marquis Dunyang, Shen Yemei and Shen Yeqiu; one was Qiao Yuanwu, the daughter of the late Marquis Qinyuan (the Retired Emperor’s eldest son); another was Mu Jinrong, the granddaughter of Grand Academician Mu; and the last was the spirited Zhang Yuying, daughter of Marquis Zhenyuan, a true daughter of a martial family.

With Qiao Yu gone, the others were quite pleasant—though this was largely because Lian Yue’s status was not beneath theirs.

Lian Yue took a liking to Zhang Yuying’s straightforward nature; she didn't have to guess at any hidden meanings in her words. Thinking of her description of the Princess as a "big rooster," Lian Yue couldn't help but laugh.

Shen Yemei, who had been watching her, asked, "Miss Yue, what are you thinking of that makes you so happy?"

"What else could Sister Yue be thinking of? She must be thinking of how that turkey—no, that big rooster—looked when she was thwarted," Yao Yao replied for her, looking at Lian Yue for credit. "Am I right?"

Lian Yue’s almond eyes sparkled. "Yao Yao knows me best. Sister Zhang’s description was truly fitting. I was just wondering what she’ll be wearing when we see that big rooster again, and how I should describe it next."