The word "kneel" was uttered with such righteous indignation, it was as if a white lotus had combined forces with a green tea bitch.
"Your Highness, the Princess Consort, have you gone too far?" a madam from a marquis's mansion spoke up in defense of Nan Yuan'er.
"Your Highness, the Princess Consort, do not be too heartless. One should always be grateful."
"Indeed, Your Highness, the Princess Consort was able to marry into the Prince’s mansion only because of Yuan'er’s grace. Now that you’ve ascended to a higher position, you’ve turned your back on her."
Once one person spoke, the others joined in, chattering away.
Listening to the chorus of condemnation against Nan Shiying, Nan Yuan'er couldn't help but reveal a triumphant smile. However, this smile was fleeting, disappearing as quickly as it appeared, leaving behind only a look of gratitude and sorrow that was difficult to suppress.
Nan Shiying surveyed the room, finding that every face displayed a single word: stupidity.
Most women, if subjected to such ridicule and mockery, would have been overwhelmed with shame and anger. But Nan Shiying appeared completely unfazed, even letting out a laugh.
"All these madams and young ladies filling this courtyard are simply a bunch of fools."
"You..."
"Your Highness, please choose your words carefully."
"Is Your Highness implying that what we said is incorrect?"
Everyone was incensed.
Nan Shiying raised her eyebrows and retorted, "Is what I said incorrect?"
"None of you seem to know who you're defending. That Nan Yuan'er possesses the destiny of an empress. Why would she give up the position of empress to become the Regent's Princess Consort? This position of mine, if you desire it, Nan Yuan'er doesn't care for it. Guess, how did I manage to deceive everyone in the Nan manor and get into the palanquin and the Prince’s mansion back then?"
"Have you guessed?"
"Your Highness means to say..."
Among the ladies and madams of official families, how many were truly foolish? They hadn't considered this angle before, but now that Nan Shiying had pointed it out, they suddenly understood, gasping in disbelief.
It was true, how could Nan Yuan'er, with the destiny of an empress, be willing to marry the Regent?
Thinking this way, Nan Shiying's marriage into the Prince's mansion must have been at the behest of Prime Minister Nan Chaoyin. And Nan Yuan'er likely knew about it from the very beginning.
If that were the case, what was she acting for?
If Nan Shiying hadn't married into the Prince's mansion willingly, why should she be so grateful to Nan Yuan'er?
Nan Yuan'er never expected Nan Shiying to reveal this publicly. She felt a pang of fear, but facing the crowd's doubts, she had to defend herself: "Sister, you clearly knocked me unconscious and tied me up in the woodshed, then you put on my wedding dress, covered your head with the bridal veil, and impersonated me in the palanquin. How can you now slander me and our father like this just to save your own face? Have you no conscience?"
Nan Yuan'er questioned her furiously.
The crowd looked at Nan Yuan'er, then at Nan Shiying. One was a renowned talented woman in the capital, the other a disgraced individual. Instinctively, the crowd sided with Nan Yuan'er.
Of course, not everyone was willing to believe Nan Yuan'er. Those who had a slightly better grasp of the current court politics understood that Nan Shiying's replacement of Nan Yuan'er in the marriage was likely Nan Chaoyin's idea. But knowing this, no one was willing to step forward and say anything.
Naturally, Nan Shiying didn't care if anyone stood up for her. She simply gripped Zou Yun'er's wrist, smiling at Nan Yuan'er, "Come, kneel. As long as you kneel, I will release Your Highness the Noble Consort."
"You..."
Nan Yuan'er hadn't expected Nan Shiying to still demand her to kneel, despite the collective condemnation from the crowd.
But she had spoken so righteously before. If she didn't kneel now, it would be a slap in her own face. How dare Nan Shiying treat her this way?
Zou Yun'er remained silent, allowing Nan Shiying to hold her wrist. Her gaze towards Nan Yuan'er was filled with a sharp, killing intent.
If not for her so-called empress destiny, why would she still be merely a consort up to this day? In what way was Zou Yun'er inferior to this Nan Yuan'er, aside from destiny?
Seeing Nan Yuan'er in a bind, Zou Yun'er showed a look of schadenfreude. She wished Nan Yuan'er would kneel, and she would never resist.
Nan Yuan'er found herself trapped and had no choice but to endure the humiliation and kneel on the ground.
Her gritted teeth made a creaking sound, and she almost lost control of her facial expression, revealing the simmering hatred.
Noticing the hatred in Nan Yuan'er's eyes, Nan Shiying let out a cold laugh. Hatred? It was merely making you kneel on the ground, which was not even a fraction of what you did to Nan Shiying back then. Besides, we still have an account to settle between us.
"Your Highness, the Princess Consort, are you satisfied?"
Nan Yuan'er suppressed her anger, only displaying sorrow on her face.
Nan Shiying cast her a sarcastic glance and said with a smile, "Satisfied, of course, I am satisfied. I imagine Your Highness the Noble Consort is also very satisfied."
As Nan Shiying spoke, she released the Noble Consort's wrist.
Compared to Nan Shiying, Zou Yun'er hated Nan Yuan'er even more. As the saying goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Since Nan Shiying and Nan Yuan'er were at loggerheads, they had a good basis for communication.
Zou Yun'er nodded and smiled, but she smiled as she thanked Nan Yuan'er, "I thank you, Fourth Miss."
Nan Yuan'er clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms.
"Alright, time is almost up. My palace maids in my palace are likely ready. Everyone, please return with me."
The crowd exchanged glances and then bowed, agreeing.
As for Nan Yuan'er, apart from a few madams and young ladies who were her close friends, no one was willing to offend Zou Yun'er for her sake.
Qin Yushan glared fiercely at Nan Shiying but dared not act recklessly. This woman didn't even show respect to the Noble Consort, and her maid dared to slap the Noble Consort's palace maid. And this woman herself had forced the arrogant Nan Yuan'er to kneel willingly. With such schemes and means, it was no wonder her sister was no match for her.
"Your Highness, please."
Zou Yun'er gestured for Nan Shiying to proceed.
Nan Shiying nodded to her and followed the crowd towards Lilac Palace.
On the Yilan Pavilion in Lilac Palace, palace maids had already set up tables and chairs. After everyone was seated, the maids served plates of delicious delicacies.
Zou Yun'er sat in the main seat, with Nan Shiying in the first seat on the right, directly below Zou Yun'er.
Nan Shiying rested one hand on the table and held chopsticks in the other. Without regard for the people present, she began to eat.
The dishes from the imperial kitchen were indeed delicious.