Ye Jingyu poured two cups of tea and delivered them to the large and small figures on the bed, saying, "This time is different. Her father is the newly appointed second-rank Provincial Governor, a popular figure in the court."
Su Yunmo scoffed, "If he's so popular in court, can he still be easily taken advantage of by you?"
There was likely something fishy going on here.
Ye Jingyu's eyes flickered slightly, and he remained silent.
A moment later, Qian Xue entered from outside, "Master, someone from the harem has come to pick up Miss Qin."
"Then throw her back, and by the way, tell them that some people shouldn't be coveted. Just say this Prince said so." A cold light flashed in Ye Jingyu's eyes.
"Yes." Qian Xue bowed and went out.
In the courtyard, Qin Mingyan was already half dead, lying on the ground.
Granny Cui, along with two palace maids, stood by with respectful yet somewhat nervous expressions, "Miss, does His Highness Prince Yu have any instructions?"
Qian Xue conveyed her master's exact words, then added, "Consort Qin is currently busy managing all affairs of the Six Palaces. While our Master understands this, he also wishes to remind the Consort that besides official duties, family matters should also be handled well."
"Otherwise, if it causes trouble for others, no one will look good."
Granny Cui wiped a bead of cold sweat and repeatedly said, "Yes."
The two palace maids then stepped forward to take Qin Mingyan away.
"This old servant will relay the message to our Consort. This old servant takes her leave." Granny Cui bowed and left the cold palace.
After a group of people exited the cold palace, they did not head towards the Phoenix Perch Palace but turned in the opposite direction.
Consort Qin sat on the soft couch in the main hall, her expression grim and unpleasant, "Has the person not been brought back yet?"
Granny Cui entered from outside, "Your Highness, please do not worry. The second young lady has been found. However, it seems she ate something dirty and needs to vomit it all out before she can walk."
"Or perhaps you could summon the second young lady after she has rested for a night?"
Consort Qin slammed the table, gritting her teeth, "By the time she rests, I will have already been ruined by her! Call her to me immediately!"
Granny Cui quickly went out to call for her. After a while, Qin Mingyan was supported in by two palace maids.
Consort Qin was furious the moment she saw her in such a state, "Didn't I tell you to behave yourself? What happened today!"
She had always harbored the desire to find a good husband and enjoy wealth and honor for a lifetime, and she knew this well.
From before, she had advised her not to daydream all day and to think of practical matters.
But she refused to listen, spending her days revolving around noble young masters. Now, she had set her sights on the princes.
She had wondered why the Empress had called her for no reason to discuss something good. It turned out it was to stir up trouble!
Qin Mingyan's face was a little pale from vomiting, but it didn't hinder her 'alluring' demeanor.
She tidied her hair and said in a simpering voice, "Sister, what are you saying? You enjoy supreme honor in the palace, should I just die in the manor for a lifetime?"
"Now that I've reached marriageable age, what's wrong with finding a good husband?"
Consort Qin was exasperated, "I don't care if you find a husband, but why him of all people? Do you think being Prince Yu's Consort is that easy?"
Qin Mingyan said dismissively, "How will I know if I don't try?"
Although Prince Yu was a bit younger than her, he was influential in court. With Prince Cheng confined to his residence, the officials followed Prince Yu's lead.
It was possible that one day His Majesty would issue a decree to make Prince Yu the Crown Prince. If she could truly marry Prince Yu, she would become the Crown Princess.
How glorious would that be?
"Stop your wild fantasies!" Consort Qin knew what she was thinking from her expression, "I'll say it again, from today onwards, you are not allowed to go to the Phoenix Perch Palace, nor are you to pester Prince Yu!"
Did she really think the Empress was helping her out of kindness?
Her father had been promoted, but did she not know how he obtained that promotion?
If it weren't for His Majesty's favor towards her, and overlooking many things for her sake, her father would not have achieved his current reputation.
But serving a ruler was like accompanying a tiger. The higher one sat, the more one should learn to be cautious and not provoke those who shouldn't be provoked.
She knew very well the methods of His Highness Prince Yu. The Empress's intention to match them today clearly understood Prince Yu's temper. With Mingyan's personality, it was possible she might anger him one day.
Then the Qin family's prestige would also disappear. In that case, if the two sides clashed, the Empress would be the one to benefit.
Qin Mingyan was displeased, "Sister, aren't you being a bit too overbearing? You don't help your sister plan, and even block the Empress's kindness towards me."
Where in the world was there a sister like this?
"Insolent!" Consort Qin sharply rebuked, "I don't have time to discipline you now. By the time your dull mind figures it out, the Qin manor will have already been confiscated!"
She paused, then let out a long sigh, "The suffering you endured today is also a good thing. You've seen Prince Yu's attitude clearly, so don't embarrass yourself anymore."
"After all, Prince Yu is not a petty person. If he has vented his anger today, he won't trouble you further. Fortunately, you didn't provoke that child from the Su family."
Qin Mingyan wanted to retort, but swallowed her words, "The child from the Su family?"
A small, round face suddenly popped into her mind.
"Sister, are you talking about that Mo Mo? Is she Su Yunmo?"
Oh no, she had thought she was Concubine Liang's illegitimate daughter. No wonder Prince Yu was inexplicably angry.
Upon hearing her tone, Consort Qin felt a chill down her spine, "You saw her? You didn't offend her, did you?"
Qin Mingyan's heart sank when she learned of Su Yunmo's identity, but seeing Consort Qin so flustered, she calmed down instead.
"Sister, why are you so anxious? I merely wanted to hit her, but I didn't. In the end, I was the one punished. We are the ones who suffered."
What if Su Qingtian had the prestige of a general? Her father was now a second-rank official, only slightly lower than him.
"You, you, you... you idiot!" Consort Qin clutched her heart, gasping for breath, and finally waved her hand to command.
"Someone, send her back to the manor! Tell the people in the palace that from now on, she is not allowed to enter the palace again!"
Palace maids stepped forward and restrained Qin Mingyan from both sides.
Qin Mingyan struggled and refused, "Why can't I enter the palace! Let go of me, I still need to apologize to His Highness Prince Yu and beg for his forgiveness, let go of me!"
Qin Mingyan was dragged away.
Granny Cui stepped forward, "Your Highness, please do not worry. This matter is not too serious. This old servant has seen that young lady from the Su family before. Although she is young, she is not someone who holds grudges."
Qin Mingyan's teeth itched with hatred, and her head ached terribly, "If she doesn't hold a grudge this time, it's hard to say if there's a second time."
"Hurry up and ask the imperial kitchen to make some pastries and send them to her. At least, temporarily pacify her anger."
She hoped that if anything else happened in the future, she would be able to show her some respect because of these pastries and not involve her.
Although Granny Cui felt Consort Qin was overthinking, she still followed the order.
The imperial kitchen made pastries, and Granny Qin personally delivered them.
At this time, Su Yunmo had already come out of the cold palace and was about to leave the palace.