Madam Zhao understood more about nurturing flowers, but so what? Why should she teach her?
Princess Qionghua was using her status to treat Madam Zhao like a servant.
Su Xiaoqi was not one to be trifled with either. She curled her lips, and without saying a word, directly pulled Madam Zhao away.
Princess Qionghua became anxious.
She had made her move, but if no one responded, she would have no further moves.
She immediately intercepted Su Xiaoqi.
"Aren't you two being a bit petty? It's just a bit of guidance, is it really necessary?" Princess Qionghua started to act unreasonable.
What she said was illogical, but if it were to spread, it would harm Madam Zhao's reputation.
Su Xiaoqi sneered and said, "My mother nurtures flowers not to show off her knowledge, but for self-cultivation.
The reason for refusing the Princess is not unwillingness to teach, but rather, daring not to teach."
As Su Xiaoqi spoke, she moved closer and lowered her voice, saying, "I fear that even if my mother were to teach the Princess with all her might, the Princess might not be able to learn."
"You..." Princess Qionghua was not stupid; Su Xiaoqi was subtly mocking her for her bad temper and lack of self-cultivation.
She was furious!
Princess Qionghua glared at Su Xiaoqi, gritting her teeth, like an inflated balloon about to burst.
Princess Fu'an saw this and pursed her lips, reluctantly stepping forward.
It was their Ning Prince's manor hosting the guests today.
Regardless, the host's reputation could not be tarnished.
Wearily, she pulled her younger sister and led her to the inner chambers.
Princess Qionghua was reluctantly pulled away by Princess Fu'an, but her anger remained unquenched. She grumbled,
"Eldest Sister, why are you pulling me? That bumpkin Su Xiaoqi from the countryside.
She's just a bad person. Let me teach her a lesson, so she knows about respecting hierarchy."
Princess Fu'an frowned. "Qionghua, please be more mindful.
Don't you remember what day it is today, and why our manor is hosting this banquet?"
Princess Qionghua turned her head away from her. "Hmph, I know. That's exactly why I, I just can't accept it."
The Ning Princess Consort had already told them everything.
Their own elder brother was useless, and now they had to acknowledge an illegitimate son their father might have had outside.
Unfortunately, that son was named Shen Yun, and even more unfortunately, he had a wife named Su Xiaoqi.
Princess Qionghua felt that Su Xiaoqi was her jinx.
Every time she encountered her, she had no good luck.
She suspected that Su Xiaoqi had come specifically to curse her.
Princess Fu'an said with a grim expression, "It's just that we are not men, so we cannot share the burden with Mother Consort." Otherwise, their Ning Prince's manor would not have to acknowledge someone born in the countryside.
For this matter, they had even sent their elder brother Shen Fu to the south.
But this was a decision made by their grandfather, and the two sisters were powerless to change it.
Princess Qionghua was indignant. "Hmph, so what? If she marries in later, will we still have good days?"
"Then we must find a way to prevent her from marrying in.
I heard from Liu Tingting that she was a beggar child from the City God Temple. How can someone of such background enter the Prince's manor? It's just embarrassing."
"Yes, exactly. It's just that we know, and Grandfather doesn't. We need to find a way to let him know." Princess Qionghua's mind became active, and she no longer bothered with her temper.
She got up, called her personal maid, and whispered some instructions into her ear.
The maid responded with a look of terror.
Princess Fu'an looked at her sister and asked softly,
"Are you still in contact with Liu Tingting and the others?"
Princess Qionghua's eyes flickered, and she quickly shook her head and denied it.
"No, I heard about it before. After the Yong'an Marquis Manor had an incident and was exiled, we haven't been in contact."
The Yong'an Marquis Manor had a close relationship with the Crown Prince. When the new Emperor ascended the throne, he naturally wouldn't forget them.
If one wanted charges, there were plenty. The Imperial Guard and Wang Enze had already collected a large number, and they were easily dealt with.
By this time, the Liu family of the Yong'an Marquis Manor no longer existed in the capital.
Therefore, Fu'an was still worried when Qionghua mentioned Liu Tingting.
Their Ning Prince's manor had barely survived the recent turmoil, and they could not afford to have an incident due to their association with the Yong'an Marquis Manor.
As the sisters were discussing, Su Xiaoqi, leading Madam Zhao, walked out of the garden and encountered the Ning Princess Consort, who was turning from a corner.
She was followed by a group of people, including older maids and young maids.
Su Xiaoqi's side, however, only had herself, Madam Zhao, Zhang Yu, and Zicao.
They appeared to be outnumbered and outmaneuvered.
But Su Xiaoqi had already anticipated this meeting when she decided to attend the banquet.
She had even rehearsed it many times in her mind and prepared many plans to deal with it accordingly.
So, at this moment, she was not flustered, but rather, somewhat expectant.
She was curious to see what the Ning Princess Consort intended to do.
The spacious covered walkway became crowded as the two parties met.
The Ning Princess Consort glanced past Su Xiaoqi and looked at Madam Zhao.
She was even older than Su Xiaoqi had imagined.
Her face had many fine lines. If her age were not mentioned, Su Xiaoqi might have thought she was around fifty years old.
But even with the many wrinkles on her face, they could not hide her delicate features.
It was clear that she must have been a beauty in her youth.
Meanwhile, Su Xiaoqi was also observing the Ning Princess Consort.
Her gaze was complex.
Anger, depression, unwillingness, and layers of disguised hypocrisy.
This was not an easy person to deal with!
Su Xiaoqi couldn't help but worry about the future of her family.
Time ticked by, and neither party spoke first.
They just looked at each other.
Madam Zhao, who should have been at the center of the storm, was blocked from view by the taller Su Xiaoqi. Furthermore, she was looking down and did not see the uncomfortable expression on the Ning Princess Consort's face.
Therefore, she was the most at ease at this moment.
The Ning Princess Consort's head maid, seeing that the person before her did not intend to bow to her mistress, stepped forward to try and remind her.
Before she could speak, she was stopped by the Ning Princess Consort.
"Never mind. Madam Shen is still young and doesn't understand the rules, so it's understandable.
Old Madam Shen should at least try to guide her.
Alas, it's nothing really. Once you enter the Prince's manor, you will be family. There's no need for excessive courtesy. If you don't understand anything, this Princess Consort will teach you properly."
Su Xiaoqi said indifferently, "This Princess Consort's words are beyond my comprehension. I have two identities: first, I am the adopted granddaughter of the Duke of Yu State, and second, I am the daughter-in-law of my mother-in-law.
If I haven't learned my manners well, my maternal grandmother, godmother, and mother-in-law will guide me. How dare I trouble the Princess Consort to do so."
The Ning Princess Consort looked at Su Xiaoqi, suddenly finding her incomprehensible.
She thought to herself, could it be that she still doesn't know her husband's relationship with the Ning Prince's manor?
Su Xiaoqi knew everything, she was just pretending not to.
What could the Ning Princess Consort do to her?
Did she think that everyone wanted to enter the Prince's manor?