Princess Consort Wei's face showed no trace of anger or fury at this moment; it even held a hint of graceful smiles.
Bian Siyue thought to herself, "She's quite composed."
Following the rules, Princess Consort Wei respectfully kowtowed and offered tea to Bian Siyue.
Bian Siyue showed a satisfied smile and reached out to take the teacup. However, whether it was because Princess Consort Wei let go too early or Bian Siyue took it too late, the teacup fell to the ground with a "clang" and shattered.
The warm tea splashed, wetting Bian Siyue's skirt and Princess Consort Wei's clothes.
Bian Siyue jumped up immediately, "Oh my, you scared me to death."
Yinzhu feigned anxious concern, asking, "Madam Bian, did it scald you?"
Of course, it wouldn't scald. It was the height of summer, and the tea was served after being warmed.
But the pretense had to be maintained.
Yinzhu grabbed Bian Siyue's hand and examined it, then breathed a sigh of relief, "Fortunately, you weren't scalded. Otherwise, His Highness would be heartbroken again."
Bian Siyue glanced at her, her eyes seeming to say, "That's enough, don't overdo the act."
Liuxing grumbled, "The tea wasn't hot, how could it scald? Our Mistress's clothes are all wet."
Bian Siyue shot Liuxing a sharp look and sneered, "Princess Consort Wei's maidservant is truly well-trained. Before her mistress has spoken, she dares to interrupt again and again? Is this the kind of upbringing the Wei family has?"
Liuxing was indignant, her cheeks puffed up in anger, and she was about to retort when Princess Consort Wei shot her a look that silenced her.
Princess Consort Wei apologized, "Please forgive me, Madam. I will discipline her properly when we return."
She wasn't even angry about this? Bian Siyue was truly impressed.
She looked down at Princess Consort Wei and sneered, "Princess Consort, are you unhappy with me? Do you feel it's beneath you, a mere Madam, to kowtow and offer tea to someone of lower rank, causing you to lose face? Is that why you deliberately dropped the teacup? If you don't want me to drink this tea, that's fine. I represent Her Royal Highness the Princess Consort. If Her Royal Highness doesn't receive your tea today, you will not be considered a legitimate Princess Consort of Ding'an Prince's manor!"
Princess Consort Wei clenched her fists, her fingernails digging deeply into her palms.
Hmph, she really knows how to borrow power from others, a mere Madam!
Princess Consort Wei made up her mind. After dealing with Wang Qingyao, she would make this arrogant Madam Bian accompany Wang Qingyao as well!
"Madam misunderstands. I did not think that," Princess Consort Wei suppressed the surging anger within her and explained gently, "I didn't hold it steady just now, and I startled Madam. Madam represents Her Royal Highness the Princess Consort, how could I disrespect Her Royal Highness?"
As she spoke, she gestured for Liuxing to bring another cup of tea and respectfully offered it again.
This time, Bian Siyue took it steadily and took a sip. The ceremony was thus completed.
She asked Princess Consort Wei to rise.
Liuxing helped Princess Consort Wei up. Having knelt for so long, her blood circulation was poor. As soon as she stood, her head felt dizzy, and she swayed slightly. She only managed to stand steady again with Liuxing's support.
Her face still showed no hint of resentment, and her movements were elegant and dignified.
"In that case, I shall take my leave."
Liuxing supported her as she walked out of Kangping Courtyard.
Bian Siyue leaned towards Yinzhu and gazed in the direction Princess Consort Wei had left, saying, "Yinzhu, do you think girls from noble families are all… so composed?"
Yinzhu thought for a moment, "Not necessarily. Her sister, the Crown Princess, isn't quite like that. I've seen her lose her temper several times."
It seemed to be a matter of individual personality.
The two entered the room to report.
Unbeknownst to them, Wang Qingyao, using her clairvoyant eyes, had seen everything that had just happened.
"You, oh you," she said to Bian Siyue with a sigh, "Now you've really made an enemy of her. Be careful in the future, don't let her harm you."
Wang Qingyao knew very well that Princess Consort Wei had entered the manor on behalf of the Fifth Princess. The Fifth Princess had failed to harm Wang Qingyao, and since Princess Consort Wei was acting on her behalf, she would certainly not let Wang Qingyao live peacefully.
Although Bian Siyue was blunt and direct, when it came to schemes and plots, she was probably no match for Princess Consort Wei.
Bian Siyue didn't take it to heart at all and said with a smile, "Don't I have you, my Mistress, backing me up? Besides, if she's focused on me, you can have a good confinement."
Huang Shiyu glared at her, "You're making enemies for the Princess Consort."
Bian Siyue scoffed, "Hmph, do I need to make enemies? The Princess Consort and Princess Consort Wei are already adversaries."
Huang Shiyu was speechless.
Over at Linglong Pavilion, Princess Consort Wei had just returned. Before she could even get angry, Liuxing was already indignant.
"This Madam Bian is too arrogant! Relying on the support of the Princess Consort and His Highness, she dared to humiliate you, my Mistress!"
Princess Consort Wei had already calmed her anger during the walk.
"Why bother with her? Today she represented the Princess Consort, but will she represent the Princess Consort every day in the future? She's just a Madam, and she still has to bow to me!"
"But… the Princess Consort is too much of a bully, sending a Madam to represent her, she clearly did it on purpose!"
Princess Consort Wei sneered, "Of course she did it on purpose!"
Liuxing suddenly had an idea, "My Mistress, that maidservant who went in to report, she was on guard duty yesterday. I thought she was just a guard maid, and it was she who told me that His Highness stayed with Madam Bian last night, and that His Highness doted on Madam Bian. Look at her today, how is she like a guard? She's clearly a capable head maidservant by the Princess Consort's side!"