Chapter 60: A Glimpse of Astonishment

Chapter 60 - A Glimpse of Astonishment Note: Don't Forget to join my Patreon.com/flokixy to get access to +40 Advance Chapters I have to stop if there is no support After the competition concluded, the grand hall returned to its usual state of revelry, with music and laughter filling the air. Returning to her seat, Su Li was surrounded by a flurry of congratulations from the ladies around her. Yet, it was impossible to discern who among them was sincere and who was merely feigning politeness. Su Li's ennoblement as a county lady—complete with an honorary title—left Meng Zhiyun seething with envy. Watching Su Li bask in the admiration of the crowd, a shadow of resentment flickered across Meng Zhiyun's face. Once Su Li had managed to politely dismiss the well-wishers, she finally let out a sigh of relief. Wei Yuan Yao beamed excitedly. "Lier, I never expected you to be so incredible! Compared to you, that Su Yue is utterly mediocre. Now that you're a county lady, should I bow to you whenever we meet?" Su Li chuckled. "Sister, you jest. But tell me, have you noticed someone sitting over there in the corner?" Wei Yuan Yao glanced over casually and shrugged. "No one's there." "Take a closer look," Su Li urged, a teasing smile playing on her lips. Wei Yuan Yao squinted, her eyes widening in surprise as she finally spotted the figure. Su Li suppressed a laugh at her cousin's reaction. She had already noticed during the Hundred Flowers Festival that Wei Yuan Yao and Ji Huai Zhou shared an undeniable chemistry. "You see them now?" Su Li asked. She herself had only recently realized that Jun Mo and his companions were seated in that obscure corner. Given their statuses, they should have been seated prominently near the front. Clearly, the trio had chosen the secluded spot to avoid unnecessary attention. "Didn't Brother say he wasn't coming? Why is he hiding in the corner?" Wei Yuan Yao wondered aloud. Su Li leaned in conspiratorially. "Your future brother-in-law is there too." Wei Yuan Yao flushed red and pinched Su Li's waist playfully. "You little rascal!" Su Li quickly begged for mercy. In the corner, Ji Huai Zhou sipped leisurely on his wine, thoroughly enjoying the vantage point. From here, he could observe the entire hall without interruption—a perfect arrangement. Just as he was savoring his drink, he felt a faint but unmistakable gaze settle on him. Glancing up, he recognized the source and straightened his posture discreetly. Noticing this, Wei Yuan Ling teased, "What's gotten into you? Sitting so stiffly—did some young lady catch your eye?" Ji Huai Zhou smiled charmingly. "Perhaps." His smug grin sent shivers down Wei Yuan Ling's spine. "Peacock," he muttered under his breath. --- After the banquet ended, the emperor and empress departed first. Jun Hui escorted Consort Yun away shortly after. Su Li rose to assist her mother, while Wei Yuan Yao supported Lady Wang as they made their way out together. Su Li's father was already waiting by the carriage at the palace gates. Today had been a rollercoaster of emotions for him. His daughter had both humiliated and honored him in equal measure. From afar, Su Li spotted her father's figure. "Mother, Father must be getting anxious," she remarked softly. The two walked hand in hand toward the gate. Suddenly, a figure rushed forward with alarming speed. Su Li acted swiftly, steadying her mother and guiding her safely aside. "Ahh! My leg!" a shrill voice cried out in pain. Lady Wang and Wei Yuan Yao turned back just in time to witness the chaotic scene. "Mother, are you alright?" Su Li asked urgently. Still shaken, Su's mother shook her head slightly. "I'm fine, child." "You're fine, but my leg hurts terribly! Su Li, how dare you step on me like that! Apologize immediately!" The speaker, none other than Meng Zhiyun, had intended to seize the opportunity to yank off Su Li's veil but instead found herself thwarted—and trampled upon. Su Li's cold voice cut through the commotion. "Meng Zhiyun? How did your leg end up beneath my foot? And might I remind you of something you seem to have forgotten?" Her earlier words at the banquet could be forgiven, but endangering her mother was unforgivable. That stomp had been deliberate; Meng Zhiyun's leg would surely bruise—if not worse. "What did I forget? Su Li, stop changing the subject! Apologize to me this instant!" Meng Zhiyun demanded haughtily. Su Li's father, witnessing the altercation, nearly panicked. Hurrying over, he examined his wife anxiously. "Are you hurt?" She shook her head again. Inwardly, she resolved to minimize outings in the future. If not for Lier's quick reflexes, she might have fallen and injured herself severely. Seeing Meng Zhiyun's blatant lack of remorse, Su Li's expression darkened. "Have you forgotten that I've been bestowed the title of Lady of Changning County? Not only did you fail to show proper respect, but you also presumed to offend someone of higher rank. Is this how the Right Minister raises his daughter?" At Su Li's pointed words, the surrounding crowd suddenly remembered: this young woman from the Su family was no longer the same person they once knew. At that moment, Xiang He, the empress's trusted attendant, arrived with several palace maids carrying trays laden with gifts. "Miss Su, Her Majesty has sent me to escort you out of the palace. These are tokens of appreciation from Her Majesty for you." Xiang He's announcement caused Meng Zhiyun's face to pale visibly. For the empress to personally send an attendant was no small matter—it was an immense honor, and one bestowed exclusively upon Su Li among all present. Su Li curtsied gracefully toward the imperial palace. "Thank you, Your Majesty." Noticing the gathered crowd, Xiang He inquired, "Miss Su, may I ask what transpired here?" Before Su Li could respond, Meng Zhiyun hastily interjected, "It's nothing, just a minor misunderstanding. I accidentally bumped into the county lady. Please forgive me, Lady Su—I beg your indulgence." Su Li's voice remained icy. "Weren't you just moments ago demanding an apology from me?" Xiang He's eyes widened in astonishment. "As a county lady, even if Miss Su were in the wrong—which she clearly isn't—there would be no reason for her to apologize to a commoner's daughter." Meng Zhiyun's face burned crimson with shame and anger. However, recognizing Xiang He's authority as the empress's personal attendant, she swallowed her pride. Any negative report to the empress could tarnish her standing irreparably. Realizing this, Meng Zhiyun knelt before Su Li. "County Lady, it was entirely my fault. Please show mercy and forgive me this once." Considering her newly acquired title, Su Li decided against pushing the matter further—for now. But she vowed silently that any future offenses would not go unpunished. "Very well, given my mother's frailty today, I'll let it slide." Xiang He stepped forward graciously. "Miss Su, allow me to escort you out of the palace." "Thank you, Sister Xiang He," Su Li replied gently. Impressed by Su Li's respectful demeanor, Xiang He's smile softened, genuine warmth replacing her formal politeness. Once Su Li and her party boarded their carriage and departed, the remaining guests gradually dispersed. Only Meng Zhiyun remained, her eyes blazing with hatred as she glared at Su Li's retreating figure. "Well? Don't just stand there! Help me up! That wretched Su Li—she stomped on me mercilessly!" Unbeknownst to anyone, a luxurious carriage lingered quietly in the shadows nearby. Within it sat Liang Xuanting, his mind replaying the fleeting glimpse of beauty concealed beneath Su Li's veil. The so-called "ugliest face in Tian Qi" hid such breathtaking allure! How intriguing. "Master, it's time to return to the inn." Liang Xuanting entered the carriage. "Let's go."