Phoenix Reigns Over The Nine Heavens - Chapter 27

Princess Jinning is the current emperor’s elder sister and Yun Zishu’s aunt. She had been deeply favored by the late emperor, but this princess was known for her romantic escapades. In her youth, she had been deeply in love with her husband, yet over the years, in addition to her husband, she would occasionally favor handsome young men. Her husband, though cuckolded, dared not utter a single word of complaint.

Xiao Yunwu, the legitimate daughter of the Xiao family, married Xu Anzhi, the son of Princess Jinning. The two families were thus connected by marriage. However, Princess Jinning held no influence in court politics or commanded any military power, so she was of little use to the crown prince.

For the Xiao family, having their daughter marry into the Grand Princess’s family means she can enjoy a life of wealth and honor; everything else is unimportant. The marriage that truly involves the power of the court belongs to Xiao Yunheng.

The marriage between Xiao Yunheng and Yun Zishu was a result eagerly anticipated by both the Emperor and Xiao Yuanting.

However, none of this prevented Xiao Yunwu from still caring about the Xiao family’s interests. So Xiao Yunwu, who has a good relationship with Xiao Yunheng, finally came forward after observing the situation for a few days.

The next morning, Yun Zishu arrived at the Grand Princess’s estate by carriage.

As soon as she got out of the carriage, someone came out to greet her. A servant was crouched on the ground to serve as her footstool. Yun Zishu glanced at him, lifted the hem of her skirt, and lightly leaped onto the ground.

“Your Highness the Ninth Princess?” Another carriage slowly drove over, and a girl in the carriage lifted the curtain to greet her. “Are you also here to attend the flower appreciation banquet hosted by the grand princess today?”

Yun Zishu turned her head to look at her and smiled faintly, “Princess Baozhu.”

The carriage came to a stop, and the curtain was lifted by the maid. The girl stepped down using a servant as a footstool and looked at Yun Zishu with a haughty expression. “The ninth princess looks quite well.”

Yun Zishu was wearing a bright blue waist-hugging floor-length dress today, with a hairpin adorned with sapphires. Her ice-blue earrings matched the color of her dress, complementing her delicate and beautiful face. and her flawless, porcelain-like skin.

She exuded a natural aura of nobility.

Zi Shu smiled faintly: “Princess Baozhu is the same.”

This person was Princess Baozhu, the daughter of Prince Rong. She was fifteen years old and had been spoiled by her mother, so she was rather arrogant and had always looked down on Yun Zishu, who had no mother.

In addition, she was on good terms with Xiao Yunwu, so she naturally disliked Yun Zishu even more.

The two walked side by side towards the Grand Princess’s estate. Under the guidance of the maid, they walked into the Orchid Garden Flower Hall. Princess Baozhu said lightly, “How many noble ladies in the imperial capital want to marry into the Xiao family? The Ninth Princess has made such a scene this time. Is she not afraid of being abandoned by the young general Xiao?”

“I’ve already grown tired of him, and I don’t care if he abandons me.” Yun Zishu replied indifferently. She then turned to look at Yun Baozhu. “Only women like you, Princess Baozhu, whose lives revolve around men, would constantly worry about being disliked by their husbands.”

Yun Baozhu’s face changed, her expression becoming stiff and ugly. “You…”

“They’re all waiting,” Yun Zishu said, looking at the garden. “Let’s go over there.”

Several princesses and noble ladies had already taken their seats in the flower hall, chatting, tasting tea, and admiring flowers. The atmosphere was extremely harmonious until Yun Zishu and Yun Baozhu arrived, instantly making the flower hall quiet.

More than a dozen pairs of eyes fell on Yun Zishu’s face, and then a look of surprise and doubt appeared in their eyes.

They had assumed that after the incident with the Xiao family, Yun Zishu would appear haggard and embarrassed. After all, since ancient times, women have been dependent on men, and even princesses are no exception.

Moreover, Yun Zishu, as a princess, had no one to rely on. She needed the protection of a powerful husband’s family to earn others’ respect.

Falling out with the Xiao family would not only be embarrassing and make her a laughingstock, but would also mean that she would lose her support from then on.

Yet, her demeanor today defied everyone’s expectations.

“Her Highness, the legitimate princess, has arrived. Don’t the noble ladies know how to stand and pay their respects?” Leng Yue swept her gaze over the seated guests in the hall. “Is this the upbringing and etiquette of noble ladies from esteemed families?”

Her words immediately shifted the atmosphere in the hall.

The women looked at each other, then reluctantly got up and saluted Yun Zishu. “Greetings, Ninth Princess.”

“No need to be so polite,” Yun Zishu said calmly. “Please take a seat.”

The women sat back down, looking displeased and sullen.

“Your Highness, the Ninth Princess, looks well.” Xiao Yunwu arrived, wearing a purple dress, accompanied by four maids. “These past few days, the Xiao family has been in a state of chaos. Does Your Highness feel very powerful?”

Yun Zishu turned her head and looked at Xiao Yunwu, who was approaching slowly. The corners of her mouth curled up. “Even Madam Xiao has to kneel when speaking in front of me. Not only do you dare to stand, but you also dare to sneer at me. I don’t know who gave you the courage.”

Xiao Yunwu’s face darkened, and she glared coldly at Yun Zishu.

“Xiao Yunheng has already moved into the princess’s residence. By my order, no one is allowed to visit him.” Yun Zishu smiled, but her smile was a little cold. “Miss Xiao, are you deliberately defying me so that I have a reason to vent my anger on Xiao Yunheng?”

Xiao Yunwu rebuked angrily, “You dare!”

“Why wouldn’t I dare?” Yun Zishu raised her eyebrows. “I even dared to write a letter of divorce. What else wouldn’t I dare to do?”

Xiao Yunwu’s face turned ashen.

Someone tried to smooth things over: “Your Highness, Ninth Princess, today we are here on the invitation of the Grand Princess. Please, for the Grand Princess’s sake…”

“Miss Xiao didn’t give me any respect, so why should I consider anyone else’s face?” Yun Zishu sat down slowly in her seat. “When I was in the Xiao family, Madam Xiao insisted on teaching me etiquette. Yet it seems that the Grand Princess has failed to teach the Xiao family’s daughter any proper manners, to the point she doesn’t even understand hierarchy.”

Xiao Yunwu stood stiffly with a pale face, tightly clenching the handkerchief in her hand.

Originally, she had intended to humiliate Yun Zishu today, but she didn’t expect that Yun Zishu would publicly shame her without any mercy. Xiao Yunwu’s face was extremely grim, and she longed to step forward and slap her twice.

Yun Zishu sat to the side drinking tea as if nothing had happened. The tea had been tested for poison by Leng Shuang and was confirmed to be safe.

“Ninth Sister is being too serious. Why put on airs as a princess here?” The eighth princess, Yun Zirou, said lazily with a smile, “A princess without the protection of her mother is no different from the daughter of a concubine in an official’s family. What use is the title of ‘legitimate daughter’? Staying humble is the way to protect oneself.”

As soon as the Eighth Princess spoke, the other women were invigorated and echoed, “That’s right. A princess without her mother’s protection shouldn’t talk about being a legitimate daughter. She’s no different from an orphan.”

Yun Baozhu, who had been slighted by her outside, finally found an opportunity to fight back. She sneered coldly, “You dare to talk about divorcing the young general of the Xiao family? You should take a good look at who you are and who you will need to rely on in the future.”

Yun Zishu picked up her teacup and took a slow, deliberate sip of tea, her demeanor the picture of elegance and composure.

“It’s hard to say who will rely on whom in the future.” She said languidly, “However, Xiao Yunheng is now my consort. How I choose to deal with him is ultimately my decision to make.”