Chapter 410

The Yao Family Patriarch came after the brief period of absent-mindedness.

After the passing of his wife and daughter, the Yao Family Patriarch had not remarried. The arrangements for this banquet could only be left to Second Madam Yao.

Speaking of which, the fates of my two cousins were quite similar- they could only obediently follow behind their auntie.

Compared to the demure and obedient Jiang Sheng, Yao Siqing was more generous and composed. Her small talk faintly carried the aura of a matriarch, annoying Second Madam Yao to the point where she pursed her lips several times.

“The two Yao brothers came from the same mother, yet they’re less harmonious than my father and eldest uncle.” Jiang Chengyu muttered to the side, sounding proud and disdainful.

Jiang Sheng did not respond. She just stared intently at Yao Siqing exchanging pleasantries all the way until she stood before the Jiang family’s table.

“Greetings to Auntie, and to my two young cousins.” Yao Siqing was generous and composed. Yet her first words cut straight to the point, “There’s still half a shichen before the banquet. If my young cousins find the wait dull, why not take a walk with me?”

Jiang Chengyu and Jiang Sheng’s eyes instantly lit up.

Before they could respond, Second Madam Yao objected with displeasure, “This is an imperial banquet. With so many people coming and going, how can it be proper? Stay here and wait for the half shichen.”

Yao Siqing just smiled silently, and gave Jiang Sheng a placating look before winking at Jiang Chengyu.

As expected, Fourth Miss Jiang kicked up a fuss, “Mother, my stomach feels a little uncomfortable. I’d like my two sisters to accompany me out for a moment.”

Who would believe she needed company just to relieve herself? She clearly just wanted to sneak out and play.

Second Madam Yao’s brows furrowed once more.

But before she could say anything this time, Second Madam Jiang just laughed, “Then off you go. Just remember to return early and not be late for the banquet.”

“Thank you, Mother.”

“Thank you, Auntie.”

The three young ladies curtsied gracefully and left elegantly. Their varying heights and builds had their own charm. Aside from Jiang Chengyu who was sincerely restless, both Jiang Sheng and Yao Siqing knew today’s objective—to find the Fifth Prince.

Though simple in word, this was extremely difficult in execution.

Firstly, Jiang Sheng had to pass over the money, so she couldn’t look for the Fifth Prince after the banquet ended. By then, it would be too late.

Before the banquet was the perfect time, but as female relatives of an outer court minister, they had no proper excuse to contact the prince.

After careful calculation, their only chance was to intercept him on the way over right before the banquet started.

The few of them were now familiarizing themselves with the terrain. Following the directions Xumu had provided, they observed and predicted which path the Fifth Prince might take.

Unaware of the truth, Jiang Chengyu happily indulged herself, “Other than gaining some reputation, attending these banquets is nothing but suffering—the food is served cold and barely edible. And the waiting is unbearable.”

Yao Siqing concealed her smile behind a raised hand. “Then why did you still come?”

“I didn’t want to come at all. Mother insisted I must, saying that seeing more people will help secure a good marriage proposal.” Jiang Chengyu muttered under her breath, “I’m only twelve, why must I think of marriage already? I don’t want to at all.”

Only those with mothers could enjoy such care and arrangements.

Yao Siqing and Jiang Sheng’s gazes simultaneously darkened at the thought—one had to arrange everything herself, while the other had never considered arrangements at all.

Jiang Chengyu also realized her slip of tongue and hastily shut her mouth.

A brief silence descended on the group.

It was broken by the sound of approaching footsteps. Several young girls walked over, the one dressed in black glancing scornfully at Jiang Chengyu with a cold laugh. “Isn’t this the rotten fish? Spouting inappropriate words again? Be careful or you’ll die and have your tongue ripped out in hell.”

Jiang Sheng and Yao Siqing were both surprised.

But Jiang Chengyu reacted extremely quickly. Letting go of her hand, she raged, “You’re the rotten fish, you pig head! Dead pig! Who are you calling a pig?”

“Who are you calling a pig?” The girl was furious. “I’m surnamed Zhu, not Pig!”

So she was from the Zhu family. No wonder she didn’t get along with the Jiang girl.

Though it was quite...childish for girls of their status to be calling each other names like this.

“You are a pig, a complete pig from head to toe! Pig head, pig tail!” When it came to a vicious tongue, Jiang Chengyu feared no one. “Just look at that black dress you’re wearing—which fellow swine did you tear it off of?”

After all, pigs had black skin.

Jiang Sheng barely held back her laughter at the quality retort.

“You...” Zhu Wanwan nearly fainted from anger. “Jiang Chengyu, still so vicious after all this time. That poisonous tongue of yours—when will you ever reflect? You’ve caused someone’s death, you’ll meet a terrible end in the future!”

At these words, Jiang Chengyu’s arrogant expression instantly paled. She choked back angrily, “What nonsense are you spouting, Zhu Wanwan? Trying to stir up trouble?” In terms of status, the Zhu girl was clearly no match for the Jiang girl.

Faced with Jiang Chengyu’s threat, Zhu Wanwan shrank back two steps. Just as she was about to turn and leave, she couldn’t resist tossing over her shoulder, “Killed your own sister—if I were you, I wouldn’t dare show my face. Just go home and smother yourself with a blanket! How dare you still attend banquets?”

Jiang Chengyu’s hands trembled at the repeated accusations of killing someone.

She badly wanted to drive away these chattering pests, but her shaken heart left her speechless. She couldn’t even pretend to be strong.

“Guilty conscience, isn’t it Jiang Chengyu?” Zhu Wanwan seized the opportunity and turned back. “And well you should, killing your own sister—you grew up together, and she just died right in front of you. Scared, aren’t you? If only you knew back then, you wouldn’t have done it. If I were you, I’d sew my mouth shut and never dare speak again.”

“That’s right, murderer that you are!”

“Took a person’s life yet still acts so carefree.”

“Must be plagued by nightmares at night.”

The sycophants chimed in with increasingly vicious remarks.

Jiang Chengyu’s complexion grew paler and paler.

This was indeed her weakness, her biggest regret and fear—the key to her absent-mindedness.

The lost life before her eyes, the thoughtless words from her mouth... No matter how her parents and brothers comforted her, she still couldn’t sleep well at night.

She knew she was wrong.

She shouldn’t have spouted nonsense, shouldn’t have been so vicious, shouldn’t have ignored others’ feelings, shouldn’t have pressed people relentlessly.

With the Jiang family’s prestige, the other prominent Fengjing families could only speculate about the rumors in private.

But meeting the loose-tongued Zhu Wanwan today, having her shame exposed so publicly, was probably her retribution—the punishment she deserved.

Jiang Chengyu lowered her gaze as her hands hung limply at her sides.

On the other side, the group of girls were happily exchanging delighted looks, preparing to thoroughly trample the Jiang girl’s arrogance.

Having witnessed everything, Jiang Sheng sighed and ultimately still shielded her cousin.

“Enough.” She pressed her lips tightly together as her petite body erupted with immense strength. “Wishing death and harm with every word—if something really happened to Chengyu because of you, wouldn’t that make you the murderer?”

Zhu Wanwan was taken aback.

“Plotting against a Jiang girl, I wonder what crime that would be? Do you even dare bear the consequences?” Jiang Sheng glared icily. “Even if you dare, I wonder if Madam Zhu could bear it?”

Or perhaps, whether the Zhu family could bear it or not.