The National Master was murmuring something under his breath, which left Li Yanyan even more perplexed. "Master! What on earth are you saying?"
The National Master didn’t respond. He simply raised his gaze towards the stage, where Xie Yingying was already halfway through her zither performance. She felt several pairs of eyes fixated on her, much to her delight. One of these gazes came from the Emperor’s direction. Two more were from the Empress Dowager and the Princess Royal, those infamous gossips. The final two belonged to the white-haired National Master and the child seated beside him. She paid no mind to any others.
The young Emperor had also noticed the National Master looking at Xie Yingying. Hmm. Once the banquet concludes, I’ll have to find a chance to ask the National Master about Xie Yingying’s and Xie Pan’Er’s physiognomy. Who truly has the Phoenix Destiny?
After some thought, he turned his gaze to Xiaosuisui. To his surprise, her eyes were also fixed on Xie Yingying, and her expression held a degree of puzzlement. The young Emperor immediately wanted to ask Suisui if she had noticed something. However, being the Emperor, he managed to restrain himself.
Xiaosuisui had indeed noticed something odd. That wicked woman, Xie Yingying, clearly had a ruined face and was blind in one eye. So how can she look perfectly fine at the Palace Banquet now? Her face is so smooth, without a trace of scars. The injury to her eye also seems healed, but I can tell her left eye has no life in it. That means it’s still blind.Xiaosuisui racked her brain, thinking of all her second uncle’s medical books, but she couldn’t figure out what kind of Medical Skill could have healed Xie Yingying’s face so quickly.
"What do you think of this young lady?"
For some reason, the Empress Dowager had suddenly taken a great liking to the little doll in her arms. This was especially true after she had asked Lin Xile if she could have a few adorable babies like Xiaosuisui, and Xiaosuisui had then commented on Lin Xile’s belly; the Empress Dowager found Xiaosuisui’s responses very interesting. So, when the daughter of some Fifth Grade minor official—whose name the Empress Dowager couldn’t even remember—came up, Her Majesty eagerly asked Xiaosuisui again for her opinion of this woman.
"This young lady is a wicked woman. Suisui doesn’t like her."
Xiaosuisui’s "wicked woman" comment surprised the Empress Dowager. "Dear child, do you know her? Why do you say she’s a wicked woman?"
Without hesitation, Xiaosuisui said, "She curses people, and she has a wicked heart. A few days ago, her eyes were blind and her face was scarred, but today she’s perfectly fine. Grandma, I think this wicked woman is very strange!"
As the Empress Dowager listened to Xiaosuisui’s words, Xie Yingying finished her piece. Xie Yingying stood up and bowed to the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager, thinking about what Xiaosuisui had said, simply waved her hand and dismissed her.
Dismissed just like that? Everyone at the Banquet was astonished. This wasn’t the Empress Dowager’s usual style. Previously, no matter which young lady finished performing, wouldn’t the Empress Dowager always give a casual reward? So why, when it came to the daughter of this Fifth Grade minor official, did the Empress Dowager just send her away?
Before long, everyone’s minds started working. The Chongyang Banquet was clearly not simple. With this performance before the throne, discerning people could see what the Empress Dowager was planning.
"Ning’Er, quickly go and perform a talent for your aunt and your cousin, the Emperor."
The Duke’s wife and the Duke himself, noting that the Fifth Grade official’s daughter received no reward, feared the Empress Dowager had taken a fancy to her. Perhaps she planned a special reward later, maybe even having the Emperor take her directly into the harem. Those who fancied themselves capable of divining the Emperor’s intentions were eager to try their luck.
Xiao Ning’Er caught the look from her parents and eagerly climbed onto the stage, her heart pounding with excitement. This is my chance! The dream I’ve cherished for years must come true tonight!