Chu Yu had been watching Yun Jinnian all along. Seeing her displeased expression and a look of utter sorrow, his frown deepened. He wanted to get up several times, but each time, Prince Yanjun discreetly stopped him.
Chu Yu felt a surge of anger.
He took several deep breaths to stop himself from standing up and going to question Yun Jinnian for clarification.
Marquis Residence of Yuanshen
Weng Jianrui also brought Yun Muyou, his second brother Weng Jianxun, and his younger sister Weng Mingzhu to enjoy the lanterns.
Weng Jianxun and Weng Mingzhu were already of marriageable age, but their prospects had been a series of missed opportunities.
In the past one or two years, they had been living off Yun Muyou’s dowry. The Marquis Residence of Yuanshen couldn’t produce much silver.
Thus, Weng Mingzhu had set her sights on the palace. She believed she was quite attractive, not a peerless beauty, but fair-skinned and pretty, so she wanted to enter the palace.
First, she could enjoy endless wealth and honor by gaining favor, and second, she could support her maternal family.
Especially after a consort known as Lady Yue had emerged in the palace.
It was decided that after the Lantern Festival, Noble Consort Wang would bring her into the palace, and then she would find an opportunity to serve the Emperor.
As soon as the four entered Huiquan Tower, they saw Chu Yu’s table.
"Your Highness, Prince Rui!" Weng Jianrui greeted respectfully.
Chu Yu glanced at Weng Jianrui indifferently, "Mm!" and waved his hand lightly.
Weng Jianrui understood, "Then I shall take my leave!"
He pulled Yun Muyou away.
Yun Muyou had already seen the table where Yun Jinnian was sitting and looked down on her for bringing the concubine-born children from the second household.
But with Yun Musi and Yun Mulan still present, and Yun Jinnian now being Princess Yijia, mingling with high-ranking officials and the royal family, Yun Muyou had no choice but to step forward.
Yun Musi and Yun Mulan immediately stood up and flanked Yun Muyou on her left and right.
Yun Muyou smiled at them and then looked at Yun Jinnian, Dai Hanmi, and Xu Xinmo, completely ignoring the concubine-born siblings.
"Miss Dai, fourth sister, cousin!"
Dai Hanmi smiled slightly, grabbing her teacup and sipping tea.
Yun Jinnian stood up, just about to speak when Yun Musi and Yun Mulan quickly intervened, "Big sister, where are you sitting? How about we sit with you?"
After Yun Muyou replied, she turned to Yun Jinnian, "Fourth sister, we’ll be heading over there first!"
Yun Jinnian couldn’t be happier.
She didn’t want to speak with Yun Muyou anyway.
Xu Xinmo watched Yun Musi and Yun Mulan leave, cursing them as fools in her heart.
Although it was a marquis estate, Weng Jianrui was still merely a fifth-rank official.
It would be better to stick with Yun Jinnian.
Weng Jianrui thought the same. His position hadn’t advanced, even though he had used all possible connections, to no avail.
Now, he had decided to pursue Yun Jinnian.
He glanced at Weng Jianxun beside him and saw him gawking at Yun Jinnian, almost drooling.
He found it both amusing and disappointing, feeling a tinge of regret.
Yun Jinnian was incredibly beautiful with unmatched medical skills. Each consultation fee was substantial, not to mention the rewards from the palace.
If he had waited longer, how wonderful it would have been to marry Yun Jinnian!
But there was still a chance. If Yun Muyou were to die...
Ever since this thought occurred to him, Weng Jianrui had been feeling excited. As he sat next to Yun Muyou, he kept pinching her thigh under the table.
Yun Muyou gave him a confused look, feeling very nervous but also somewhat thrilled, her voice trembling as she spoke with Yun Musi, Yun Mulan, and Weng Mingzhu.