Chapter 172 (2/2)

“Oh!” Finally, someone recognized Chen Yu, “Isn’t that the Feng family’s eldest young miss? But wasn’t it said that she is a national beauty? And that she is ranked as the most beautiful person in the capital?”

“Even for a more beautiful person, with make up applied like this, could it be seen?” The group was not silent, as they spoke. Not a single person went to greet Chen Yu.

Fen Dai felt at ease when hearing others discuss Chen Yu and could not help but go forward. Standing next to Chen Yu, she said: “Eldest sister, you are the Feng family’s daughter to the first wife. How is it that you do not go greet these madams and young misses? Based on our family’s official ranking, they are all much lower rank than you.”

Chen Yu had the heart to strangle Fen Dai. Could it be that she did not want to go greet them? But look at these madams and young misses. When they saw her come over, they would turn their heads away, making it clear that they wanted to ignore her, so why bother getting involved?

She did not argue with Fen Dai, as she turned and stood in line. But just after she took a few steps, she saw Xiang Rong happily chatting with a few young misses in the line. There was also another young miss that walked over and loudly said: “Aren’t you the third young miss who come to participate in the Mid-Autumn banquet with Princess Yu?”

Xiang Rong turned to face her and smiled, replying: “I am. Has young miss Yuan been well?”

The face of the one referred to as young miss Yuan bloomed into a smile, as she quickly said: “I have been well. And you?”

Xiang Rong also nodded: “Me too.”

The girls gathered together to chat and laugh heartily. Chen Yu and Fen Dai found that looking at this was painful, but they could only line up with Xiang Rong. With no other options, they could only bite the bullet and walk up.

The young misses saw the two come over and gradually lowered their voices. Silently standing there, they no longer spoke.

Fen Dai was one who looked for trouble and said: “It finally quieted down.” This caused all the young misses the glare fiercely.

In truth, Xiang Rong truly wanted to remind Fen Dai to be more careful when speaking after entering the palace, but given Fen Dai’s nature, did it look like she would listen to advice? The words were nearly spoken a few times, but she always ended up swallowing them back down. In the end, she decided against it and did not speak. An shi was right. Each person had their own choices. Nobody could control anyone else.

Everyone began entering the palace. Xiang Rong did not see Xuan Tian Ge and her friends the entire time. After asking the other young misses, she found out that imperial daughter Wu Yang was originally a member of the imperial family and had no need to line up outside. As for the other young misses, they were also brought in early on by imperial daughter Wu Yang.

Finally, they also passed through the invitation check and entered the palace. Xiang Rong, however, noticed that this banquet seemed to be in a different location than the previous time. Although she had entered through a different gate, they were definitely going in the direction of Liu Li courtyard.

She then thought of how it was now winter. The palace banquet would be held inside, right?

But the palace maid leading the way led them to an area next to a large lake. That large lake did not freeze. On this lake, there were boats with some large and some small. Some had people, while others were empty.

Seeing another group of people arrive, the eunuch in charge of the boats quickly pulled a boat to shore and said to the palace maid leading the way: “How many groups are there behind them?”

The palace maid replied: “Roughly three more.” He then turned around and spoke to the female guests led by the palace maid: “Today’s banquet will be held on the small island in the middle of the lake. Everyone must sit in a boat to arrive at the small island. The officials, madams and young misses who arrived earlier have already gone over. Let us also hurry!” After he finished speaking, he began arranging for people to get in boats, one family at a time.

The three young misses from the Feng family naturally all went together. The boat the three were in was not large. When it began moving, there was a slight swaying. Some people firmly held a beam of the boat but still stood to take in the fresh scene.

Chen Yu stood next Fen Dai. Ever since she got on the boat, she began looking around the lake. Fen Dai watched her and knew that she was looking for someone. She then connected it to what Han shi said about her affections for the seventh prince. How could she not know Chen Yu’s thoughts. She could not help but coldly snort and say sarcastically: “Eldest sister, do not hold onto any feelings for his Highness Prince Chun. Have you not thought about whether or not you are worthy now.”

“Feng Fen Dai.” Chen Yu did not get angry this time, instead only coldly reminding her: “Do not think that returning this time because of an imperial decree will allow you to remain at the manor. So long as father does not give up on me, you will not be able to return. After all…” She looked to the side, “Above you, there is still Xiang Rong. Your mother is one who is most likely to be fooled. Do you feel, based on just this one point, do you still have any hope in this lifetime?”

In the end, Chen Yu was older than her by a few years and had been daughter to the first wife for a few years. Scaring people was something she had a little proficiency in.

Fen Dai became angry over what she said and angrily stomped her feet; however, she had forgotten that she was on a boat. The boat swayed for a while, causing Xiang Rong’s face to turn white with fear.

The eunuch in charge of the boat said: “Young misses, you must not move around so wildly. This boat is small. If it you were to fall into the water on this cold day, you would be regretting it.”

These words reminded Fen Dai, as she stared at the ice-cold water in the lake. For some reason, she felt that if Feng Chen Yu were to fall in at this time and drowned, perhaps she would be able to receive her title of daughter of the first wife.

As she thought like this, her hand began to move on its own.

Unfortunately, Feng Chen Yu had noticed that her expression seemed off. When Fen Dai began staring intently at the lake, she already began taking extra care. Now that she saw her hand slightly rise, how could she not know what she was thinking.

But Chen Yu had not completely seen through her thoughts, as she carefully moved back a few steps. When Fen Dai took action, she pulled Xiang Rong over!

Fen Dai did not give her time to protect herself, as she forcefully pushed the still stunned Xiang Rong into the water.

A “plunk” sound could be heard followed by Feng Chen Yu’s shrieks “Not good! Someone come! Someone fell in the water!” She shouted while looking at Xiang Rong in the water. She repeatedly asked: “Third sister, are you ok? Third sister?”

The lake in the Winter was bone-chillingly cold. Although it did not freeze over, there were still bits of ice floating about. Normally, when officials reached their hands into the water, they would grimace from the cold, let alone falling in.

Xiang Rong felt herself freeze in an instant. She could not even raise her arm, as she rapidly sank.