Chapter Nineteen: Watch This Spectacle of Self-Written, Self-Directed, and Self-Performed Farce!

As soon as Feng Xiaoli stepped down from the carriage, she caught sight of the very person she wished to avoid—Mu Xinqi. From a distance, she spotted Mu Xinqi, that odd character, and promptly turned to take a different path. With so many roads leading to the palace, there was no need to insist on this one.

Jin Ning was baffled. Why would her mistress take the longer route?

“My lady, why are you walking away from the palace? You’re heading in the opposite direction.”

“Let’s go, let’s go. I never liked coming here anyway. If the only way out of the princely manor wasn’t to come here, I wouldn’t bother!” To Feng Xiaoli, it hardly mattered whether she went to the palace or not. She sighed quietly to herself—indeed, the air outside was far better. She couldn’t help but miss the snowy peaks of Mount Xuewu just a little.

“But—” Jin Ning hurried after her. “If you do this, you’ll embarrass the Prince!”

Feng Xiaoli stopped in her tracks. Jin Ning, unable to stop herself in time, stumbled into Feng Xiaoli’s back, but she didn’t even notice the pain. Jin Ning was not overly talkative, but at least she had voiced the crucial point. Feng Xiaoli was no longer a free soul—behind her stood the entire household of Prince Chun. No matter how much she struggled or tried to clear her name, she would only be met with ridicule or indifference. If her own willfulness brought disgrace upon the Prince’s household, that would be an unforgivable mistake.

She nodded. “Jin Ning, let’s go back.”

Jin Ning was startled by Feng Xiaoli’s sudden change of heart, but quickly composed herself and followed her mistress.

What she hadn’t expected was that Mu Xinqi was still waiting at the gate, as if looking for someone. Where was Mu Xinmi? Weren’t they sisters? Shouldn’t they have left together? Why was only one of them here?

With these thoughts, Feng Xiaoli passed by her. Unexpectedly, Mu Xinqi fell in step beside her, piquing her curiosity. From the very first meeting, she knew Mu Xinqi disliked her. Why, then, was she following her now?

She paused and asked, “Is there something you want?”

Mu Xinqi also stopped, her chin high, her tone haughty. “What, you can walk but I can’t? You can stop, but I can’t? Oh, Feng Xiaoli, do you really think this palace belongs to you? Do you actually believe you’ll be the Crown Princess? Why don’t you take a good look at yourself in the mirror? In terms of family status, yes, you’re about equal to the Duke of Liao’s household, but when it comes to talent and beauty, you’re not even a match for a single strand of my sister’s hair. Who do you think you are?”

Feng Xiaoli raised her eyes, arching an eyebrow, and replied with a cold laugh, “And who do you think you are? Can you even compare to Mu Xinmi in talent or beauty?” She hardly believed their sisterly affection ran deep.

“Heh!” Mu Xinqi brushed back a stray lock of hair from her forehead. “Don’t think you can sow discord between my sister and me. Oh, right, where is my sister? Why don’t I see her?” She slapped her own forehead and exclaimed, “Oh, how forgetful I am! My sister was picked up by the Crown Prince himself. He’s so good to her—came in person to escort her. Not like certain people, who have to come here all alone. If I were you, I’d return what doesn’t belong to me as quickly as possible!”

Feng Xiaoli sighed once more—truly, the most peculiar people say the most peculiar things. If there were an award for self-written, self-directed performances, Mu Xinqi would surely win it—no, such oddities shouldn’t be eligible for that honor.

Seeing Feng Xiaoli sigh, Mu Xinqi thought she’d struck a nerve and became even more brazen. “So you do have some self-awareness after all, knowing the Crown Prince loves my sister, not you!”

Feng Xiaoli shook her head. “You’re wrong. I’m not sighing for myself, I’m sighing for your sister. I pity her, truly. Such a lovely woman, yet all she can have are the things I don’t want. Who can blame her for falling in love with someone who’s already engaged to me?” To lend credibility to her performance, Feng Xiaoli pinched her own thigh, forcing out a single tear.

Mu Xinqi, quick-tempered as ever, flew into a rage at these words. She jabbed a finger at Feng Xiaoli, sputtering with indignation but unable to get out a coherent retort. Feng Xiaoli let her tears fall, secretly delighted.

“So you’re saying the Crown Prince was abandoned by you? How dare you! Who do you think you are? The Duke of Liao’s household can’t compare to Prince Chun’s, is that what you think? My father has served two emperors—just watch, the title of Crown Princess will never be yours!” Where did Mu Xinqi’s confidence come from? If only things would turn out as she wished—Feng Xiaoli would even burn incense and pray for that engagement to be broken.

Feng Xiaoli gave a surprised “oh.” “So you’re questioning the Emperor’s wise decision?”

Mu Xinqi wanted to reply, but her maid whispered, “Miss, it’s getting late. If we don’t hurry, we’ll be late!”

At these words, Mu Xinqi, still fuming, snapped back to her senses. She straightened her dress, shot Feng Xiaoli a mysterious smile as if she’d just thought of something, and left without another word.

Feng Xiaoli shook her head—this title of “oddity” truly suited Mu Xinqi.

The banquet hosted by the Emperor was held in the Imperial Garden. Before the nobles and wealthy young ladies arrived, the chief steward of the Imperial Household had overseen a complete redecoration—bright red lanterns hung everywhere, festivity filling every corner. The Emperor’s guest list was exclusive—only officials of third rank or higher were invited, and each could bring their families. Although Prince Chun was a prince by another surname, he was still required to attend. As his only daughter, Feng Xiaoli had to accompany him.

However, Feng Xiaoli didn’t recognize a single person in the Imperial Garden. Glancing into the distance, she saw her father chatting with a group of men his own age. She chose the most secluded spot she could find, sat down, bowed her head, and closed her eyes in silence.

“My lady, this is how things are in the palace. Here, it’s hard for the prince to look after you,” Jin Ning said, thinking her mistress was unhappy and hurrying to comfort her.

Feng Xiaoli didn’t respond. Instead, she asked, “Jin Ning, what sort of person was I before?” Seeing Jin Ning’s confusion, she clarified, “Uh, I mean, before I lost my memory.”

Jin Ning thought for a moment. “Miss, you were always lively, even as a child. But a few years before you lost your memory, you hardly ever left the manor. You became very quiet, nothing like you are now. And you had very few friends among the other young ladies. That’s why I was so surprised to see how close you and Miss Wanqing seem now—you two hardly ever met before.”

“Why didn’t anyone want to be close to me?” Feng Xiaoli pressed.

“Because you always did what others liked, even if it wasn’t what you wanted. Then you shut yourself away, so naturally you had fewer friends.”

She was about to ask another question when a figure appeared before her. Feng Xiaoli exclaimed in surprise, “It’s you?”