She Holds the World After Being Reborn-Chapter 371 - 370 I love hearing this phrase

At the banquet, Xiao Pingfeng reclined in the seat of honor, gazing lazily at the scene below while Yan Wanqing, vixen-like, sat down at the lower end, peeling grapes for him to eat.

"I’ve heard there’s to be a joyous occasion at the Marquis Residence soon." Yan Wanqing fed him a grape and picked up a napkin to wipe her slender, green onion-like fingers.

She looked at Wu Zhen, asking with a smile.

Her demeanor was luxurious, and though she was smiling in conversation, it inexplicably made one feel the distance between them.

Perhaps this was just the nature of those who were truly high-ranking.

Wu Zhen glanced sneakily and quickly lowered her head, "Reporting back to the Empress, it is the nephew of your servant Wu Bie, with good fortune approaching."

"Which young master is it?" Yan Wanqing pursued smoothly.

Wu Yuan hurriedly pushed his son forward while instructing him to perform well.

Wu Bie stepped forward with a smile neither here nor there, knelt on both knees, "Commoner Wu Bie pays respects to the Crown Prince, and to the Consort Empress."

"Oh, indeed a talented youth." Yan Wanqing giggled, nestling into Xiao Pingfeng’s embrace, eyes seductive as silk, "What a pity to marry so early in his prime."

A pity?

What a pity? What does the Consort Empress mean by that?

In a fog of confusion, Yan Wanqing laughed again, "Which family’s young lady is it, and is she present at this banquet today?" frёeωebɳovel.com

This was about to reveal Wu Bie’s betrothed.

At this moment, Wu Zhen couldn’t afford to ponder the reasons behind this and, bringing Hong Wu from behind her, sycophantically pushed her forward, "Replying to the Empress, here she is."

"Come forward so that this palace may have a good look at you."

Hong Wu approached, walking to the front under everyone’s gaze. Yan Wanqing took her hand, "A handsome man and a beautiful woman, standing together are quite a sight. This empress takes a liking to you at first sight. Today I am happy, so why don’t we have the Crown Prince bear witness and become sisters, do you wish it?"

The Consort Empress wanted to take the future daughter-in-law of her own family as her sister.

Wu Yuan and the aunt were stunned by this sudden piece of good luck.

"Quick, agree to the Empress! This is the blessing of many lifetimes."

Hong Wu bowed her head, corners of her lips curled demurely, timidity on her face, "Replying to the Empress, your status is so noble, I dare not aspire."

"Speaking official talk takes the fun out of things, I just ask whether you wish it or not," Yan Wanqing feigned annoyance.

Hong Wu immediately said, "If the Empress doesn’t disdain it, naturally, I would be willing, a thousand times over." She was playing along with her master’s act.

Yan Wanqing smiled and nodded, "That’s more like it," and during the conversation, slid the white jade bracelet from her wrist onto Hong Wu’s.

Hong Wu was taken aback.

The bracelet was a birthday gift from the Lady to her daughter upon her coming-of-age, how could it have been given to her today?

Yan Wanqing’s eyes brimmed with smiles, and as she laughed, her eyes shimmered with tears.

Hong Wu and Piji had grown up with her; the three had always been inseparable since childhood.

But now that Piji was gone, only Hong Wu remained.

If she were to ask Hong Wu formally, she would certainly refuse.

Yan Wanqing could only take advantage of today to satisfy her own private desire.

In such a setting, Hong Wu naturally did not dare to openly refuse.

"What, you wish to renounce your words?" Yan Wanqing’s voice intensified.

Hong Wu immediately knelt down, "I wouldn’t dare, I am grateful for the Empress’s favor."

"Still calling me ’Empress’?" Yan Wanqing continued playfully. "Call me ’sister’ and let me hear it."

Seldom seen as flustered as this, Yan Wanqing couldn’t help but take a bit of malicious pleasure in it.

The others did not know the inside story, but Xiao Pingfeng did.

Watching Yan Wanqing concoct this whole scene with meticulous planning, his large hand gripped hers.

At that moment, Hong Wu shyly called out, "Sister."

Yan Wanqing couldn’t have been more pleased.

This "sister" signified that from now on, Hong Wu was no longer a person lurking in the shadows, she could appear before everyone in broad daylight.

Hong Wu’s eyes brimmed with warmth, and she kept her head down, fearing that she might start crying out loud.

She knew all too well the meaning behind her master’s gesture.

"What’s the matter?" Wu Bie gently helped her up and asked in a soft voice.

Hong Wu shook her head, withdrawing her hand from his.

"It’s nothing."

Seeing Wu Bie about to grow persistent like a baffled young man, wanting to get to the bottom of it, Yan Wanqing immediately teased, "Already so protective, and we’ve not even passed the threshold? Young Master Wu Bie will surely be a husband who dotes on his wife."

"Like me?" Xiao Pingfeng chimed in, a rare contribution.

Yan Wanqing’s earlobes flushed red, and she promptly responded with a coy smile, "Is there anyone in the world who dotes more than the Crown Prince? In this regard, Your Highness sets the example."

"That’s a comment I love to hear." Xiao Pingfeng smiled as he pulled her into his embrace.

In just this short moment, the Consort had accepted the illegitimate daughter of the Wu Family as her sister, and in the blink of an eye, her status changed.

Many people began to hint at each other, planning to make good relations with Hong Wu before the banquet ended.

Wu Zhen was feeling uneasy inside.

She didn’t know if it was just her imagination.

She always felt that the Consort was deliberately helping the Wu Family to seize the Marquis Residence’s assets. Wu Bie was her godson, and now Hong Wu had an added connection with the Imperial Family.

The Crown Prince had traveled thousands of miles, bringing along only one Consort, who was so favored. Her status was naturally extraordinary, and it was quite possible she’d become the Empress in the future.

Therefore, every move of the Consort was being constantly speculated upon by everyone.

Yan Wanqing didn’t care about these things.

She acted on her whims; the more chaotic the Northern Border, the better for her.

Yan Wanqing nibbled on some fruit, watching as a servant whispered a few words into Wu Zhen’s ear, causing her complexion to change.

Seeing this, a smile tinged the corners of her eyes.

Perfect, the drama was about to begin.

Wu Zhen turned ashen when she heard from the doorman that Huai Xinmei was back from the dead.

That day she had died right in front of her, and Wu Zhen herself had personally returned the body to Huai Min.

"Truly?" Wu Zhen asked again, uncertain.

The doorman nodded vigorously like he was pounding garlic, "Absolutely true. She even slapped me." The pain was real and tangible, no ghostly encounter in a dream.

"...How could this be..." Wu Zhen staggered, and Wu Yuan immediately stepped forward to support her, his face full of reproach, "The Crown Prince and the Consort are here, and you, sister, how could you be so discourteous?"

Wu Zhen gripped Wu Yuan’s arm tightly.

"That dead girl, Huai Xinmei... she’s not dead!"

"What?!" Wu Yuan couldn’t help but exclaim, attracting a circle of gazes from around them. He immediately bowed his head and leaned in close to Wu Zhen’s ear, "What in the world is going on?!"

Wu Zhen was very distressed inside.

"If you ask me, who do I ask?!"

While the two were at a loss, a delicate figure entered from outside.

She was frail and dressed in grey, her presence out of sync with the lavish banquet.

"What lively festivities." Huai Xinmei hooked her pale lips, looking straight at Wu Zhen and speaking word by word.

Watching her adversary’s eyes turn terrified, Huai Xinmei tilted her head, listening to the cracking sound from her neck joints. At this moment, she felt as if she had finally returned to the living world.

She, Huai Xinmei, was back at the Marquis Residence.

Father, brother, rest assured.

I will definitely retrieve what belongs to our second branch and make that vile Wu Zhen pay the price she deserves!