At this moment, the Imperial Garden was already decorated festively, with the large Luminous Pearls emitting a faint mysterious glow, enveloping the entire garden in a mysterious atmosphere. The civil and military officials were already seated, and the harem concubines, royal relatives had nearly arrived, except for the Emperor, Consort Hua, the Crown Prince, and today’s main characters, the Sixth Prince and Sixth Princess, who had yet to arrive, causing quite a bit of jealousy.

"What’s up with this, it’s too much. Just returned and already putting on such airs? Who are they putting on a show for? Father Emperor is so biased; why is it that even though we’re both daughters, she gets a new palace to live in and is specially titled Princess Mingxi, while I have to stay in the old one?"

The Second Princess, Murong Ru, pouted her red lips in dissatisfaction, her eyes full of jealousy.

Among the daughters of officials and daughters of royal and noble families, seeing even the daughter of Consort Hua slandering the newly entered palace Murong Xue like this, those bold and not too bright joined in agreement.

"Exactly. I heard she grew up in a village, never attended school, never learned needlework, can’t do anything, all thanks to that face that could cause the downfall of a state. Let’s see how she embarrasses herself tonight."

"The Emperor is really good to her. Just returned and already hosting such a grand banquet for her, yet it’s uncertain if such a young girl can truly handle such exclusive favor."

"Don’t know from where the Sixth Prince found her. I heard from my mother that her face looks exactly like the former Empress. If not for this, who knows from where they’d have found a wild girl pretending to be her, after all, it’s said that someone who’s been dead for over a decade suddenly appears just like that? Isn’t it too much of a coincidence?"

"I think pretending to have royal blood is quite improbable. However, some noble aura comes naturally; it’s not like a wild chicken from a mountain can turn into a real phoenix overnight. Since today’s banquet is for her, shouldn’t we, her peers, make sure to meet her well? See exactly how capable she is?"

With this said, all the girls covered their mouths and giggled: "Afraid that in due time, they’ll become a laughingstock instead, making even the Emperor lose face, now that would be awkward,"

However, not all princesses and noble daughters lacked sense; the clever ones would smile silently, avoiding the conversation, not leaving evidence for gossip, and some, like Murong Wei, found it intolerable.

"You people are truly ridiculous. Father Emperor simply wants to give a long-unreturned daughter the warmth of a home tonight and also let the Sixth Princess get to know all of you. It was supposed to be a warm family banquet; how come it became filled with schemes and calculations in your mouths? Moreover, Father Emperor conferring a palace is as it should be. Princess Mingxi has been away from home for so many years, enduring countless hardships—what’s there to be jealous of?"

"Each of you, being noble daughters of officials, princesses, and commandery princesses, degrading and looking down on someone without understanding their character first is a fundamental mistake. I am quite looking forward to seeing who truly makes a fool of themselves in the end!"

Murong Wei, the Fifth Princess, born of Lady Shu, has long been intolerant of the arrogant Second Princess. She’s quite hopeful about the talent performance later, having high expectations for the Sixth Princess, who is a year younger than her. Despite growing up outside, she’s known to be a poised and reserved character, recognized by her mother as well. With their approval, Murong Xue cannot be mediocre.

As for Murong Ru, this simpleton, such a pity for such a shrewd mother to have given birth to such an arrogant character; just wait until she cries later.

Beside her, Hua Xiyan, daughter of the Minister of Rites, hearing these righteous words, couldn’t help but comment.

"Some people cannot obtain grapes and say they’re sour! Princess Mingxi’s return to the palace seems to be a daunting task. Look at them, every face full of jealousy, aren’t they afraid they won’t get married? Do they even know what type of woman men despise the most?"

Hua Xiyan raised her eyebrows at those women staring at her in a daze, smiling enigmatically as she lightly curled her red lips.

"The type of woman men look down upon the most are those who like to gossip behind backs, and jealous women, who are the ones men avoid the most. Today’s banquet, after all, is a gathering of elites; you’d better not destroy your lifelong happiness due to a moment of jealousy! A kind reminder!"

After speaking, she looked meaningfully at the colorfully dressed women, then laughed to herself.

Despite being a concubine’s daughter, Hua Xiyan was the only girl of her generation in the Hua Family, a position all concubine’s daughters would long for, with benefits and treatment no less than the legitimate daughters of other families. Moreover, she was raised by her legitimate mother, making her almost like a legitimate daughter. Except that when people mentioned her, they’d first think of her background because aside from her irrevocable background, this concubine’s daughter of the Hua Family was an outstanding girl, excelling in everything, and was quite famous in the noble circles of Beijing.