I HATE BANQUETS!

Unlike my previous life, Empress Dowager was getting better each day. She was no longer in a coma, and her skin was no longer red and dry. Why did this happen? In my past life, the Empress Dowager got poisoned. Why in this life, she didn't?

Qingyun was thinking about these questions when she got interrupted by Xi'er.

"Miss," said Xi'er. "What now?" asked Qingyun. "Empress Dowager is asking for you," said Xi'er.

Qingyun went to the Empress Dowager's hall and bowed.

"I pay respects to Empress Dowager. What did you call me here for?" asked Qingyun. "I heard that you weren't spending a lot of time with Wangxi," said Empress Dowager.

Ugh, again with Wangxi.

"I was busy, and he has his things to do," said Qingyun. "We are going to go to the palace for the Spring banquet tomorrow. You have to bring Wangxi, and you have to go," said Empress Dowager. "Fine. I will go," said Qingyun. "Just be prepared that people are going to ask you questions."

I hate banquets. They're all about schemes.

The next day:

"Miss! It's time to wake up! Don't sleep anymore," yelled Xi'er. "No...Let me sleep," whined Qingyun. "Miss! You have to go to the banquet, or Empress Dowager would get mad," said Xi'er. "But why do we have to wake up so early? It's just 7. Let me sleep some more," whined Qingyun. "You have to put makeup on," said Xi'er. "I have natural beauty. I don't need makeup," said Qingyun. "You are a natural beauty, but if you don't put makeup, people would think you are disrespectful," said Xi'er. "A lot of people don't like me anyway," said Qingyun. "Miss. I know that you would want people to like you," said Xi'er. "Fine, but I'm telling you if I fall asleep during the banquet, it's not my fault," said Qingyun.

At 9, it was time for departure. Empress Dowager, Qingyun, and Wangxi sat on separate carriages and left the mansion.

It was 10, and Qingyun was starving.

"When are we going to arrive?" asked Qingyun impatiently. "We're almost there. What's wrong?" asked Xi'er.

Qingyun's stomach growled.

"Oops," said Qingyun. Xi'er smiled and said, "I have some food." "You do?" said Qingyun with sparkling eyes. "Yes, but you're a princess. You shouldn't eat these normal things," said Xi'er. "It's alright."

Xi'er took out some buns and gave it to Qingyun. Qingyun was about to take it, but then stopped.

"Why do you have these buns," asked Qingyun. "I have these buns because, in the banquet, we don't have anything to eat," said Xi'er. "Then, you should keep this for yourself," said Qingyun. "But you're hungry," said Xi'er. "But you're going to be hungry too. I can wait," said Qingyun.

No, I can't. But let me just hold it in. I can probably even go to sleep.

They arrived, and Qingyun was still sleeping.

"Miss, it's time to wake up," said Xi'er. "Already?" asked Qingyun. "Yeah." "Okay."

Qingyun got out of the carriage and followed the Empress Dowager.

Everybody saw Qingyun and Wangxi and began gossiping.

"Did you hear? The third princess took Wangxi's virginity and then left him alone for an entire week. She's so heartless and disrespectful," said a woman. "I saw that they both were sitting in different carriages. The rumors must be true," said another woman.

People these days love to gossip about others. They call other people disrespectful, but they are disrespectful themselves.

Qingyun went into the hall and sat down on her spot.

While everybody was talking and waiting for the Empress, Qingyun was eating her food.

Mm. It tastes so good. Yummy food.

Qingyun already finished her food, but the Empress and Empress Dowager didn't come out yet. Qingyun was bored until she saw Lingxi.

Qingyun clenched her fists and her teeth.

Lingxi saw Qingyun staring at her and smiled warmly at Qingyun.

Calm down, Qingyun. You have a lot of time later to deal with her.

Qingyun smiled and waved at Lingxi.

The Empress and the Empress Dowager finally came out. Everybody bowed at them and sat back down.

The Empress looked at Qingyun and asked, "There were a lot of rumors about you and Wangxi lately. Tell us, are they true?" "What rumors?" asked Qingyun.

The Empress scoffed and pointed at a random woman. "You. Tell her the rumors," said the Empress. "Yes, your majesty."

"People said that you are a liar because you rejected the marriage proposal, but you still took his virginity. Others said that you took his virginity and then ignored him for an entire week," said the women. "What do you have to say about this?" asked the Empress.

People began whispering and making frowns at Qingyun.

"Empress. These are rumors. You shouldn't believe in them," said Qingyun. "Answer my question," said the Empress.

She's still ruthless like my previous life. She hasn't changed at all.

"I was busy, so I ignored him for an entire week," said Qingyun. "Busy? Did any of us assign you anything to do? What were you busy with?" asked the Empress. "I-I was-." "Stop stuttering! Think before you say something," yelled the Empress.

Qingyun clenched her fists and took a deep breath.

"I was taking care of Empress Dowager," said Qingyun. "That's a lame excuse. Why were you taking care of Empress Dowager?" asked the Empress. "Empress Dowager was sick."

The Empress scoffed and said, "I didn't get any information that the Empress Dowager got sick."

Qingyun was about to burst, so she told herself to calm down.

In my previous life, I didn't cry, so I shouldn't cry now. Be strong.

"Empress Dowager fell very ill and was in a coma. I know that you were busy, and the doctors could cure her, so I didn't let anyone tell you," said Qingyun.

People began whispering.

"She's so brave. I would have cried by now if I were her," said a woman.

"Is that true?" asked the Empress to Empress Dowager. "Yes, it's true," said the Empress Dowager. "Are you feeling alright?" asked the Empress. "Yes. I feel much better now," said the Empress.

The Empress slammed the table and yelled at Qingyun.

"How dare you hide the situation from me?! Even if I was busy, you should have told me! She's my mother, not yours. You care about nothing other than yourself. You won't be able to take good care of her, but I can," yelled the Empress.

Qingyun couldn't hold it any longer. Qingyun burst and yelled at the Empress.

"You're my mother too, but you don't care about me! You're not any different than me. You also only care about yourself! The Empress Dowager healed because I took care of her diligently. I can take care of people!" yelled Qingyun.

"Wow, she even dares to yell at the Empress. Is she looking for death?" asked a woman.

"How dare you be so disrespectful to me? I am the Empress! Do you know any manners and etiquette? You're going to get grounded for half a year, and you have to copy the book of etiquette 500 times!" yelled the Empress.

The last thing Qingyun said before she left in a fury shocked everyone.

"Like mother, like daughter!" shouted Qingyun.

I hate banquets! I should have never agreed to come here.