Liu Meng Han impassively asserted her position as the mistress of the estate, stating that she was in charge of all matters, and Feng Ruo Yan was merely an interloper.
"Sister, are you blaming me for not informing you? It's all my fault. Please don't take it to heart, little sister."
Feng Ruo Yan immediately feigned weakness, her brows furrowed slightly, tears welling in her eyes, making her appear even more delicate and pitiable.
"Your Highness, please speak to my sister for me and implore her not to blame me. Today's oversight was mine; I was so focused on it being the child's special day that I forgot to inform my sister about the banquet preparations..."
Liu Meng Han did not wish to assert her status as the Third Prince's Consort. If that was what Feng Ruo Yan wanted, then she would simply step back and play the role of the weak one, allowing Feng Ruo Yan to claim the title of mistress.
Unable to bear seeing his beloved suffer, Chu Yan Xi's expression instantly turned grim. Any slight positive impression he had of Liu Meng Han vanished completely.
"Yan'er has already informed me of this matter, and everything was done under my instruction. If you have any further questions, you can ask me directly. Yan'er is not familiar with these things!"
Chu Yan Xi's overt defense of Feng Ruo Yan left Liu Meng Han utterly disgraced. The whispers of the assembled guests quickly spread throughout the hall.
Liu Meng Han suppressed her overwhelming sense of grievance, clenching her fists so tightly that her fingernails dug into her flesh, yet she felt no pain. The physical pain was far less than the heartache she felt at that moment.
To preserve her last shred of dignity, she maintained a smile and said, "Your Highness, this banquet was orchestrated at your command. Knowing that my sister was not familiar with such matters, I was naturally more concerned. I worried that after her recent childbirth, her body might still be weak and unable to bear the burden, and also feared that any mishap might tarnish Your Highness's and the estate's reputation."
"My concerns are all for Your Highness and our estate, and I have absolutely no intention of targeting my sister. I implore my sister and Your Highness not to misunderstand my intentions."
She spoke with utmost sincerity, lowering her status to the lowest possible point.
Chu Yan Xi was suddenly put on the spot. He realized that he had been too impulsive in listening to Feng Ruo Yan and acting so rashly. He had almost forgotten that Liu Meng Han was his principal wife, and causing her public humiliation in such a setting would also reflect poorly on him.
Clearing his throat, Chu Yan Xi withdrew his hand from Feng Ruo Yan's side, stepped forward, and helped Liu Meng Han to her feet. "I understand your intentions, Your Highness. I was too impulsive just now. Please do not take my unintentional words to heart."
"This concubine understands."
She knew this was Chu Yan Xi's final concession. Her best course of action now was to go along with his wishes.
Although Feng Ruo Yan was inwardly displeased, she could not voice her objections further now that Chu Yan Xi had spoken. She had no choice but to swallow her resentment.
"Sister Feng Jin, look at her, living such a stifled life. How difficult it must be. If it were me, I couldn't endure it for even a quarter of an hour."
Lin Yu Wei felt a wave of discomfort watching Liu Meng Han's extremely subservient demeanor.
Why should one stay with a man who did not love them, living a life more miserable than that of a servant?
If it were her, she would have sought a divorce long ago and wouldn't have stayed another minute.
"The path one chooses, however difficult, must be walked."
Feng Jin had observed everything that had transpired. This was a marriage Liu Meng Han had sought, and she had to bear the pain and walk the path, even if it was fraught with thorns.
"But living like this for a lifetime seems too stifling. Just watching it makes one uncomfortable."
To bow and scrape before her husband and then smile at the woman he loved was something any woman would find unbearable. The fact that Liu Meng Han had endured it for so long was truly admirable.
"Let's not concern ourselves with their domestic affairs. We are here to attend the banquet. Let's present our gifts, eat our fill, and then leave."
Feng Jin said calmly, picking up the fruit wine before her and taking a sip. It tasted excellent.
What pleased her even more was Feng Ruo Yan's reaction. She was acting extremely arrogantly now, showing no regard for propriety.
It seemed that Liu Meng Han would have a difficult time dealing with Feng Ruo Yan. Their relationship had already reached a point of irreconcilable conflict. How long could this superficial peace last? All that was needed now was a single spark to set them ablaze.
"That's true. If Chu Chen Yi hadn't insisted on not coming, I wouldn't have come here. I feel uncomfortable just being here, and then I have to deal with them. It's so tiring."
Lin Yu Wei complained incessantly, her dissatisfaction with Chu Chen Yi growing. If it happened again, she would definitely not come. Whoever wanted to come could come; she was done with it.
"Princess Jing, Madam Shao, you are here as well."
Liu Meng Han's gentle voice sounded from behind them. Feng Jin smiled and looked towards the source of the sound, while Lin Yu Wei's heart sank, feeling that trouble had arrived.
"Imperial Consort, your body is growing heavier. You must be careful. Places with so many people should be avoided."
Feng Jin offered a polite greeting. Seeing Liu Meng Han's figure, she appeared to be close to delivery. To still dare to come to such a place with her belly swollen certainly indicated she felt a sense of crisis.
"It's quite alright. This child in my womb is very well-behaved and doesn't fuss much. Today is the child's special day, and as the legitimate mother, I naturally had to come and see."
Liu Meng Han constantly emphasized her status as the principal wife and legitimate mother, reminding everyone at every moment, which showed how much she valued this identity.
The more she was in a state of anxiety and loss, the more likely she was to do something unspeakable. The growing chaos within the Third Prince's estate was all the more beneficial to them.
"As the principal wife, the Third Prince's Consort naturally has the demeanor of a principal wife. She absolutely cannot let extraneous individuals steal the spotlight."
Feng Jin's subtly spoken words struck a chord with Liu Meng Han, perhaps even stirring a long-suppressed thought.
"Madam Shao speaks wisely." Liu Meng Han replied faintly, her hand reaching to caress her greatly distended abdomen. Everything she was doing was for the child in her womb. If anyone dared to obstruct her son's path, she would naturally not let them off.
Lin Yu Wei watched the exchange between the two women, unable to interject. She simply began to eat, not wanting to neglect her own hunger.
"I went to the palace a few days ago and heard the Empress mention that the Second Prince and his consort have a harmonious relationship. It seems the wedding of the Imperial Grandson is also approaching."