Chapter 146: Summoning Xiao Ji

Zhao Yan also stood up, a mocking yet cold smile appearing on her face: "Miss Xia, that's not correct. Since we dare say it, we must have seen it with our own eyes and heard it with our own ears. As for Ye Qingran's denial… that's simply because she is now betrothed to Lord Zhou; to admit the past Wind and Moon Past Affairs in front of so many people would be rather inappropriate."

"Wind and Moon Past Affairs?"

A low voice came from Ling Shaoyang. His gaze lingered coldly on Zhao Yan for a moment before shifting away, his tone indifferent yet full of contempt, "You mean the things you and the Seventh Prince did at the Ye Residence back then?"

This…

No one expected Ling Shaoyang to suddenly bring up the matter. Everyone was stunned, their faces showing horror.

It should be noted that Ling Shaoyang has always been a man of few words, never bothering with matters unrelated to him. Yet today, for Ye Qingran's sake, he even gave no face to the Seventh Prince.

Zhao Yan's smile froze, her eyes looking at Ling Shaoyang in disbelief, as if she could not trust her own ears.

Ling Shaoyang, how dare he?

The events that night at the Ye Residence had long been suppressed through the joint efforts of the Imperial Clan and Guanglu Fu; never did anyone expect that today the almost healed wound would be ripped open again, exposing a blood‑soaked gash.

Dongfang Xuan also furrowed his brows sharply, his aura turning ice‑cold, his gaze at Ling Shaoyang flashing like lightning.

Although his night with Zhao Yan caused him no loss, having this matter aired before the many nobles of Xiliang City was undoubtedly a slap in the face for him!

Ye Sisi, who had been calmly watching the scene with a serene composure, felt a long‑embedded thorn—one she had deliberately ignored—tugged, and instantly her complexion turned pale with pain.

Her whole body tensed, the fire of hatred burning hotter. Yet she did not show her hostility to Ling Shaoyang, instead her gaze shifted back and forth between Zhao Yan and the Seventh Prince.

Her own man having slept with another woman was already enough to disgust her, but what pained her most was that since that incident, the Seventh Prince had begun to gradually distance himself from her!

Clearly, the mastermind behind all this was Zhao Yan!

"That bitch!" Ye Sisi clenched her teeth in hatred. If Ye Huanhuan hadn't reminded her, she would have lost control and rushed up to tear that wretch's face off!

The atmosphere suddenly fell into a subtle silence.

At that moment, Ye Qingran suddenly stood up, drawing everyone's attention; amid a series of astonished gazes, she walked slowly to Zhao Shi's side, picked up the wine cup and ewer on her table, and poured a glass of wine for her.

"I've never realized before that Zhao Yi Niang is so kind to me; this glass is to toast Zhao Yi Niang."

Zhao Shi didn't know what Ye Qingran intended, but in front of everyone she hesitated briefly, then accepted the wine with a kindly expression, saying warmly, "You child, what are you saying? This is what I should do."

Then she took a shallow sip.

She thought the cup was hers, the wine was on her own table, and Ye Qingran could not have tampered with it, so she drank it without worry.

Seeing Zhao Shi drink, Ye Qingran didn't return to her seat immediately; instead she said, "Since you all keep saying I once liked Xiao Ji, love unrequited, and Xiao Ji happens to be present today, bring him up here so we can confront him face‑to‑face!"

Zhao Shi had barely swallowed that sip when Ye Qingran spoke, and she immediately began coughing, her face turning bright red.

She stared at Ye Qingran in disbelief, saw her gaze fixed on the Empress, and said in a clear voice, "Empress, you won't mind, will you?"

Gu Huanghou was startled.

She naturally hadn't expected Xiao Ji to come. Xiao Ji had no right to attend today's banquet; if he was here, it must be because of Ye Qingran.

For a moment, Gu Huanghou hesitated.

Agree, for if Xiao Ji denies the matter, it would be just as Ye Qingran wishes.

Disagree, it would look suspicious, especially with so many eyes watching.

Zhao Shi felt a "thud" in her heart.

Was it Ye Qingran who brought Xiao Ji here?

This Xiao Ji, won't he spill all the things they did before?

Her gaze unintentionally fell on Ye Huanhuan, but she showed no surprise, instead a slight curl at the corner of her mouth, a composed, strategic demeanor, and Zhao Shi instantly felt reassured, her face relaxing.

Gu Huanghou's gaze also drifted to Ye Huanhuan; seeing her give a gentle nod, Gu Huanghou then lifted a bright smile, "Since Xiao Ji is here, let him tell us about what happened between you two! I think it will be very interesting!"

Shortly thereafter, Xiao Ji was brought up.

As for this previously obscure Xiao Family Side Branch, everyone was actually quite curious—not because he was famous, but because he was linked to Ye Qingran.

However, when Xiao Ji finally appeared before them, they couldn't help showing disdain.

This so‑called Xiao Ji had an ordinary, even ugly appearance. His demeanor carried a hint of sleaziness. He was slight‑boned, frail, lacking any manliness. Moreover, his steps were floaty, instantly revealing that he was no one of profound cultivation.

Seeing the legendary Xiao Ji turn out to be so contemptible, many even doubted whether Ye Qingran was blind; otherwise, how could she have taken a liking to such a dull figure?

This Xiao Ji, Xia Zhimeng had seen before, and she couldn't help sneering. If her sister Ye Qingran liked Xiao Ji, Xia Zhimeng would write her name backwards!

Ling Shaoyang's expression turned cold. His gaze lingered on Xiao Ji for only a heartbeat before shifting away. With a single glance, he confirmed that his master could never have taken an interest in this person.

Gu Dongliu's flirtatious smile gradually deepened into something more meaningful.

Although Xiao Ji was a member of the richest Xiao Family Side Branch, he had never attended a banquet of such scale; for a moment, the grand display frightened him greatly, leaving him standing there dumbfounded, eyes darting around, unsure what to do.

"Bold Xiao Ji, how dare you stand before the Empress, the Ninth Prince, the Crown Prince, the Seventh Prince, and the Thirteenth Princess without kneeling!"

Xiao Ji trembled all over, fell to his knees with a thud, then shakily said, "I, humble Xiao Ji, have seen the Empress, the Ninth Prince, the Crown Prince, the Seventh Prince, and the Thirteenth Princess!"

Though the Xiao Family is the richest, it holds no official posts. Previously, the legitimate eldest grandson Xiao Feng enjoyed high status because the Crown Prince coveted his wealth and deliberately favored him. As for Xiao Ji, he naturally did not receive such privileges.

Everyone present, aside from servants and guards, were Xiliang nobles; seeing Xiao Ji's reaction, they couldn't help a contemptuous smile.

"Xiao Ji, let me ask you, what is your relationship with Ye Qingran? Is it truly as everyone says—that she once poured her heart to you and was rejected?"

Xiao Ji knelt there, his head bowed low, not daring to look at Gu Huanghou, his whole body trembling, his voice quivering, "Yes, Empress, this indeed happened!"

At those words, the entire seat erupted in laughter.

No one could claim they weren't shocked; indeed Ye Qingran had truly liked this Xiao Ji, confessed her feelings to him, and was rejected!

"Ye Qingran, do you have anything else to say?" Dongfang Xuan raised his eyebrows, exhaled sharply, stood up excitedly, pointed at Ye Qingran, and scolded.

The Crown Prince twisted his brow, his gaze shifting to Ye Qingran, his expression now tinged with contempt.

He couldn't help recalling that day on Xuanwu Street, when her brows were cool and her words incisive, she declared she would no longer be the Crown Prince's, and that they were forever separate. At the time, he thought Ye Qingran had set her sights on some formidable figure, someone even he, the Crown Prince of the nation, could not catch her eye. Seeing her now, he was greatly disappointed. Her standards had fallen to such a low level—rejecting him, the Crown Prince, yet turning her face to confess to someone unworthy of even offering her a shoe!

"Ye Qingran, is this your choice?"