The wind is gentle and the fun is endless

Who would have thought that the aunt would say that! And in front of Huanhuan! Even someone as quick-witted as Xie Jin was speechless for a moment and didn't know how to respond. Even someone as experienced as Mrs. Xie was speechless. Xiangyue was even more incredulous, with a look of anger on her face.

Huanhuan was shocked but also touched. Yes, compared to herself, Xie Jin was a woman with more appropriate manners and makeup in this social scene. This was nothing. What was more important was that facing Xu Qu's hard work these days, she really couldn't help. Thinking of this, Huanhuan felt a little guilty and became depressed.

Fortunately, at this time, Madam Shen appeared, and the scene immediately became lively. Madam Shen, with a head full of silver hair and elegant appearance, walked through the crowd with a kind smile on her face, and people said auspicious words to bless Madam Shen. Madam Shen thanked the crowd while being supported by a maid on one side and walked towards the main seat.

The banquet started. A wealthy family like the Shen family would certainly host a good birthday banquet. Huanhuan could only vaguely feel the clinking of glasses and the buzzing of laughter around her. In front of her eyes, she could always see neatly dressed servants of the Shen family busy shuttling between the guests. However, she had no appetite at all and was in no mood to join in the fun and watch the Shen family celebrate their birthday.

After the banquet, some guests said goodbye and went back. Xiangyue called Huanhuan to join the games of the young ladies. Huanhuan didn't know why, but she probably didn't want to stay with Xie Jin anymore, so even though Miss Shen San was entertaining unmarried ladies and Huanhuan had no interest in pitching pots, she left with Xiangyue and Miss Shen San and the others.

Then, the second aunt came to the eldest aunt and complained to her family that she could finally relax because she hadn't slept well for the past month. The eldest aunt snorted and said, "Don't tell others that you are my sister. You are so nervous in such an occasion."

Seeing this, Madam Xie said, "Then let's take our leave first. Second sister should have a lot of things to do."

"No! No!" Second Aunt waved her hands and said, "God knows how much grievance and tears I have accumulated in this month! You can't leave. I have a lot to say to you when I'm done. If you are tired, come to our yard and rest for a while."

After that, without letting them refuse, he called the servants to arrange for them to rest. The servants then respectfully said to them, "Ladies, please come this way. I will take you to the second master's yard."

As soon as he finished speaking, another servant came to ask the second aunt for instructions. The second aunt looked impatient and ignored him lazily. The servant looked up at the second aunt innocently. He knew the second wife's temper, but he could only bite the bullet and ask again.

Seeing this, the eldest aunt held back her laughter and said, "Okay, okay, I'll go with you to take a look." The second aunt then came to her senses and left with the eldest aunt and the servant.

Only then did Xie Jin have the opportunity to say to Madam Xie: "Aunt, I will go back first."

Unexpectedly, Madam Xie stopped her and said, "Don't go back yet. Come with me. I have something to tell you."

Xie Jin didn't know what was going on, so he followed Madam Xie to the gate of the courtyard where his second aunt lived. The courtyard was very large, but there was no one in it. The servant leading the way called out twice, but no one responded, so he apologized and said, "Madam Xu, Madam Crown Princess, I'm really sorry, everyone is busy in front right now, let me pour you a glass of water, but I'm not very familiar with this courtyard, so I need to look for it."

Mrs. Xie said, "No need, we'll just sit here for a while, and you can go and do your work." After hearing this, the servant said goodbye.

After the servant left, Madam Xie and Xie Jin sat down in the pavilion in the courtyard. Madam Xie asked directly, "Bihua, tell me, how are you doing in the palace?"

Xie Jin was surprised that Mrs. Xie would suddenly ask this, and hesitantly said with reservation: "It's OK."

Madam Xie looked serious and said, "I felt something was wrong when I saw you here today. How many days have you been back this time? You have never been back for so long before? Will the palace allow you to stay back for so long?"

These few questions left Xie Jin speechless. Xie Jin lowered his head but remained silent.

Madam Xie had no choice but to say, "Bihua, what can't we talk about? Although you are not my daughter like Xiangyue, you know? Although Xiangyue never said it, I know she always blames me in her heart. She blames me for taking the pot of Biannan delicacies off the stove before the time was enough, which led to her father's death. That's why Xiangyue and I haven't been very close in these years. And you have been without a mother since you were a child, and you like to tell me everything. Sometimes I feel that Bihua, your niece, is closer to me. Tell me, did you encounter any difficulties this time?"

After hearing this, Xie Jin raised his head, tears in his eyes, and said, "Actually, I went to see you as soon as I came back, but you were sick all the time, so I couldn't tell you. When you got better, I never had the chance."

Madam Xie said calmly, "Now that there is no one around, it's a good time. Go ahead and talk."

After hearing this, Xie Jin held the silk handkerchief tightly in her hands, and was about to cry, as if she had something to hide. Finally, she said intermittently: "Aunt, I'm afraid I can't stay in this palace anymore!" After that, she covered her mouth and nose with a handkerchief and burst into tears.

"What?!" Mrs. Xie probably didn't expect it to be so serious. She frowned and looked at Xie Jin. She waited until Xie Jin calmed down a little before saying, "Okay, stop crying. Tell me what happened?"

Xie Jin wiped away her tears and said in a hoarse voice, "You also know that he married Li Yuan, the niece of Shangshu Ling Li Zhan. Li Yuan gave birth to a boy a few days ago, and then she gained power. She would not tolerate me no matter what. When I was still in confinement, she insisted that he divorce me, make her his concubine, and make her son the heir. If he didn't agree, she would throw a tantrum, cry and make a scene."

"How can this be possible!" Madam Xie was also rarely angry, and said angrily: "You are the Crown Prince's Consort selected by the imperial decree, and you are the first wife to enter the palace. How dare she, a concubine who entered later, have such thoughts? How dare your husband be so cowardly as to let her make trouble?"

Hearing this, Xie Jin became a little excited again. She lowered her eyes and choked up as she said, "Since Li Yuan entered the palace, she has been trying her best to please him. He has long been deceived by her deliberate flattery and sweet words. He obeys her orders in everything and has been estranged from me for a long time."

Mrs. Xie heard Xie Jin say this for the first time. She looked at her niece with some pity and asked, "You are such a patient child. Why haven't I heard you say this before?"

"Every family has these annoying things caused by jealousy. What can I say?" Xie Jin said in a low voice.

"You are not the kind of heartless person who would allow others to bully you. How could you allow that little bitch to become so powerful?" Mrs. Xie said angrily.

"Aunt, you don't know that Li Yuan is good at playing dirty tricks. She pretends to be virtuous and polite in front of her parents-in-law, and is coquettish, considerate and gentle in front of her husband. But she is domineering and speaks cruelly in front of me. Later, she took advantage of her pregnancy to make things difficult for me, setting traps and tripping me up by any means. No matter how hard I try, I can never defeat such a person." Xie Jin said aggrievedly.

Madam Xie stood up in anger and said, "Where are your parents-in-law - the prince and princess? They just let her make a scene? Don't they think it's a loss of face for the palace?"

Xie Jin sobbed and said, "Li Yuan is the niece of Shang Shuling after all, and we can't really do anything to her. My father-in-law is in poor health and has fallen ill in bed due to anger. I came back this time because my mother-in-law begged me to come back first to avoid the limelight and wait until she is out of confinement."

Hearing this, Mrs. Xie sat back in silence. Xie Jin also stopped talking and wiped away her tears silently.

Suddenly, Mrs. Xie said, "No, we can't let that little bitch succeed like this!"

"Hey, sister, why are you standing here and not going in?" Suddenly, the second aunt's voice sounded, and Mrs. Xie and Xie Jin were both startled...