Help! The cunning and treacherous minister and I were reborn together!

Xingning Imperial Palace, located south of the imperial city, covers a vast area and is magnificent in scale.

The plaque at the main gate was personally inscribed by His Majesty, who also bestowed upon the emperor ten thousand taels of gold, demonstrating the extent of his favor.

Inside the mansion, there are carved beams and painted rafters, winding corridors, pavilions and terraces, and much more. The garden is filled with exotic flowers and rare plants, lush trees, chirping birds, and babbling streams, offering beautiful scenery all year round.

The carriage stopped at the gate of the mansion. Xiao Zong helped Yuan Zhi down from the carriage, and Xiao Rong followed closely behind.

Xiao Rong had begged Xiao Zong for a spot at the banquet, so she behaved extremely obediently.

After presenting their congratulatory gifts, the group was led into the main hall by servants.

The seating at the banquet was arranged according to the official rank. Xiao Zong and his wife were seated in the middle to upper ranks. After exchanging greetings with the officials and their wives, they took their seats.

The Xiao sisters came with the Qingyang Marquis's mansion. Xiao Jianye was the Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, a fifth-rank official, but his seat was arranged according to his rank, so his seat was closer to Xiao Zong's.

The servants invited Xiao Jianye and his wife to sit down, but then hesitated when faced with the three sisters.

Xiao Yu was a commoner, and his three daughters were not born to his principal wife. It was already an honor for them to be seated outside the hall. However, the Marquis of Qingyang's mansion and Xiao Zong could not be offended. The servants were unsure of what to do, so they had to consult the steward.

Yuan Zhi and Xiao Zong went over to greet Xiao Jianye and his wife, and waited with them for the manager to arrive.

At this moment, the steward led the people from the Marquis of Yingchuan's residence into the gate. Yuan Zhi saw Yuan Ying in the crowd and was taken aback.

Upon closer reflection, she remembered that Madam Wei, the wife of the Marquis of Yingchuan, was from the Marquis of Yingchuan's family, and Yuan Ying was the Marquis of Yingchuan's granddaughter.

The county princess's birthday banquet was only open to officials of the fifth rank or above and their families. Her father, a sixth-rank official, was not qualified. If Yuan Ying wanted to attend the banquet, she could only use her maternal grandparents' quota.

Judging from this, Yuan Ying probably doesn't have a seat either.

The servant told the steward about the Xiao sisters, and the steward frowned.

There's only enough space in the corner for one table. Who should I give it to, the Marquis of Qingyang or the Marquis of Yingchuan?

"There's only one empty seat left here. Why don't you two families discuss it?"

Yuan Ying said arrogantly, "What is their status? A few lowly children born to concubines, do they even deserve to sit at the same table with such distinguished guests?"

Wei Xiong spoke to his niece: "Ying'er is right. There is a difference between the noble and the lowly, and everyone has their own place. Please, the three young ladies, move outside the hall and take your seats."

The hall was filled with dignitaries and important figures. The three Xiao sisters, having been humiliated in front of everyone, wiped away their tears and prepared to leave.

Yuan Zhi stopped the three of them, "You are surnamed Xiao, and he is surnamed Wei. Your brother and sister-in-law haven't given any orders yet, so why are you being ordered around by outsiders?"

"Sister-in-law..."

The three Xiao sisters were shocked that Yuan Zhi would stand up for them, and they all blushed and lowered their heads in shame.

If the Xiao family chooses to back down today, anyone can ride roughshod over them in the future. Yuan Zhi will not be a pushover!

“Lord Wei, since this is a discussion, we cannot only listen to your opinion. First of all, there is a difference in social status. Although the younger sisters are not born to our aunt, they are registered under our aunt's name and are the legitimate daughters of the third branch of the Xiao family, which is equivalent to Yuan Ying’s status.”

"In terms of kinship, the sisters and Jianye are uncles and cousins, while Yuanying and Lord Wei are maternal uncles and nieces. It is self-evident who is closer and who is more distant."

"Moreover, we arrived earlier than Lord Wei. From all perspectives, this position should belong to the Xiao family. What do you think?"

Wei Xiong was speechless and felt ashamed when he heard his colleagues scoffing at him.

He flicked his sleeve, telling Yuan Ying to go outside and sit down.

Yuan Ying glared at Yuan Zhi resentfully before following the servant out the door.

The three sisters thanked Yuan Zhi and went to sit in a corner.

Xiao Jianye teased Yuan Zhi, "Sister-in-law, you're eloquent and persuasive, far superior to my men. When we negotiate with enemy countries someday, I'll definitely call you along to be my strategist!"

Yuan Zhi smiled shyly, "Big brother, please don't tease me. I'm not cut out for that."

A loud voice came from behind: "Madam Xiao, don't be modest! If you were born a man, with such eloquence, your official position might not be lower than his!"

Others chimed in, "Indeed!"

"I thought Commander Xiao was sharp-tongued, but I didn't expect his wife to be even more so!"

"Hahaha, Lord Xiao, may I ask, in the boudoir, who had the upper hand between you and your wife?"

Yuan Zhi's cheeks were flushed as if she were drunk. She tugged at Xiao Zong's sleeve and said, "Help me."

Xiao Zong raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you usually pretty thick-skinned? A few words of praise and you're already blushing?"

Yuan Zhi looked up, her beautiful face showing a girlish innocence, her red lips opening and closing: "Please."

Xiao Zong was momentarily lost in thought. "I heard you brewed osmanthus wine. Give me a jar, and I'll help you."

"It's all yours!"

Xiao Zong smiled and put his arm around her waist, saying, "Madam is easily embarrassed, please be kind with your words! Lord Li, there are still unmarried young ladies here, please don't repeat those impetuous remarks!"

Feng Quan, who was standing to the side, took out paper and pen that he carried with him and pretended to write a memorial to the throne.

Lord Li immediately clasped his hands in a fist and pleaded, "I was wrong! I was wrong! I hope the ladies will forgive me! Lord Feng, please stop writing. On this joyous occasion, can't you take a break?"

Feng Quan carefully put his things away, saying, "This is a one-time exception!"

Xiao Zong and Yuan Zhi returned to their seats, and the Marquis of Changping's residence and the three princes arrived one after another. Xingning's wife held her daughter's hand and sat down in the seat of honor, and the banquet officially began.

The maids filed in line, serving up fine wines and delicacies.

In the center of the main hall, elegantly dressed dancers gracefully swayed to the music, their movements as graceful as a startled swan.

Several adults stared wide-eyed. Xingning looked at the housekeeper, who nodded to her, indicating that he had taken note of everything.

After sitting for a short while, *** felt dizzy and lightheaded. A maid helped her up, and everyone's eyes turned to her.

*** said, "I am not feeling well, please excuse me. Pingyi, please entertain everyone for me."

"Yes."

Princess Pingyi watched her mother leave, then sat down again. Her jade-like hands, as tender as lotus roots, picked up the wine cup. The pale celadon glaze made her nails, coated with balsam juice, appear even more vibrant and beautiful.

She looked around and saw Commander Xiao's wife looking at her with her chin in her hand, so she smiled and raised her glass to her.

Caught red-handed peeping, Yuan Zhi was slightly embarrassed and raised his wine glass in return.

Xiao Zong saw this and placed his large hand on the back of Yuan Zhi's head, pressing her head down.

"Don't look around."

That woman is not someone she can afford to mess with!

Yuan Zhi picked up a piece of honey-glazed pork and fed it to him, saying, "I was looking at a woman, not a man. What are you jealous of, my husband?"

Xiao Zong ate from her hand, and only after he finished did he say, "She's very cunning; I'm afraid you'll learn bad things from her."

"Does my husband know Princess Pingyi very well?"

Xiao Zong froze. "I don't know much about it either."

Yuan Zhi asked curiously, "My husband doesn't know the county princess very well, but he knows she's quite scheming. Our love as husband and wife grows stronger every day. In my husband's heart, what kind of person am I?"

This stumped Xiao Zong. If Yuan Zhi asked him to describe her in her past life, he could go on for an hour without finishing the list of words like "heartless as a snake," "honeyed-mouthed but treacherous," and "smiling while hiding a knife."

He didn't know much about Yuan Zhi in this life, so it wasn't easy for him to find a word to use to cover it up.

Yuan Zhi hugged his arm. "Haven't decided yet? Is it that hard?"

Xiao Zong quickly recalled what had happened in the past few days and summarized: "Intelligent, insightful, straightforward, and resilient."