Chapter 139: The Gaze Grew Stern

It was essentially just a visit to her maiden home.

Yun Zui could hardly ignore it outright, so with profound reluctance, she changed the direction of her steps.

Inside the Prime Minister's Manor, the Prime Minister's family was gathered harmoniously around a table, enjoying some after-dinner fruit.

"Yao'er, how many days do you plan to stay at the manor during this trip out of the palace?" Prime Minister Yun Tai asked Yun Yao.

Before Yun Yao could answer, however, the sudden appearance of Yun Zui caused all their expressions to freeze in remarkably uniform fashion.

In her heart, Yun Zui could not help but feel a pang of sorrow for the original Yun Zui of ancient times. How on earth had she managed to survive to the age of fifteen?

Yet, rather than pitying the ancient Yun Zui, it was perhaps more fitting to pity her other soul.

A century ago, the ancient Yun Zui and the modern Yun Zui had originally been a single entity, but due to certain circumstances, they had been forcibly separated through arcane arts.

Now, with the modern soul of Yun Zui possessing the body of the ancient Yun Zui, the two had merged back into one, effectively becoming the same person once more.

Therefore, the grievances suffered by the ancient Yun Zui should not merely be avenged by her modern counterpart as a proxy; rather, she was avenging herself, washing away her past shame and striking back!

Though Yun Yao was the Emperor's woman and held a status even more precious than the Prime Minister, Yun Zui was, on paper at least, the Dowager Imperial Concubine. So what if Yun Yao was an imperial consort? She still had to pay her respects to Yun Zui.

Feeling deeply resentful and unwilling, Yun Yao gracefully rose, curtsied slightly, and greeted her with a displeased expression, "Greetings, Dowager Imperial Concubine."

Naturally, Prime Minister Yun Tai and the others stood up and bowed in unison as well.

Yun Chang, Dou Saiqi, and the others had initially believed Yun Zui to be dead, but Prime Minister Yun Tai had informed them upon his return from court that she was still alive. Therefore, they were not surprised to see her appear.

Without sparing them a sideways glance, Yun Zui walked straight ahead, bypassed the group, and seated herself in the exact spot Yun Yao had just vacated.

Displeasure flickered across everyone's faces, yet Yun Zui remained entirely composed.

What did their displeasure have to do with her? She would be all the more satisfied if they choked on their own anger.

"Rise," Yun Zui said indifferently, before picking up a tangerine from the side, tossing it into the air, and catching it steadily in her palm.

Seeing Yun Zui behave with such a lack of decorum, Yun Tai could not help but frown. Yet, concealing his dissatisfaction, he asked with deferential obedience, "Has the Dowager Imperial Concubine partaken of her meal?"

Hearing this, Yun Zui let her gaze fall upon Yun Tai's face. Earlier, when Yun Tai had addressed Yun Yao, he had called her "Yao'er" with such profound affection. Yet when facing her—his own daughter who happened to be the "Dowager Imperial Concubine"—he addressed her with distant formality, laying bare his absolute aversion to her as his child.

"I have eaten," Yun Zui replied blandly.

As the others rose and prepared to resume their seats, Yun Zui immediately spoke up, "Did I give you permission to sit?"

At these words, a flash of hatred crossed Yun Chang's face. She immediately chimed in, "Yun Yao is the Emperor's favored consort, yet in private, I can still call her my second sister, and she is gracious enough to acknowledge me as her eldest sister. Having attained the position of Dowager Imperial Concubine, have you forgotten that you are the fifth young miss of the Prime Minister's Manor? You are my fifth sister as well, and your constant efforts to make things difficult for us are truly a disappointment to your sisters!"

Her implication was clear: by becoming the Dowager Imperial Concubine, Yun Zui had forgotten her roots. She had forgotten that they were once sisters, and she had forsaken familial ties. Yun Chang's words painted Yun Zui as ungrateful, selfish, and devoid of basic decency!

Hearing this, Yun Zui's previously serene gaze instantly turned icy, sweeping fiercely across Yun Chang's face, which still bore the faint marks of a slap.

When Yun Zui's gaze turned this cold, it meant she was truly angry!

This Yun Chang had crossed the line with her!