My Princess and Crown Prince Are Revived
Chapter 262: Meeting an Old Acquaintance

Chapter 262: Chapter 262: Meeting an Old Acquaintance

"Oh? So Lord Yan Lin is also aware that it’s rather excessive to deceive me with an imposter."

Chu Baihan spoke casually.

Yan Lin: "..."

It seemed that his Princess Consort was planning to settle accounts with him after the autumn harvest.

"Let’s go, Lord Yan Lin. The Nanduan Capital should be very lively tonight, and you shouldn’t miss it."

Chu Baihan quickly took the initiative to grab Yan Lin’s hand.

"The city will be lively tonight?" Yan Lin furrowed his brow slightly.

"Have you forgotten that tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival? Every year at this time, the people of the capital set aside their busy lives to celebrate with their families for these few days. I went to the Imperial Palace today to tell Father that I wanted to take the two little ones to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival with him in advance tonight, as we have done for the past few years. But..."

Chu Baihan patiently explained, but as she spoke, her expression grew increasingly melancholy.

Yan Lin, hearing this, knew she was recalling the events of the day.

His heart panged.

He grabbed her hand in return and said in a deep voice, "Didn’t you say you were taking me to tour the capital city? Then let’s go."

The most famous restaurant in the capital city is Qingfu Restaurant.

Chu Baihan intended to take Yan Lin there for a meal.

But who knew, as soon as she went up to the private room on the second floor, she ran into someone she did not wish to see.

"Cousin?"

Qiang Na tentatively called out to Chu Baihan.

Although Chu Baihan was wearing a veil, Qiang Na had spent a period of time specifically imitating her, so she recognized her at a glance.

Chu Baihan was not accustomed to hiding either. She looked up at Qiang Na and said indifferently, "Shouldn’t you be at home studying to pass the Chengyang Academy’s exam instead of being here at Qingfu Restaurant?"

Upon hearing Chu Baihan’s words, Qiang Na’s smile faded somewhat.

Annoyance flickered in her eyes.

She was reminded of how she had begged Chu Baihan to help her pass the Chengyang Academy’s exam and was refused.

Suppressing her emotions, she covered her mouth and laughed.

"Cousin, studying is indeed important, but my father came out to meet friends from court today, so naturally, I had to accompany him," she replied.

"Right, Cousin, Father and Grandfather are in the private room. Would you like to come in and join us for a bit?" she continued to ask.

Chu Baihan’s expression quickly grew cold.

Even though the Qiang Family was her mother’s family, she did not wish to associate with them at all.

So she quickly spoke coldly, "No need."

She no longer wished to stay at Qingfu Restaurant that day.

No sooner had she spoken than she turned to leave.

But at that moment, an angry voice came from inside the private room.

"Have you grown so accustomed to being the Grand Princess that you no longer wish to acknowledge your own maternal grandfather?"

Hearing this voice, Chu Baihan felt it was laughable.

All they knew was how to oppress her with so-called familial love.

Well, she would meet them and see what sort of trouble they intended to stir up this time.

Chu Baihan quickly pushed the door open and entered.

Inside the private room sat an old man with a head of white hair, and next to him, a man in his fifties. Both had extremely similar features filled with gloom.

Especially that old man, his lips pursed in a way that screamed of avarice.

They were Qiang Guangguang, the Family Head of the Qiang Family, and his son Qiang Jianbai.

They were Chu Baihan’s maternal grandfather and uncle.

"Grandfather, father."

Qiang Na trotted over and then sat down next to them.

Chu Baihan’s icy gaze swept around the room, failing to find the person they were supposed to meet.

It must be that the person had already left.

But she was not curious.

After all, the Qiang Family had been crossing too many lines behind the scenes throughout the years. It wouldn’t surprise her whom they might be meeting.

"If it hadn’t been for me calling you just now, would you have forgotten that I am still your maternal grandfather?"

Qiang Guangguang spoke with a cold voice.

His eyes held nothing but malice for Chu Baihan.

Their Qiang family was the foremost noble house in the Nanduan Kingdom, never in a position where they needed to act with excessive deference.

On a regular day, he barely nodded to the one sitting on the Dragon Throne.

And now his granddaughter, Chu Baihan, expected him to bow to her?

"Maternal grandfather, uncle," said Chu Baihan, her tone neither warm nor cold as she called out to them.

"Sit down," Qiang Guangguang commanded Chu Baihan in a domineering tone.

He never considered Yan Lin at Chu Baihan’s side worthy of attention.

He simply saw him as nothing more than a guard.

"Is my maternal grandfather ordering me?" Chu Baihan raised an eyebrow, smiling.

"Could it be that I am no longer allowed to give you orders?" Qiang Guangguang’s anger flared instantly.

"Grandfather, don’t be angry. My cousin is probably just used to being revered in the Imperial Palace and the Princess Residence, so she can’t put aside her pride for a moment. Don’t be angry. Although we are the first noble house, we are still merely a family of officials. My cousin is the Emperor’s daughter; we should accommodate her," Qiang Na hurriedly interjected.

Her words seemed to be in defense of Chu Baihan, but they were actually provocative taunts.

As expected, Qiang Guangguang grew even angrier.

He slammed his palm down hard on the table, then said furiously, "Fine then, now the wings are stiff. You and your imperial brother, perhaps I, as your maternal grandfather, have no say over you. But don’t forget, the blood of the Qiang Family still flows in your veins. Your mother, the Empress, always treated me with utmost respect."

"Yes, indeed. Mother was too soft-hearted in this life, and thus she was bound by your so-called kinship. She gave in time and time again, but you kept pushing her to gather intelligence from father’s side..."

"She didn’t want to disappoint you, but she didn’t want to betray father either, so she bore all the sadness alone, eventually winding up in a state of quiet despair."

Chu Baihan had to suppress her rage in order to speak these words.

Mother might have lived a few more years, but the sorrow built up in her heart was too much.

Regretting the loss of her.

And feeling torn between the Qiang Family and father.

All these burdens, she bore alone.

The Qiang Family, they’re also the murderers who killed mother!

But Qiang Guangguang showed no signs of regret; instead, he let out a cold laugh, "That was her duty as the legitimate daughter of the Qiang Family. Without the Qiang Family, could she have entered the palace to become the Empress from the start?"

He went on, "In fact, it’s her own fault. With the Emperor taking so many concubines, father was concerned the Empress’s status was at risk. He suggested several times that my aunt should enter the palace too to serve the Emperor and support her, to also solidify the Qiang Family’s position. But she staunchly opposed it."

Qiang Jianbai also snorted coldly, his words laced with accusation against Chu Baihan’s mother.

"Aunt was worried about others vying for favor; her refusal wasn’t without reason..."

Qiang Na bit her lower lip, stoking the flames further.

Upon hearing this, Qiang Guangguang’s fury grew even heavier, "As a daughter of the Qiang Family, she should prioritize family interests. How could she indulge in jealousy? Her early death is her punishment!"

"Enough!"