Who said she was testing Xu Si?

From the beginning, she never intended to truly test Xu Si for the Empress.

A man who would steal from his family for Qiu Shiyi Niang, admire other women while scheming for his own benefit through Xie Ruizhi, was, plainly speaking, a gold digger, and a forceful one at that.

Now, with the addition of his white lotus elder sister, this was a family one couldn’t possibly marry into.

Yu Qingwu lightly lifted her eyelids, a glint of amusement flashing in her eyes. She slowly lowered the hand propping up her chin and straightened her body, quickly adopting the dignified demeanor of a noblewoman, seemingly on purpose for Xu Zian and Xu Fengxia to see.

Sure enough, seeing her posture, Xu Fengxia couldn’t help but scold her brother again. She was too far away for Yu Qingwu to hear clearly.

However, she imagined it was nothing more than accusations of putting on airs and commenting on her humble origins.

Yu Qingwu didn’t care. She smiled faintly, glancing disdainfully at Xu Zian, then looked at Xie Ruizhi, and asked Xie Jin Yan softly, "Your Highness, as you said, the Sixth Princess admires Xu Si not just because he saved her life, but surely for other reasons."

"For example, appearance? Talent? Or perhaps his thoughtfulness and tenderness."

"Seeing how he allows his sister to demand so much from the Sixth Princess, and how he has reprimanded the Sixth Princess several times for Qiu Shiyi Niang, it’s clear he is not tender or considerate. As for talent, his insignificant official position was obtained through the Sixth Princess, so naturally, he has no real ability. Even if he does, it must be just for show, useless in a real fight."

"So, what outstanding qualities does he possess that make the Sixth Princess so devoted and willing to endure humiliation for him?"

"What else could it be? Just that passable appearance."

Mentioning Xu Zian put Xie Jin Yan in a bad mood.

After a pause, he snorted and added, "More or less, he also dabbles in writing and pretends to be a gentle and refined gentleman. To put it bluntly, he's a beast in clothing."

"That's right. Since the Sixth Princess likes his appearance and the image he pretends to be, then we'll destroy that image."

"It's hard to fall in love with someone, but it's easy to hate someone."

Yu Qingwu's peach blossom eyes curved like crescent moons, her lips gently lifted, and a faint, cold smile outlined her amber pupils. The look in her eyes made Xie Jin Yan feel a chill down his spine.

He hadn't seen such a look for a long time, not since Yu Qingwu threw snakes into the bedding of the two senior brothers who bullied him.

Seeing Yu Qingwu's expression, Xie Jin Yan finally realized.

Perhaps, she really had a way.

His expression changed, and he glanced coldly at Xu Zian and his sister in the distance, then whispered to Yu Qingwu, "Shijie (Senior Martial Sister), do you… really have a way?"

"I do, but it's a bit disgusting."

Yu Qingwu picked up the tea in front of her, took a sip, and a sharp look flashed in her eyes. Then she opened her mouth again, deeply scrutinizing Liu Guifei (Noble Consort Liu) and Xie Qiyun, and rubbing her forehead, she said, "Moreover, it will make the Sixth Princess lose face to some extent, and it will allow Liu Guifei and Xie Qiyun to laugh at your palace."

Perhaps because he hadn't seen Yu Qingwu's quirky expression for too long, Xie Jin Yan was momentarily confused.

But thinking of the various problems she had solved for him when they were at their martial sect, although her methods were often despicable and somewhat of a last resort, the results were usually good, so he nodded and said, "Shijie, it doesn't matter if Xie Qiyun's cronies laugh at me, just don't get yourself into trouble."

So, he agreed?

Although it was for his sister after all, this was ultimately a matter of the imperial family. Today's spring banquet was hosted by the Empress herself. If she took the initiative to cause trouble, it would more or less cause the Empress to lose face and displease the Emperor.

But if the trouble was caused at just the right moment, the effect would be the opposite.

A smile flashed in her eyes, Yu Qingwu gently leaned close to Xie Jin Yan's ear and whispered, "Your Highness, listen to me, in a moment we will…"

"Zian, what do you think that Yu Shi is saying to the Crown Prince? Could she be complaining about me?" At that moment, Xu Fengxia's eyes were fixed on Yu Qingwu in the distance. She was still angry that Yu Qingwu had not given her face earlier. Seeing Yu Qingwu whispering to Xie Jin Yan, she felt a little uneasy and subconsciously thought that Yu Qingwu was complaining to the Crown Prince so that the Crown Prince would vent her anger.

After all, even though Yu Shi had the title of Crown Princess, she was just a merchant's daughter from a humble background, without any family background. Now, because of the Rongguo Gong (Duke of Rong) incident, she had offended many official families. She probably wouldn't dare to easily provoke noblewomen like them with some family background. If she suffered a grievance, she could only complain to the Crown Prince.

Thinking of this, Xu Fengxia couldn't help but sneer and coldly said, "In the end, she's just a lowly thing who pleases people with her looks. What else can she do besides complain to the Crown Prince? If the Crown Prince loses interest in her one day, what waves can this small household make?"

That's right, how could she forget?

Since that Yu Shi refused to listen, they could just change someone.

A glint of light flashed in her eyes, and Xu Fengxia looked at Xu Zian beside her. Before Xu Zian could speak, she suddenly said, "Zian, what do you think about sending some beauties to the Crown Prince? How about sending Ruyi from your room?"

Xu Fengxia pondered for a while. The concubine daughters in the family were definitely not suitable. If they grew too powerful in the future and couldn't be controlled, that wouldn't do. But a maid was different. Their whole family's lives were in their hands, so they had no choice but to obey.

Moreover, she thought that Yu Shi was quite beautiful. The concubine daughters in the family were all less attractive, except for Ruyi, the maid in her younger brother's room, who was charming and beautiful.

That was what Xu Fengxia thought, but she didn't notice that her younger brother Xu Zian's face was turning increasingly ugly.

"Elder Sister, Ruyi is my person, how can I easily give her away?" Xu Zian's face darkened, and he glared at Yu Shi in the distance with dissatisfaction. He gritted his teeth and said, "Moreover, why do we need to send Ruyi out to deal with that Yu Shi? Don't worry, I have my own ideas."

"Didn't that bastard also enter the palace with his master today? We'll have him serve the Xu family one more time..."

Xu Zian curled his lips into a cold smile, gazing at Yu Qingwu in the distance with a faint sinister light in his eyes.

Yu Qingwu was always sensitive and noticed it.

However, she ignored it, just smiled, and coldly watched Xu Zian, who had suddenly gotten up in the corner, her nails slowly digging into her skin.

It seemed she had to change her mind.

She seemed to be too lenient towards Xu Si.

"Your Highness, I think that the method we just discussed seems too merciful." She raised her lips, and a layer of frost covered her bright face. Her eyes were fixed on the empty seat in the corner, and she said softly, "It seems that some people have failed to get close and have become angry and want to attack me..."