Chapter 8：Speaking Ranks

If someone knew of Yin Hua Lei's predicament, they would know that she now regarded herself as half crazy.

Who wouldn't when one woke up in the middle of the night, suddenly knowing that she was living the life of a villainess of a novel.

She had vague memories of that distant world. But she had no attachments nor lingering sentiments.

The biggest factor that convinced her to believe was the book of which the main characters matched with Chen Rong and Xia Yu Heng's name, description appearance and temper.

She only regretted that the memory was confined to her Yin household being trampled upon when they fell.

From there, common sense would tell her that Xia Yu Heng probably succeeded in the fight for the throne.

Weren't all stories that way? The hero would go save people, fall in love with the heroine. Then together, they'd conquer the world.

None of that mattered to Yin Hua Lei now. She had woken up from her fantasy that the ninth prince would ever give her affection. It somehow vanished with the wind only leaving some resentments that wouldn't go away for a day or two.

The only thing she needed to do now was to be obedient to her family and of course, her foremost job as a Yin: to protect the Emperor.

Now that she didn't plan to kill Chen Rong, there would surely be changes to the plot. Yin Hua Lei was supposed to die on the scaffold once her assassination attempt would be exposed.

Now she was determined that her family wouldn't have such a humiliating end.

Being inside the novel, it seemed so different. Mainly because she realized that even though the novel revolved around the protagonists, there were some things that even the story wouldn't reveal to the readers.

"Mistress, we've arrived." Xin Tao softly uttered.

Yin Hua Lei didn't need to raise the curtains to know that they were in front of the Chang palace.

One month had passed and during these days, Yin Hua Lei practically confined herself inside the Yin manor.

Her mother was heartbroken to see her that way and her father regularly visited her courtyard to check up on her. It seemed Yin Fang Qi was quite afraid she'd suddenly hang herself.

Her lips curled in a faint smile. It wasn't because she was heartbroken. Her family was overreacting but she couldn't say that it was also the Emperor's wish for her to lay low and not show herself to the public.

As a result, rumors of her unrequited love resurfaced and now, she was suddenly attending the marriage banquet of the two.

Chang palace was very lively. As Yin Hua Lei got down her imperial carriage, numerous personae were spotted just outside the palace socializing amongst themselves.

The announcing eunuch by the door hastily attended to her.

"Imperial daughter Gao Le has arrived!"

Everyone inside the celebration hall looked towards the entrance.

Sure enough, a lady with incomparable bearing made her way. Arched brows, phoenix eyes, pointed nose and thin red lips. Her countenance flaunted her status and made people be contented of watching her from afar. Going near her might corrupt her blue-blooded presence.

Today she was wearing a blouse and skirt the color of the night sky. Normally, this wouldn't attract any kind of attention but the dye of her dress made one curious. How did the seamstress make a gradient from top to bottom, light indigo slowly turned to black on the seams of her skirt and sleeves?

It was as if her dress was a painting of the changing of dusk to night.

More eye-catching were the patterns of white branches on the edge of the skirt and sleeves contrasting deeply against the dark night color. The branches looked like they were coated with snow and made one want to reach out and see if they were real.

Her waist skirt was the same snow white color, underneath was a moon jade ornament with light tassels.

Such simple design made the clothes like a piece of art, refreshing to the sight. Especially when one was surrounded with young maidens who liked wearing vibrant and lively colors.

Yin Hua Lei came like a cold breeze in the heat of summer.

But she spoke to no one, greeted no one. The people were used to her diva attitude. Even if they had something against it, would they dare speak?

This imperial daughter could come and go anywhere unimpeded. Even the Emperor rarely spoke against it. Truly making someone's teeth gnash in envy.

Yin Hua Lei saw her twin cousins sitting quite far from the crowd. The banquets in Da Xia didn't distinguish between genders so she slowly made her way towards them.

"My two gege[1] didn't wait for this cousin." She had a subtle pout when she got near.

Yin Huaying stared at his little cousin sister. His usual straight face blossomed to a smile and held Yin Hua Lei's hand to lead her to a seat between them brothers.

The younger twin, Yin Huajing laughed, "Meimei, nice dress." He unabashedly complimented.

This was quite a shock to those nearby the three.

Who didn't know that Yin Hua Lei was rarely seen in public with her family? She was always aloof, adding to the sense of mystery in her fairy image.

But she seemed to be really close to her cousins. Add up the fact that underneath her long sleeves, she wasn't wearing her usual gloves.

It was said in the capital that imperial daughter Gao Le's hands were seen as a precious treasure by the Emperor. No one was ever allowed to touch her hands. But just earlier, they saw Yin Huaying directly hold Yin Hua Lei's hand.

It seemed imperial daughter Gao Le's relationship with her cousins was really good to make her breach her unworldliness for them.

"Hmph, this old maid's still acting high and mighty." A spoilt young miss whispered quite loudly to her friend.

They snickered while gossiping how imperial daughter Gao Le failed to earn ninth prince Chang's heart.

The three Yins had extensive martial arts training since young. Although none in Da Xia were aware of their proficiency, they could easily topple even general's houses' younger generations. Naturally, they only needed to focus and the murmurs in this lively hall could be heard.

One madam said, "Isn't she ashamed? The prince she's pining for is getting married, don't tell me she'll settle to be the second wife?"

Another answered, "That's not quite right. Will the Yin clan lower themselves like that?"

Words like these traveled to Yin Hua Lei's ears and although her indifferent expression didn't change, the air around her gradually turned colder.

This was the result of her stupidity.

Common people might adore her but people of the high strata wouldn't be fooled. Casual gossip like this could even turn to slander.

Yin Hua Lei turned to her cousins who by now, had red-rimmed eyes and were almost shaking in anger. Of course, they heard the talks too.

Picking a grape fruit from the porcelain bowl, she poked it on Huajing's cheek. Between the twins, Huajing was more outspoken and could barely hide his emotions.

"Jing ge, we aren't allowed to kill people here." She spoke in a not so loud tone.

Teased, Huajing helplessly looked at her and grudgingly ate the grape in her hand.

"Then, outside we can?"

Huaying leaned over to also get some snacks. "Ah-Jing, you're acting more and more like grandfather."

The older twin didn't precisely say more and more unreasonable like grandfather.

But Yin Hua Lei and him had a tacit understanding.

"Brother Ying and Brother Jing have come. This Heng is honored." At some time, Xia Yu Heng appeared in front of them and cupped his hand.

The brothers represented the Yin clan, this family of eccentrics who rarely accepted invitations to these kind of events and festivities. This could be considered as Duke Yin giving face to Chang wang.

Huaying and Huajing who were on both sides of Yin Hua Lei stood up to return the courtesy.

"This is your Highness' auspicious day. Naturally, our Yin clan is here to congratulate." Huaying said in a levelled tone while raising his glass to toast.

The three men drank at the same time.

But Huajing really couldn't keep his mouth shut.

"This Yin won't dare be called by your Highness as brother. After all, your Highness is of royal birth. This Yin is too lowly. Too lowly."

Yin Hua Lei who remained sitting couldn't help but purse her lips to refrain from smiling. This cousin brother of hers was venting anger for her. He directly rejected Xia Yu Heng to his face, chipping on the latter's humble image.

Furthermore, Yin Huajing said he was too lowly, then what of the other young masters present today? Would they be considered lower than lowly?

Xia Yu Heng's gentle smile turned bland. Nevertheless, he continued on with some small talk before turning to fetch his little bride from the Bai residence.

After the ninth prince departed, the fourth and fifth prince also came over to their table to chitchat with the twins.

Yin Hua Lei minded her own business, fiddling with the blood red ring on her forefinger. They didn't disturb her too, only nodding as greetings.

Until a certain person couldn't take it anymore.

"Yin Hua Lei, you're really bold! Where in Da Xia will you see a lady not giving proper courtesy to the imperial family? Three royal and titled princes had passed you by and you're still firmly sitting on your chair?! Such courage you have!"

A twelve to thirteen year old girl wearing a luxurious light pink palace dress was huffing in anger.

Judging from her behavior, the people already guessed her identity. There was only one princess in the imperial palace who was this age.

The youngest and tenth princess, named Xia Luyoung.

The princess couldn't believe how her imperial brothers let this woman be so audacious. She deserved to be punished!

Yin Hua Lei blinked at the stupid princess. Her brothers didn't utter a word of complaint yet here she was causing trouble.

"Hua Lei doesn't seem to understand." She feigned ignorance with a deadpan face.

This caused Xia Luyoung to almost spit blood in anger.

"Don't understand? Very well, this princess will properly teach you. This princess is a first rank royal princess born from the Empress. This princess' brothers are all first rank princes, all are titled except our youngest, the eleventh prince. You, Yin Hua Lei, are conferred with the lower second rank imperial daughter title. By right, you should show courtesy to us children of the Emperor!"

Once these words were said, it was as if the masses suddenly found their voice. Coupled with the memory that Yin Hua Lei was punished by the Emperor not too long ago...

"On what basis does she think she's above all?" A voice murmured and words of assent followed.

Yin Hua Lei's face blossomed in an enigmatic smile.

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[1]Gege or ge - older brother. Hua Lei calls her cousins gege instead of elder cousin brother. Indicating their close relationship

Xia Luyoung is a Gulun Gongzhu (Empress' daughter). After that is a Heshuo Gongzhu (Emperor's daughter with Consorts and concubines). YHL is Junzhu w/c is two steps below