Chapter 3 He Xinying Crossed a Line He Xinying spoke in a soft, delicate voice, but it was obvious to everyone that she was flaunting Li Han's favor. There was nothing worth showing off. When a woman got married, no matter if she was an empress or a princess, she still had to sew her own bridal gown. It tested her skill with a needle. Only women without talent in needlework would hire someone else to make it. It was shameful, and yet she had the audacity to say it aloud. The woman Li Han claimed to be his cousin didn't seem properly educated. Under the eyes of the amused crowd, Ma Ting lowered her head and let out a quiet laugh. "I don't have much status. I'm the last one left in my family. Times are hard, so I had no choice but to make it myself." She lifted her eyes and added, "You, however, are treasured. He's going to give you a ceremony that involves an eight-man carriage. I don't even have that." Ma Ting let out a sigh and bowed her head again, her posture filled with defeat. He Xinying almost laughed in delight, seeing her so downcast. Li Han's pressure had worked. Ma Ting lowered her head and gave in. He Xinying pressed her lips together, apparently pleased by Ma Ting's 'defeat'. She couldn't resist flaunting even more. "In the end, Li Han and I grew up together. He told me he wants to give me the best in the world. If the rules allowed it, he'd even give me a twelve-man carriage." Her voice swelled with pride, but the moment the words left her lips, the garden fell silent. Every eye turned toward her, wide with shock. Even Ma Ting froze. She had only flattered He Xinying so everyone would notice she herself only had the six-man carriage compared to He Xinying's eight. She never thought He Xinying would say something that reckless. A twelve-man carriage was the highest honor. How could He Xinying ever be worthy of that? The smug look on He Xinying's face faltered as she noticed the strange stares around her. "Did I say something wrong?" Her voice shook as she whispered the words to Ma Ting. Her world had only been housework and serving Li Han in his chambers until very recently. She had never paid attention to ceremonial rules. However, a few days ago, Li Han told her the thing she told everyone just now. Before Ma Ting could reply, a low laugh came from the back of the crowd. "His Majesty gave me the twelve-man carriage and called it the imperial heir's courtesy. I thought it was rare. "Turns out any woman getting married can have one. So, His Majesty only gave me something worthless?" A man stepped forward, his robe embroidered with golden dragons and his jade belt catching the light. His tone sounded modest, yet his sharp brows and long eyes carried the weight of authority, pressing down on everyone. His sudden presence stunned the entire crowd. Qi Rong rarely appeared in public, so few recognized him, but Ma Ting knew him instantly. She stood and bowed deeply. "Greetings, Lord Zhu." The rest of the crowd caught on and dropped to their knees. Even the princess hosting the banquet hurried out to bow to this vassal lord. He Xinying panicked, fumbling at Ma Ting's side, her legs unsteady. She couldn't even kneel properly. Her eyes burned red with shame. Why didn't she even teach me this? D*mmit, now I'm publicly embarrassed. When we get back, I'm telling Li Han! He'll take care of her! "Rise." Qi Rong flicked the jade belt at his waist as he spoke, his voice calm and almost casual. But the edge of his gaze lingered on Ma Ting. When Ma Ting stood, her eyes met his for an instant before she quickly lowered her head. The people here might not know Qi Rong, but she had seen him before. Her parents had died controlling the floods in Zhu County, and later she had been appointed its Countess. Zhu County had once been rich, but after the floods, it was abandoned. When the waters were finally tamed, enemy nations turned greedy eyes toward it. Qi Rong spent five years conquering Zhu County, expanding its borders, and making Cloud Nation stronger by the day. The day he returned victorious to Ming City, Ma Ting had gone early to the gates to see him. She wanted to see the man who had defended the land her parents gave their lives for. In three years, Qi Rong rose from general to vassal lord. When there were no titles left to give, His Majesty granted him the highest honor. He could ride a twelve-man carriage, enter court with ease, and walk into the palace with a sword at his side. The first perk was something reserved only for the emperor. The second and third meant he was exempt from any safety checks, even when he was in the same chamber as the emperor. To see Qi Rong was like seeing His Majesty himself. Only His Majesty and Qi Rong were allowed to ride a twelve-man carriage in the entire realm. For He Xinying to say that aloud in his presence was no different from inviting death. Qi Rong swept his eyes across the crowd and locked them on He Xinying. His gaze carried the weight of an army charge. It pressed down on her until she struggled to breathe. After a long silence, he finally spoke. "And which family does this rude girl come from? Take her away at once." His voice sounded light and casual, yet it sent a chill through everyone's veins. This was the young commander who had slaughtered thousands in his path of conquest. No one would try to defy him. By the time Li Han heard what He Xinying had done and rushed over, his legs were already shaking. "Lord Zhu, forgive her. My cousin knows little about the world and ran her mouth. Please don't hold it against her." Li Han dropped to his knees without hesitation. Seeing the always proud Li Han acting so meek only made He Xinying panic more. She had only repeated what he once said. She wondered how it was unraveling into such a disaster. Qi Rong lowered his eyes toward Li Han, then turned them on Ma Ting. "So, it's the heir of Marquis Sunfair. Next time, keep your brutish cousin at home instead of dragging her around. She will do nothing but disgrace you." Li Han ignored the insult. The moment he realized Qi Rong did not plan to punish them, he knocked his head to the floor in thanks. That was their world's way of saying the humblest thank you to the people's superiors. "I'll punish her once we're home. Thank you, Lord Zhu, for sparing us." He pulled He Xinying up quickly and hurried away, afraid Qi Rong might change his mind. Once they left, Ma Ting returned to her seat. She had only wanted to appear as a victim in front of the crowd to further her own plans. Yet He Xinying had handed her an unexpected gift, giving her a chance to vent the frustration she had long carried. With her role complete, Ma Ting had no reason to linger. She took Ding Jie with her, bade farewell to the Eldest Princess, and prepared to head home. But as they stepped through the palace gates and before Ma Ting could climb into her carriage, two figures appeared from behind the building. "Wait." Li Han called out. His face was dark, while his eyes were burning with hatred and disgust. "I didn't think you could be so cruel. You set a trap just to make He Xinying slip in public?" His furious accusation made Ma Ting laugh coldly. "A trap? She was the one who couldn't resist showing off. And you were the one who told her about the twelve-man carriage." Yeah, Ma Ting had no wish to let the Li family know peace ever again, but this time, she hadn't plotted against He Xinying. She hadn't expected her to be that reckless. It was He Xinying who wanted to brag, and Li Han did tell her that dangerous piece of lie in private. Li Han was left speechless by her retort. He had said those words, yes. But they were whispered in bed and never meant to be repeated. How could he have known she would say them in public? In the end, he could only place the blame on Ma Ting for bringing up the eight-man carriage at the wedding. Overall, Li Han felt no sense of guilt. He was convinced that Ma Ting had framed He Xinying out of jealousy. "I'm the one who gave Xinying the eight-man carriage. Don't take your jealousy out on her. You're so bitter. Our family will never know peace once you marry me. Honestly, you don't even deserve the six-man carriage. The four-man carriage is already too much for you!" With that, Li Han flung his sleeve and stormed off with He Xinying. A four-man carriage-half of what He Xinying had been given. But Ma Ting felt nothing. Even Ding Jie remained calm. What difference was there between a four-man carriage and a six-man carriage? Either way, it was humiliating!