Please Call Me Your Highness (GL) - Chapter 6

This family banquet was undoubtedly a grand affair.

Seated at the head of the gathering was Empress Dowager Ji, who had fallen from power after losing the political struggle and the passing of the former Emperor. Once the Empress Dowager to the Emperor Emeritus, she had now been relegated to her current title—but today, she appeared in good spirits.

Still, when she looked at Dong Xiaoning, her gaze held a deeper meaning.

The Empress Regent and Empress Ming were also present. The Empress Regent, as always, maintained a calm, unreadable expression. Meanwhile, Empress Ming’s mood visibly darkened the moment she saw Dong Xiaoning—regardless of how pleasant she had been before.

Princess Ancheng and her consort, Ming Yuzhou, radiated newfound confidence, their recent ascendancy in the battle for succession leaving them brimming with ambition.

Princess Ancheng’s scrutinizing gaze made Dong Xiaoning deeply uncomfortable.

In contrast, Princess Xiucheng was far more reserved. Her consort hailed from the Ji family, and they had suffered greatly during the previous power struggles, often used as scapegoats.

Now, with the Ming family at its peak, neither of them dared to challenge the tide, and when Princess Xiucheng looked at Dong Xiaoning, her gaze held a hint of sympathy.

Prince Kangning, unmarried and without children, remained indifferent, her thoughts untouched by succession disputes. Her only concern was herself.

These were Dong Xiaoning’s elders.

Among her peers, the Second Princess, Dong Yanning, and the Third Princess, Dong Muning, were present, as well as the children of Princess Ancheng and Princess Xiucheng.

As Kunze, both princesses had remarkable fertility—but not all of their children had been brought along today.

The younger generation had not yet mastered the art of concealing their emotions. Or perhaps, they simply did not bother to hide their contempt for Dong Xiaoning, making their expressions all too transparent.

Being bombarded with so much information all at once, Dong Xiaoning felt as though she were being pelted from all directions.

She had followed the exact schedule provided by the high-ranking palace official and hurried straight to the banquet without any delays.

Yet, somehow, she was still late.

Faced with the overwhelming scrutiny, Dong Xiaoning subtly stepped in front of Xiao Fu, shielding her.

She then calmly addressed the gathering.

“Dong Xiaoning greets Imperial Grandmother, Mother-Empress, and Mother-Queen.”

However, she made no move to apologize.

Her attitude was clear—so what if she was late?

If they wanted to punish her, they were welcome to try.

Dong Xiaoning held this thought as she maintained a composed expression.

The great hall fell into silence, so still that even the sound of a pin drop could be heard.

After a few long seconds, the Empress Regent finally spoke.

“Since you have arrived, take your seat.”

“Thank you, Mother-Empress.”

Dong Xiaoning found her designated place, seated with the other royal daughters.

The banquet adhered to the palace’s strict dining etiquette—each person had identical dishes before them, in accordance with the imperial dining regulations.

The Empress Regent exchanged a few customary remarks, followed by Empress Ming, while Empress Dowager Ji remained silent.

Given that the Crown Princess had passed away not long ago, no grand performances had been arranged.

However, smaller dance performances had been permitted to bring some lighthearted entertainment.

The Crown Princess Consort had chosen not to attend, likely unwilling to witness such an occasion.

After all, if she alone remained in mourning, she would ruin the atmosphere.

As the banquet continued, Dong Xiaoning focused on the food before her.

The selection at a family banquet was far more extravagant than usual.

Some dishes were quite good, while others were merely for show.

Imperial cuisine prioritized presentation over flavor, bound by the ceremonial significance of its ingredients and preparation.

Taste? That was often a secondary concern.

Among the dishes was fresh lychee.

Dong Xiaoning peeled one open and took a bite—it was slightly sour, but the taste stirred a deep memory.

She continued eating, some lychees sweet, others tart—likely a result of the season.

The elders exchanged polite words, occasionally raising their cups in formal toasts.

The younger generation focused on the performances, and some, feeling emboldened, stepped forward to display their talents.

Several drew admiration and applause.

Amidst it all, Dong Xiaoning remained detached, fully absorbed in her meal.

She ignored the thinly veiled provocations, pretending not to hear or not to understand the pointed remarks.

Her indifference left her detractors furious—their punches landing in cotton, making them both angry and frustrated.

At one point, a young noblewoman broke the silence with a pointed remark.

“I heard that Cousin Xiaoning suffered greatly while she was away. And now, she seems to have changed completely. Looking at her today, it appears to be true.”

The girl’s voice was carefully measured—not too loud, not too soft—just perfectly audible to everyone in the room.

Dong Xiaoning glanced at her.

It was Princess Ancheng’s daughter, bearing the surname Ming.

Instead of reacting with anger, Dong Xiaoning simply sighed.

Then, with complete sincerity, she responded,

“That’s right. Since returning, I’ve realized something important.”

She paused briefly before continuing,

“Life is fine, and if I die, that’s fine too. So while I’m still here, I might as well eat my fill.”

She spoke with absolute honesty, expressing her true feelings without a hint of pretense.

But in a room filled with scheming minds, her words took on a much deeper meaning.

Especially among those who carried a hundred hidden motives.

Empress Ming was the first to erupt in anger.

“Wretched child! How much have you had to drink to be spewing such nonsense?!”

Dong Xiaoning, however, had no intention of continuing the conversation.

She had already said her piece, and now she simply sat there, making no move to leave her seat or apologize—a stark deviation from the expected etiquette.

By now, the music and dancing had come to an abrupt halt. The sound of instruments, which had once blended harmoniously with the evening, now rang unbearably loud in the silence.

At a glance from Dong Yanning, the musicians immediately stopped playing and withdrew from the hall.

A once joyous family banquet had now turned tense and suffocating.

At that moment, Ming Zhexiu rose from her seat, stepping forward to bow respectfully toward Empress Ming.

“Please, Your Majesty, do not be angry.”

Following her lead, the young nobles of the Ming and Ji families all stood and echoed her plea, murmuring words of appeasement.

However, not a single one of them spoke on Dong Xiaoning’s behalf.

From across the hall, Dong Muning exchanged a glance with her elder sister, Dong Yanning, before joining the group of nobles in their display of deference.

Dong Yanning swept her gaze across the room, sighed inwardly, then finally stepped forward.

“Imperial Grandmother, Mother-Empress, Mother-Queen, esteemed elders,” she began smoothly.

“Fourth Sister was gravely poisoned by traitors, and though she has been treated, the lingering toxins have undoubtedly affected her mind. That is why she has been speaking erratically. I ask for your leniency and understanding.”

Her words provided the perfect excuse.

Now, even if Dong Xiaoning continued to sit there, eating and drinking as she pleased, the higher-ranking members of the court would have an easy way to excuse her behavior.

However, the moment this explanation left the hall, it would give others another reason to gossip about her.

At first, Empress Ming felt gratified when she saw Ming Zhexiu stepping forward.

But as her own daughters followed suit, she grew visibly displeased.

Just as she was about to speak, Empress Dowager Ji’s voice rang out.

“Back in the day, Fourth Princess Dong Xiaoning was so full of ambition in the capital.”

She sighed theatrically.

“I recall an augur once said she possessed the bearing of a ruler. And yet, after just a few short years, she has fallen into this state. How truly lamentable.”

Then, she turned to Empress Ming, her voice carrying a mocking edge.

“This child is pitiful, Your Majesty. Why be so harsh with her?”

She smiled.

“She is already a lost cause. Keeping her here won’t cost you much. But if you truly dislike her so much, why don’t I take responsibility for her expenses from now on? I am, after all, just an old woman with little else to do.”

The words immediately darkened Empress Ming’s expression.

Meanwhile, Dong Xiaoning sat quietly, silently marveling at the older generation’s battle prowess.

Empress Dowager Ji was still as formidable as ever.

Now that she and Empress Ming had locked horns, no one dared to step in and mediate.

The tension hung heavy in the air.

In the end, it was the Empress Regent herself who finally intervened.

“Mother, you must be joking.”

Her voice was calm yet final.

“The Fourth Princess is our daughter. Naturally, it is our responsibility to care for her. You should focus on enjoying your later years instead. There is no need for you to concern yourself with such matters.”

Though Empress Dowager Ji did not respond, her eyes gleamed with satisfaction.

Since the late Emperor’s passing, her life in the palace had only grown more difficult.

Tonight, however, was perhaps the most satisfying evening she had enjoyed in years.

“The Fourth Princess is still recovering. She should return and rest.”

The Empress Regent’s command was barely spoken before the same palace official who had escorted Dong Xiaoning earlier swiftly moved to usher her out.

As Dong Xiaoning rose from her seat, she reached out and picked up the plate of lychees, carrying it with her as she left the hall.

She did not spare a single glance at the looks cast her way.

This time, she walked back on foot.

As she strolled through the palace corridors, she couldn’t help but think.

In the original novel’s storyline, the Fourth Princess was destined to ascend the throne.

But looking at the situation now—how was that even possible?

Everyone treated her as a mere afterthought, a discarded pawn, an opportunity to flaunt their own status by stepping on her.

So what exactly was supposed to lead her to the throne?

Until now, she had believed that the Empress Regent was her greatest supporter, for she needed a Qianyuan successor.

But after tonight’s events, it became clear that the Empress Regent herself held reservations toward her.

She did not hate her as Empress Ming did, but there was still distrust.

Dong Xiaoning walked a little further, then stopped thinking about it altogether.

Upon returning to Chengyou Hall, she waited until the attendants had left before calling Xiao Fu over.

She lifted the plate.

“Here, have some lychees.”

Xiao Fu immediately shook her head.

“I could never, Your Highness! These are yours—how could I—”

“I saved them especially for you.”

Dong Xiaoning peeled a lychee, then held it up to Xiao Fu’s lips.

“Ah—open up.”

Xiao Fu hesitated for a moment but ultimately obediently took a bite.

The next moment, her expression twisted into something truly spectacular.

Dong Xiaoning blinked in confusion.

“What’s wrong?”

Xiao Fu cast a deeply aggrieved look at her mistress.

Only after swallowing the fruit and spitting out the seed did she finally complain.

“Your Highness tricked me! How could you say this was delicious? It’s so sour!”

Dong Xiaoning considered offering some comforting words—but instead, she burst out laughing.

Xiao Fu huffed in frustration, puffing up her cheeks like an adorably angry squirrel.

She was furious yet too timid to truly vent her frustration, making her even more endearing.

“Ah, lucky for you, you’re a Zhongyong. If you were a Kunze, looking like this would be enough to steal anyone’s heart.”

“Your Highness, please don’t tease me!”

“I’m being serious.”

Xiao Fu fell silent, her face still slightly flushed.

Dong Xiaoning patted her stomach, sighing.

“I didn’t eat enough earlier. I wonder if all the dishes were served… Oh well, have the imperial kitchen prepare supper.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

A short while later, the high-ranking palace official arrived.

She bowed respectfully before announcing,

“Since Your Highness has resided in Chengyou Hall, your provisions and privileges have been equivalent to those of Her Majesty the Empress Regent. Recently, certain officials have petitioned that this contradicts palace regulations. They argue that since Your Highness orders meals at will, the imperial kitchen is forced to prepare extra portions, fostering extravagance. Such wasteful habits, they believe, should be curbed.”

Dong Xiaoning leaned back in her chair, her tone light but pointed.

“So… does that mean I won’t be fed anymore?”

She tilted her head and continued, her voice filled with mock innocence.

“If that’s the case, could you kindly tell me where the palace discards its leftover food? My maid and I will manage with that from now on.”

The palace official’s expression did not waver in the slightest.

She simply stated,

“Her Majesty the Empress Regent’s decree is that Your Highness shall leave the palace immediately and take residence in Guirenfang.”

Guirenfang.

In the original story, the Fourth Princess had been granted an estate in Guirenfang at the age of ten, allowing her to socialize with court officials and establish her own influence.

However, this time, things were different.

The palace official quickly clarified,

“Your Highness’s new residence was once the property of a disgraced criminal. It was confiscated and has remained vacant since. Now, it has been cleaned and prepared for your arrival.”

A former criminal’s estate?

How hot and cold this Empress Regent was toward her own daughter.

Dong Xiaoning smirked slightly.

“I’m leaving right now?”

“Yes.”