When Yin Yin finished styling my hair, Xiao Si from the mansion happened to bring over a carriage. The carriage was indeed quite large and extravagantly decorated. It was adorned with red tassels and silver bells all around, no different from the carriage in the Shangshu Mansion. Under Yin Yin's unwilling gaze, I lifted the curtain of the carriage and stepped onto the carriage with the help of a stool brought by Xiao Si. After sitting down, I looked at Yin Yin who was still standing in place and said, "Come on, it's getting late. If we don't leave now, we'll really be late. If you really think this carriage will lower your status, then have Hong Lan accompany me."

After I finished speaking, Yin Yin's face turned a bit pale in an instant, and there was a hint of fear in her eyes. She spoke in a slightly flustered tone, saying, "Miss, the servant didn't mean anything else. I just feel that it's not worth it for Miss. As a lowly servant, it doesn't matter how I am treated, but if Miss goes out like this and comes back, she will definitely become the laughingstock of the young ladies in the city."

Yinyin was brought home by Mother. We grew up together since we were young, so naturally, I know that she always has my best interests at heart. However, she has never experienced any hardships in the Shangshu Mansion. She doesn't understand that the mansion is no longer the same as when Mother was in charge. No matter what happens, the people in the mansion will definitely stand on Lady Wei's side. Yinyin always values my status as the legitimate young miss. One day, she will suffer because of it. That's why, no matter what, I have to remind her.

I cleared my throat and glanced at Yinyin, saying, "Don't feel sorry for me. I've gotten through all these years like this. It's just that I used to stay hidden in the mansion and didn't know about it. Recently, I went out for a stroll and heard a lot of gossip. Now I'm used to it. Hurry up and come up, otherwise, if we're late for the princess's birthday banquet, it will give people more to talk about." After speaking, I let down the curtain. After a while, Yinyin came up. I told Xiaosi, who was driving in front, to start and then closed my eyes to rest.

When the carriage arrived at Princess Qingyang's mansion, it was not surprising that we were stopped by the guards at the entrance. I prevented Yin Yin from getting out of the carriage and arguing with them, and instead, I straightened my clothes and gently placed my hand on Yin Yin's hand before slowly getting off the carriage.

"Miss, please present the invitation card. Without the invitation card, I cannot allow you to enter," the guard said without even looking at me. He held his head up high, projecting an air of superiority. I had already heard from Yinyin that the invitation card had been sent to Lady Wei. It seemed that Lady Wei was afraid I would steal Yu Zhu's limelight and would deny me my share. Even if I were to bring Lady Wei here to confront her, she could easily refuse to acknowledge it. However, if I didn't attend the princess's banquet, I would surely be set up by someone with ill intentions, and I would bear the consequences of being labeled as disrespectful towards the princess. I pondered for a moment and then smiled at the guard at the door, saying, "Excuse me, has Prince Consort Yu Jin arrived? He is my eldest brother. I went to his study a few days ago to discuss some matters, and I may have left the invitation card there. Could you please inform him for me?"

As soon as I finished speaking, the guard snorted in disdain from his nostrils. He scrutinized me from top to bottom with a somewhat snobbish gaze, as if trying to see through my entire being. It made me feel slightly uncomfortable inside. It wasn't until Yin Yin stepped forward and stood in front of me that I felt a little better. It was the first time encountering such a situation, and I truly didn't know what to say. A few fine beads of sweat even appeared on the palm of my hand. I had no choice but to straighten my back, imitating the appearance of those court ladies I had seen before, adopting a noble posture to make my words seem more believable.