"Who knows, I do hope he gets it, so he can go with us..."
"Go where?"
"To see the peach blossoms."
The matter between Second Brother and Sister Xu was merely the Feng family's wishful thinking. Before obtaining the Xu family's consent, she dared not speak carelessly to avoid bringing disrepute to the Xu family.
Bai Siruo's mind was not on such matters, and naturally, she didn't notice the hidden implications.
However, Feng Jinyao's heart was already set on witnessing the Wen family's annihilation after the results were announced. Otherwise, how could she face her past self and the Feng family!
The sinister gaze vanished in an instant, replaced by a serene expression. She was still the low-key and amiable Third Miss Feng, chatting and laughing with Bai Siruo.
Before they could exchange more than a few words, they suddenly heard a loud crash.
Wen Yuwei fell to the ground, her entire right arm a fiery red, clearly scalded by hot tea. In front of her stood Liang Luo, her eyes blazing, utterly unable to defend herself.
"Liang Luo, I know you have a grudge against me, but today is the Imperial Eldest Grandson's hundredth-day banquet. Even if you had a thousand reasons, you should have endured it for the sake of Prince Ke and his Consort. I never expected you to splash me..."
With that, two streams of tears flowed down her cheeks, evoking sympathy.
"You... you actually framed me! Shameless!"
Saying this, she slapped her twice. Her cheeks immediately swelled high, and blood trickled from her lips.
As if that wasn't enough, just as she was about to strike again, a stern voice from behind cut through the air.
"Enough!"
Liang Luo turned to see Prince Ke's Consort, her face ashen, looking at Liang Luo and the scene before her. Frightened, she withdrew her hand and stepped away from Wen Yuwei.
She said to Prince Ke's Consort with a hint of guilt,
"Your Highness, this Wen Yuwei framed me in front of everyone, saying I pushed her and splashed her with hot tea. I was so angry that I... I only slapped her twice."
"Is that so? Is there anyone present who can corroborate your story?"
As her gaze swept over the noble ladies, they all shrank back.
It wasn't that they were unwilling to testify for Liang Luo, but rather they hadn't seen clearly. Even if they had, with the years of factional strife between the First Prince and the Ninth Prince, who would dare offend the currently favored Prince Ke's Consort at such a time?
Seeing no one willing to step forward, Liang Luo grew anxious.
She said to Prince Ke's Consort, "She really framed me, Your Highness!"
As she spoke, she scanned for Wei Lanxuan, but surprisingly, she wasn't there.
Meanwhile, Wen Yuwei, having composed herself, walked up to Prince Ke's Consort, revealed her face, and then showed the scald on her arm.
She said mournfully to Prince Ke's Consort,
"Your Highness, what happened today has nothing to do with this humble maiden. From beginning to end, it was Miss Liang who was acting. She has disliked me for a long time and hadn't found an opportunity. Now, she has disregarded the reputation of Prince Ke's manor and treated me so disgracefully. Not to mention that my uncle is the Minister of Personnel, and my brother is now the驸马 of the Grand Princess Changlin. If I were to report this matter to the Princess, it would likely damage the reputation of Prince Ke's manor. I implore Your Highness to dispense justice for me."
Her words skillfully distanced Prince Ke's manor from the incident, making Liang Luo appear as a foolish troublemaker.
How could Liang Luo tolerate such a frame-up? Enraged, she lunged forward to continue the fight.
"Pull her away!"
Prince Ke's Consort was usually kind-hearted, but that did not mean she lacked imperial dignity. Liang Luo's behavior was clearly deliberate provocation.
Since the banquet was being held at Prince Ke's manor, if Miss Wen were to leave in her current state, it would indeed damage Prince Ke's manor's reputation.
Thus, she gave Liang Luo a warning look, then said kindly to Wen Yuwei,
"Miss Wen, there is no need to worry. We have excellent medicinal ointment in the manor. After applying it, there will be no scar. I will have someone escort you there immediately."
With that, she specifically summoned her trusted confidante, Mama Li, to take her to a side room in the rear courtyard to treat her wound.
As Wen Yuwei left, she specifically said, "Thank you for your care, Your Highness."
She then glanced up at Liang Luo, who was being restrained by two or three maids, her eyes filled with provocation and triumph.
"You..."
Enraged by her taunt, Liang Luo broke free from their grasp. As she lunged forward, she accidentally knocked over Prince Ke's Consort.
A cascade of items fell, and everyone cried out to save the Consort!
At this moment, Bai Siruo and Feng Jinyao, who had just entered from outside, saw the chaotic scene and decided it was best not to get involved. They turned to leave and happened to encounter Wei Lanxuan, who had just returned, in the corridor.
Bai Siruo kindly reminded her, "Your sister-in-law has caused trouble again."
Wei Lanxuan's heart skipped a beat, and her brow furrowed instantly. She looked at Bai Siruo skeptically.
Bai Siruo shrugged indifferently and pointed towards the inner hall, "If you don't believe me, go in and see for yourself."
The chattering voices indeed came from the inner hall. Anxiously rushing to assess the situation, she only managed to say to Bai Siruo, "Thank you," before hurrying away.
Bai Siruo pouted and said to Feng Jinyao,
"It's a good thing Mingyue isn't marrying into that family. Look at that troublemaker Liang Luo. Wei Lanxuan is in for a tough time."
Feng Jinyao agreed with this sentiment.
Liang Luo was rumored to be marrying into the Ninth Prince's manor soon. Yet, she dared to defy Prince Ke's Consort, which was simply audacious.
However, from another perspective, no one knew if someone was orchestrating this behind the scenes.
Unwilling to listen to further squabbles, the two of them walked along the waterside pavilion towards the garden in the front.
In the inner hall, Prince Ke's Consort had already been helped up.
She was unharmed, though her ankle was sore from the impact and likely slightly swollen.
However, her anger was now burning fiercely. She loudly berated Liang Luo,
"Miss Liang now doesn't even respect this Consort. Very well, then why are you eating at Prince Ke's manor? Guards, throw her out immediately!"
"Yes!"
The servants of Prince Ke's manor naturally obeyed Prince Ke's Consort's orders. Two or three people couldn't restrain Liang Luo, so four or five stepped forward, grabbing her arms and legs, and carried her towards the manor gate.
Wei Lanxuan arrived just as she witnessed this scene and immediately intervened.
"Your Highness, today is the Imperial Eldest Grandson's auspicious day. Why spoil everyone's mood because of her? Please entrust her to me, and I will take her away."
Seeing Wei Lanxuan's earnest plea, Prince Ke's Consort felt a surge of secret satisfaction.
Originally, Wei Lanxuan was a candidate for the Ninth Prince's main consort, her equal. Now, not only was she running around for Liang Pan, but she also had to clean up after her sister-in-law. It was truly humiliating.
In her heart, she even felt a sliver of pity for her.
Unfortunately, the news of the Ninth Prince's victorious return made them all apprehensive. If this matter were to be resolved so easily today, then everyone would know in the future that the Ninth Prince's faction could step all over the First Prince. How could they tolerate that?