In the garden, the noble ladies who were invited to attend the flower viewing banquet had already arrived one after another, and were chatting and admiring the flowers in groups of three or four.

The banquet had already started, but Princess Rongfu had not yet appeared. Some people who were close to the princess even asked the maids at Ningxiang Villa about the princess's situation, but the maids didn't know either.

Everyone was puzzled and could only admire the flowers while waiting. They didn't know how long it took. After everyone had looked at all the flowers in the garden two or three times, Princess Rongfu finally arrived. Of course, she was a princess of noble status, so no one dared to express dissatisfaction with her.

Everyone stepped forward to greet her: "Greetings to Princess Rongfu, may the princess be blessed with good health and happiness!"

Princess Rongfu raised her eyes and glanced in the direction of Su Li, only to see that her skin was as white as snow, her eyebrows and eyes were picturesque. Even with only light makeup and a plain dress, one could tell that she had an extraordinary temperament. Moreover, the way she performed the greeting was very standard, with absolutely no mistakes to be found. How could she look like a vulgar country woman at all?

She couldn't help but frowned, then retracted her gaze and said lightly: "Well, everyone stand up."

"Thank you, Princess!"

After greeting, the maidservant beside Princess Rongfu announced directly: "The banquet has begun. Ladies, please take your seats in the pavilion."

After saying that, he supported Princess Rongfu and entered the garden first, and everyone followed behind him.

The banquet was held in the glazed pavilion in the garden. After everyone took their seats, rows of maids served wine and delicacies in an orderly manner.

While the dishes were being served, everyone started chatting.

Someone looked at Su Li curiously and asked, "Hey, isn't this the wife of the newly crowned number one scholar? As far as I know, Lord Pei is only a fifth-rank official now. How come Mrs. Pei is also here at the princess's flower viewing banquet?"

When everyone heard this, except Pei Mingyue and Wang Tingyi who frowned as they knew the truth, everyone else looked at Su Li with curiosity.

Everyone present knew that Princess Rongfu's flower-viewing banquet had always only invited relatives of third-rank officials. How could Mrs. Pei, a mere fifth-rank official's family member, be able to come? Could it be that she was on good terms with the princess?

Princess Rongfu said nothing, looking as if she was enjoying the show.

Su Li looked up at the person who had just spoken. She had seen this person before. She was the second daughter of the Minister of Works, Zhang Ruying.

She just looked at her with a smile, and there was a subtle mockery in her eyes.

She knew this very well. In the original novel, Zhang Ruying had a close relationship with Princess Rongfu, to put it nicely, but to put it bluntly, she was actually her lackey, who was specifically there to bite people for her. In the original novel, she was the one who took the lead in dealing with the heroine every time.

She didn't know her, and now she wanted to humiliate her for no reason based on their status. I think it was Princess Rongfu's idea. However, what she said was really stupid.

She raised the corners of her lips and smiled, "I'm here because the princess invited me. Why don't you ask the princess why I'm here?"

Zhang Ruying was speechless for a moment, looking at the princess in bewilderment. Seeing that Princess Rongfu didn't even look at her, she forced a smile on her face and said, "Madam Pei is right. The princess's decision is not mine to comment on. I was wrong, haha."

After a pause, he still reluctantly asked, "I heard that Madam Pei was originally from the countryside. The wife of an official is not as casual as a country woman. Madam Pei must learn some rules and etiquette to avoid being laughed at. If Madam Pei needs it, I can lend you the maid from the mansion for a while. Don't underestimate her as just a maid. She is a palace maid. Ordinary families can't hire her, especially since she demands high treatment. With a family like Madam Pei, I'm afraid... hehe..."

The rest is self-explanatory.

Everyone present had meaningful expressions on their faces when they heard this.

Everyone was not stupid. Given what she had just said, Zhang Ruying's words seemed to be thinking about Su Li on the surface, but in fact she was just humiliating her for her humble background and saying that she had no manners.

The next sentence directly said that she was poor and couldn't even afford a tutor.

They couldn't help but wonder. Although Madam Pei was invited by Princess Rongfu as an exception, their relationship didn't seem close. Otherwise, why didn't she speak up to defend Zhang Ruying when she repeatedly insulted her?

Su Li was about to speak when Pei Mingyue took the lead. She sneered and said, "Second Miss Zhang, instead of worrying about other people's rules and etiquette, why don't you take care of your own moral integrity?"

"Miss Pei San, what do you mean by this?"

Zhang Ruying didn't expect Pei Mingyue to suddenly come in and meddle in her affairs. Her face looked very ugly. She was ordered by the princess to humiliate Su Li today. Not only did she fail, but now another person came to make trouble.

Pei Mingyue was always rude to those she disliked, especially those who humiliated Su Li, so she said mercilessly: "Don't you know what I mean? You are having an affair with a married man, do you think others don't know?"

It would have been fine if you didn't know that Zhao Xingwen had a wife before, but later it was reported that he already had a wife, and you still kept in contact with him. Isn't this shameless? Do you really think that others don't know? Humph!

"You!" Zhang Ruying was shocked. She knew that everyone would talk about her behind her back, but she never expected Pei Mingyue to actually say it to her face. She felt embarrassed and angry. "What do you know? You're just talking nonsense!"

Mr. Zhao was married, but that was in the past. His first wife had long since died. How could he be accused of having an affair with a married man?

No, after she returns, she will make sure to let people spread the news that Master Zhao has lost his wife, so that people won't talk about her having an affair with a married man behind her back, and now they even humiliate her in person!

Everyone's expressions were even more meaningful now. The matter of Zhang Ruying was no secret among the aristocratic families. Everyone knew it, but after all, they were all from aristocratic families. They saw each other every day and there was no big conflict. Naturally, no one would say these shameful things to each other's faces. They didn't expect Pei Mingyue to be so ruthless. It can be seen that she is the one who is really good friends with Mrs. Pei.

Wang Tingyi pulled Pei Mingyue, shook her head, and signaled her to stop talking.

Su Li was even more shocked. She didn't know that Zhang Ruying was still involved with Zhao Xingwen. After all, she had not asked anyone to pay attention to his affairs since then.

What surprised her was that Pei Mingyue didn't know about Princess Rongfu and Pei Ji. In fact, wasn't Princess Rongfu also harassing Pei Ji, a married man?

Pei Mingyue's words directly included Princess Rongfu in her scolding. Given Princess Rongfu's personality, she must have already held a grudge against her.

She sighed. The original disaster had not yet passed, but another disaster came first.

When Princess Rongfu heard this, her expression instantly turned very ugly. She glared at Pei Mingyue with a gloomy look, but after a moment she looked away and put on a smile to smooth things over: "Alright, it's just a few jokes, there's no need for you to get anxious. Everyone, please stop talking. The dishes are all served, let's eat..."