As Qin Yunyun spoke, she reached out to snatch the clothes from Su Xiaoning's hand.
How could Su Xiaoning possibly indulge her? She held the clothes high so Qin Yunyun couldn't reach them, and said without any politeness, "I picked these clothes first, why should I give them to you just because you want them?"
"Who are you? What gives you the right to wear such nice clothes!" Qin Yunyun sneered, her eyes full of sarcasm and bitterness as she stared at Su Xiaoning.
"You're nothing but a maid with no official title, sponging off the Prince's mansion. You probably have to beg the Ninth Prince for money even to buy clothes. You're shameless!"
"Oh, so it's jealousy. Is it because the Seventh Prince didn't give you enough money that you're looking for trouble with others?" Su Xiaoning smiled sarcastically, not backing down at all.
These words hit Qin Yunyun's sore spot. She begged Su Qinghe to take her hunting, but Su Qinghe had no intention of giving her any money. She had to use her own savings to go shopping.
"You bitch! Who gave you permission to make up such nonsense!"
Qin Yunyun was furious and gave a wink to some of the women around her.
These women were all concubines of officials in the capital. They were of the same ilk as Qin Yunyun and all disliked Su Xiaoning. At this moment, they banded together to mock her.
"Oh, isn't this Su Xiaoning, the one who was chosen as a concubine? I heard you performed your talents in the palace, but were disqualified for cheating? You failed in the concubine selection, and you still have the nerve to stay in the Prince's mansion!"
"Yeah, I heard it was you who made the Ninth Prince cheat, right? The Ninth Prince is so pitiful, having someone like you clinging to him. If I were the Ninth Prince, I would have kicked you out long ago!"
"You still dare to come out and pick out clothes? You'd better hurry back and put in a good word for the Ninth Prince! It's hilarious!"
...
Hearing these women's mocking words, Su Xiaoning couldn't help but find it somewhat amusing.
The things that happened to her in the palace have been distorted when they got out; they've actually turned into her forcing Su Qingcai to cheat?
Su Xiaoning sneered and was about to retort when a cold voice suddenly came from behind her.
"I made a mistake in choosing my concubines, so according to your logic, I'm not even qualified to come out and pick out clothes?"
The group of women were startled and quickly looked in the direction of the sound, only to see Meng Ruqiao standing behind them, staring coldly at them.
After picking out her clothes, Meng Ruqiao was about to pay with Su Xiaoning when she heard these vulgar words. She immediately became angry, raised her chin, and walked up to the women, coldly saying:
"Do you even have the qualifications to enter the palace? You believe everything you hear? How foolish! We're all people who have entered the palace, and what are you? Concubines in officials' households? You're no different from animals. Do you really think you have the right to bark outside?"
As she spoke, Meng Ruqiao glanced disdainfully at Qin Yunyun's red dress.
"You, a mere concubine, have the nerve to wear red? Bright red is the color of the main wife's household. Do you deserve it? Concubines are still out in public. Remember your place!"
Meng Ruqiao's words were sharp and incisive, directly cursing all these women. However, since she was the daughter of the Prime Minister, these women's faces turned red with anger, and no matter how angry they were, they dared not utter a word in rebuttal.
Ultimately, concubines are just objects, things that can be discarded or given away at any time. Meng Ruqiao's criticism was not wrong. Who would dare to act presumptuously in front of a real noble lady?
The women exchanged bewildered glances, then fled in shame and anger, too embarrassed to remain in the shop. Qin Yunyun, finding herself alone, gave Su Xiaoning a fearful glare before quickly following the other women.
In the blink of an eye, the group scattered like birds and beasts, and Su Xiaoning burst out laughing.
"I never expected Miss Meng to say such things."
"I'm just stating the facts, what can't I say?" Meng Ruqiao said calmly, naturally taking Su Xiaoning's arm. "Let's go."
The two were very affectionate, each taking their clothes to pay, and their outfits were now perfectly prepared.
Su Xiaoning returned to the Prince's Mansion with satisfaction. She had just put down her clothes when Su Qingcai came looking for her.
"A hunt is impossible without a horse. Come with me to the horse farm, and I'll pick one out for you."
Do I still have to ride a horse?
Su Xiaoning hesitated for a while, but still obediently followed Su Qingcai to the horse farm.
The horse farm was filled with horses of all sizes, each one well-fed and glossy, looking exceptionally energetic. In the distance, a familiar figure could be seen riding a horse.
Jiang Lin was riding his horse around the field when he saw Su Xiaoning enter. He quickly spurred his horse to her side and asked, "Miss Su, what brings you here?"
"What a coincidence, you're here too." Su Xiaoning smiled, completely unaware of Su Qingcai's rapidly crumbling face beside her. "We're about to go hunting, I'm here to choose a horse."
"Choosing a horse? I'm an expert at that. Let me help you pick one!" Jiang Lin smiled brightly, nimbly dismounted from the horse, and reached out to take Su Xiaoning's hand.
"Smack!"
Su Qingcai slapped Jiang Lin's hand away and said without any politeness, "I'll choose the horse for her, no need for you to bother."
Jiang Lin's gaze swept over Su Qingcai with a hint of hostility, and he said disdainfully, "My Jiang family is a family of military generals. Does the Ninth Prince think you have better judgment than me?"
"That's hard to say, after all, Su Xiaoning just likes everything I pick out for her." Su Qingcai raised an eyebrow, paused deliberately, and successfully saw Jiang Lin's face turn green with anger.
"Then let's each pick one and see which one she likes!"
Jiang Lin, being young and impetuous, was unwilling to lose face in front of Su Xiaoning and was always thinking about competing with her. After speaking, he went to choose a horse.
Su Qingcai sneered, accepting the challenge, and turned to choose a horse for Su Xiaoning.
A short while later, the two men came over, each leading a horse. Su Qingcai led a white horse, and Jiang Lin led a red horse.
Su Qingcai: "This horse must be fast. If there is a race, no other horse will be able to beat you."
Jiang Lin: "What does a girl need to run fast? Steadiness is the best. Choose my horse, it's always steady and can guarantee your safety."
The two glared at each other, then looked at Su Xiaoning in unison: "Which one do you choose?"
"I..." Su Xiaoning was at a loss. She looked at the two horses, which were much taller than her, and felt like crying.
"How am I supposed to get on such a tall horse..."
Su Qingcai and Jiang Lin were speechless for a moment, their faces showing embarrassment, and their hands holding the reins froze.
Jiang Fang watched his son make a fuss for a long time, then suddenly snorted coldly and said loudly, "What a femme fatale! She's a scourge to the country and its people! This kind of vixen is not recognized by good horses at all, how could she possibly get on a horse!"
He didn't look at Su Xiaoning as he spoke, but anyone with eyes could tell who he was cursing.
Su Xiaoning instantly flew into a rage. She stepped forward angrily, pointed at the warhorse behind Jiang Fang, and shouted, "What do you mean it's not recognized by good horses? I want the general's horse!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
