The guests invited today are all rich or noble. Normally, everyone gives face to the Wen Ning Marquis Mansion, but no one likes to be scolded in such an impolite manner by Jiang Jinxing in person.
Immediately, a young man from a military family stood up and said:
"Your family affairs at the Wen Ning Marquisate have even reached the Imperial City Department, and you're not allowing others to discuss them? If you don't want others to point fingers at you, don't do anything shameful!"
As he spoke, this young man, whose temper was even hotter than Jiang Jinxing, flicked his sleeves and looked at Jiang Huaizhu with disdain:
"I've heard a long time ago that you brothers only favor her and neglect your own sister.
I didn't believe it at first, thinking the young master of the Wenning Marquisate wouldn't be so foolish. Now that I see how you, knowing full well that she framed your own sister, still desperately defended her, I know the rumors are true.
I really don't know what's so good about an adopted daughter who looks like a skinny Yangzhou horse that she could charm you all like this! "
Jiang Huaizhu was publicly ridiculed as a skinny horse from Yangzhou. Even with the finest rouge on her face, it couldn't hide her pale complexion.
Because of her background, she hated being told that she didn't look like a rich lady the most. This remark just hit her sore spot!
Jiang Jinxing was so angry that he wanted to rush up and fight with the young man, but was stopped by Jiang Jinyan.
Jiang Jinyan also hated this man for his blunt words and insulting his beloved sister.
But even with so many people watching, he hasn't lost his mind.
"Jinxing, calm down."
He first calmed Jiang Jinxing down, then said in a deep voice, "I've long heard that General Chen's eldest son has been uneducated and a crude military scoundrel since childhood. Seeing him today, I can see that his reputation is well-deserved."
Young Master Chen was called a military scoundrel and rolled up his sleeves to fight the Jiang brothers. At this time, Jiang Xiancao spoke:
"Da Sheng values both literature and martial arts. General Chen followed his father into battle at the age of six and achieved countless military feats for Da Sheng. Yet, Young Master Jiang calls such a heroic young man like General Chen a mere vulgar soldier. Where do you place all the soldiers who fought so bravely for Da Sheng?"
As soon as these words were spoken, all the young men and women who came from military families looked at Jiang Jinyan.
Jiang Jinyan gritted his teeth secretly, knowing that he had spoken out of turn.
Seeing that continuing would only incur public outrage, he could only awkwardly change the subject, "Today is the Empress Dowager's blessing banquet. I hope everyone will refrain from mentioning the affairs of the Wenning Marquisate, lest it overshadow the main event and spoil the Empress Dowager's mood."
Jiang Xiancao sneered:
"So Young Master Jiang also knew this was a banquet hosted by the Empress Dowager. Just now, when your second brother berated the distinguished guests invited by the Empress Dowager for Jiang Huaizhu, and you spoke harshly to General Chen, a young general whom even the Emperor Father praised for his bravery, did you not consider that your actions were disrespectful to the Imperial Family?"
Jiang Jinyan's face was completely pale and he broke out in a cold sweat.
Just when he was at a loss, another pleasant and cold male voice chuckled and said:
"Ninth brother, you misunderstood Jinyan."
Jiang Xiancao's eyes moved slightly and he turned his head.
The Crown Prince slowly stepped out of his carriage, a humble smile on his face. "Jin Yan has been in the Eastern Palace for quite some time now, and I know his character very well. If he were truly the kind of person you describe, then the Emperor wouldn't have chosen him as the third place in the imperial examination, would he?"
The implication of this statement is that Jiang Jinyan is someone favored by the emperor. If the Ninth Prince dares to question this person again, he is questioning the emperor's vision.
Jiang Xiancao understood what the prince meant and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.
The Jiang family’s backer has arrived.
As soon as Jiang Huaizhu saw the prince, the tears that had been welling up in her eyes flowed out, and she called out softly:
"Your Highness..."
The prince's gentle gaze swept across her face, but did not linger.
Jiang Huaizhu's eyes dimmed slightly, and his right hand, which was tucked into his sleeve, was clenched tightly.
"Okay, let's not talk about some unpleasant things anymore. Today is the day when the Empress Dowager prays for Dasheng, so everyone should be happy."
The prince quickly walked to Shen Yubai, put his hand on the wheelchair, and said gently, "Uncle, let your nephew push you in."
Shen Yubai smiled, but looked at Jiang Xiancao:
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness, but I have already made an appointment with Xiao Jiuer, and he promised to accompany me throughout the whole process."
The prince seemed a little surprised and looked up at Jiang Xiancao.
But he was not surprised.
Earlier, after Chen Yubai left the Wen Ning Marquis Mansion with the people from the Imperial City Bureau, Jiang Jinyan went to the East Palace to meet him privately.
Jiang Jinyan told him everything Shen Yubai said and did.
He felt something was wrong after hearing this.
These two people are not in a hostile relationship at all, otherwise Shen Yubai would not defend Shen Tingsi in front of the Jiang family, and would not work so hard to investigate the case of falling into the water in order to make Shen Tingsi happy.
Could it be that without his knowledge, Shen Yubai and Shen Tingsi had formed an alliance of interests?
But he couldn't figure out how Shen Tingsi did it.
If Shen Yubai was so easy to win over, then his previous overt and covert attempts at goodwill would not have been fruitless.
The prince thought about this, but his face showed no emotion:
"In that case, I will leave the Imperial Uncle to my ninth brother. You must take good care of him."
After saying that, he invited Jiang Jinyan and the other four young masters of the Jiang family to join him, and then he went in with a group of followers.
His move gave the Jiang family enough face, but whether he did it intentionally or not, Jiang Huaizhu was left where he was.
Everyone around her looked at her with strange eyes. She bit her lip, then forced a smile and deliberately said to the maid:
"My second sister felt unwell on the way and had to rest in the carriage for a while, which is why we are late. We will go in after my second sister arrives."
The evidence about her falling into the water was irrefutable and she had no way to explain it.
But it is not too late to mend the situation. As long as she persists in pretending to care for Jiang Xiancao in front of everyone, some people will be misled by her to think that there may be some hidden secret in that matter and that she should not be such a bad person.
And today she has made sufficient preparations, and today she will definitely let "Jiang Xiancao" reveal his "true face" in front of everyone.
Once these people believe the "true identity" of "Jiang Xiancao", even if there is no evidence, they will think that she was wrongly accused in the previous drowning case.
Once she has restored her reputation and successfully married into the Eastern Palace, she will be the mother of the country.
By then, let alone a mere Jiang Xiancao, even the Ninth Prince who has now abandoned her like a worn-out shoe and brought her the utmost humiliation, will be nothing to him.
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