Tang's two sentences almost choked Zhong to death.
Zhong's face, covered in lead powder, turned a deep purplish-red. She opened her mouth to retort, but Tang interrupted her, saying, "Second Madam Su wouldn't be unable to prepare the dowries for the daughters of the second branch of the Su family, so she took my sister's dowry, would she?"
Tang's harsh words caused Zhong's expression to change again. She said angrily, her face turning red, "No matter what happens to the Su family, it's our own business. It's none of your Mu family's place to interfere."
Unlike Zhong, Tang Shi didn't have such a temper. Her clean face still had a smile on it: "Second Madam Su, what you said is not right. If your Su family doesn't have the money to prepare the dowry for your Su family daughter, it naturally has nothing to do with our Mu family. But now that you have used my Mu family's dowry, how can it still have nothing to do with my Mu family!"
Tang's words completely tore away Zhong's fig leaf and enraged her: "Tang Wanrong!"
Just as Zhong's scream rang out, a eunuch's voice announced from the side gate of the Imperial Garden: "The Holy Princess Consort has arrived!"
Upon hearing the announcement, everyone turned to look at the entrance to the Imperial Garden.
A maidservant was seen helping a beautiful woman into the Imperial Garden.
The beauty wore a begonia-red silk dress with gold thread, which accentuated her graceful figure. This silk dress was even more precious than the purple gauze that Su Muyao wore!
Although the beauty was called the Imperial Concubine Dowager, her face was remarkably well-preserved; though over forty years old, she looked as if she were not yet thirty. Not only was she young, but her appearance was also exceptionally radiant, even more stunning than the golden peony embroidered on her clothes.
As the beauty approached, everyone could smell a refreshing fragrance from afar. A gentle breeze blew by, and everyone was so captivated by her stunning beauty that they forgot to breathe.
Everyone couldn't help but sigh that the Holy King's Consort, who was known as one of the two beauties of Eastern Chu alongside Madam Su, was indeed so beautiful that she was unforgettable.
Princess Dowager Bai walked up to the crowd and smiled faintly: "The Third Prince's selection banquet for his consorts is indeed lively; not a single one of those who should be here is missing."
Everyone then came to their senses and bowed respectfully, saying, "Greetings to the Holy King and His Highness the Empress Dowager."
Bai ignored everyone else, only reaching out to help Tang up: "Wanrong, did someone just call your name?"
Upon hearing this, Zhong's heart trembled violently.
Tang didn't want to argue with Zhong, and smiled faintly: "Just chatting with them."
Bai knows her best friend best; she generally doesn't cause trouble unless someone deliberately provokes her!
Bai pulled Tang aside and glanced at Zhong: "You must be the second wife of the Marquis of Yong'an's mansion. The golden phoenix hairpin in your hair looks so familiar, as do these exquisite beads and gold-embroidered shoes."
After glancing at Zhong, Bai raised an eyebrow and looked at Su Feiling and Su Muyao, scanning them from head to toe. She then gave a meaningful smile and said, "The fabric of this Su family girl's clothes is quite exquisite."
Su Feiling and Su Muyao were immediately ashamed and blushed. Even Zhong Shi wished she could disappear into the ground.
As if oblivious to their embarrassment, Madam Bai asked casually, "Where is your eldest daughter?"
After being reminded by Bai, everyone thought of Su Xuening.
"Yes, why didn't Miss Su come?"
"I've heard that the Third Prince is particularly fond of Miss Su. How can Miss Su be absent from the Third Prince's selection banquet for his consort?"
"The Yong'an Marquis's mansion caught fire a few days ago, and Miss Su was trapped in the fire and her face was burned."
"Really? Then she was burned and disfigured."
"It's true, I heard she even went to Shuntian Prefecture to file a complaint, and many people on the street saw that her face was burned."
Hearing the murmurs of the crowd, a hint of regret flashed in the eyes of both Madam Bai and Madam Tang.
Zhong bowed and replied, "Su Xuening is unwell and cannot attend the Third Prince's selection banquet for his concubine."
Bai looked at her intently and said, "That's a pity."
Whether it was her imagination or not, Zhong always felt that the gaze of the Holy Princess Dowager was chilling, making her shudder.
The Imperial Garden was bustling with activity when a palace maid came to deliver a message.
"The banquet is about to begin. Ladies and young ladies, please proceed to the inner hall."
After delivering the message, the palace maid walked up to Lady Bai and bowed, saying, "Our Lady invites the Dowager Consort to come inside to select a consort for the Third Prince."
Bai saw through Consort Su's intentions and smiled slyly: "Since we've stumbled upon this excitement, we should go and join in."
Bai and Tang entered Yaochi Palace together.
None of the noble ladies could surpass Madam Bai; they could only follow behind her.
The group entered the Yaochi Palace in a grand procession.
Bai naturally sat in the front seat, and she even pulled Tang to sit with her.
Tang was pulled to sit in the front by Bai, and Zhao could only sit below Tang, with Zhong sitting next to her.
Sitting in the front, Madam Tang was somewhat uneasy. Who could understand that she just wanted to stay in seclusion with her daughter? She didn't want Xi'er to be selected, nor did she want to attract attention.
As if sensing her thoughts, Madam Bai leaned over to comfort her: "Don't worry, she would never choose Xi'er as her daughter-in-law!"
Having already taken her seat, Tang didn't want to move, mainly because she didn't want to sit behind Zhong: "By the way, is the Holy King feeling any better?"
Just a few days ago, she took her two children to visit the Holy King, but it seems his condition is not good.
Speaking of her son, Bai's brows furrowed with worry: "He's still the same as always, which is why I wanted to go to the palace to ask Xuanyuan Peng for a solution."
...Mrs. Tang looked at Mrs. Bai with admiration.
She was probably the only one in the world who could address the emperor by his given name so directly.
The two had barely exchanged a few words when the sound of a eunuch announcing something came from outside.
"His Majesty has arrived! Consort Su has arrived! The Third Prince has arrived!"
Upon hearing the announcement, everyone in the inner palace stood up in unison.
Emperor Xuanyuan Peng of Eastern Chu, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, led Consort Su, who was dressed in her finest attire, and the third prince, Xuanyuan Yu, into the inner palace.
The familiar fragrance in the hall made Xuanyuan Peng subconsciously glance at the group of women, and he immediately saw Bai Shi standing at the front. A soft light unconsciously appeared in his deep, dark eyes.
Su Fei also smelled the fragrance, and glanced at the man beside her who had suddenly become gentle. She almost crushed the hem of her sleeve.
Upon entering the hall, Xuanyuan Yu immediately looked for Su Xuening. After searching around without finding her, he instantly wilted like a rooster that had caught the plague.
Xuanyuan Peng led Consort Su up the jade steps: "No need for formalities, please take a seat."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Everyone then bowed and sat down.
Xuanyuan Yu walked directly to Zhong Shi and asked, "Why didn't Ning'er come?"
Zhong's eyes shimmered slightly as she bowed and replied, "She is unwell and is resting at home."
"Ning'er is not feeling well?" Xuan Yuan Yu immediately became anxious and turned to go find Su Xue Ning, but was stopped by Su Fei: "Yu'er!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
