Chapter 206 Five Noble People
Which of these worldly ladies isn't a shrewd and calculating person?
They were perfectly aware of Li Nian'er's deliberate attempt to make things difficult for them.
However, no one spoke up to expose her, nor did anyone come to Lu Zhaoruo's rescue.
Everyone stood by and watched, their eyes filled with the interest of watching a show.
They understood each other without saying a word.
A mere merchant's wife, entering such a place for the first time, has already gotten into trouble. It's a good opportunity to see what she's capable of resolving this predicament.
Lu Zhaoruo stood still, not even her eyelashes trembling.
After Li Nian'er finished speaking, he raised his eyes to meet her gaze, his eyes clear and calm: "Madam Li, what I said just now, 'I was careless on the road and bumped into you,' was out of basic courtesy, meaning that we met on the same path and caused an unnecessary collision."
She changed the subject, her gaze sweeping over the fallen flowers on the ground. When she looked up again, her eyes were clear and bright: "However, if you insist on a clear discussion, then I, Zhaoruo, will have to say a few words in my defense."
“I followed Aunt Su straight along the road, my steps steady and my direction unwavering. On the contrary, you, Madam Li, holding flowers, came straight from the side with precise steps, your shoulder bumping into me without missing a beat. Whether this was ‘accidental’ or ‘intentional’, you should know better than Zhao Ruo.”
Li Nian'er's expression changed.
How dare she directly blame me? And so bluntly?
Lu Zhaoruo continued, "I witnessed with my own eyes that the flowers were not knocked down by the collision, but were abandoned by you, my lady. Since you abandoned the flowers yourself, the accusations of 'knocking down' and 'trampling' are baseless. I apologize for my possible failure to avoid the flowers, but I will never take responsibility for this 'unfounded' destruction of the flowers."
Upon hearing this, the ladies and young women exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes filled with undisguised astonishment.
Li Nian'er's face instantly turned from red to white, and she trembled slightly with anger, wanting to open her mouth to argue...
Lu Zhaoruo, however, gave her no chance to catch her breath. Her voice rose in a clear and melodious tone, and her gaze swept calmly over everyone present: "Moreover, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is hosting this banquet today with the intention of 'appreciating the beauty of life and understanding its spirit.' The withering and flourishing of a flower and a leaf is a natural law of the world. If we argue endlessly over a withered petal that has already been discarded by its owner, disturbing Her Majesty's enjoyment and losing sight of the true purpose of the banquet, wouldn't that be losing sight of the bigger picture and only adding to the ridicule? Such a lack of consideration is truly a betrayal of Her Majesty the Empress Dowager's compassionate heart."
What could Li Nian'er say?
Denying abandoning the flowers? Her actions of holding flowers to greet them and deliberately bumping into them just now may not have gone unnoticed.
Insist on the accusations? Lu Zhaoruo's words were all reasonable. If I continued to argue, wouldn't that just confirm the charges of "losing sight of the bigger picture for the sake of small things" and "disturbing the refined atmosphere"?
She stood frozen in place, unable to move forward or backward. She felt as if the curious gazes around her had transformed into countless silver needles, piercing her body.
Lu Zhaoruo smiled, bowed respectfully towards the waterside pavilion, and said, "In my humble opinion, the way to cherish flowers lies in respecting their life from beginning to end. If one truly loves flowers, how could one easily discard them on the ground, or make such a fuss over a single petal that has fallen from the branch?"
After saying that, she looked at Li Nian'er and asked, "Li Niangzi, don't you think that makes sense?"
Li Nian'er was speechless and her whole body stiffened when asked the question.
She never expected that her deliberate attempt to make things difficult for her and embarrass her would backfire so spectacularly, as she was forced into such a desperate situation in front of all the noble people in the garden!
The gazes from all around were varied, ranging from surprise and amusement to undisguised mockery.
The extreme humiliation and rage overwhelmed her reason. Her fists clenched, and she was about to shout at him without restraint, "Lu Zhaoruo, you are nothing but..."
"Nian'er!"
A low, sharp shout from Jiang came from behind, abruptly cutting off the vicious words she was about to utter.
Li Nian'er suddenly snapped back to reality.
She looked around in a panic and saw that all the ladies and wives were staring at her.
She then realized with a start that she had almost caused a major disaster and had completely lost her composure in front of the emperor!
Jiang strode forward, grabbed her arm tightly, and hissed through gritted teeth in a voice only the two of them could hear: "Fool! Haven't you embarrassed yourself enough? If you dare to say another word, I can't protect you!"
Immediately, Madam Jiang's face was filled with an apologetic and helpless smile as she turned to Lu Zhaoruo, adopting an extremely humble posture: "Madam Lu, please forgive her! It's all because I, her aunt, have spoiled her, making her act too rashly, which is why she accidentally offended you! She had no intention of doing so, so please be magnanimous and don't hold it against her!"
Lu Zhaoruo's gaze swept calmly over Jiang's face, which was full of "apology," and she saw through her thoughts clearly.
She didn't respond to the question of whether or not she "carried" the matter, but simply nodded calmly and went along with the other person's words: "Madam Qi is overthinking it. Today is a banquet hosted by Her Majesty the Empress Dowager. Zhao Ruo is deeply grateful for the favor bestowed upon her. How could she possibly disturb Her Majesty's enjoyment over such a trivial matter?"
The next second, she changed her tone slightly, her gaze seemingly sweeping over the pale-faced Li Nian'er, and added, "However, Madam Li is straightforward and honest, just like she was in Jizhou City. But today, at the Empress Dowager's banquet, the rules were strict and different from usual. I hope you will restrain yourself a little in the future, which would be more appropriate."
Upon hearing this, Jiang's smile froze instantly, and her face turned pale.
Lu Zhaoruo's words were a warning to her as well!
The ladies present exchanged increasingly meaningful glances between Lu Zhaoruo, Jiang Shi, and Li Nian'er.
Seeing her aunt get the short end of the stick, Li Nian'er was even more furious. Just as she was about to speak, she was glared at by Jiang Shi with an extremely stern look, which made her feel cold all over. She could only lower her head angrily.
Just as the atmosphere was becoming awkward, Aunt Su, who had been watching from the sidelines for a while, stepped forward at the right moment. She nodded slightly to Madam Jiang, whose expression was stiff, and then turned to Lu Zhaoruo: "Madam Lu, the Empress Dowager has summoned you. Please come with me."
"Thank you for your help, Aunt Su."
Lu Zhaoruo nodded slightly, her expression calm and composed.
Following Aunt Su, she walked steadily through the garden amidst the complete silence and countless unreadable gazes.
Wherever they went, the whispers subsided, leaving only the rustling of clothes.
Upon reaching the steps of the main pavilion overlooking the water, Aunt Su stopped, stood respectfully with her hands at her sides, and remained silent.
Inside the waterside pavilion, five distinguished guests sat solemnly.
Lu Zhaoruo naturally understood Aunt Su's intentions. Her gaze was calm as she quickly swept over the area.
The middle-aged woman in the central position, dressed in a dark blue brocade robe with wide sleeves and an imposing presence, must be the Empress Dowager.
The young woman to the lower right of the Empress Dowager, wearing a crown adorned with pearls and jade hairpins and a crimson brocade robe with wide sleeves, with an elegant demeanor, should be the Empress.
Below the Empress was a woman in a royal blue palace dress, with a kind face but clear eyes. She held a high position and should be a concubine.
To the lower left of the Empress Dowager is a young woman dressed in luxurious clothes, with a charming and innocent demeanor that carries the pride of the imperial family. She is likely the Empress Dowager's youngest daughter and the current emperor's younger sister, Princess Yongfu.
Beside the princess sat an elderly lady with a full, round face and a plump figure. Before she spoke, she had a smile on her face. She was approachable and exuded an air of wealth and comfort.
This is none other than Madam Di, the matriarch of the Duke of the Founding Kingdom's mansion.
Meng Xi's maternal grandmother.
Fortunately, Lu Zhaoruo had met her once in her previous life, otherwise she would definitely not recognize her now.
She quickly composed herself, curtsied, and knelt in accordance with etiquette. Her voice was clear and calm, echoing through the silent garden: "This commoner, Lu Zhaoruo, pays her respects to the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and the Imperial Concubine. May you live a thousand years. I pay my respects to Her Highness the Princess and to Madam Di."
They were impeccably courteous, used the correct titles, and showed no sign of panic despite the grand occasion.
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