Chapter 225 Imperial Brother-in-Law, Don't Overstep Your Limits!
She actually became the emperor's brother-in-law's concubine? And she was brought to such a place, disregarding all etiquette!
The ladies covered their faces with their fans, exchanging shocked and disdainful glances.
Bringing a concubine to a formal banquet is an unprecedented and extremely impolite act!
Madam Xiao knew that this scoundrel was there to cause trouble.
But she put on a bright smile and greeted them in a loud voice: "Oh my! What a rare guest! It's such an honor for us that Your Excellency, the Imperial Brother-in-law, would deign to grace us with your presence! Please come in, please come in. But the food at our military home is simple and the wine is strong, nothing like the fine food at your residence. Please forgive us!"
The Emperor's brother-in-law laughed heartily, his gaze sweeping across the entire room: "Madam Xiao, you are too modest! Everyone knows that the Xiao family is a pillar of the military family, and their banquet is naturally exceptionally grand. I, the Emperor's brother-in-law, have come uninvited today precisely to taste this renowned 'strong liquor' of the capital and to meet all these heroes in this hall!"
He changed the subject, glancing at Li Nian'er beside him, his tone flippant: "As for whether it's refined or not, that doesn't matter. Nian'er, don't you think? Today, I'll let you see the world and learn what true aristocratic style is."
When Li Nian'er was publicly called out by the Emperor's brother-in-law, her body trembled violently, as if she had been whipped.
She could feel the gazes coming from all directions—curious, disdainful, gloating—like needles pricking her.
Especially Lu Zhaoruo's side, she didn't even dare to look up at the other party's expression at this moment, for fear that she would see calmness or pity, which would be more embarrassing than ridicule.
"Yes... what you say is true."
She squeezed out a few barely audible words through clenched teeth, her voice trembling uncontrollably.
The emperor's brother-in-law casually put his arm around her, as if showing off a new trinket, and raised his voice, deliberately making sure everyone could hear him clearly: "Oh, right, I forgot to introduce you all. This is Li Nian'er, Li Shi, my brother-in-law's new concubine. She's shy, so I brought her out to broaden her horizons. Madam Xiao, ladies, please take good care of her in the future."
He said that so casually.
However, it was already impolite to bring a concubine to a formal banquet, let alone introduce her in public like this.
The garden fell silent instantly. The noblewomen were extremely disdainful, but no one dared to voice their doubts.
Li Nian'er was held in his arms, her whole body stiffened, her head drooped even lower, and all the color drained from her face.
The emperor's brother-in-law, however, seemed completely unconcerned by the deathly silence. Instead, he appeared quite pleased with everyone's reaction and laughed loudly, "What are you all standing for? Today is a joyous occasion for the Xiao family. Ladies and gentlemen, take your seats and let the banquet begin!"
After saying that, he put his arm around Li Nian'er as if no one else was around and walked straight toward the main guest table. People made way for him wherever he went.
Li Nian'er knew perfectly well that the Imperial Uncle had brought her here not only to humiliate her in public, but also to slap the Xiao family in the face.
Her gaze lingered on the hem of her skirt, finally settling on the figure beside the waterside pavilion.
Lu Zhaoruo was chatting and laughing with the Duchess of Di, so composed and radiant!
A surge of hatred rushed to her head, making her almost grind her teeth to powder.
If it weren't for that wicked woman's schemes and traps, I wouldn't have ended up in this predicament, marrying the emperor's brother-in-law with his unusual fetishes!
The unspeakable, dull pain in her lower body came in waves, like adding fuel to the fire, pushing her to the brink of madness.
Lu Zhaoruo was walking slowly from the other side of the waterside pavilion when the Imperial Uncle paused and turned to look at her.
He made no attempt to hide his sizing up, his gaze flippant, thinking to himself: That day at Qingzhu Pavilion, if it weren't for this Madam Lu pushing someone like Li Nian'er in front of him, would he have been forced by the Empress Dowager to take a concubine who wasn't even presentable? If it had been her back then…
His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and his gaze unconsciously fell on Lu Zhaoruo's slender waist.
Suddenly, a figure appeared between the two.
Xiao Yeming's face was as cold as frost, and his figure was as imposing as a mountain and as deep as a bottomless abyss, completely protecting Lu Zhaoruo behind him.
His voice was cold and deep: "I am deeply sorry for not welcoming Your Excellency the Imperial Brother-in-Law properly. The banquet has been prepared, please take your seats."
The emperor's brother-in-law, however, paid no heed to the dismissive tone. Instead, a playful smile appeared on his face as he looked past Xiao Yeming's shoulder and onto Lu Zhaoruo: "This must be Madam Lu, right? Indeed, she is quite elegant."
His gaze was as sticky as a snake's tongue.
Lu Zhaoruo stepped out from behind Xiao Yeming at the opportune moment, her expression calm as still water. She curtsied gracefully, her posture impeccable: "This humble woman, Lu Zhaoruo, greets Your Excellency, the Imperial Brother-in-Law."
After the ceremony, she glanced indifferently at Li Nian'er, who was huddled to the side, and nodded slightly as a greeting.
That calm, unwavering gaze was more humiliating to Li Nian'er than any mockery.
The emperor's brother-in-law took in everything, then suddenly chuckled and lightly nudged Li Nian'er's leg with his toe: "What are you standing there for? Can't you see Madam Lu? Aren't you going to bow? You don't know any manners at all."
Li Nian'er trembled violently.
Under the silent gaze of all the guests in the garden, she was forced to kneel before the person she hated most.
She bit her lip so hard she could almost taste blood before squeezing out the words through her teeth: "I...I've met Lady Lu."
Lu Zhaoruo's expression remained unchanged, and she simply said, "Madam Li, there's no need for such formalities."
The emperor's brother-in-law seemed quite pleased with the scene, laughed heartily, and even stepped forward, attempting to reach out and support Lu Zhaoruo's arm: "Madam Lu, please rise..."
Before he could finish speaking, Xiao Yeming precisely parried the Imperial Brother-in-law's wrist with his palm.
He took a half step forward, completely shielding Lu Zhaoruo behind him, exuding the chilling killing intent of a battlefield warrior, his gaze like an ice spike fixed on the face of the Imperial Uncle: "Imperial Uncle, do not overstep your bounds."
The emperor's brother-in-law's frivolous smile froze instantly, and a hint of shock and anger flashed in his eyes.
He clearly hadn't expected Xiao Yeming to so directly break ties with him over a merchant's daughter.
After a few seconds of stalemate, the emperor's brother-in-law suddenly chuckled, but the smile did not reach his eyes; instead, it revealed a hint of sinister intent.
He took a half step back, spread his hands, and said in a deliberately relaxed tone, "Heh... General Xiao, you have quite a temper. Fine, fine, today is a good day for your Xiao family, so I, your uncle, will give you this face."
After saying that, he gave Lu Zhaoruo, who was being firmly protected by Xiao Yeming, one last dark look, then turned around and grabbed the pale-faced Li Nian'er, roughly pulling her towards her seat.
Xiao Yeming did not look away until the Imperial Brother-in-law turned around. Only after he was sure that the other party was completely out of Lu Zhaoruo's vicinity did his tense aura ease slightly.
He didn't turn around, but turned to the side and whispered, "It's alright now."
This scene was witnessed by all the guests in the park.
To protect Lu Zhaoruo, Xiao Yeming did not hesitate to confront the emperor's brother-in-law directly.
Several officials standing nearby quickly exchanged glances, one of them whispering, "General Xiao's protectiveness... it's not just out of consideration for the old friendship in Jizhou."
Another man stroked his beard and pondered, "No wonder they brought her to the Xiao residence for a temporary stay. This Madam Lu is truly extraordinary."
Over at the waterside pavilion, Yongfu Changgong's eyes sparkled as he lowered his voice and muttered to himself, "General Xiao's treatment of Sister Zhaoruo is truly extraordinary! I've never seen him act like that before! But..."
She smiled sweetly: "They look like a perfect match."
The Duchess of Di still wore a faint smile, but her eyes held a deeper thoughtfulness.
It's obvious that General Xiao has feelings for Lady Lu, but I wonder if Lady Lu reciprocates those feelings? What should I do about my grandson?
Meanwhile, the ladies and young women, each with their own thoughts and feelings, were filled with turmoil.
Some people envied Lu Zhaoruo for being able to win the heart and protection of the cold-faced general; some people were jealous that she, a merchant's daughter, had climbed such a high branch; and some people had begun to reconsider the appropriateness of their relationship with Lu Zhaoruo.
Madam Xiao took in all the surprised and envious glances around her, and felt a surge of pleasure in her heart!
Her son is usually a quiet and reserved person, but he really shows his responsibility when it matters. His protectiveness towards his sweetheart is just like his father's back in the day!
As for being in the eye of the storm? The Xiao family has done nothing wrong, so why would they be afraid of such gossip?
This will allow those who are secretly considering this to see clearly that the Xiao family is determined to protect Lu Zhaoruo!
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