Chen Yu looked at Bao Qianshan.
Bao Qianshan is honest, reliable, and of good character. Hongyu, though a shrewd and calculating woman, is not fickle or promiscuous. If the two were to marry, one meticulous and the other loyal and family-oriented, they would surely stay together for life.
But she was unaware of Hongyu's thoughts and underestimated Bao Qianshan.
Bao Qianshan's flushed face turned serious. Although he was a man who lacked romantic understanding, he was quick-witted. Shen Yu had mentioned Zhang Hongyu as soon as she entered, clearly intending to match him with her.
Hmph! He had no intention of provoking Zhang Hongyu. A woman who could become the Princess Consort of Yan and then escape unscathed—his Bao family couldn't tolerate such a powerful figure. In his view, Shen Yu meant well, but was simply naive and unable to see through people's true intentions!
So he looked at Chen Yu and said in a deep voice, "I understand what Sister Chen Yu is thinking. I will not force her to do anything, nor will I accept a woman with such a deep and scheming mind."
Bao Qianshan's frankness relieved Shen Yu, but also made her extremely embarrassed. She quickly stood up, bowed, and apologized, "Brother Qianshan is wise and discerning. I shouldn't have tried to be so petty. I hope Brother Qianshan won't hold it against me."
Bao Qianshan was naturally heartbroken to have missed out on Chen Yu again, but he also felt sorry for her and asked, "Sister Chen Yu, are you really not going to marry again?"
At this moment, Shen Yu thought of the cripple, and her eyes welled up with tears. She choked out, "Perhaps... I will remarry, but I will definitely marry someone of lower status."
Bao Qianshan and Consort Kong were both surprised, "Why did Chen Yu marry down?"
"Could it be that Sister Chenyu has found a man she likes? Is he from a poor family? If the Mu family doesn't agree, Brother Qianshan is willing to help you mediate."
Chen Yu wiped away her tears and said with a bitter smile, "I'm not sure yet if that person has feelings for me. Once I find out, I will definitely tell Brother Qianshan."
And so, the marriage between Chen Yu and Bao Qianshan was called off.
Now, Consort Kong was in a hurry and began to think about arranging a marriage for Hongyu.
------
It was noon in the blink of an eye, and everyone left the competition venue. Just then, someone shouted, "There's a fight going on in the artificial hill! Come and see!"
Among the artificial hills.
Hongyu was pressed against the stone table, being scolded by two young girls who pointed their fingers at her, "You have ulterior motives, you're deliberately trying to seduce my brother Songhua..."
"If it weren't for you, my sister Qianqiu would have already obtained the dragon and phoenix hairpin and been engaged to brother Songhua. It's all your fault..."
The argument erupted, drawing crowds of noble families from the capital to watch. They pointed at Hongyu and whispered, "See? Zhang Hongyu is competing just to woo Young Master Songhua."
"Shameless."
"She's still a vixen after all. No wonder the King of Yan didn't want her. She's just a used woman."
"Abandoned woman!"
"..."
Hearing the insults, Hongyu scoffed and pointed at Kong Yan'er and Bao Qianxun, saying with a light laugh, "You two little brats who haven't even reached marriageable age are spouting nonsense and hurling insults at each other. Aren't you afraid you won't be able to get married in the future?"
At this moment, Consort Kong arrived, accompanied by Song Hua, Bao Qianqiu, Prince Yan and his wife, and the Sixth Prince and his wife.
When Hongyu saw Songhua arrive, she deliberately leaned close to Kong Yan'er's ear and whispered, "How could I have ruined the marriage between Young Master Songhua and Miss Qianqiu? I'm afraid someone from your Kong family interfered and blocked their marriage."
Kong Yan'er was taken aback, then shoved Hongyu and retorted sharply, "Don't make false accusations! Our Kong family is looking forward to Brother Songhua marrying Sister Qianqiu..."
Hongyu was pushed back step by step. She wanted to anger Kong Yan'er and Bao Qianxun. Only by suffering a loss could she have a chance to win Songhua's favor.
Seeing Bao Qianxun standing there, frozen in place, she shouted, "Bao Qianxun, don't frame me! Miss Qianqiu is kind and benevolent, how could she possibly hold a grudge against me? Your elder brother is the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, didn't he teach you not to frame others...?"
"A frame-up?" Bao Qianxun was furious. She stepped forward and, together with Kong Yan'er, shoved Hongyu, retorting, "I didn't frame you! How did you fawn over Brother Songhua in the stable? Yan'er and I saw it all. You're a shameless mother..."
At this moment, Bao Qianqiu, hiding in the crowd, was utterly dejected. Qianxun wouldn't lie; it must be Hongyu seducing Songhua. But she disliked competing with others, and even more so, she disliked getting entangled. So, she hastily fled, and because her vision was blurred by tears, she bumped into Yan Wang.
Yan Wang was bumped into, but he didn't seem to care. He continued to lick his lips and smile, watching Hongyu. In his mind, Hongyu was a cunning little fox. If it weren't for his grand ambition and the need to gain the Qiu family's support, he wouldn't have found an excuse to divorce her. The reason he was waiting here was because he had an important matter he wanted Hongyu to agree to.
Hongyu was pushed backward repeatedly, but she remained calm.
King Yan wanted to see how Hongyu would turn the tide.
Hongyu felt she was almost at the riverbank, so she pretended to twist her ankle and stumbled backward.
"careful!"
"Quick, grab her!"
"oh……"
Splash! Hongyu fell into the water.
A crowd gathered to watch, but only Song Hua rushed over and jumped into the water.
A short while later, Song Hua carried Hong Yu ashore. Facing Kong Yan'er, who was blocking his way, he shouted sternly, "Get out of the way! I'm taking Miss Hong Yu to the changing room."
"Brother Songhua, put her down. You're going to marry Sister Qianqiu."
At this moment, Song Hua had already begun to loathe the Bao family. In his opinion, Bao Qianqiu must have said something to provoke Bao Qianxun and Kong Yan'er to target Hongyu.
He remained silent, walked around to the other side of the stone table, and prepared to leave, when another person blocked his way. Looking up, he saw it was Gu Xiaoliu.
Hongyu was panicked. She and Gu Xiaoliu used to be as close as sisters. Later, in order to get rid of Gao Feng, she gave Gu Xiaoliu a tea made from the flowers of Dugu grass, which not only caused Gu Xiaoliu to miscarry but also made her infertile for life.
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