Chapter 18: One Against Ten
"You little..." The old lady of Duke Anguo was not a person who cared about manners, and she cursed subconsciously.
But in front of so many guests, her daughter, the wife of the Minister Zheng, spoke up, "Mother, we've been talking for a while, why don't you have some tea?"
"Marquis Gongning married a powerful wife! These few words have left today's birthday boy speechless." Zheng started to attack Pu Qiongzhi.
Pu Qiongzhi said in a seemingly quiet but actually loud voice, "Mrs. Lin, why are you talking about the elders?"
"How can you be my elder? You are just an eighth-rank official... Don't make the situation so ugly!" Zheng was confused.
Pu Qiongzhi's eyes flickered. "After all, I have earned the eighth-rank imperial decree with my own ability! Madam Lin, you haven't received the imperial decree yet. The elders seem to be scolding me, but in fact they are warning you!"
“…”
The current situation is really embarrassing.
The crowd watching the excitement were secretly wary of the wife of the Earl of Gongning.
He is so young, but has such a sharp tongue, and his words seem to gouge people's hearts... He even dares to mock the old lady of the Duke of Anguo. He is really a newborn calf who is not afraid of tigers!
Many well-mannered people couldn't bear to watch it any further, but they couldn't leave for the time being.
"What are you so proud of? Your imperial edict is nothing more than a good reputation gained through spending money. But I heard that Miss Pei has been working hard in the porridge stall to personally provide porridge to the poor people recently!"
Zheng was hit in the sore spot this time, and she didn't care anymore.
She has the same temperament as the old lady of Duke Anguo. It's bad enough that she is scolded by her mother on a daily basis, but today she is also ridiculed by such a junior. Where can she put her face?
When Pu Qiongzhi heard the name, she felt somewhat familiar with it.
How much does Miss Pei hate her?
When we couldn't see each other, she spared no effort to slander me.
I'm afraid that Zheng and the old lady of Anguogong targeted her like this because they heard a lot of gossip about her.
Thinking of this, Pu Qiongzhi decided to go back and ask her husband.
She really couldn't think of any connection between herself and Miss Pei. She thought it might be a debt of love!
"You just gave me money and left me alone, taking all my reputation with you. Miss Pei worked so hard to do practical things for the people, but in the end she ended up in obscurity. How can this be justified in the world?"
"Mrs. Lin, what you said is inappropriate. We are both helping the people. I, if I have money, will donate, and Miss Pei, if she has the heart, will contribute." Pu Qiongzhi said, looking at her, "You... have both money and the heart... you are a blessing to the people."
“…You, you…” Zheng’s face turned blue and red, and she was finally defeated.
Seeing that she couldn't win the argument, the old lady of the Duke of Anguo, who didn't want her daughter to be bullied, spoke again, "How could you act like such a bandit? We, the Duke of Anguo, also donated money!"
"I heard that on that day, you and the eldest princess took off the headdresses of all the noble ladies present... and forced them to donate. Is this true?"
"Ah! I thought you all volunteered! But who has heard the old lady say you were unwilling?" Pu Qiongzhi pretended to be stupid and retreated to advance. "I am truly ashamed. How about this? I will make up for the money and give you a set of headgear? I just don't know which noble lady or noblewoman was coerced?"
"...You!" The old lady of the Duke of Anguo choked, almost choking out her breath, "No one! No one was coerced!"
"Mrs. Wen Shu'an, aren't you going too far? We are all respectable families in Beijing, how can you humiliate us like this?" Ding Momo, who had been sitting in the back without saying a word for a long time, slammed the table and accused.
Pu Qiongzhi chuckled, "I spent eight hundred thousand taels to gain a position of imperial status, but I couldn't even get a little respect from you all... Why doesn't other people's respect cost money? Princess Roujia, tell me, is their face valuable or not?"
"..." Ding Momo was speechless, so she just sat back down.
After a heated debate, Pu Qiongzhi remained calm and smiling, while everyone else looked solemn, as if they were facing a powerful enemy.
The dishes at the Duke's Mansion's birthday banquet were also excellent, with great color, aroma and taste, tempting to devour.
No one was in the mood to eat at the moment, except Pu Qiongzhi, who ate with great relish, savoring each dish carefully.
I heard that this meal was made by Fanlou, the most famous restaurant in Beijing. She must try it carefully to see what makes it so special, so that she can have a comparison when she opens her own restaurant.
Some ladies and rich girls did not have much ill will towards Pu Qiongzhi, nor did they want to get involved in these matters, so they just sat and watched.
However, looking at Wen Shuan's cheerful and cheerful appearance, I couldn't help but admire her.
She responded to all those who were unkind to her with ease. Although her expression and tone did not fluctuate, her demeanor was truly dazzling.
After looking at her for a little longer, they couldn't help but notice her dress.
Those who didn't know her thought she had donated her dowry and was deliberately dressing in a simple manner, which was quite good...
The women who knew about this were the ones who had worn the silk flowers she had given them that day, and they couldn't help but be attracted by the graceful and elegant look decorated with the headband.
People say that women from the south of the Yangtze River are gentle and considerate, but why does she look so dignified and elegant in her makeup?
Although she didn't wear any fancy jewelry, one could tell at first glance that she had the demeanor of a mistress of the house. She didn't need to fawn or please anyone, and was free and easy, with a refined and elegant heart.
However, they were too embarrassed to ask her how to dress up.
Just now, when a group of people surrounded Wen Shu'an and his people, they didn't offer any help. How could they bother him now?
What's more, if people knew about it, they would probably be accused of being both evil and despicable... If they were mixed up in this group of people, their family would probably be implicated as well.
After some hesitation, they chose the safest way - to let their maid ask Wen Shuan's maid.
Yan'er and Chunjing's outfits are so easy to recognize, with the same headband braids!
Yan'er was especially talkative, humorous, lively and smart. She was willing to answer any questions the maids wanted to ask. She quickly won the favor of all the maids and made many friends.
Chunjing had a good memory. He wrote down the families of these people and their personalities one by one, and then worked with Yan'er to discuss it.
This is the tacit understanding that the two of them have developed since they were young following Pu Qiongzhi. Don't underestimate it!
After the banquet, Pu Qiongzhi looked back at the two girls before leaving.
The two of them winked at her, indicating that the task was completed and there was no need to worry.
Pu Qiongzhi chuckled and then followed the drunken and unsteady Gong Ningbo who was supported by a servant into the carriage.
"Would you like to have some tea to relax? Or take a rest in the carriage first? I'm afraid of the bumpy road..." Pu Qiongzhi asked considerately.
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