Chapter 20: The Adorable Kid Unleashes His Power!
The Hundred Flowers Banquet hosted by Consort De was held in the largest warm pavilion in the Imperial Garden.
Almost all the female relatives of officials with any standing in the capital were invited over.
Mu Yu and Princess Jianing were also seated there.
Mu Fang was not happy for his daughter to come to such a place, but the emperor had spoken on his behalf, and Princess Anguo should come out more often to "broaden her horizons." He had no choice but to stand behind his daughter with a dark face the whole time, like an iron tower.
Xiao Beichen also found a pretext to "inspect the defenses of the capital region" and followed him in openly, his eyes never leaving Mu Yu.
The main figures at this banquet were Consort De and her son, the Third Prince Chu Huaijin.
Consort De, dressed in elaborate palace attire, listened demurely to the flattery of the ladies around her, but her gaze kept drifting towards Mu Yu, intentionally or unintentionally.
Chu Huaijin moved among several young masters from prominent families, his words and actions exuding an air of nobility, but the gloom in his eyes was impossible to hide.
Mu Yu had no interest in the adults' roundabout pleasantries; her attention was completely drawn to the fancy pastries on the table.
"Daddy, is this flower-shaped cake delicious?"
"Daddy, look at that little rabbit, is it also made by Gao Gao?"
Mu Fang was exceptionally patient. He would pick up one item for his daughter to ask about, and not only that, he would take out a silver needle and carefully test it before allowing Mu Yu to touch it.
Consort De witnessed this scene and two words came to mind: vulgar.
A country bumpkin, not presentable enough to be taken seriously.
She clapped her hands gently.
A palace maid immediately understood and, carrying a crystal cover, stepped forward.
Under the cover was a pot of orchids.
The flower was in full bloom, its petals a rare dark color with only a very fine gold line around the edge. Its appearance was exquisite, and its fragrance was extraordinary.
"This flower is called 'Ink-dyed Golden Edge,' a rare and exquisite tribute from the Western Regions. There is only one of its kind in the entire world," Consort De said, her voice carrying just the right amount of boasting. "Today, I have specially taken it out to share with all my sisters."
A chorus of exclamations immediately rose from the surroundings, and praise poured forth for Consort De as if it were free.
Mu Yu also took a look along with everyone else.
Um?
Mu Yu blinked, looking more closely.
Why are there wisps of dark vapor clinging to that beautiful flower pot?
It has a similar aura to that of the wicked Taoist priest from a few days ago, but it's much fainter.
Just as Mu Yu was about to ask her father what it was, Chu Huaijin walked over.
With a gentle smile on his face, he said to Mu Yu and Jia Ning, "Little Princess, Sister Jia Ning, such a rare flower should be admired up close."
As he spoke, he made a "please" gesture and very "kindly" led the two little ones to the pot of orchids.
The two children had just stood still.
A sudden change has occurred!
Suddenly, a pure white cat darted out from some corner, its movements so fast that it left only a white shadow. With its target clear, it pounced straight at the "Ink-dyed Golden Edge" pot!
"Meow!"
A sharp meow.
Then came a crisp "clang"!
The extremely precious orchid, along with its obviously valuable flowerpot, was knocked over by the white cat and smashed to pieces!
Dark petals and fragments of the golden basin, mixed with soil, were scattered all over the ground.
The white cat that caused the accident struck successfully, flicked its tail, and instantly disappeared into the crowd.
All eyes were fixed on the two little girls closest to the mess on the ground.
Consort De let out a short scream, clutching her chest, her face drained of all color.
"My flowers!"
The head maidservant beside her reacted swiftly, shouting at the top of her lungs, "How dare you! Who has disturbed Her Highness's beloved flowers! Guards! Guards at once!"
Chu Huaijin rushed forward and supported the swaying Consort De, his face full of "anxiety" and "anger". His gaze was fixed on Mu Yu and Jia Ning.
"Mu Yu! Jia Ning! What on earth did you two do next to the flowers! Why did a wild cat suddenly rush out and smash Mother's most beloved orchid!"
Princess Jianing had never seen anything like this before. Her little face turned pale instantly, and she shook her little hands like a rattle drum.
"No...it wasn't me...I didn't do anything..."
Mu Yu's brows furrowed.
frame.
Mu Yu's Eye of Fortune clearly saw that when the white cat pounced, it was clearly covered by an abnormal gray mist, indicating that it had been tampered with.
Looking at Chu Huaijin again, the black lines in the gray aura above his head were even thicker than when he was in the garden.
You scoundrel, you're trying to frame me!
"It wasn't us!" Mu Yu's voice was even louder than his. "It was your flower that didn't want to live anymore; it committed suicide!"
Everyone in the room was stunned.
What reason could that be? Can flowers really commit suicide?
Chu Huaijin laughed in anger: "Mu Yu! Do you think everyone here is a fool? A flower would commit suicide? It's clearly you two who are unruly and caused this disaster, and you still dare to argue here!"
Consort De also began her performance, pressing a handkerchief to the corner of her eye as she spoke mournfully, "Enough, Huaijin, don't blame them. Princess Anguo is still young, and Jianing has always been timid; perhaps it was unintentional. But... but this 'Ink-Dyed Gold Edge' was His Majesty's personal gift, and now it's ruined like this, I... how am I supposed to explain this to His Majesty in the future..."
These words sound like they represent tolerance and magnanimity, but every single one of them is steering the matter toward the crime of "deceiving the emperor."
Mu Fang's face darkened.
He was just about to step forward.
Xiao Beichen stepped forward first, his tall figure shielding Mu Yu behind him.
"Your Highness, Third Prince! You must provide evidence! Which of your eyes saw that it was the young princess and Princess Jianing who started the fight? The cat bumped into the flowerpot, what does that have to do with them!"
Chu Huaijin smirked: "General Xiao, this is my mother's Hundred Flowers Banquet, not your Northern Border Army Camp! I saw with my own eyes that they were the closest to the flowers. Who else could it be but them?"
It looked like the two were about to start arguing in the warm room.
Mu Yu peeked her little head out from behind Xiao Beichen.
Looking at the pile of fragments on the ground, Mu Yu pouted slightly and used her newly acquired ability in a childish voice towards the "wreckage".
Turning misfortune into fortune.
"snort!"
Mu Yu secretly made a small face at the pile of fragments.
You scoundrel flowerpot, you helped the villain frame me, now you'll regret it!
This small expenditure of good fortune was like scooping a spoonful of water from a pond to Mu Yu; she could hardly feel it.
After finishing, I suddenly had a craving for the osmanthus cake on the table.
Chu Huaijin was about to continue speaking, trying to pressure Xiao Beichen with words.
Suddenly, a woman in the crowd cried out in surprise.
"Hey! Look what's that!"
Everyone's attention was drawn to it.
Among the chaotic shattered pieces of the golden flowerpot, the largest fragment had somehow flipped over, revealing the bottom of the pot.
In the very center of the bottom of the basin, a line of small characters is clearly engraved.
"Made in the year of Gengzi by Xifangzhai".
Xifangzhai?
When the name was uttered, everyone present was stunned.
Who in the capital doesn't know that Xifangzhai is a shop that specializes in replicating antiques from previous dynasties and tribute items from the palace?
The item may be imitated well, but an imitation is still a fake!
One of the bolder ladies couldn't help but whisper something to the person next to her.
"How could Consort De's tribute, 'Ink-dyed Gold Edge,' be something from Xifangzhai?"
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