Chapter 11: Head-on confrontation, she is not afraid of anyone
Looking at the heartless figure leaving, Pei Jinxuan felt his chest tighten and empty.
Lu Qiaoxiao passed by the woods. The Ophiopogon japonicus was growing vigorously, but near the bamboo forest, a few clumps of Ophiopogon japonicus were broken, scattered on the ground and blown away by the wind.
When she returned to the banquet, Concubine Li was already sitting in the main seat.
She was wearing a rose-red robe with wide sleeves and flowing clouds, a plum blossom necklace between her eyebrows, and pearl and white jade earrings on her ears, making her look elegant, dignified and steady.
"Is this the girl from the Yong'an Marquis's Mansion?" Concubine Li glanced at Lu Qiaoxiao who was about to quietly sit down at the table, and she frowned with some disgust.
Qingyue said that her elder sister had previously been in love with the second son of Minister Pei's family, and suddenly ran to the Pei Mansion yesterday to make a scene to break off the engagement.
Even dogs would dislike a woman who behaves inappropriately like this.
Now, she wants to sneak in and sit at the table again. It's really unruly. She's a legitimate daughter, too!
Lu Qiaoxiao retracted her outstretched leg without changing her expression. She walked forward upright and bowed respectfully.
"Qiao Xiao greets Her Majesty Li Guifei. Long live Her Majesty."
"I heard that the Yong'an Marquis family has three daughters, and you are the legitimate daughter?" Concubine Li took a sip of tea slowly, her eyes slightly cold.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Logically speaking, this is a spring banquet, and I shouldn't be harsh on the women in the capital."
"But there have been too many rumors in the capital recently. If this encourages misconduct, I, as the head of the harem, will have the responsibility to supervise and manage it."
"Lu Qiaoxiao, do you admit your crime?" Concubine Li's eyes flashed. She had just heard several noble ladies talking about how Lu Qiaoxiao had just arrived at the banquet and slapped his own sister.
Is this kind of behavior acceptable?
What a shrew!
Lu Qiaoxiao's eyes were calm, and he spoke in an orderly manner: "Empress Li, Qiao Xiao does not know what crime he has committed."
Concubine Li snorted coldly, "Don't you know? You were relentless in pursuing the Second Master Pei some time ago, and yesterday you went to the Pei family with such fanfare to break off the engagement. This is misconduct."
"As soon as she came to the banquet, knowing that it was organized by me, she slapped Xiuzhu in front of everyone. This is willful indulgence. The Yong'an Marquisate didn't teach the rules to their daughters, so I will teach them!"
Lu Qiaoxiao frowned slightly, and caught a glimpse of Lu Xiuzhu who was gloating, and Lu Qingyue who was slightly curling her lips.
She knew that it was these two sisters who were spreading rumors in front of Concubine Li.
But——there must be a deeper reason.
Now all the princes are eyeing the throne covetously. Among them, the most favored Prince Pingyang and Prince Ding'an are evenly matched, and both sides are trying to win over the hearts of the people.
Minister Pei controls the financial power of the Ministry of Revenue, so the Pei family is naturally a hot topic in the struggle for power.
Concubine Li's move was probably to please the Pei family.
Look, Pei Yu’s wife is holding a cup of tea at this moment, looking like she is ready to watch the show.
Lu Qiaoxiao took a deep breath and decided to give it another try.
"Your Majesty, the cancellation of the engagement between Qiao Xiao and Second Master Pei was originally a matter of mutual consent. As everyone knows, Qiao Xiao once loved Second Master Pei, but he had someone else in his heart. So Qiao Xiao no longer likes him and is willing to allow Second Master Pei to be with the person he loves."
"Qiao Xiao doesn't think there's anything wrong with this. Please understand, Your Majesty."
Everyone present gasped in unison. Was she blaming Concubine Li for not being able to judge people well?
Pei Jinxuan's eyes were dark and unclear. If she was willing to beg him at this moment, even if it was just to look at him as if asking for help.
He must come forward to explain to the Imperial Concubine that it was just a small quarrel between Qiao Xiao and him, nothing serious.
But she would rather confront Concubine Li head-on than say a word to beg for mercy?
Seeing Concubine Li's gloomy face, Lu Qiaoxiao didn't continue speaking.
Her purpose was not to stir up trouble, but to completely sever ties with the Pei family in front of everyone.
Never leave any room for maneuver.
As for the things with Lu Xiuzhu, she understood the principle of closing the door and beating the dog.
Concubine Li felt a little embarrassed, and she felt a tightness in her chest but had no place to vent.
She naturally knew that in principle, there was no need to make a big deal out of love between a man and a woman that was consensual.
But if she was framed by this little girl at this moment and the matter ended there, it would be too cowardly for her to be a royal concubine.
She spoke coldly and looked at Madam Pei.
"What do you think, Madam? Is what Lu Qiaoxiao said true?" She now only hoped that Madam Pei would understand her. After all, she also wanted to vent her family's anger.
Mrs. Pei was suddenly called and felt a little flattered, although she did not like the vixen her son kept in the room.
But he hated the legitimate daughter of a marquis in front of him even more.
As a mother, she has seen the frustration and decadence of her beloved baby these days, and it hurts her heart.
Lu Qiaoxiao, this ungrateful bitch! She abandoned her son, who had such a bright future, and was planning to go to a nunnery to practice asceticism?
Marrying her is already a compliment.
Concubine Li now wants to vent her anger for her son. How can she miss this good opportunity?
"Your Highness, I report to the Imperial Concubine that my son used to think very highly of Miss Lu. I also often invite Qiao Xiao to have dinner together, and I have never heard of any rift between Qiao Xiao and my son." A hint of pride flashed across Madam Pei's eyes.
She turned around again and looked at Lu Qiaoxiao pitifully: "Xiaoxiao, how did Jinxuan offend you? I'll ask him to change, let him change, okay?"
Lu Qiaoxiao's eyes flashed, what a good show it was.
Black can be turned into white, and right and wrong can be reversed.
Now all the blame is directed at her.
"Lu Qiaoxiao, what else do you have to say now? Come here, drag this shameless woman out and give her twenty beatings!" Seeing that she was speechless, Concubine Li made a prompt decision.
As soon as the order was issued, two guards came over to capture Lu Qiaoxiao.
"His Royal Highness Prince Ding'an has arrived, and Prime Minister Shen has arrived." The little eunuch's shrill voice seemed to pierce the sky.
Lu Qiaoxiao's arms were tied, and he turned his neck slightly to look when he heard the sound.
The crescent-white embroidered robe shimmered in the sunlight, and Shen Yuheng stood tall and graceful like a bamboo, with eyebrows like distant mountains, and a sense of dignity and coldness emanating from his brows.
The same thing she had seen in her previous life.
Lu Qiaoxiao was a little dazed, but accidentally met a pair of deep and clear eyes, and her heart couldn't help but skip a beat.
"Mother, today is the Spring Festival Banquet. Why make it so solemn? If blood is seen, it will go against the auspicious omen of the Spring Festival Banquet."
Prince Ding'an Wei Yan was indeed handsome, with elegant and unrestrained eyes and eyebrows, and he exuded the nobility of a superior.
Concubine Li's eyes suddenly became kind.
"Yan'er is here, come and sit next to your mother." Concubine Li waved her hand, feeling suspicious.
When had he seen his son care so much about a woman?
Could it be that…
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