Even Gu Qingyan was so shocked by Zhong Qier's "feat" that he didn't react for a moment.
Kui Ruo's face immediately turned as red as a charcoal pot, and she then ordered people to go into the lake to rescue the people. Seeing Zhong Qi'er's indifferent expression on the side, Kui Ruo was completely enraged.
"Zhong Qi'er, how dare you be so arrogant! If you are not severely punished this time, who knows what trouble you will cause in the future!"
"Brother Wei Ruo...you actually yelled at me for that woman?"
Gu Qingyan's lips twitched slightly; clearly, the two sworn siblings were not thinking the same thing.
"That's a noble lady from a prominent family; she's here in Da Yu for a marriage alliance!"
Kui Ruo was clearly furious. If this matter escalated, not only Zhong Qi'er, but the entire Zhong family would be in danger!
If this affects the relationship between the aristocratic families and Dayu...
Thinking of this, Wei Ruo raised her right hand high.
"You're going to hit me..." Zhong Qi'er was also provoked by Wei Ruo's actions. Seeing that Sun Shu was about to be rescued, Zhong Qi'er actually wanted to go over and push Zhong Qi'er, who was on the shore, into the water.
Just then, Madam Chen, who had spoken earlier, pulled Zhong Qi'er back.
"Miss Zhong, please calm down. Prime Minister Wei is only doing this for your own good. If the Emperor and Empress Dowager were to blame us, the Zhong family..."
"Don't try to reason with me about these things!"
Zhong Qi'er's eyes were red, and she looked like she had been bullied.
"Miss Zhong, you mustn't push Miss Sun anymore."
Sun Shu was already on the verge of death; if she were pushed down again, her life would be in danger.
"presumptuous!"
Gu Qingyan's voice rang out, and Zhong Qi'er's body trembled, finally fully waking up. "Your Majesty, this subject... this subject..."
"Pushing someone into the water in broad daylight, Zhong Qi'er, is this how the Zhong family raised you?"
Those with discerning eyes immediately recognized Gu Qingyan's words and their expressions changed. Zhong Qi'er had caused such a huge mess, yet the Emperor only spoke ill of the Zhong family, completely separating himself from Prime Minister Kui. This showed just how great the Emperor's favor towards Prime Minister Kui was.
"I did not mean to push her."
Seeing this, Zhong Qi'er also became anxious, "She spoke first and acted all high and mighty! She's only been in Dayu for a short time and she already acts all high and mighty. If you don't believe me, Your Majesty, go and ask around. How many noble ladies haven't had things snatched away by her and Qin Ke'er?"
"Steal something?" Gu Qingyan raised his eyebrows, clearly unaware of this.
"The capital of Dayu is bustling, and many fabrics and cosmetics need to be ordered in advance, but these two don't care about that at all. Whatever they want must be served immediately. Why should people from aristocratic families be superior to us?"
"Furthermore, she speaks in a high-pitched voice in front of Brother Wei Ruo, thinking she can get his attention and make everyone think she is good at poetry and books. I despise such hypocritical people the most!"
Upon hearing Zhong Qier's words, Sun Shu, who had just been pulled ashore, rolled her eyes and fainted completely.
"Such a thing is true..."
Seeing that Gu Qingyan's expression softened, Madam Qiu, who had not spoken until now, slowly said, "Your Majesty, Miss Zhong's words are so childish. If one can push someone into the water based on such a statement, wouldn't that be a complete disregard for the law?"
“My husband is an imperial censor, and I cannot stand by and watch such a thing happen.”
One was Mrs. Chen, and the other was Mrs. Qiu...
Bai Qian curled the corners of her lips. The Empress Dowager's chrysanthemum appreciation banquet had indeed stirred up a few fish.
......
"Is this how the people of Da Yu treat their guests?"
Qin Ke'er realized what was happening and her face immediately turned cold. "Sister Sun and I traveled thousands of miles to Dayu, only to be pushed alive into the lake. I suppose Sister Sun has never suffered such an injustice since birth."
Although Qin Ke'er usually seems carefree and straightforward, when it comes to such matters, she can be quite intimidating.
She was, after all, a legitimate daughter raised in a prestigious family.
"As for what Miss Zhong just said, Sister Sun and I are new here and don't know the rules. Miss Zhong could have explained it to us politely. Why did you have to resort to violence..." Qin Ke'er's gaze fell on Zhong Qi'er's hand. Zhong Qi'er's hand immediately felt as if it had been burned by fire, and she quickly put her hand behind her back.
"Could it be that the Zhong family looks down on our Qin and Sun families? Or does the Great Yu look down on our aristocratic families?"
"I disagree with what Miss Qin said."
Seeing Gu Qingyan speak, Qin Ke'er's expression softened slightly.
"How can matters between young women be brought up to the level of the Great Yu and aristocratic families?" Gu Qingyan glanced at Zhong Qi'er, who looked like a quail, and sighed helplessly.
Why is Zhong Qi'er such a bully who preys on the weak? She turns into a pushover as soon as the other party gets tough?
"What happened today was indeed Zhong Qi'er's fault. Someone, take her away..."
Before Gu Qingyan could finish speaking, Wanji rushed over and said, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has heard about what happened in the Imperial Garden and has ordered me to take Miss Zhong to Zhaoning Palace."
"Take him to Zhaoning Palace?"
"Yes, Her Majesty said that Miss Zhong should kneel in Zhaoning Palace and reflect on her mistakes today."
Upon hearing this, Qin Ke'er was left speechless, all the words she wanted to say were cut off.
......
In the courtyard of Zhaoning Palace, Zhong Qi'er knelt upright.
She was only afraid of actually provoking a conflict between Dayu and the aristocratic families, but that didn't mean she was afraid of Qin Ke'er and Sun Shu.
If Sun Shu speaks to Brother Wei Ruo like that again, she'll dare to kick Sun Shu into the lake!
Inside the room, Jiang Yu took a sip of white tea.
"Your Majesty, I have already sent people to investigate the Chen and Qiu families." Bai Qian glanced outside, "This Zhong Qi'er..."
"I knew she would cause trouble, but I never thought she would actually push Sun Shu into the lake."
Jiang Yu twirled the Buddhist prayer beads in her hand. Ever since she learned she was pregnant, Jiang Yu had often held the prayer beads in her hand.
"What does Your Majesty intend to do with Zhong Qi'er?"
"It's good to temper her temper, otherwise the entire Zhong family will have to pay the price for her in the future."
Bai Qian nodded in agreement. "I think that although Prime Minister Kui seems to despise this sworn sister, if it really comes down to the Zhong family's life or death, he would probably risk his life to protect her."
"The Zhong family has done Wei a great favor."
Jiang Yu closed her eyes. The Chen family and the Qiu family were both court officials whom A Yan relied on. Could it be that they had secretly submitted to the powerful families?
Thinking of this, Jiang Yu spun the prayer beads in her hand even faster.
Zhong Qi'er knelt until sunset, until her knees were numb and tears streamed down her face.
Just then, Jiang Yu slowly walked out of the house.
"Zhong Qi'er, do you know your crime?"
"Your Majesty, I am guilty."
"If such a situation were to occur again, would you still push someone into the water?"
Zhong Qi'er's face flushed red, but she still couldn't bring herself to say "I don't know".
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