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Princess Rong Zhao found Chen Feng somewhat familiar, as if she had seen her somewhere before, but she couldn’t quite recall.
Her lips twitched slightly. People had said Chen Feng was stunning, but she didn’t quite live up to that, her eyes were large, her mouth small, far from being “stunning.” Even compared to Chen Shiying, she fell short by quite a bit.
She had thought a daughter of a fourth-ranked official could easily cause trouble in the princess’s residence. Not only could she not cause any trouble, but she couldn’t even give birth to a son. It was infuriating that her father-in-law and Princess Changhua (Third Madam of Chu) had gone to the Emperor and Empress Dowager to plead their case, bringing up past grievances…
Princess Rong Zhao had considered humiliating her on the way, but she had just received a report from her maid that nothing untoward had happened.
She glanced at Chen Feng’s head, her expression changing constantly.
Beside her, the Marquis Chu furrowed his brow and said, “Princess.”
Princess Rong Zhao suddenly realized and chuckled, “Look at me, so happy to see my daughter-in-law that I forgot to offer her tea.”
She took the tea, sipped it, and then set the cup down on the table, saying, “Daughter-in-law, lift your head so I can have a good look at you.”
Chen Feng obediently raised her head.
Princess Rong Zhao examined her for a moment, wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, and smiled, “I heard my daughter-in-law is stunning, leading Seventh Prince to chase after her for several blocks. But seeing is believing, while your appearance is decent, it’s a bit too flashy, lacking in refinement. Your style is as rural as your name suggests…”
Chen Feng was infuriated. Being called rural was one thing, but blatantly being accused of seducing men, especially a prince, was a charge she couldn’t accept.
Despite knowing she would face humiliation today and had to endure it without anger, she couldn’t allow herself to be humiliated too much.
With tears shimmering in her eyes, Chen Feng shook her head and softly protested, “Princess, I am innocent.” Then, with a tone of sadness, she said to Chu Lingxuan, “Husband, I cannot bear this accusation. If I have to sacrifice my reputation here at this Eight Immortals table to prove my innocence, then so be it.”
Chu Lingxuan immediately grabbed Chen Feng and said, “Feng, I know the kind of person you are. I won’t stand by and let you sacrifice yourself to protect our reputation. If you have to die here to uphold our honor, then I am unworthy as a husband.” He then glared at Princess Rong Zhao and added, “Your Highness, as a royal princess, you cannot tarnish someone’s reputation unjustly. My wife is dignified, virtuous, and has never engaged in such disgraceful behavior. If you continue to slander her, I will seek justice from the Emperor.”
Prince Rui was also displeased and exclaimed, “Elder sister, what nonsense are you spouting? When did I ever chase after a woman for several blocks? You can’t target Chu Lingxuan’s wife and drag me into this.” He quickly explained to Princess Rui, “Princess, don’t listen to my sister, she’s trying to tarnish Chu Lingxuan’s wife’s reputation and is using me as a tool.”
Princess Rui remained silent, knowing it was not the right time to speak up.
Marquis Chu spoke coldly, “Princess, what do you mean by that? Let’s go to the palace now to see the Emperor and Empress, there is no room for error.” He stood up, preparing to leave.
Although Princess Rong Zhao resented the Chu family’s actions, she couldn’t bear to lose Marquis Chu. She quickly grabbed his sleeve and said, “Chu Lang, calm down, you’ve misunderstood me.”
Third Madam interjected, “Princess Rong Zhao, everyone in this room heard what you said. The first wife of Lingxuan died mysteriously in your residence. Do you want this wife to meet the same fate in your home before you’re satisfied?”
Ignoring Third Madam, Princess Rong Zhao explained to Marquis Chu, “Chu Lang, what I meant earlier was, I heard a rumor that Lingxuan’s wife was so beautiful that Seventh Prince chased after her for several blocks. Of course, I didn’t believe it. Now that I’ve seen her in person, I’m even more convinced it’s false. While she is decent-looking, she clearly isn’t someone worthy of such pursuit, which proves the rumor is false and unreliable.”
The words were harsh—labeling her appearance as unattractive was one thing, but implicating another man was crossing a line. This blatant bullying from the royal family was intolerable!
As a modern person, Chen Feng wouldn’t care much about those words, but in ancient times, she had to endure. Unable to retort, she covered her face and cried quietly. She managed to hold back her tears, her makeup was thick today, and ruining it would surely displease Princess Rong Zhao, who wouldn’t be kind enough to let her wash her face.
Chu Lingxuan, with a grim expression, grabbed Chen Feng and said, “Feng, I know your character, and I believe in you. Today, you’ve been wronged, and it’s all my fault.”
Marquis Chu sighed sadly, “It’s not Lingxuan’s fault, it’s your father’s fault.” He then turned to Princess Rong Zhao and said, “You always cause trouble and spread falsehoods. If the elders are unkind, don’t blame the younger generation for being disrespectful. I’ll have them leave.”
Seeing the Marquis’s anger, Princess Rong Zhao hurriedly smiled and said, “Chu Lang, please don’t be angry. Okay, it was my mistake, and I apologize. You know I’m straightforward—I speak my mind and mean no harm. I won’t say anything offensive anymore. Lingxuan’s wife, please don’t be upset, I misspoke earlier and had no ill intentions. I know you are a virtuous and sensible person, and I won’t let anyone slander you.”
Third Madam sneered, “Don’t say ‘I won’t say anything offensive’! You’ve already said plenty. Princess Rong Zhao, you insisted on having this young couple pay their respects to you. They came, and you couldn’t get along with them. Not just now, even on the way here, the two maids who carried Lingxuan’s wife stumbled. If my people hadn’t reacted quickly, she might have been injured. You keep saying you have no ill will towards the legitimate son of the first wife, but it’s your servants who do your dirty work behind your back. Despite all that, you couldn’t even give them a bit of respect. Who would believe anything you say?”
Marquis Chu’s expression darkened upon hearing this.
Princess Rong Zhao explained to Marquis Chu, “Chu Lang, don’t listen to Princess Changhua’s instigation to create a rift between us. She can’t stand to see me doing well. I’ve always treated Lingxuan like my own, and naturally, I appreciate his wife.” With a stern look at Third Madam, she continued, “Princess Changhua, what grudge do you have against me? You not only interfere in my relationship with the Empress Dowager, but now you’re also trying to sow discord between me and the Marquis. It was an accident with the sedan bearers, and if my servants fell, why should I be blamed? If you don’t want to stay in my house, you can leave. I don’t welcome troublemakers.”
The Second Prince quickly intervened, “Sisters, we are all family, and this bickering is becoming ridiculous. Marquis Chu, don’t be so sensitive, Princess Rong Zhao is straightforward, and she has apologized. Let’s move on. Shouldn’t the new couple offer tea to our father?”
Princess Rong Zhao and Third Madam fell silent.
Princess Rui added, “Chu Lingxuan’s wife, please stop crying. Someone must have spread rumors to sow discord between Princess Rong Zhao and you. I know my husband well, he wouldn’t do something so shameful.”
The Prince Rui echoed, “Exactly, I never chased after women in the streets, much less… heh heh.” Feeling he was digging himself into a hole, he quickly stopped speaking.