Chapter 24

Qiao Ling had a strong feeling that she was a poor boy who got lucky and married a beautiful and wealthy lady.

Following the previously agreed-upon process, after noon, she got dressed and, with many attendants (from the Duke of Yue’s mansion) and ninety-nine carriages of dowry (from the Duke of Yue’s mansion), she left the Duke of Yue’s mansion from the North Gate, went west, made a big circle, and then entered the mansion from the South Gate.

She first went to pay her respects to the Old Lady, then went to see Lady Liang, and greeted the two married aunts of the Jiang family. Then she went to Jiang Mai’s courtyard to pick him up.

Qiao Ling was dressed as the groom today, and Jiang Mai naturally had to be the bride, but he didn’t need to tie up his hair in a complicated bun like a lady.

Qiao Ling had been in the capital for many days, living in the Duke of Yue’s mansion. This was the first time she was going to see her rumored husband.

Thinking about the descriptions of him from the people in the mansion, she felt a bit excited—I’m finally going to see him!

Because of this eager anticipation, when she actually saw him, Qiao Ling was a bit disappointed.

It wasn’t that Jiang Mai’s appearance wasn’t as outstanding as others had described, but why was he still wearing a veil?!

Qiao Ling was quite surprised when she saw this, but after thinking for a moment, she understood.

Jiang Mai was too weak.

He was too weak to even hold a fan and complete the entire process.

She sighed inwardly, feeling a bit sad. At this moment, someone handed her one end of a red ribbon. She subconsciously looked at the other end.

Nowadays, the custom is for the groom to wear green and the bride to wear red. Considering the season, the wedding clothes weren’t very thick, but even so, with several layers, they still looked elegant and graceful on Jiang Mai.

Qiao Ling saw him extend his hand from under his sleeve.

It was a very beautiful hand, with distinct knuckles and smooth skin, and neatly trimmed nails.

That hand grasped the other end of the red ribbon.

Qiao Ling felt a strange sensation in her heart.

She was about to get married, just like that!

The couple couldn’t speak before the ceremony.

Qiao Ling pursed her lips, keeping pace with Jiang Mai, and they walked out the door one after the other, heading to the main hall to bid farewell to the elders of the Jiang family, leave the dowry, and pick up the bridal dowry (still from the Duke of Yue’s mansion). Finally, they left together.

This time, they still left from the North Gate, but they changed direction and went east, slowly circling around again, finally entering from the south before dusk, at the auspicious time.

Qiao Ling was out riding a horse, which was quite relaxing. Lady Liang, who was in charge of the Duke of Yue’s mansion, was truly busy running around.

Although she and Jiang Mai were a plastic mother-son pair who barely saw each other once a year, and she always entrusted Jiang Mai’s affairs to the Old Lady, today’s event was not something she could shirk and be a hands-off manager!

As the wedding of the Duke of Yue, one of the nine dukes established by the High Emperor, all the dukes in the capital would be present, and it was no surprise that princes and princesses would attend, not to mention relatives, friends, and even officials from the court.

Such a grand occasion, to leave it to the Old Lady and ignore it herself?

Even spit could drown a person!

This afternoon, the palace began to send gifts one after another.

First, the Empress Dowager’s Qianqiu Palace sent people to bestow gifts. Then the Emperor’s gifts arrived, followed by the gifts of the Concubine and several princes and princesses, all arriving in order of their status.

The Old Lady welcomed the imperial envoys and entertained the eunuchs from the Forbidden City. The Wife of Marquis Guangde, Lady Jiang, and Madam Jiang were in the front hall receiving guests. Lady Liang was overseeing the whole situation, and Lady Xiao Jiang was assisting.

People kept coming to report. The unimportant ones went back to the stewards, and the important ones were then reported to Lady Liang.

Someone came to report, “The Jingzhao Yin and the Jinwu Guards have controlled the nearby roads. Everyone who should be here has arrived.”

“I know,” Lady Liang nodded, “Prepare some good wine and food for them. Give everyone who is on duty here today a generous silver envelope.”

Someone from the treasury came to report, “The gifts from the Marquis of Zhongshan’s mansion are exceptionally generous!”

Lady Liang understood that this was the aftermath of the incident in the palace that day. She nodded, “I know, accept them.”

Someone else reported, “They’re counting the heads in the front courtyard. The seats we set up might not be enough!”

“Then add another three hundred tables, tell the kitchen to prepare according to the standard of five hundred tables. It’s better to have too much than too little.”

Lady Liang said, “Those who have registered their names can come in. It’s just food and drink. There’s no need to cause any unpleasantness on such a good day.”

Someone else said, “The doctors have already been invited beforehand, and the rooms for guests to rest have also been arranged.”

Lady Liang nodded and called over her trusted maid, “Go stand at the gate. If any guests from the Qiao family come, please invite them to the front. Don’t let them mingle outside. They are our official in-laws, after all, we need to be polite.”

The maid was a bit hesitant, “Invite them to the front hall?”

The guests sitting there were all nobles, many of them royal relatives and dignitaries. If they went there, the Qiao family’s people might feel uncomfortable.

Lady Liang hesitated for a moment and said, “Ask them what they prefer. If they want to go there, then they should be accommodated. If they want to be quiet, take them to my courtyard. Be polite, but if they’re rude, don’t be too polite.”

Finally, she added, “If any relatives from the first wife’s side come, make sure to invite them to the front hall!”

The maid understood, “Yes, I understand.”

Lady Liang had a lot on her plate, she probably didn’t speak as many words in a month as she did today. While she was busy, she suddenly heard someone call out behind her, “Qi Hua!”

Lady Liang’s body trembled slightly. She turned around, and her slightly tense shoulders relaxed.

She said helplessly, “Sister, you’ve made a mistake again. I’m Qi Ying.”

The person who came was a middle-aged woman, wearing a dark purple narrow-sleeved round-collared robe, with a jade belt around her waist, her cheeks were thin, and she exuded an air of authority even when she wasn’t angry.

She was Lady Liang’s elder sister, the eldest daughter of the Grand Princess of Wu’an and the Duke of Angguo’s mansion, Liang Qiyun.

Hearing her sister’s complaint, Liang Qiyun smiled and didn’t continue on that topic, “When I came here earlier, I saw Li Wenhe. His expression seemed a bit off.” After saying that, she pulled over a chair and sat down.

Lady Liang’s face changed. After thinking for a moment, she couldn’t help but feel annoyed.

“Sigh, if I had known, why would I have argued with her…”

Liang Qiyun said, “What, you seem to have guessed what he’s going to do?”

Lady Liang said, “That bastard must be up to no good!”

Liang Qiyun looked at her sister in slight surprise, unable to help but chuckle, “When did you start talking like that?”

“Sister, don’t laugh at me!”

Lady Liang felt both embarrassed and anxious, “Sigh, you saw him just now, so you must have seen that his leg is broken. My daughter-in-law did that. But it’s really not my daughter-in-law’s fault. He was asking for it. He didn’t come to my door yesterday, and I thought that page was turned. But he came today…”

She was anxious, “Li Wenhe is now—”

Liang Qiyun first instructed the servant behind Lady Liang, “Tell the kitchen to make me a bowl of noodles. Just add some soy sauce, no other seasonings.”

Then she told her sister, “I was afraid he would come to cause trouble for you, so I detained him.”

Lady Liang’s face immediately brightened, she was overjoyed, “Really?!”

Liang Qiyun smiled, “When have I ever lied to you?”

While they were talking, the servant brought over the noodles. She picked up her chopsticks and started to eat.

Lady Liang felt very sorry for her, “You’re always like this, you’re so busy that you don’t even eat properly…”

Liang Qiyun swallowed the food in her mouth, but the topic shifted to another direction, “I never imagined that you and your daughter-in-law have such a good relationship.”

Lady Liang’s lips moved a few times, then she finally straightened her face and said, “My daughter-in-law, besides being a bit sharp-tongued, a bit rude, and a bit poor, she doesn’t really have any major flaws…”

Liang Qiyun changed the subject again, “What about Lady Xiao Jiang?”

Lady Liang said, “She’s in the back. She’s different from her sister, she’s not as sharp. I’m not comfortable letting her go to the front, so I’ve found some things to keep her busy in the back.”

Liang Qiyun finished her noodles in a few bites, picked up the bowl and drank the soup, “Have someone follow her. Li Wenhe seems a bit strange, keep an eye on Lady Xiao Jiang in case something happens.”

Lady Liang wanted to say, is that a bit of an overreaction?

What could Lady Xiao Jiang possibly do?

But it wouldn’t hurt to be cautious.

She nodded and agreed, “Okay.”

Guests entered the Duke of Yue’s mansion through the South Gate, and there were some fashionable customs involved.

Distinguished guests—specifically royal family members, dukes, marquises, and important relatives—would naturally enter through the main gate. The mansion’s most respected stewards and the two ladies’ trusted maids were stationed there to ensure that the guests felt welcome.

The rest of the officials with lower ranks and the wealthy merchants who were affiliated with the Duke of Yue’s mansion would enter through the side gate. They would leave their gifts, register their names, and then be led to the appropriate hall to take their seats.

The next tier were the guests that Lady Liang instructed to be greeted with a few words and then allowed to enter for some food and drink.

These people might have some distant connection to the Duke of Yue’s mansion, or they might have just spoken to one of the stewards a few times.

Or they might not even know anyone in the Duke of Yue’s mansion, but they wanted to treat themselves to some food, so they took a chance and came to the door on this auspicious day.

As Lady Liang said, it was just food and drink. It was considered a good deed for the mansion and a way to add some joy to the newlyweds. There was no need to be too picky.

No matter how many people came to eat and drink at the mansion, there wouldn’t be too many.

Lady Liang’s maid was at the main gate. She was afraid that the Qiao family’s people would be too shy to enter from there, so she specially found a few clever servants to guard the side gate. If they saw anyone from the Qiao family, they would bring them here.

She waited and waited, and she saw many distinguished guests, but she still hadn’t seen anyone from the Qiao family.

The maid couldn’t help but think, are they not coming?

She didn’t know what to say about the Qiao family.

If they were concerned about face, they wouldn’t have married their daughter off to a stranger for a lucky charm and sent her to the capital alone, without even a servant.

If they didn’t care about face, they didn’t seem to be particularly eager to curry favor with the Duke of Yue’s mansion?

For so long, no one had rushed to the Duke of Yue’s mansion.

She didn’t know—actually, one relative had come, but they were too crazy and were chased away…

As the maid was pondering, someone suddenly shook her arm. She looked up and saw a man standing in front of her, dressed simply, quite old, thin, and with graying temples.

He was carrying a wooden box in his hand and said, “I am your lady’s teacher.”

The maid smiled, “Greetings, Master.”

Then she thought, he looks like a failed scholar!

Behind the old scholar were three young people, each carrying a wrapped gift.

The young man in the lead was very handsome, with eyes like autumn dew, clear and bright. He smiled slightly at her, “I am your lady’s cousin.”

The maid smiled back, “Greetings, young master.”

Then she thought, “He has a good face!”

The lady was also dressed simply, but she was wearing a straw hat, completely covering her face. Her voice was cool, like a flowing spring, “I am your lady’s elder sister.”

The maid returned the greeting.

She thought, “Strange, why isn’t this lady showing her face?”

Behind the lady was a young man with a cold expression, dressed in white like snow, with a golden belt around his waist. He nodded slightly at her, “That’s my elder sister.”

The maid returned the greeting.

She thought, “This one looks so fierce!”

Then she asked the old scholar in the lead, “The front hall is crowded, it’s a bit noisy. The side courtyard is quieter and more secluded. Where would you like to go, Master?”

The old scholar looked at her, a bit surprised at first, but quickly smiled kindly, “We’re used to quiet.”

The maid breathed a sigh of relief, “I’ll have someone take you there.”

The old scholar thanked her.

The arrival of these four people seemed to be like a switch. Gradually, more guests from the bride’s side arrived.

There was a swordsman in black.

The maid greeted him.

She thought, “What a strange friend!”

There was a lady in colorful clothes, carrying a pipa.

The maid greeted her.

She thought, “What a strange friend!”

A middle-aged woman carrying a giant sword.

The maid greeted her.

She thought, “What a scary teacher!”

There was also a slightly disheveled middle-aged man with only one hand.

The maid greeted him.

She thought, “What a strange friend!”

All sorts of people, a wide variety, and the maid politely invited them all in. As the banquet was about to begin, she roughly estimated that there were about two tables of people.

She couldn’t help but think, “Why are they all fellow disciples and friends? Not a single person from the Qiao family?”

The maid was lost in thought for a moment, but at that moment, a young man with a youthful face appeared at the nearby side gate.

The guard at the gate asked, “What are you here for?”

The young man had slightly long eyes, and he was wearing gray cloth clothes. Because of his young face, his smile was also quite shy, “I’m here to congratulate Miss Qiao on her wedding.”

The guard glanced at him, seeing that he had nothing in his hands, no gifts, so he knew this was someone who was just trying to mooch some food and drink.

Thankfully, Lady Liang had instructed them not to bother with such people, so he didn’t chase him away. He kept his eyes on the registration book and asked without looking up, “What’s your name?”

The young man raised his arm, and because of this movement, a string of copper coins tied to his wrist under his sleeve was faintly visible.

He curled his fingers and wrote on the table for the servant who was about to register, “This one, Jing Yiyu.”

Qiao Ling was riding slowly on the streets of the capital when she suddenly felt a chill on her nose.

She paused for a moment, touched her nose, then looked up at the sky.

“Did it rain?”

The attendant beside her heard this and looked up strangely, “No, the weather is fine!”

Qiao Ling’s eyebrows jumped, but she didn’t say anything. She pinched a few calculations in her wide sleeve, then stopped.

The attendant heard her smack her lips, “The people in your capital are truly despicable!”

It wasn’t time for the main dishes yet, but there was plenty of snacks and fruit on the table.

Jing Yiyu sat between two middle-aged men, watching them eat and take snacks. He followed suit, picking up a peach cookie and eating it slowly.

Someone beside him winked at him, “Little brother, whose guest are you?”

The others laughed.

Jing Yiyu also laughed and said, “I came to congratulate Miss Qiao.”

Someone beside him said, “Who here isn’t?”

Everyone laughed again.

Jing Yiyu also laughed, still slowly eating the peach cookie in his hand.

Suddenly, he felt a burning pain on his wrist, as if he had been burned by fire.

Jing Yiyu looked up at the sky.

Ahead was a tall tower. Qiao Ling reined in her horse and stopped, “Wait here for a moment, I’m going to climb the tower to pray for blessings.”

This wasn’t part of the original plan.

The attendant was a bit surprised, but they didn’t want to say anything inauspicious at this time, so they could only say, “Madam, be mindful of the time.”

Qiao Ling said, “I know!” and she was already ten steps away.

She entered the tower gate at the bottom and climbed up the winding path. She calculated the time and stopped at the ninth level. She pushed open the window and suddenly reached out her hand.

She didn’t catch the wind, but she caught a bird.

It was a white-feathered parrot.

It seemed surprised to be caught in mid-flight. Its small body stiffened like a stone, and its bird face, with human-like expressions, was filled with shock. Its black bean-like eyes looked at her in fear.

The feathers on its head were all ruffled.

Qiao Ling smiled at it, “You can be afraid all you want, because I’m not a good person.”

The white-feathered parrot: “!!!”

“Haha, just kidding!”

Qiao Ling grabbed its leg with one hand, and with the other hand, she took a small comb from her pocket and kindly combed the ruffled feathers on its head, “I’m getting married now, so I don’t have time. Would this cute little bird be willing to deliver a message for me?”

Qiao Ling combed its feathers, and the feathers on the white-feathered parrot’s body fell back into place. But soon, they were ruffled again.

Fenghuatai trembled. It couldn’t believe that someone could catch it in mid-air with a simple grab!

After all, it was Fenghuatai!

Even the Bei Zun might not be able to do that!

With its speed and reaction time in flight, to catch it precisely, and when the person needed help…

Unless, it was the result of some kind of rule working in the shadows.

 Fenghuatai knew who this person was.

The procession stopped, and Jiang Mai naturally sensed it.

But it didn’t feel like they had reached their destination.

The veil obscured his vision, and as the “bride,” he couldn’t just lift it and look out.

So he asked the attendant following the sedan chair, “Why did we stop?”

The attendant said, “We’re passing by a tower, Madam has gone to pray for blessings.”

Jiang Mai said, “The agreed-upon process doesn’t seem to include this.”

The attendant said, “Madam must have had a sudden inspiration.”

Then he reassured him, “Don’t worry, we have time!”

Jiang Mai “Oh”, and then he heard the attendant’s voice become noticeably lighter, “Madam is coming out!”

Jiang Mai didn’t say anything, but he slightly furrowed his brows, turned his head slightly, and after a moment, he returned to his original posture.

The wedding procession started moving forward again.

The Duke of Yue’s mansion.

Jing Yiyu stood up with a sigh, wrapped two snacks in a handkerchief, and prepared to leave.

The people around him were surprised, “Don’t leave! It’s about to start, the good food is coming out later!”

Jing Yiyu bowed to them, “If I don’t leave now, I’m afraid it will be too late.”

The people around him were puzzled, “What do you mean…”

While they were talking, Jing Yiyu had already gone out. His thin gray figure flashed past the flowers and trees outside, quickly disappearing.

Gongsun Yan didn’t have much trouble getting the registration book from the side gate.

The attendants were a bit careless in their work. Many names were written hastily, obviously using a simple and easy-to-write homophone—after all, the Duke of Yue’s mansion was rich, and almost all of the hundreds of tables of food were essentially free, why bother remembering so carefully?

Gongsun Yan’s gaze scanned the book, finally landing on a specific spot.

He pointed at it and slowly read, “Jing Yiyu.”

Gongsun Yan asked the attendant who was responsible for registration, “Do you remember this person?”

The attendant knew that he was his lady’s cousin, so he was very polite. He looked at the name carefully, and even though there were many people registered today, he managed to dig up a bit of useful information from his memory, “Yes, I remember!”

He said, “He was a young man, about thirteen or fourteen years old. I don’t remember his face clearly…”

Gongsun Yan said, “So he was quite ordinary?”

The attendant said, “Very ordinary.”

He even flattered him, “If he had your handsome appearance, I would definitely have remembered him, wouldn’t I?!”

Gongsun Yan chuckled, “Since he’s ordinary, there were so many guests, why did you remember him?”

Gongsun Yan had already asked before. There were hundreds of tables of people who came to the Duke of Yue’s mansion to mooch food and drink today. So many people walked past him, how could he remember a person who was just ordinary looking?

“Because he was so young.”

The attendant said without hesitation, “Actually, you should know, many people came here today with their faces thick, rarely any female guests, mostly middle-aged and elderly men. His face was too young, different from the other guests. And also…”

Gongsun Yi said, “And what else?”

“He was very… serious?”

The attendant scratched his head, confused, and said hesitantly, “When other people come, they say their names with a bit of hesitation, they don’t even dare to glance at the registration book, and they even use fake names. But he was different.”

The attendant pointed at the table in front of him, “He seemed afraid that I would write his name wrong, so he wrote it down here himself. That’s why I remember it so clearly.”

Gongsun Yan immediately knew: It couldn’t be anyone else, it was this person!

He asked again, “Did he bring anything?”

The attendant shook his head, “No, he came empty-handed!”

Gongsun Yan was surprised, “Empty-handed, and he specially came to write his name for you?”

“How else would I remember him?”

The attendant mumbled, “Don’t underestimate him, even though he’s young, he’s got a thick face. He didn’t bring anything, but he was very serious when he told me that he was here to congratulate our lady on her wedding…”

Gongsun Yan was thoughtful. Suddenly, he heard someone behind him ask, “Found him?”

Gongsun Yan turned back, pointed at the three characters on the roster, “Jing Yiyu.”

Then he asked, “Did he leave?”

Xiang Huai Tang sneered, “He’s quite clever!”

Qiao Ling, with her bride, slowly turned to the gate of the Duke of Yue’s mansion. As soon as they turned onto the street, firecrackers went off.

She saw a cloud of white smoke rising into the air.

She took a deep breath, eh

What a pure smell of dust and gunpowder!

They dismounted at the gate, then went to pick up the bride. The couple, as usual, were connected by a red ribbon, and they walked into the mansion together.

The sun had already set, and the moon was hanging over the willow branches.

The sky seemed dark, but not quite.

Thousands of torches illuminated the sky, and bags of incense were thrown into huge incense burners, the scent spreading for miles.

The little attendant led the way, guiding the newlyweds to bow to each other, and then tied the two ends of the red ribbon together. The wedding ceremony was complete.

Jiang Mai’s wet nurse, Luo, had been worried all day, afraid that Jiang Mai wouldn’t be able to hold up. Now that the ceremony was over, she quickly helped him to the bridal chamber.

Qiao Ling followed behind like a cat, her heart itching to see what her bride actually looked like.

Luo helped Jiang Mai settle down on the bed.

Someone else brought over red dates, peanuts, and chestnuts and arranged them on a plate. She turned around and saw Qiao Ling like a curious cat, peeking and poking her head. She couldn’t help but laugh, “Madam, what are you doing here?”

Qiao Ling said curiously, “You won’t Lift the veil?”

“Not yet,” Luo said, “All the guests have to be greeted by you. After they’ve left, it’s time for the wedding night.”

Qiao Ling sighed.

Luo couldn’t help but laugh. Usually, it’s the groom who can’t wait to lift the veil, but this time it’s reversed.

But she heard Qiao Ling say, “I’ll talk to the Duke for a moment before I leave.”

Luo, understanding, stepped aside and left with several maids.

Qiao Ling took a step forward, sat down on the bed, a little distance away from Jiang Mai.

They both spoke almost at the same time.

“You…”

“I…”

They both burst into laughter.

Jiang Mai smiled, “Husband, please speak first.”

Qiao Ling found it amusing that he called her that. She hadn’t expected him to have such a personality!

But she said a bit shyly, “I’m going out later, it might be a while before I come back…”

Jiang Mai said, “I’ll wait for you.”

Qiao Ling was even more embarrassed, “It might be a long time.”

Jiang Mai said softly, “It’s okay.”

“Hmm,” Qiao Ling rubbed her nose and asked, “What were you going to say?”

Jiang Mai said gently, “Remember to have people add water to the wine. If you really can’t drink, don’t force yourself.”

Qiao Ling nodded in agreement. She remembered that he was wearing a veil and couldn’t see, so she said, “I’ll remember!”

She stood up, “Then I’m going?”

Jiang Mai smiled slightly, “Husband, take your time.”

In a certain teahouse in the capital of gods.

The puppeteer was performing a puppet show.

His disciples were not present today, but the two girls who played the accompaniment were still by his side.

The audience saw the puppeteer deftly manipulating the puppet, with great emotion and expression, and muttering, “The lady said sincerely, I need you to help me, but this isn’t how you help…”

As he was speaking, he suddenly felt something and turned his head to look to the side.

Jing Yiyu came over with his hands clasped behind his back, just like any other person who came here to pass the time. Seeing him look over, he took the two wrapped snacks from his sleeve and asked, “Want some?”

The puppeteer stopped his movements, “Eat.”

Qiao Ling was led to the front hall. Lady Liang was already there.

She looked her up and down and said, “You look quite spirited.”

Qiao Ling stood tall and smiled reservedly.

Lady Liang then gestured to her to go and greet the important guests later.

She told her in a low voice, “Sitting next to the Old Lady are the Prince of Qi and his wife. The Prince of Qi is the current Emperor’s younger brother and the Empress Dowager’s youngest son. The King of Qi’s wife, Lady Zhuo, is the daughter of a Confusian Classic scholar. Sitting next to her is their only daughter, Princess Funing…”

Qiao Ling asked in a low voice, “What are they like? Are you close with them?”

Lady Liang, amidst her busy schedule, glared at her, “It’s just a matter of going over to say hello. Do you think you’ll have time to chat with them? As for what they’re like and whether I’m close with them, what does it matter to you? Mind your own business!”

Qiao Ling: “Oh, oh, oh.”

Lady Liang continued, “Sitting behind the King of Qi is the Crown Prince of the King of Han. The King of Han is the late Emperor’s younger brother. He’s not doing well lately. His wife has already passed away, so the Crown Prince and his wife are here this time…”

Qiao Ling asked in a low voice, “What are they like? Are you close with them?”

Lady Liang was baffled. She couldn’t help but reach out and twist her ear, angrily saying, “What does it matter to you? Just listen!”

Qiao Ling covered her ear and shrank back a little, “Oh, oh, oh.”

Lady Liang continued, “The people sitting over there are the three Grand Secretaries. On the west side, the princes and princesses led by the Grand Princess. On the east side are the dukes, the older ones and those who are serving outside the capital, they’ve all brought their sons and daughters-in-law—don’t ask me what they’re like or if I’m close with them, what does it have to do with you?!”

This time, Lady Liang took the initiative.

As soon as she finished speaking, before Qiao Ling could even say anything, someone rushed over from the side, looking furious. They grabbed Qiao Ling with one hand and Lady Liang with the other, wailing in a sharp voice, “How can you do this? This is taking a life!”

Lady Xiao Jiang’s face was full of tears, her expression resentful, and she was filled with grief, “I only said that I had a disagreement with my husband, I didn’t ask you to do something so cruel. What couple doesn’t argue? My poor husband and children, you even broke their legs!”

The previously slightly noisy hall fell silent.

Everyone’s eyes were fixed on them.

Lady Liang: “…”

Qiao Ling struggled to free her collar from Lady Xiao Jiang’s grasp, then went to rescue Lady Liang.

Sitting below the Old Lady were the King of Qi and his wife, Lady Zhuo, and their only daughter, Princess Funing.

Below the King of Qi were the Crown Prince of the King of Han and his wife.

On the west side were the princes and princesses led by the Grand Princess. Further away, the three Grand Secretaries and important officials, and the dukes and marquises and their wives…

Lady Liang’s mind echoed with the words she had just said a moment ago. She felt like her soul was flying to the heavens. It was as if a voice was ringing in her ears:

[You and your daughter-in-law have successfully attracted everyone’s attention. If the Duke of Yue’s mansion can only have one center, then it is undoubtedly you two, Qiao and Liang Batian—now you choose…]

Qiao Ling looked at Lady Xiao Jiang, who seemed to be full of tears and anger, then at Lady Liang, whose face was ashen and her eyes cold, and she shrank her neck, whispering, “Mother-in-law.”

She said meekly, “So how exactly are the relationships?”

Lady Liang didn’t even have the energy to glare at her. She barely suppressed the urge to cremate Lady Xiao Jiang right there and then, and forced a smile as she pulled her, “Third Sister, you’ve had too much to drink…”

The Guangde Marquis Wife, Lady Jiang, had also quickly stepped forward, pulling Lady Xiao Jiang from the left and right, saying, “Sister, let’s talk in the back.”

The two sisters-in-law were about to help her leave.

The Duke of Yue’s son-in-law, the Duke of Guangde, also raised his voice and laughed, “Everyone, enjoy yourselves, musicians, continue…”

But Lady Xiao Jiang struggled violently, “I’m not leaving! You want to silence me, but I won’t let you!”

Lady Liang really wanted to punch her!

But she couldn’t do that—to knock someone unconscious in front of so many guests and carry them out, wouldn’t the Duke of Yue’s mansion lose face?

But if she didn’t do that, Lady Xiao Jiang wouldn’t give up. She immediately started yelling and shouting, “Mr. Tang! You are known for your Integrity, can you really stand by and watch someone be wronged without saying anything?! Mr. Tang!”

The guests had mixed expressions, but no one was willing to step forward.

The Li family wasn’t important, and this was considered the Duke of Yue’s family business. Outsiders were all confused, why would they get involved in something so inexplicable?

On the imperial family’s side, Lady Liang was a cousin to the Princess of Qi and Han, their blood ties weren’t that distant, and today was the Duke of Yue’s wedding, so how could they embarrass their cousin?

As for the princes and princesses—if the Duke of Lu were here today, he might have been happy to join in, but he was sick and couldn’t come, so naturally no one was willing to stand up for Lady Xiao Jiang.

The same went for the ministers and nobles.

They either respected the Old Lady, or they cared about the Duke of Yue’s mansion and the Duke of An’s mansion, even if they had some disagreements in court, they wouldn’t dare to speak up.

But this time, Lady Xiao Jiang called out a specific person by name, which changed the meaning.

If they didn’t dare to speak up when they were called out, how could they hold their heads high in court?

Minister Tang, of course, was surnamed Tang, his given name was Wu Ji. He was the Minister of the Menxia Province, one of the three Ministries, and he was known for his integrity.

Now that he was called out by Lady Xiao Jiang, he sighed and stood up, “Grand Lady.”

He was addressing Lady Liang, “It’s better to clarify things. It’s better to expose the truth and make a clear judgment than to cause speculation among outsiders. What do you think?”

As Tang Wuji stood up, he heard his two colleagues behind him whisper to the servants of the Duke of Yue’s mansion, their excitement barely contained, “Quickly, bring me a plate of melon seeds!”

The Fifth Prince, still a young boy, excitedly agreed, “I want a plate too!”

What’s more fun than a lively scene at a banquet!

Tang Wuji: “…”

So annoying, can’t we just eat in peace?!

You’re ruining such a good meal!

Lady Liang’s heart was filled with three intense emotions.

The first was shame!!!

So embarrassing!

On such a joyous day, to make such a scene in front of so many people, it would be the talk of the capital for at least a year. She wouldn’t be able to go out for at least a year!

The second was regret!

She knew Lady Xiao Jiang’s personality. She was someone who always needed attention. If you didn’t help her, she would cry and whine. If you did help her, she would stab you in the back!

Why didn’t she just tell Qiao Batian clearly in the first place? Instead, she had a bit of a sense of schadenfreude, waiting for her to hit this wall?

The third was anger!!!

Lady Liang cursed wildly in her heart—that bitch, Li Wenhe hit her too lightly, why didn’t he just kill her!!!

Doesn’t she know how much I can eat in one sitting? How dare she cause trouble for me at a time like this?

You two bitches are going to die after today, right?!

After we get through this, I’m going to make you pay, damn it!!!!!

Lady Liang felt a fire burning in her stomach. She was so angry that she couldn’t speak.

At that moment, she saw Qiao Ling pouting at her. Lady Liang glanced at her lips and understood. Her legs went weak, and she almost fell to the side.

Qiao Ling grabbed her and helped her up. At the same time, she bent down and whispered in her ear, “Mother-in-law, I have a plan…”

“Don’t be a chatterbox,” Lady Liang interrupted Qiao Batian’s magic, furious, “Get someone to deal with her!!!”