Chapter 35 – Come, Let’s Eat Together

Side Consort Jing cleared her throat.

“Hmm…” She dragged out the sound, trying to find something else to mock Shu Ruohua for.

But after pacing around the room for a while, she still couldn’t think of any new faults that she hadn’t already pointed out.

Shu Ruohua lazily propped her chin on the table, casting a sidelong glance at her. “Well? Say it already.”

Side Consort Jing stammered, “I…”

She choked on her words, at a loss.

Shu Ruohua was clearly trying to provoke her on purpose—but she couldn’t get angry.

She worked hard to compose herself, pretending to remain calm and indifferent.

Then, as if something suddenly occurred to her, she curled her lips into a sneer. “Just look at this floor—it’s cracked and filthy. Compared to the Liuli Hall, it’s like heaven and earth!”

Liuli Hall was paved with top-grade nanmu wood, which was leagues above the cold stone bricks under Shu Ruohua’s feet.

Shu Ruohua lazily nodded. “Mm.”

Side Consort Jing was visibly dissatisfied with both her response and her casual attitude.

“What’s with that tone?!”

She, the dignified Side Consort of the Crown Prince, had stood there lecturing for so long, and yet Shu Ruohua—merely a discarded consort—remained seated the entire time.

At first, she thought Shu Ruohua was being obedient, saying nothing in return.

Only now did she realize—Shu Ruohua was completely brushing her off.

Her face flushed red in anger as she stormed toward Shu Ruohua.

She was determined to yank this vixen up and take her seat.

But—

Just as her hand was about to grab Shu Ruohua, her foot caught on something, and she stumbled clumsily.

“Ahhh!!” With a sharp scream, Side Consort Jing fell flat on her rear, thoroughly humiliated.

Shu Ruohua’s eyes widened in surprise.

She turned around and looked at the now-face-down Side Consort Jing, barely holding back a laugh. “…”

But since this had happened on her own turf, she forced herself to hold it in.

Qiu Yue quickly rushed over to help her mistress up.

Side Consort Jing’s face was twisted in pain.

As she managed to stand up, one thought filled her mind: Shu Ruohua must’ve tripped me on purpose.

She angrily shouted, “Shu Ruohua, how dare you trip me?!”

Shu Ruohua looked innocent. “Don’t go falsely accusing me. I’ve been sitting here the whole time—how could I have tripped you?”

She had been sitting the whole time—only, she’d stretched her legs out just a little.

Side Consort Jing lost her temper. “It was obviously you—I could feel it!”

Though she hadn’t seen it happen, Shu Ruohua was the only one close enough.

It had to be her.

This woman was just as wicked as Side Consort Yang had said.

Shu Ruohua raised her hands innocently. “I didn’t do it.”

Side Consort Jing: “You did!”

“I didn’t!”

“You did!!”

“…”

Qian Ning: “…”
Qiu Yue: “…”

Finally…

Shu Ruohua had enough. “Ugh—fine, fine, quit yapping!”

Before, she’d thought Side Consort Jing was just naive, which made it easy for others to use her.

Now, she realized this woman was just too single-minded.

Side Consort Jing, her little face flushed red, still refused to give up. “It was you who tripped me!”

Shu Ruohua: “…”

She really didn’t want to keep arguing about this.

She asked, exasperated, “Have you eaten yet?”

Side Consort Jing paused, startled.

Shu Ruohua was clearly trying to change the subject to dodge responsibility.

“Don’t think you can change the topic!”

Shu Ruohua: “…”

She turned to Qian Ning. “Serve the food. Let’s eat.”

Qian Ning frowned. “But…”

She was about to say that the Crown Prince hadn’t arrived yet, but upon seeing Side Consort Jing, she stopped herself.

She couldn’t let her know the Crown Prince would be dining here tonight—otherwise, Side Consort Jing would definitely make trouble for her lady again.

“Serve the food now!” Shu Ruohua urged again.

Qian Ning had no choice and didn’t dare speak further.

She went off to bring the dishes.

Once the food was served—

Shu Ruohua looked toward Side Consort Jing and said cheerfully, “Come on, come on, let’s eat together!”

…

…

(End of Chapter)