BDSMST -Chapter 95 The Battlefield of the Inner Courtyard — A Hongmen Banquet of Noblewomen

In the blink of an eye, the three-day deadline arrived.

The flower-viewing banquet was held at Shufang Pavilion on the western side of the Imperial Garden—one of the most scenic spots in the palace, where exotic flowers and rare plants bloomed in every season.

Jiang Suisui wore a lake-blue gown that day. The hem was embroidered with layered ripple patterns in matching silk thread, shimmering subtly as she moved. As always, she avoided heavy makeup, applying only a light touch of powder to brighten her complexion. Her hair was styled simply, adorned on one side with a red-gold kingfisher-feather hair ornament that the Empress had previously bestowed upon her.

She looked every bit the First-Rank titled lady—elegant yet not ostentatious—like a piece of warm, lustrous jade, dignified in her own quiet way.

“Mother, you look so beautiful today,” Gu Xuan said, gazing up at her with sincere admiration.

Gu Yan stood nearby, watching his wife with a deep, thoughtful gaze. He knew that her seemingly simple attire had been carefully chosen. It needed to command respect without inviting gossip—especially not the kind that would accuse a “woman from the countryside” of losing her composure upon sudden elevation.

“Once inside the palace, be cautious in everything,” he said, adjusting her collar. “You needn’t worry about the Empress or the Crown Princess. The ones to guard against are… the others.”

By “the others,” he naturally meant the families aligned with the Marquis of Anyuan.

“I understand,” Jiang Suisui replied. “Don’t worry. I’m no longer the Jiang Suisui who could be bullied three years ago.”

With that calm confidence, she boarded the carriage bound for the palace.

Within the Imperial Garden, the air was already filled with fragrance and laughter.

Nearly all the prominent noblewomen of the capital had gathered. They stood in small groups, fanning themselves with round silk fans, sipping fragrant tea, chatting and smiling in apparent harmony.

But when Jiang Suisui appeared at the entrance of Shufang Pavilion, the voices abruptly ceased.

Dozens of eyes turned toward her in unison.

Curiosity. Scrutiny. Jealousy. Appraisal.

A web of complex emotions descended upon her all at once.

“Well, if it isn’t our Great Xia’s ‘Bodhisattva Jiang,’ the First-Rank Lady Protector of the Nation?”

A sharp, slightly piercing voice broke the silence.

The speaker was Madam Wang, wife of Minister Li of the Ministry of Personnel—whose husband was a loyal supporter of the Marquis of Anyuan. She had been among the noblewomen once stopped outside the city gates under the pretext of epidemic prevention, losing face in the process.

Jiang Suisui turned toward the voice.

Madam Wang wore a pomegranate-red gown, her hair glittering with gold pins and jeweled ornaments. She held an embroidered handkerchief stitched with mandarin ducks to her lips, smiling with false sweetness.

Several equally lavishly dressed women surrounded her, their gazes toward Jiang Suisui tinged with hostility.

Jiang Suisui ignored the provocation. Without shifting her gaze, she walked straight ahead to the Empress and performed a proper curtsey.

“This humble wife, Jiang, greets Your Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty be blessed with peace and prosperity.”

The Empress looked in good spirits today. Smiling gently, she raised a hand. “Lady Protector, rise. Be seated.”

Her gaze toward Jiang Suisui was warm, with a faint trace of approval. Clearly, Jiang Suisui’s attire pleased her—dignified without overstepping, respectful yet confident.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Under the guidance of a palace maid, Jiang Suisui took the first seat on the left.

It was a position second only to those reserved for imperial kin, highlighting her status as First-Rank Lady Protector of the Nation.

The moment she sat down, countless eyes—openly or discreetly—shot toward her.

Madam Wang’s fingers tightened around her handkerchief, her knuckles paling. She let out a cold laugh and spoke again.

“I’ve long heard that when the Lady Protector lived in the countryside, she enjoyed a life like that of an immortal. Growing fresh vegetables in winter and concocting that miraculous ‘Peaceful Safety Decoction’ that brings the dying back to life. Now that I see you in person—truly a celestial beauty. So unlike us ordinary mortals.”

Though her words sounded like praise, each one carried a hidden barb.

“Countryside.” “Life of immortals.” “Celestial beauty.”

Every phrase subtly emphasized Jiang Suisui’s humble origins and insinuated that her methods were unusual—mocking her as unworthy of her current standing.

The other noblewomen pricked up their ears, waiting eagerly for the spectacle.

Jiang Suisui lifted the teacup before her and gently skimmed off the foam with the lid. Her movements were graceful and unhurried. It was as though she had not detected the hidden barbs in Madam Wang’s words. She merely smiled faintly.

“Madam Wang flatters me. I merely understand a little about farming—nothing more than some simple methods of following the seasons and improving the soil. As for the ‘Peaceful Safety Decoction,’ it was a matter of timing and fortune. I was lucky enough to save a few commoners and dare not claim the credit. All of it was thanks to His Majesty’s boundless blessings and Her Majesty’s compassionate heart that danger was turned aside.”

Her response was flawless. She humbly explained the origin of her so-called “immortal life,” attributed all merit to the Emperor and Empress, and lowered her posture so thoroughly that no fault could be found.

Madam Wang felt as though she had punched into cotton. Her expression darkened.

Beside her sat a younger woman in a goose-yellow dress—the niece-in-law of the Marquis of Anyuan, surnamed Zhou. Seeing Madam Wang thwarted, she picked up the thread with a smile.

“Madam is far too modest. I’ve heard that your estate at Woniu Village is practically a treasure basin. Winter greens selling for more than meat, and those immortal fruits called ‘strawberries’ costing a full tael of silver each! We ladies in the capital cannot even get a taste. I truly wonder what magical art you use to turn stone into gold. Might you teach us?”

This was far more malicious.

The topic had been steered directly toward money—implying that Jiang Suisui was greedy for profit. A marquis’s wife behaving like a merchant, haggling over gains—hardly befitting noble dignity.

Even more insidious, Madam Zhou had openly asked her to share her “magic.” It was a deliberate trap.

If Jiang Suisui refused, she would seem petty and secretive.

If she agreed, who knew what accusations—sorcery, witchcraft—might follow?

All eyes turned to Jiang Suisui, sharp with scrutiny and anticipation. They were eager to see how this newly elevated Lady Protector would navigate such a dilemma.

Even the Empress at the head of the table set down her teacup, watching with interest.

The atmosphere tightened like a drawn bowstring.

Yet Jiang Suisui remained composed. She gently placed her teacup down with a clear “ding.” The sound was not loud, but it sharpened everyone’s attention.

She lifted her gaze to Madam Zhou, her smile warm.

“Madam Zhou jests. I have no magic arts—only that I put in a little more thought than others.”

She paused, sweeping her eyes across the gathered noblewomen. Her tone was calm, but her voice carried clearly to every ear.

“In truth, the method of growing vegetables in winter is not so mysterious once explained.”

The words stunned them.

They had not expected Jiang Suisui to publicly reveal a secret worth its weight in gold.

A flicker of surprise crossed Madam Zhou’s face. She had meant only to embarrass Jiang Suisui—never imagining that her opponent would refuse to follow the usual script.

“Oh? Then please, enlighten us,” she said, forced to continue.

Jiang Suisui rose and gave a respectful bow to the Empress. “Your Majesty, it is not my intention to keep secrets. However, the explanation is somewhat lengthy. If I elaborate here, I fear it may disturb Your Majesty’s and the ladies’ refined enjoyment.”

“It is no matter,” the Empress said, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. “I, too, am quite curious about your estate. Speak freely. If you speak well, there shall be a reward.”

With the Empress’s approval, Jiang Suisui had no further reservations.

She knew the moment to strike had arrived.

She would show these women—who concerned themselves only with inner-court rivalries and jeweled hairpins—that the height at which Jiang Suisui stood was beyond their reach.

Clearing her throat, she was about to begin when she noticed that the Crown Princess, who had been sitting quietly in a corner with barely any presence, suddenly lifted her head and offered her an encouraging smile.

Jiang Suisui’s heart stirred. She returned the smile.

Today, it seemed, she had gained an unexpected ally.

Steadying herself, she spoke clearly:

“In truth, to grow vegetables in winter, one need only imitate nature itself—creating a warm, moist little environment.”

“We call it… a greenhouse.”