FBC – Chapter 243 The Palace Banquet

After hearing Jiang Jingchuan’s plan, Jiang Ruoxi immediately felt a surge of satisfaction.

“Big Brother, that’s a brilliant idea! We’ll return her schemes in kind. Today, that wretched woman must be utterly ruined. Once her reputation is destroyed, the Second Prince’s backing will collapse too. Let’s see how he continues dreaming of becoming Crown Prince!”

Jiang Jingchuan gave a short hum. “Be careful when you go out. Don’t let anyone see you.”

“I know,” Jiang Ruoxi replied, casting him a resentful sidelong glance.

“I heard you’ve taken another concubine, Brother? Sister-in-law doesn’t care? When she first married in, she dared to treat me like that—”

“Alright, my little sister.”

Jiang Jingchuan smiled helplessly and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, gently guiding her toward the door.

“You know how Father and Mother are—they wish I could produce a boatload of sons. Your sister-in-law wouldn’t dare utter a word of protest.”

Jiang Ruoxi’s heart was full of resentment.

It was all that vile woman Gu Hua’s fault!

Ever since Yuan Jieying married into the Jiang family and discovered the feelings between her husband and Jiang Ruoxi, she had treated Jiang Ruoxi with open disdain. Once, she even caught the two together in a room, made a scene, and brought it before the parents. From then on, everyone in the Jiang household knew.

Since then, the Jiang family had been eager to marry Jiang Ruoxi off—as long as it was to a man whose family could rival their own, so that Jiang Jingchuan wouldn’t dare continue thinking about her.

In the end, they decided the best choice was the eldest son-in-law, Mu Junyan. That way, they could also help the Empress Dowager and control the Mu family army, counterbalancing the Emperor and Empress’s power.

But that vile Gu Hua ruined everything!

Because of the imperial betrothal scandal—when she was proposed to and then rejected—she lost all dignity. Her reputation was in tatters, and even the Empress Dowager, who had always doted on her, ignored her now.

Now, her only remaining path was to enter the palace as a consort.

But even her aunt, Consort Jiang, no longer liked her!

All because of that wretched Gu Hua!

The banquet at Linshui Hall had already been set. Officials of the third rank and above, along with their family members, were invited.

The Empress had gone to change her attire, leaving Gu Hua to enter the grand hall alone. An attendant led her to her seat.

Her gaze briefly landed on a cold-faced palace maid. They exchanged a quick glance before the maid swiftly left the hall, disappearing from sight.

Gu Hua couldn’t help but press her lips into a smile.

Even disguised as a maid, Shen Li would never put on a fawning face.

Zhao Chufei was chatting at a nearby table with a few noble ladies. Seeing Gu Hua, she immediately stood up. “Madam Mu, would you care to join us?”

The other young ladies also rose, though one whispered, “She’s still in mourning—wouldn’t that be inappropriate?”

A single sharp look from Zhao Chufei made the girl instantly fall silent.

Seeing her genuine warmth, Gu Hua decided to head over—

“Gu Hua! I’ve been looking for you everywhere. Why are you only arriving now?”

Jiang Ruoxi approached with a smile, holding a wine cup, a maid beside her carrying a wine jug.

Gu Hua arched a brow.

So she’s here.

Feigning surprise, she said, “County Princess Jiang looking for me? How rare.”

Ignoring the sarcasm, Jiang Ruoxi signaled her maid to pour wine and said sweetly, “Since Mu Junyan is gone, the misunderstandings between us should also be cleared up. The man is no longer here, so there’s nothing left for us to fight over, is there?”

Gu Hua smiled. “My husband never once set his eyes on you, County Princess. So where did this ‘fighting’ ever come from?”

Neither woman made any effort to lower her voice. The surrounding noblewomen caught every word. With just one exchange, it was like a stone dropped into a still pond—ripples of gossip spread instantly.

Jiang Ruoxi’s smile froze, her face turning stiff and pale with fury. She glared venomously, barely suppressing her urge to tear that hateful woman apart.

Holding two cups of wine, she gritted her teeth. “So you won’t drink this toast, then?”

Gu Hua smirked. “The Jiang family and I have already torn off all pretenses. How could I possibly drink this cup?”

Jiang Ruoxi’s hands trembled so much she nearly spilled the wine—but she had to make her drink it!

“Gu Hua, must you be so overbearing? It’s just a drink—don’t embarrass the County Princess.”

Qian Peizhu came over with her own cup, followed by several other ladies from Jiang Ruoxi’s circle, all closing in.

Seeing this, Zhao Chufei immediately rose with her companions and walked over.

“What do you think you’re doing?” she said coldly. “If the County Princess wishes to offer a toast, that’s her choice—but forcing someone to drink? That’s hardly proper.”

Gu Hua hadn’t expected Zhao Chufei to step in for her.

Zhao Chufei took her hand. “Come, don’t mind them.”

“Well, well, look at my little sister—so domineering in public. All your etiquette lessons must’ve gone straight to the dogs.”

A group of women entered in a grand, imposing procession, led by a richly dressed lady who cast Zhao Chufei a cold glance.

All the noblewomen quickly bowed. “We greet the Princess Consort of the First Prince.”

The Princess Consort of the First Prince—Zhao Chuyu?

Gu Hua glanced at her.

She knew the two half-sisters were at odds. Rumor had it that Zhao Chufei’s mother had been the Marquis’s childhood sweetheart. Later, he married Zhao Chuyu’s mother under family pressure. The marriage was loveless; his true affection had always belonged to Zhao Chufei’s mother.

After Zhao Chuyu’s mother died of anger, he married his beloved immediately—by then, Zhao Chufei’s mother was already two months pregnant.

Publicly, they claimed Zhao Chufei had been born prematurely, but everyone knew the truth.

Whatever the gossip, it was clear the Marquis adored Zhao Chufei’s mother deeply—he never took concubines, and even Zhao Chufei’s name was chosen anew by a scholar. She was the apple of her parents’ eye.

Now, her pampered half-sister was set to marry the Second Prince. The two stood on opposite sides—in both family and political allegiance.

Zhao Chufei curtseyed slightly, her tone even. “The one being overbearing is she who forces another to drink. I merely speak for justice. Elder Sister, is your eyesight failing lately? Has all that nightly music and your weeping over it taken a toll?”

Zhao Chuyu’s expression darkened. “How dare you!”

Gu Hua didn’t want these two to start a fight over her—she had more important matters to handle.

She curtsied politely to Zhao Chuyu. “Princess Consort, there are many people present. For sisters to quarrel before outsiders would only harm your grace.”

Before Zhao Chuyu could respond, Gu Hua’s gaze shifted to Jiang Ruoxi. “It’s just a cup of wine, isn’t it?”

She took the cup from the maid’s hand, downed it in one gulp, and turned it upside down to show it was empty.

Then she sneered. “Drinking it doesn’t mean I accept your apology.”

With that, she turned to Zhao Chufei and smiled softly. “Miss Zhao, shall we go sit?”

“You—!”

Being publicly dismissed by the woman she despised most, Jiang Ruoxi’s fury exploded. Eyes blazing, she shoved the maid beside her—the maid stumbled, sending the wine jug flying toward Gu Hua.

The maid fell heavily to the ground.

Gasps erupted around the hall. Gu Hua turned, finding her skirt soaked and stained.

Zhao Chufei frowned. “County Princess Jiang! You’ve gone too far!”

Jiang Ruoxi snorted coldly. “It wasn’t me—it was this clumsy wench who couldn’t stand straight.”

She flicked her wrist. “Guards! Drag this lowly creature out and beat her to death!”

The maid, terrified, clung to Jiang Ruoxi’s leg and sobbed. “Please, County Princess, spare me! I beg you!”

All eyes turned toward them; some guests even came closer to watch.

Zhao Chufei snapped, “Jiang Ruoxi, you clearly pushed her! She’s a palace maid—punishment isn’t yours to give!”

Jiang Ruoxi scoffed arrogantly. “I have more authority than you to punish servants.”

The argument was about to escalate when Gu Hua gently held Zhao Chufei’s arm. “Never mind. I’ll just go change.”

She added lightly, “County Princess Jiang, this is His Majesty’s banquet. If you start making a scene here, I doubt it will end well.”

Jiang Ruoxi glared and kicked the maid aside. “Get out, useless trash!”

The maid dared not cry anymore. She quickly thanked her for sparing her life and ran off in a panic.

Jiang Ruoxi suddenly smiled again, stepping closer to Gu Hua. “The Empress Dowager’s rest chambers are nearby. I’ll take you there to change.”

Zhao Chufei quickly interjected, holding Gu Hua’s hand. “There’s a separate changing hall for officials’ wives. I’ll have someone take you.”

Just then, a palace maid approached and bowed politely. “Madam Mu, please follow me.”

Gu Hua nodded and gave Zhao Chufei a reassuring look, then followed the maid away.