When the banquet was about to start, Gong Xiaohua and Qin Chuqin only found out then what had happened after they left the place where the gossip took place.
It turned out that because He Lianyu and the sons of prominent families who were serving as soldiers together with him at the Xiyuan Barracks were also attending the banquet, they overheard the daughters of prominent families badmouthing Gong Xiaohua. Feeling it was harsh on their ears, without saying anything further, He Lianyu brought his men out and satirized the group of ladies led by the Sixth Prince Consort Lin Yueru, angering the Sixth Prince Consort whose face flushed red one moment and turned pale the next.
"What exactly are you people worth? Others are on the battlefield killing enemies and protecting the people from displacement and suffering. She is a general in my Dayi Dynasty who deserves people's respect. But you all? Relying on the shade cast by your ancestors, seeing yourself as superior, strip off your fine clothes and see who still wants to take a second look at you."
"Crown Prince, it is not very gentlemanly to eavesdrop on what women are saying." Lin Yueru said with an innocent face.
"Humph. I have never claimed to be a gentleman in the first place."
"You people are truly hypocritical. Speaking ill of others behind their backs yet have the nerve to say others are not gentlemanly. Saying one thing to their face and another behind their backs. If I were Qin Chuyuan I wouldn't want you either." He Lianyu said disdainfully looking at the Sixth Prince Consort Lin Yueru.
The last sentence had completely touched Lin Yueru's sore spot. "He Lianyu, don't think that just because you are the Crown Prince, I can't do anything to you." The Sixth Prince Consort said angrily.
"Go ahead and show me what you've got."
"You..." Lin Yueru was so angry by He Lianyu that she was rendered speechless, her face turning dark.
"What you... I'll be waiting anytime. Let's go." He Lianyu said arrogantly as he left with his gang.
He Lianyu is recognized among the nobility circle as a debauched son. But his status is noble and he is doted on by His Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, hence no one dares to offend him.
While some people don't associate with them, there are also sons and daughters of prominent families who are attracted by their status and like to follow them, hoping to be on good terms with them. Especially towards He Lianyu. The Concubine of the Prince Chen has announced that she will be selecting the Crown Prince Consort for him.
They were originally just intending to find a place to play a game of wine pot guessing game. They didn't expect to hear those ladies demeaning Gong Xiaohua when they were passing by the pavilion. Feeling uncomfortable by what they heard, they couldn't stand it and walked over to the pavilion.
After this incident, words spread from one to ten, to a hundred. Those who attended the banquet came to know about He Lianyu arguing with the Sixth Prince Consort and her ladies-in-waiting. Even their expressions and tone of voice were vividly mimicked.
Naturally, this matter was also brought to the Eldest Princess who scoffed disdainfully, "The prince consort married by that Sixth Prince really is an embarrassment."
After losing face, the Sixth Prince Consort Lin Yueru took the chance when Gong Xiaohua was alone and angrily said to her: "Just you wait and see, you guys won't last long. One day, you all will be trampled under my feet, begging me like a dog."
Gong Xiaohua and company did not respond but only frowned slightly, pondering the implication behind her words.
While Lin Yueru thought she had intimidated the other party and left arrogantly, she ultimately underestimated Gong Xiaohua's perceptiveness and was unaware that her words had aroused Gong Xiaohua's suspicion which indirectly led to the downfall of the Lin family and Sixth Prince's plans. She also caused her own death from jealousy in the end.
What Gong Xiaohua didn't expect was that He Lianyu's group would actually stand up for her. It seems the tempering in the army was quite effective after all.
At the banquet, men and women sat opposite one another. Coincidentally, not far in front of Gong Xiaohua's left was He Lianyu and the sons of prominent families behind him. She raised her wine glass towards their direction as thanks. Although she felt that the nasty remarks from Lin Yueru and company would not affect her.
Yet, this was the first time He Lianyu had seen Gong Xiaohua dressed as a woman face-to-face, and strangely felt his face become hot.
At the banquet, the Concubine of the Prince Chen witnessed her son's reaction towards Gong Xiaohua's toast and her five flavors were mixed up in confusion. Nowadays whenever her son had free time at home, he would either be practicing martial arts or researching military strategy books. He no longer went out causing trouble. As his mother, she was the first to sense his rapid growth and maturation. Her Majesty was right. Although this girl is young, she is upright and capable. She was also grateful towards Gong Xiaohua.
But regarding today's argument between him and Lin Yueru, this was the first time she saw her own son standing up for another girl, even though that person was his superior officer.
And just now looking at his reaction when the other party toasted him, she was afraid that after spending so much time together, her son had developed forbidden feelings. Given her son's stubborn character, she was really worried that one day, he would recklessly charge ahead into it unable to withdraw even if he wanted to.
She didn't think Gong Xiaohua was not good enough. It was just that Gong Xiaohua already had a husband. And her ideal daughter-in-law would be gentle, graceful, understanding and best if she treated her son like the center of her world, wholeheartedly taking good care of him.
The Prince Chen's Concubine felt an unprecedented sense of crisis rushing in. No, she had to quickly facilitate the marriage alliance with the Miss Wu from the Wu Imperial Censor's house. The complex thoughts in her heart were unknown to both parties involved.
At the banquet, the sons and daughters of prominent families kept showcasing their talents on stage.
When it reached the halfway mark, whether intentionally or unintentionally, she suddenly stood up and asked Gong Xiaohua: "I heard that the Fifth Young Mistress Qin's knife skills are unmatched. I wonder if we might have the fortune to witness it with our own eyes?"
As soon as she spoke, it caught the Eldest Princess's interest as well. "I'm also very curious. I wonder if the Young Mistress can give us a performance to feast our eyes on."
"In response Princess, the knife your subject practices is meant to kill. It does not possess any artistic value. Please forgive me Princess for being unable to accede to your request." Gong Xiaohua rejected as she stood up.
The atmosphere instantly quietened down. Some people didn't even dare to breathe loudly, while the Qin family members broke out in a cold sweat, afraid that the Princess would punish them.
Yet the Eldest Princess was not angry. Instead, she even helped to diffuse the situation for Gong Xiaohua. "You make a fair point too. Since today's weather is so nice, forcing you wouldn't be appropriate. I shall not make things difficult for the Young Mistress then. Please continue everyone."
"Thank you Princess deeply for your understanding. Your subject is extremely grateful."
After the Princess's stance, no one would be silly enough to continue putting Gong Xiaohua in a spot. Moreover, Gong Xiaohua was also rarely in high spirits as she drank fine wine while appreciating the sight of "beauties competing to outshine the others".
On the other hand, He Lianyu felt more irritable. His mother's personal maid came to inform him that later when Miss Wu from the Wu Imperial Censor performed the zither, he must pay close attention. Even if it wasn't Miss Wu, he could also take the chance to check out the other young ladies. The implied meaning was obvious, it was a roundabout way to get him to look at the ladies present.
After the banquet, many went to soak in the hot springs together. But the Qin family from the third branch chose to bid the Princess farewell, as Gong Xiaohua and Qin Chuqin had been at the center of gossip recently. The Third Madam Qin was worried that more trouble would occur.
Back at the Qin residence, seeing that Gong Xiaohua was still in pretty good mood, Qin Chuyuan asked: "Did you enjoy yourself at today's banquet?"
"Better than I imagined."
"That's good to know."
"However, today I heard some meaningful words with implications from Lin Yueru. I suggest investigating the Lin family's power beyond the Capital City. There may be some gains."
"What do you mean?"
Gong Xiaohua told Qin Chuyuan everything that Lin Yueru said to her as well as her suspicions.
"To err on the side of caution, I will send people to secretly investigate the Lin family. If there are any irregularities, I will memorialize it to the Crown Prince in due time."
