Chapter 249

Did you see that mute today?

Which mute?

A sharp-tongued woman's voice laughed: "In Shang Jing, who else could the mute attending the Elder Princess Manor's banquet be, if not the ugly woman newly married into the Zhao family?"

Are you talking about that ugly thing?

Isn't she ugly? Look at that frightening face; if the Zhao family's young lady walks outside at midnight, she wouldn't need the city guards to patrol—she'd scare off a crowd all by herself.

Laughter burst all around, then dropped to a whisper, turning into murmured gossip.

It's just her good fortune; despite being that ugly, her face covered in scars, she relied on Prince Rui's prestige to forcefully marry General Zhao.

Yes, yes, the Zhao family's young general is suave and handsome beyond compare; marrying such an utterly ugly woman is truly his bad luck.

Madame Zhao's face darkened further; as someone who's been there, she could tell from their tone that these were Shang Jing's noble ladies.

Perhaps she also liked her son's handsome bearing, felt a twinge of jealousy toward Jinzhi, didn't dare speak to her face, so could only gossip behind her back.

If the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law hadn't heard these rumors, it would have been fine, but unfortunately they slipped into their ears.

Jinzhi was used to such talk, but hearing it, Madame Zhao felt a surge of anger.

She strode forward.

A flicker of panic crossed Jinzhi's face; she wanted to advise her mother-in-law to stay calm.

After all, this is the Princess Manor's grounds; if we make a scene, it'll embarrass the Princess Manor and end up causing trouble for Zhao Lang.

After all, Zhao Lang had just returned from the frontier; although he had earned great military merit, his foundation was still shallow.

If we offend the powerful thereafter...

Jinzhi hurried a few steps, grabbed Madame Zhao's arm, and shook her head at her.

Although these words made her feel sad, having heard them often, she had grown accustomed and wasn't so angry.

Here, Madame Zhao was even more indignant than Jinzhi.

Madame Zhao broke free of Jinzhi's grip and stepped into the woods.

Her footsteps drew the attention of the gossiping women, who hastily shut their mouths and stared in alarm.

Madame Zhao entered, and the expressions on the faces of the group were splendid.

Although Madame Zhao had not been in Jing Cheng long, just now those young ladies had each displayed their talents.

She recalled that one standout among them was Qin Ke Xin, the concubine-born daughter of the Wang family in the Ministry of Rites.

Although Qin Ke Xin was a concubine daughter, she was skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and was also famed as a talented lady in Shang Jing.

Qin Ke Xin had given her whole heart to Zhao Lang when he entered the city.

Everyone had thought Zhao Lang would choose a wife from among these aristocratic ladies, but later word spread of his connection to the Prince Rui Manor.

Qin Ke Xin understood that no matter how she struggled, she could not surpass the Prince Rui Manor; she felt resentful but resigned herself.

Unexpectedly, after such a big incident, Qin Ke Xin felt her chance had come.

She even begged her mother to intercede with her father to arrange this marriage with the Zhao family.

Who would have thought her mother hadn't even had a chance to speak to her father when news came from the Zhao side of another marriage alliance with the Prince Rui Manor?

This time, the Prince Rui Manor actually reclaimed that disfigured ugly monster.

That ugly monster named Jinzhi, her face ruined to that state, dares to attend the Princess Manor's banquet without shame?

But with so many people around, she couldn't speak openly, so she invited a few sister-friends to gossip here and curse Jinzhi, venting her spite.

Unexpectedly, this gossip was overheard by Zhao Lang's mother; for a moment, Qin Ke Xin's face flushed red and white.

Beside Qin Ke Xin stood a tall, gorgeous lady dressed in flamboyant finery—none other than Duan Qing Qing, the eldest daughter of Shang Jing's foremost clan, the Duan family.

Duan Qing Qing relied on her status as the Duan family's eldest daughter; her aunt was the Noble Consort Duan.

Her cousin was the Third Prince Xiao Wei, whose name struck fear throughout Shang Jing.

But lately Xiao Wei has caused such a huge incident that the Duan family is already in utter chaos.

Even the usually arrogant Duan Qing Qing had to restrain herself; seeing those noble ladies primping, she felt especial disgust.

Duan Qing Qing believed only the world's most exalted man could be worthy of her.

Even the Young Marquis Cheng Ming meant nothing to her.

Qin Ke Xin's forte was fawning and flattery; naturally she won Duan Qing Qing's favor, and the two were like-minded.

Hiding in this grove, sitting in the pavilion to admire flowers and chat, they didn't expect the master to overhear.

Qin Ke Xin was already flustered, after all she liked the young Zhao general; she never imagined these words would be heard clearly by the general's mother.

Seated to the side, Duan Qing Qing remained calm and unconcerned, holding a handkerchief, she lifted her gaze and coldly stared at Jinzhi.

Jinzhi was a woman from the Prince Rui Manor; seeing someone from that manor, Duan Qing Qing naturally felt increased hatred.

Although Duan Qing Qing was also good-looking, she had grown rather sharp-tongued and spiteful.

He waved the handkerchief in his hand, lightly touched it to his nose, and coldly laughed: "How can such a proper Princess Manor reek of a poor, sour smell?"

"A country bumpkin wild chicken, actually thinking she'd flown up to become a phoenix, tail perked up—what is she?"

Qin Ke Xin's eyes flashed, and her expression instantly turned a bit smug.

He simply couldn't stand Jinzhi's lifeless appearance; even now, facing Zhao Lang's mother, he couldn't say much.

At this moment, Duan Qing Qing's insult toward Jinzhi made her feel immensely satisfied.

Just a disfigured ugly monster, whose mother was a former prostitute—what right does she have to stand equal with them?

Madame Zhao's face changed instantly; she took a few steps forward.

She had practiced martial arts since childhood; this time she carried a bit of ferocity as she stood before Duan Qing Qing.

Duan Qing Qing was startled by Madame Zhao's aura, slowly rose, and coldly gazed at her.

"Madame Zhao, what do you mean?"

Madam Zhao's face darkened, but she instinctively shielded Jinzhi behind her, coldly staring at the several women before her.

「What a noble lady from Jing Cheng's golden branches and jade leaves; even we country girls know to gossip behind people's backs about their merits and faults—this is not the conduct of a gentleman! 」

「Each one still thinks she is as beautiful as a nation's glory, unaware that her heart has turned ugly, and even her appearance has become hideous, making one look upon her with increasing disdain. 」

「Who are you talking about? 」

Duan Qingqing had been holding a grudge these past days; she didn't want to be snapped at by an old country woman, and her face instantly darkened.

She is usually domineering; how could she tolerate Lady Zhao pointing at her to her face?

「Well! Your son merely earned this once military merit, yet you, relying on your son's valor, have become arrogant—who gave you the guts? 」

Lady Zhao snorted and laughed: "Of course it's my son who gave me the guts—could it be that you lot of ugly women gave it to me?"