Chapter 412: Speaking Up for Her

For a moment the atmosphere in the flower hall froze, and everyone anxiously looked toward Lin Rujun.

Princess Yuan Qing's face darkened to the extreme, she coldly stared at Lin Rujun: "Hah! What are you? How dare you speak to me like that!"

Lin Rujun raised her head and said: "I am nothing, I am a person; I only know that as a human, one should respect the dead, be kind and virtuous, speak properly, and act appropriately."

"This is the proper conduct of being human!"

"Etiquette?" Princess Yuan Qing was already furious; she hadn't imagined that coming here to unwind would be openly challenged by a Southern Qi noble lady, and she certainly wouldn't give in.

She slammed the table, stood up, pointed at Lin Rujun before her and shouted: "I am the Princess of Bei Di—how dare you be so insolent!"

"I have already been granted marriage by the Emperor and am the principal wife of the Third Prince; you dare to overstep your station, ignoring all hierarchy—seize her! Slap her!"

"Your Highness!" Princess Fu Qing, not expecting things to blow up, hastily rose and laughed: "Your Highness, why bother?"

"Your Highness's wedding is imminent; my father the Emperor attaches great importance to it—causing trouble at this critical juncture is hardly appropriate."

Princess Yuan Qing glanced at Princess Fu Qing, who was clearly trying to shield her; her hatred grew, she gritted her teeth and sneered: "What? Is this how Southern Qi does things—allowing an ordinary noble lady to freely criticize the imperial family?"

"Since Southern Qi observes no etiquette, Bei Di need not bother with any either; I, the Princess, will return to Bei Di and seek justice from my royal brother!"

As Princess Yuan Qing's words fell, everyone sucked in a cold breath.

They had thought Princess Yuan Qing had come just for fun, but now it seemed she was not looking for amusement but for trouble.

Who would have thought Princess Yuan Qing would use this as a pretext to demand the annulment of the marriage alliance?

This matter is bound to blow up.

Lin Rujun's expression also shifted slightly; she was angry that Gu Jiu Ling was dead, yet these lowly people still would not let her go—she could bear it no longer, which is why she spoke up.

Now I don't want Princess Yuan Qing to come straight to pick a quarrel; she's seeking to break off the engagement. Although it's her fault, the matter originated from her, and we fear offending the Emperor—ultimately it will still be trouble for the Lin family.

Thinking this, Lin Rujun stepped forward, left her seat, faced Princess Yuan Qing, raised her head and declared loudly: "Since it is I, Lin Rujun, who has offended Your Highness, there is no need to escalate this to a national matter—whether you strike or kill me, I accept the punishment willingly."

Lin Rujun fell to her knees with a thud.

The surrounding noble ladies were instantly at a loss, wondering what sort of affair this was.

Things had come to this pass out of nowhere, yet they ended up admiring Lin Rujun—this woman truly had some backbone.

On the side, Princess Fu Qing's brows furrowed slightly, her gaze grew colder, she rose slowly and smiled at Princess Yuan Qing: "Your Highness, why get angry? When ladies sit together, idle chatter is inevitable—there's no need to be upset."

Moreover, Your Highness bears the important mission of your nation's emperor to Southern Qi; if you run back to Bei Di over such a trifle, it will make you seem narrow‑minded.

By then, Southern Qi wouldn't mind either; I've heard Your Highness is the eldest princess of Bei Di, with many lovely younger sisters—this marriage alliance is inevitable, the only question is whom to choose.

Princess Fu Qing usually speaks softly and gently, but this time her few words were laced with barbs, somewhat stinging.

One must know that the current marriage alliance between Bei Di and Southern Qi is not only desired by Southern Qi; Bei Di is equally eager.

The last time Princess Yuan Qing visited Southern Qi she already lost all face; if she causes another mishap this time, when she returns she may not even be able to get past her imperial brother.

Princess Yuan Qing's eyes flickered slightly as she fixed a hard stare on Princess Fu Qing; she had never thought much of this woman before, but now she realized she was formidable.

Yet her pent‑up frustration and anger needed an outlet; she snorted coldly, turned, and looked at Lin Rujun kneeling before her.

This woman's staunch defense of Gu Jiu Ling shows that her relationship with Gu Jiu Ling is certainly not ordinary.

Since I cannot kill Gu Jiu Ling, destroying her friends will do; I'll consider it venting this spite.

She silently ground her back teeth, a flash of malice crossing her eyes.

"I, the Princess, will not stoop to the level of this shrew—guards! Slap her thirty times! Then this matter will be settled."

Lin Rujun's brows furrowed slightly, yet she had no regret for speaking up for the deceased Gu Jiu Ling.

One must have a conscience; she could not bear to watch the dead Gu Jiu Ling be humiliated like this.

She lifted her head and laughed, but said nothing.

Beside them, the Bei Di maid attending Princess Yuan Qing lifted her eyes to her master, met the princess's glance, and instantly understood.

She stepped forward, raised her arm, and slapped Lin Rujun.

Lin Rujun endured public humiliation; though she felt utterly ashamed, she could only accept it.

After all, it concerned relations between the two states and the Lin family; she had no choice but to swallow this indignity.

It's just a slap—endure it!

As long as Grandmother isn't angry, she can do anything; unlike other Southern Qi noble ladies, she doesn't care much about her appearance.

Compared to her looks, she values her swordsmanship more.

Seeing the Bei Di maid's palm strike Lin Rujun's face, suddenly an arrow feather shot through the air and fiercely pierced the maid's arm.

The Bei Di maid clutched her arm and cried out; the sudden change startled everyone, who rose and looked in the direction the arrow had come from.

Lin Rujun also froze for a moment, instinctively turning toward the flower hall's entrance.

Instead she saw a youth general in silver armor striding over.

His face was like polished jade, his features handsome, yet a hint of ferocity showed—he seemed on the verge of bursting into rage.

He was none other than Young Marquis Cheng Ming of the Princess's residence in Shang Jing, whom no one dares to provoke.

Cheng Ming was by nature fearless of heaven and earth; even if the Emperor came, he would dare to brandish spear and staff.

After Gu Jiu Ling cured his strange illness, he began training the personal troops left by his father.

Although he is young and lacks influence in the army, his father's prowess is undeniable!

At the height of Old Marquis Cheng's power, even Xiao Yin had to temporarily avoid his edge.

Yet in Shang Jing, no one really dares to bully the orphaned widow, since fully half the military once served under Old Marquis Cheng.

When the crowd realized it was Young Marquis Cheng who had arrived, they scattered; this man is truly a trouble‑magnet.

Lin Rujun stared at Cheng Ming in bewilderment, wondering how he had come here.

This is a gathering of ladies; a man sneaking in and immediately wounding Princess Yuan Qing's maid—

But when she saw the Lin family maid cautiously following behind Cheng Ming, she instantly understood: Cheng Ming had come to speak up for her.

Thinking this, Lin Rujun suddenly felt a strange sensation in her heart.