To facilitate the martial contest between the soldiers of the two nations, the venue was chosen to be the drill field, and on its northwest side, semicircular stands were constructed so that spectators could enjoy a complete view of the field. The most skilled craftsn of the Capital City worked tirelessly, day and night, for three days and three nights using wood and bamboo to build it.
They had finished just in ti for the contest.
It was early autumn, and the air was still rather hot and dry, but the occasional cool breeze was quite refreshing.
As people from both nations entered in single file, the stands quickly filled up.
On the left were the people from Chu Kingdom, and on the right were those from Dawei.
Clearly divided, there was a space in the middle where so preferred to stand rather than sit.
While waiting for everyone to arrive, the maids gradually brought out tea and fruits.
"Today, I finally have the chance to co to the palace and see the Commandery Princess," said Li Chengxiang in a lake-blue gown, her face lighting up with joy as she looked at the still-empty seats of honor on the side of Dawei.
Standing next to her, wearing a smoke-blue gown, was Shen Shuyun, who twisted a handkerchief in her hands, appearing sowhat nervous, as it was her first ti in the palace.
The actions of the two caught the attention of so noble ladies nearby, who whispered behind their hands before bursting out in laughter.
It was clear they were discussing them.
Li Chengxiang’s face turned a shade paler for a mont, as she was close enough to overhear.
Shen Shuyun only caught a few words, but from their expressions and tone of voice, she could guess they were not saying anything pleasant.
However, this was the palace, and the two sisters exchanged glances, seeing the displeasure and restraint in each other’s eyes, they ultimately chose to keep silent and endure.
They couldn’t afford to cause trouble for the Crown Princess Consort.
Yet their endurance was taken by those noble ladies as a sign of fear, prompting even more enflad behavior.
"Look at them, they appear so unworldly. I don’t even know how they sneaked in here. Should we call the Imperial Secret Police to have a thorough check on them?" said a woman in a goose-yellow dress, who was the first to mock and speak about Li Chengxiang and her companion.
"Don’t you recognize that one?" the speaker added mysteriously, "Her ex-husband was none other than the rebel leader those sisters encountered at the Sumr Resort."
"What?! A divorced woman dares to show her face here so brazenly? Outrageous!" soone exclaid indignantly, clearly thinking that Li Chengxiang did not deserve to sit amongst them.
The goose-yellow dressed woman then revealed a mocking smile, "She wasn’t divorced. The rebel was a matrilocal son-in-law, involved with Princess Yaochi in an unclear manner before she dismissed him."
"That makes her quite a character, to dismiss her husband so outrightly really shows so audacity."
"Don’t be fooled. Turquoise Pool isn’t any better; there are many rumors about her in common talk. The family values of the Li Family are quite problematic. It’s a mystery how such people managed to sneak in here!"
"Sister, mind what you say. Every person here was invited into the palace by the card of the Crown Princess Consort. That one..." The speaker pointed at Li Chengxiang, "has quite a distinctive relationship with our Crown Princess Consort."
"Really, like master like servant," scoffed the woman in the goose-yellow dress disdainfully.
At these words, Li Chengxiang’s expression imdiately turned cold.
But before she could react, Shen Shuyun couldn’t hold back any longer. She rolled up her sleeves, stood up, and demanded to the won behind, "What did you say? Say it again if you dare!"
"You know very well what I said. Sitting with such people, it seems you are all tarred with the sa brush. Unable to handle a few fair words and acting out like a cornered dog," retorted the woman in the goose-yellow ensemble directly.
Shen Shuyun laughed angrily, "Just by hearing so unfounded rumors, you think you know the truth? Would your parents be proud to hear how much you love to wag your tongue?"
The goose-yellow dressed woman stood, ready to charge forward, but was held back by her companions. Her neck turned red with anger, "You vile little harlot! What did you say!"
"Whoever I’m talking about knows what I an. Keep muddling through gossip, and you’re just asking for a gut-wrench and bowel spill. Fair’s fair, Shen Shuyun can really hold her own in a fight."
After all, having been through rough patches and never subjected to the beatings of the nobles from the Capital City, Shen Shuyun had a certain pride, which led her to directly curse out loud, angering those noble ladies considerably.
Many people’s gazes gradually gathered here, pointing and whispering at Shen Shuyun.
"Who is this person? How did she get in..."
"Yes, how rude."
"She really doesn’t have the slightest appearance of a lady."
...
Every word reached Shen Shuyun’s ears, rging like a little stream.
Her confidence, at that mont, suddenly vanished.
She looked around, and pairs of eyes were staring at her, and for so reason, she began to feel very anxious.
While she was stunned, the woman in the goose-yellow dress had already been surrounded by the noble ladies and approached.
This group of people surrounded Shen Shuyun and Li Chengxiang together.
The woman in yellow lifted her hand and slapped Shen Shuyun, "You really don’t know how high the sky is, you lowlife. Swallow back every word you just said to , or you’ll regret it!"
"Miss Shen!" Li Chengxiang was just about to step forward when a noble lady grabbed her hair, causing her such pain that she couldn’t move.
She looked anxiously towards Shen Shuyun.
After receiving a slap, Shen Shuyun snapped back to reality, her face cold as ice, "You dare hit ?"
"What about it? What are you that I shouldn’t hit you? Everyone here was invited, and you think you are soone important? I’ll hit you if I want to, and if you’re not satisfied, go and complain to your Crown Princess Consort. Let’s see if she would deal with under these circumstances."
The woman in the goose-yellow dress sneered, extending her sharp nails slowly across Shen Shuyun’s cheek, then mockingly patted her face with the back of her hand.
"This is the Capital City, not a place for lowlifes like you. It’s better you realize early and scram, or else..." she paused, "every ti I see you, I’ll hit you."
Hatred filled Shen Shuyun’s eyes.
She had been humiliated before.
But she had never been as angry as she was today!
The group of noble ladies in front of her were not only bullying her and Li Chengxiang, but they were also, through bullying them, attacking Yan Wanqing’s dignity!
With this realization, Shen Shuyun clenched her fists and no longer responded.
Yes, they couldn’t cause trouble for Yan Wanqing in this situation.
She was already distressed and heartbroken, and also pregnant.
Li Chengxiang, beside her, silently fixed her hair and quietly called out, "Miss Shen."
Shen Shuyun gritted her teeth, "I’m sorry, I apologize for my behavior just now."
The woman, looking triumphant, said, "Sorry, the wind was too loud, I didn’t hear clearly, what did you say?"
"I apologize!" Shen Shuyun repeated.
Unexpectedly, the woman’s face suddenly turned cold, "Kneel down and say it again!"
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