Chapter 59: How Bold She Is

Lu Zhaoling and her group did not arrive particularly early.

There were already quite a few people in the courtyard.

It was currently late spring—neither hot nor cold, carrying just a hint of crispness. The garden of the Princess's Estate was planted with a variety of flowers, currently in full and colorful bloom, looking exceptionally lovely.

However, these flowerbeds were now dotted with white mourning flowers crafted from white cloth, while white gauze hung from the nearby trees, fluttering gently in the light breeze.

This sea of white dampened the romantic vibrancy brought by the colorful blossoms. This was likely the thought of Princess Changning, considering the ongoing period of national mourning.

In the open space in the middle of the garden, long tables were set up on both sides, uniformly equipped with brushes, ink, stones, and paper.

Beyond a few clusters of banana palms stood a pavilion, where the stone table inside was laden with tea and fresh fruit.

This spot happened to catch the shade cast by the rockery and large trees in front, with patches of sunlight filtering through, providing ample light without feeling chilly or gloomy.

Next to the rockery was a small path leading to a small lake. At present, newly sprouted lotus leaves floated on the water's surface, though no flower stalks had yet reached above the water.

The young ladies who had arrived earlier gathered in small groups of twos and threes. Some were appreciating the flowers, some were sipping tea, some were turning the pages of books, and others were chatting softly.

Avoiding any taboos, almost everyone wore plain and understated attire.

Yet, even plainness had its own subtle scheming.

For instance, someone wore a mutton-fat white jade bracelet on her wrist, or a hairpin carved from jade with extraordinarily delicate craftsmanship.

Or perhaps another's skirt was embroidered with silver thread in hidden patterns, catching the light and shimmering as she walked, while someone else wore a gem-encrusted belt that sparkled brilliantly.

There were also various scented sachets, jade rings, and jade pendants, carrying an undercurrent of hidden luxury.

Compared to them, Lu Zhaoling was genuinely plain.

"Lu Zhaoling!"

Just as Lu Zhaoling finished surveying the entire scene, He Lianxin had already caught up to her. With a sharp cry, she drew the attention of several people.

"Lu Zhaoling? That name sounds somewhat familiar," someone muttered softly, looking over in their direction.

Others quickly remembered, "She's the Second Miss of the Lu family who was bestowed a marriage to Prince Jin!"

At once, everyone who heard the cry cast their gazes upon Lu Zhaoling.

They had been discussing this imperial betrothal just moments ago, never expecting that before they could even finish talking, one of the principals would appear right before their eyes.

Instantly, all sorts of glances were directed at Lu Zhaoling, filled with undisguised scrutiny.

"Hurry up and stop right there!" He Lianxin spotted Lu Zhaohua trying to slip away to the side and immediately ordered her, "Hold Lu Zhaoling down!"

Lu Zhaohua: "..."

Whose ox was she goring? She had curled herself up into an inconspicuous ball the entire time without making a peep—why did He Lianxin still have to single her out?!

Besides, hold Lu Zhaoling down? As if she had the guts!

Lu Zhaohua's face turned pale.

"E-Elder Sister He, I..."

He Lianxin narrowed her eyes aggressively. "Who's your sister? A concubine-born daughter like you shouldn't try to elevate your status!"

Tears instantly welled up in Lu Zhaohua's eyes, trembling on the verge of falling, making her look like a delicate and helpless little white flower.

This appearance of hers managed to elicit sympathy from a small fraction of the crowd.

After all, among so many people, there were certainly those who usually found He Lianxin overbearing and were on bad terms with her.

Right then, a young girl dressed in a goose-yellow dress stepped forward and said to He Lianxin, "Why must Miss He be so aggressive and unforgiving?"

He Lianxin looked at her and replied without hesitation, "What business is it of yours? Though you are a legitimate daughter, Gu Qing, don't forget that your mother was promoted from a concubine. Your family upbringing is crooked to begin with, so naturally, you'd sympathize with a concubine-born daughter!"

The young girl named Gu Qing instantly changed expression. "He Lianxin! Aren't you going too far?"

Come to think of it, He Lianxin hadn't been this arrogant over the past couple of years. However, ever since her engagement to the Heir of the Marquis of Zhenyuan, her arrogance had grown day by day.

With a father who served as the Vice Minister of War and enjoyed the Emperor's favor, coupled with such a prestigious match, it was quite literally a combination of formidable forces.

In He Lianxin's eyes, even Princess Changning ought to show her a modicum of respect, let alone this Gu Qing standing before her.

"Miss He, what is going on here?" Someone stepped forward, hoping to act as a peacemaker. "The Princess just went back to her chambers to change. If she comes out and finds such a commotion..."

Hearing the other party invoke Princess Changning, He Lianxin finally refrained from continuing her attack on Gu Qing.

She glared at Lu Zhaohua, temporarily letting her off the hook as well—after all, the person she loathed the most right now was Lu Zhaoling!

She summoned her two maidservants. "You two, go make her kneel and apologize to this young miss!"

"Yes!"

Her two maidservants immediately lunged toward Lu Zhaoling.

Lu Zhaohua let out a timid, frightened gasp and whispered with apparent worry, "Run quickly, Second Sister."

Lu Zhaoyun anxiously grabbed He Lianxin's hand, feigning persuasion, "Elder Sister He, please don't lower yourself to her level..."

Yet she made no move to actually stop the two maidservants.

Although others also disapproved of He Lianxin's overbearing conduct, none of them knew Lu Zhaoling, and none were about to stick their necks out for her and offend He Lianxin. They could only watch from the sidelines with varied expressions.

"Are you going to kneel voluntarily and admit your mistake to our young miss, or do you want us to do it the hard way?"

The two maidservants had already arrived in front of Lu Zhaoling, their tones equally arrogant.

They reached out toward Lu Zhaoling.

Gu Qing could hardly resist stepping forward, but someone beside her held her back. "Junior Sister Gu, do you really want to cross Miss He?"

"She is Prince Jin's fiancée..."

Someone nearby sneered.

"You actually believe that? There's bound to be more to the story."

The two maidservants' hands had already grabbed Lu Zhaoling's arms. One on the left and one on the right, they intended to pin her down and kick the backs of her knees to force her to the ground. But right at that moment, Lu Zhaoling raised her hands, grabbed the back of both their heads, and slammed them together.

Thud!

The foreheads of the two maidservants collided with a dull thud.

At the same time, Lu Zhaoling quickly took a step back, effortlessly shaking off their grip.

"Ah!"

The two maidservants cried out in pain, both feeling their brains buzzing and stars dancing before their eyes as they struggled to even stand steady.

Everyone was dumbfounded.

Lu Zhaoling stood there, her breathing even, her face unreddened, and her gaze ice-cold.

"Make me kneel? Is she some noble consort from the palace? Did the Emperor take her in?"

He Lianxin had originally been stunned as well, but upon hearing Lu Zhaoling's words, a roaring sound echoed in her head, and her face instantly flushed scarlet red, unclear whether from rage or mortification.

"You wretched hussy, what nonsense are you spouting?!"

Lu Zhaoling was ruining her reputation!

To claim she had been taken in by the Emperor—how could she ever show her face in public again?!

Everyone else was also struck speechless, staring at Lu Zhaoling in sheer disbelief.

How, how, how could she dare to utter such outrageous nonsense?

"I am the future Princess Jin. You want me to kneel to you? Has your He family climbed over the heads of the royal family? Does Prince Jin know about this?"

Lu Zhaoling added another sentence.

Fire was practically shooting from He Lianxin's eyes. Panting heavily with fury, she pointed a trembling finger at Lu Zhaoling, utterly speechless.

Arrogant and tyrannical she might be, but she wasn't completely brainless; Lu Zhaoling's words were far too insidious! If such a grave charge were pinned on her, her entire He family would suffer catastrophic consequences!

"My, this young lady certainly has the nerve to speak her mind." Gu Qing looked at Lu Zhaoling with bright eyes.

Such ferocious courage!

This was her first time seeing someone leave He Lianxin on the verge of vomiting blood with just two sentences.