After helping her mother-in-law to her seat, Liu Furen walked directly toward Shen Mingtang.
The others sensed the tense atmosphere and immediately cleared a path for her.
Seeing this, Qin Shi stood up, pulling Shen Mingtang with her.
Liu Furen stopped about four or five steps away from Shen Mingtang, her expression stern and her gaze sharp. "I've long heard that Miss Shen has a bold and fierce temperament. Seeing you today, the reputation is well-deserved."
Qin Shi frowned.
Even though she rarely interacted with noble ladies from prestigious families, she knew that using "bold and fierce" to praise a young lady's temperament was not a compliment.
So she quickly concluded that Liu Furen disliked Shen Mingtang.
But…
When they first arrived at Liu Jia, Liu Laofuren's attitude had clearly been friendly. She didn't understand what had happened to Liu Furen.
"Liu Furen, if Mingtang has done anything to upset you, it is my failure as a mother in teaching her properly," Qin Shi said calmly, subtly shielding Shen Mingtang behind her. "She is young and inexperienced, and this is her first time visiting a prestigious household like Liu Jia. Please do not take offense."
Liu Furen sneered. "Inexperienced indeed! On her very first visit to Liu Jia, she pushed my daughter into the icy lotus pond. Now my daughter has a high fever and remains unconscious. Since Madam Shen is protecting her, tell me what should be done."
Even though Shen Mingtang had saved Prince Rui's life, for which Liu Jia owed her gratitude, her audacious behavior on her first visit to Liu Jia was unacceptable!
How could a young girl be so vicious? As Zhaoniang's mother, how could she let the culprit go unpunished?
As expected, Liu Furen's words drew sharp intakes of breath from the crowd.
The looks directed at Qin Shi and her daughter were filled with pity and disdain.
So young, yet so cruel.
Qin Shi was also startled by the accusation.
"Liu Furen, could there be some misunderstanding?" Qin Shi said anxiously. "Mingtang has always been sensible and obedient since childhood, not one to act impulsively."
For some reason, a strange thought crossed her mind.
Could Mingyue be deliberately framing Mingtang?
Shen Mingtang, unaware of Qin Shi's thoughts about absolving her of guilt, gently pushed Qin Shi's hand aside and addressed Liu Furen.
"Liu Furen, I did it, and I am willing to take full responsibility."
Her stance was resolute, her gaze calm and faintly smiling, momentarily unsettling Liu Furen.
Liu Furen's heart tightened.
She hadn't noticed before how strikingly beautiful and radiant Shen Mingtang was—no wonder she had captivated Prince Rui.
"Mingtang?" Qin Shi tugged at her sleeve.
Qin Shi was genuinely worried now. Mingtang had been with her the whole time—when could she have possibly pushed Miss Liu into the pond?
Shen Mingtang gently patted the back of Qin Shi's hand to reassure her.
Liu Furen had immediately accused her of pushing her daughter into the water, but she likely knew that her daughter had provoked the trouble first because of Prince Rui.
Liu Zhaoniang's feelings for Prince Rui were practically common knowledge.
"Liu Furen, as you said, this is my first time at Liu Jia. How could I, without any reason, push Miss Liu into the lotus pond?" Shen Mingtang said with a smile. I am merely a humble daughter of Shen Jia. When meeting the legitimate daughter of Liu Jia, I should be trying to win her favor, if anything."
"What a clever tongue! With just a few words, you shift the blame for your wicked deed onto my daughter," Liu Furen retorted angrily. "Someone, escort this insolent Miss Shen out of Liu Jia!"
She had made up her mind—today, everyone must witness the Liu family’s stance toward the Shen family.
From now on, anyone who dared to show Shen Mingtang the slightest respect would be opposing the Liu family.
"Sister-in-law," Madam Liu the Third frowned, stepping forward to whisper a reminder, "After all, Er Guniang of the Shen family recently saved Prince Rui. Her Majesty the Empress…"
Wouldn’t making such a public scene be a slap in the face to Her Majesty the Empress and Prince Rui?
"I will personally seek an audience with Her Majesty the Empress to apologize after today’s birthday banquet concludes," Madam Liu said coldly, her gaze fixed on Shen Mingtang. "It’s not as though I didn’t give this Shen Er Guniang a chance."
If Shen Mingtang had shown humility when Madam Liu first approached and taken the initiative to apologize to Zhaoniang, she might have let it go.
How could a mere concubine daughter of the Shen family act so arrogantly in the Liu residence and presume to trample over the legitimate daughter of the Liu family?
Just look at her attitude!
Soon, two maids flanking Madam Liu stepped forward simultaneously, reaching out toward Shen Mingtang. "Madam Shen, Er Guniang, please."
Qin Shi did not move. She knew full well that if she and her daughter were indeed expelled from the Liu residence today, they would become the laughingstock of the capital.
In the immediate term, Shen Yuanshan, who valued the Shen family’s reputation above all else, would undoubtedly reprimand Ming Tang without hearing the full story.
Looking further ahead, how would Ming Tang ever show her face in public again? How would she ever arrange a marriage?
Madam Liu’s actions were meant to ruin Ming Tang!
"Before everyone present, Madam Liu should allow Ming Tang to clarify what happened," Qin Shi insisted, resisting the pressure as she lifted her head to meet Madam Liu’s gaze.
She then turned to Ming Tang. "Don’t be afraid. Explain carefully."
Shen Mingtang could hear the slight tremor in Qin Shi’s voice, evidence that she was afraid of Madam Liu, yet she had still chosen to stand up and protect her.
Warmth flowed through Shen Mingtang’s heart.
Mother is truly wonderful.
"When Mother went to rest in the guest room, I intended to find her. On the way, I encountered Miss Liu and several other young ladies…" Shen Mingtang recounted the events calmly. "So, both of us ended up falling into the lotus pond."
There was no need for her to lie in the slightest.
The guests invited to the Liu residence today were all esteemed nobles of the capital. Privately, they were well-informed, especially about the temperaments of young men and women from prominent families nearing marriageable age.
Thus, most of those present believed about seventy to eighty percent of Shen Mingtang’s account.
Who didn’t know that Liu Zhaoniang was infatuated with Prince Rui?
Madam Liu sneered. "So you admit that you dragged my daughter into the lotus pond?"
"I admit I pulled her, but does Miss Liu dare to admit that she pushed me first?" Shen Mingtang retorted, looking directly at her. "Madam Liu, is she allowed to push me into the lotus pond, but I am not allowed to defend myself?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd was once again stunned.
This Shen Er Guniang… is fierce.
Everyone knew Madam Liu came from a military family and had the most volatile temper among the noble ladies. When she was angry, even other noblewomen—and sometimes even Her Majesty the Empress—would steer clear.
Because of this, some felt that Shen Er Guniang, relying on some perceived advantage, was being ungrateful and reckless.
"Daring to quibble like this—today, I will teach you a lesson…" Madam Liu was indeed furious. She abruptly raised her hand to slap Shen Mingtang across the face.
It all happened in a flash.
As the slap descended, several gasps of shock echoed around Shen Mingtang.
"Madam Liu!" Qin Shi’s voice was sharp and piercing.
Without a second thought, Shen Mingtang swiftly raised her hand and seized Madam Liu’s wrist.
Almost instinctively, Shen Mingtang's nails dug deep into the flesh of Liu Furen's hand.
Liu Furen stared at the fierce-eyed young girl before her, a chill gradually creeping into her heart, mingled with shock and fury.
After all these years of wielding power and influence, no one had ever dared to evade her slap—let alone block it directly!
This was a slap in her face in return!