Just a few days ago, the scandalous affair between Jiang Tou and the Crown Prince had spread throughout the capital. No one had expected her to still dare attend the banquet. After noticing Jiang Tou’s presence, Noble Consort Shen frowned deeply, seemingly lost in thought.
Jiang Tou inwardly cursed Zou Hao for being an ugly nuisance who was always stirring up trouble.
She noticed the change in Noble Consort Shen’s expression, then met Gao Zhi’s smiling eyes. Her fingers clenched tightly beneath her sleeves.
She had truly underestimated Gao Zhi.
That performance just now had been so convincing that Jiang Tou almost couldn’t recognize the woman who had acted meek and vulnerable in front of everyone as the straightforward, principled best friend she had known for ten years.
Gao Zhi’s mind was far beyond anything she had expected.
Her affair with the Crown Prince had only just been suppressed by the imperial family, and the marriage edict Emperor Feng had issued from Zichen Palace had made her keep a low profile and stop causing trouble.
With Noble Consort Shen present, if she openly took Zou Hao’s side, once Emperor Feng heard about it, he would probably think she was deliberately stirring up trouble again.
Gao Zhi had clearly thought of this, which was why she was so confident that the trouble wouldn’t be directed toward her.
“I… everything happened too quickly just now.”
Jiang Tou’s face paled.
“I didn’t see clearly…”
Gao Zhi silently watched her.
That little performance just now was something she had learned from Jiang Tou herself.
Even playing the innocent, fragile girl wasn’t easy.
Forcing those few tears out had nearly killed her. She still couldn’t compare to Jiang Tou’s naturally broken, pitiful demeanor.
Sure enough, acting really did depend on talent.
Zou Hao rushed over and tried to grab Jiang Tou.
“You clearly saw what happened. Gao Zhi was the one who pushed me into the mud pond. I only stood up for you because…”
“Sister Zou, I know you only formed an opinion of A-Zhi because you believed the rumors going around, but things really weren’t as you imagined.”
Jiang Tou bit her lip and grabbed Zou Hao’s hand. As she moved closer, she lowered her voice.
“She deliberately set you up. Noble Consort Shen and Prince Huai’an are here. They won’t take your side.
“Don’t resist for now. I’ll find an opportunity later to avenge you and help you win this round back.”
Zou Hao froze. Seeing the absolute certainty in Jiang Tou’s eyes, the strength drained from her grip.
Yet she couldn’t help glancing toward Feng Che.
The man she had dreamed of for ten years.
Jiang Tou was right.
Gao Zhi and Feng Che had only just married.
Naturally, newlyweds would have good feelings toward each other.
But once time passed, how could someone as proud as Gao Zhi endure being the mother of three bastard children?
And how could she be as accepting as Jiang Tou of the fact that Feng Che’s leg had been crippled?
Exactly.
She couldn’t make a scene right now.
Otherwise, the image she had built in Feng Che’s heart would truly be ruined.
By now, everyone had understood that the three young women from the Zou family had used Jiang Tou’s name as an excuse to bully Gao Zhi.
“Have these three arrested and sent back to their respective families. Then…”
Before Noble Consort Shen could finish, Feng Che interrupted her.
“Too lenient.”
The man’s words made Gao Zhi freeze.
“Thirty strokes each. And…”
Feng Che lifted his eyes, the coldness in them causing a dull ache in Zou Hao’s heart.
“Which hand did you use to push her?”
“Prince Huai’an…”
Zou Hao stared blankly.
“If you don’t say, then I’ll assume it was both.”
Feng Che’s voice was as calm as an undisturbed well. Yet he was a man who had fought on countless battlefields, sweeping through the east and west with bloodshed. When angered, an aura of murderous intent radiated from him, making Zou Hao shudder with fear.
“N-no… it was… this one…”
Terrified, Zou Hao pointed at her right hand, which she could no longer lift.
The man merely lowered his eyes for an instant.
The sword sheath at his side suddenly shot out, smashing viciously into Zou Hao’s right arm.
With a sharp crack, the sound of breaking bone rang out.
“Ah—!”
She clutched her arm and collapsed to the ground in agony, screaming again and again.
“If there is a next time, you won’t need this hand anymore.”
Feng Che spoke each word distinctly.
Jiang Tou frowned and turned her eyes away.
Everyone drew a sharp breath.
The women exchanged uneasy glances.
Those who had previously said that Prince Huai’an treated his Princess Consort coldly finally realized they had misunderstood.
Prince Huai’an was clearly fiercely protective of his wife.
“Shang Lu.”
At Feng Che’s call, a hidden guard emerged from the corner.
“Drag them out of the Shen residence. Don’t let them disturb Old Master’s birthday banquet. After they’ve received their punishment, send them back to their respective families and have their fathers come see me.”
Everyone’s emotions rose and fell as they watched the spectacle unfold.
These three young women were surely in for trouble. Judging by Prince Huai’an’s attitude, even their families might be dragged into the matter and held accountable.
“Yes.”
Dou Xiang’er and Shi Zhen were both dragged away in tears. Before long, their screams could be heard from outside the residence.
“Miss Zou, don’t be so impulsive next time.”
Seeing the unwilling expression on Zou Hao’s face, Gao Zhi stepped forward and helped her up, lowering her voice.
“See?”
“He doesn’t like you.”
Everyone simply assumed that the beautiful and kind-hearted Princess Consort was magnanimously helping Zou Hao despite what had happened.
Feng Che saw Gao Zhi say something to her, and Zou Hao’s expression grew increasingly ugly. If not for the agonizing pain in her arm, she would have cursed Gao Zhi on the spot. In the end, she was dragged away by Cang Zhu.
“I’ve interrupted everyone’s enjoyment.”
Feng Che looked toward Noble Consort Shen.
“Please don’t take offense, Noble Consort.”
“Not at all. The Shen family was negligent today and nearly allowed the Princess Consort to come to harm.”
Facing a junior whom Emperor Feng cherished deeply, Noble Consort Shen could only maintain a pleasant expression. She reassured everyone and then mentioned that the opera troupe was about to begin, urging everyone to move to the front courtyard to watch the performance.
“What did you say to the Zou girl just now?”
Feng Che noticed that Gao Zhi was still staring in the direction Zou Hao had been taken and asked.
“She has feelings for you. I told her…”
Gao Zhi leaned toward his ear, her orchid-like fragrance enveloping his ear.
“The Prince will never like you, because in this world, he likes me the most.”
A flush spread across Feng Che’s ears.
“You…”
Gao Zhi deliberately feigned confusion.
“What? Can’t I say that to her?”
“I… you…”
The man’s lashes trembled. His gaze swept over the woman’s clear, luminous eyes, and his breathing became unsteady.
Gao Zhi was delighted by his reaction and continued teasing him.
“Feng Che, can’t you like me the most?”
Feng Che’s palm clenched so tightly that his nails left deep marks in his flesh, while he forced himself to maintain a calm expression.
【A-Zhi… how can you be so naughty…】