Abandoned Woman Busy Farming
Chapter 1579 Too Arrogant_1

Chapter 1579: Chapter 1579 Too Arrogant_1

"Challenge? Who are you to challenge us?" Prince Saihan’s tone was extremely arrogant.

Seeing the situation getting worse, Prince Saihan’s attendant hurriedly whispered in a low voice, "Prince, let’s just let it go. Better to have less trouble than more."

Prince Saihan glared at him with one look, causing the speaking attendant to take a step back in fear. His other guards, who had been knocked to the ground, were also struggling to get up and retreated to one side of the yard.

"Alright, everyone, let’s calm down. There must be some misunderstanding here. Please give me, Fan Li, some face and let’s each take a step back, alright?" Fan Li said with a grin, "Prince Saihan and Princess Yingtong are both esteemed guests from Danliang Country. It would be bad if anyone got hurt, so why don’t Prince Saihan go back to the Eastward Pavilion for now?"

A slight smirk appeared at the corner of Bai Ruozhu’s mouth. Fan Li played the mediator, but it was clear he was actually siding with the Western Regions. And of course, it wasn’t because the Western Regions and Danliang Country were particularly close, but rather that Prince Saihan was rapidly approaching the point where he would be universally despised.

Prince Saihan let out a cold laugh and didn’t pick up on Fan Li’s words. He just looked at Bai Ruozhu, his eyes bore into hers like a venomous snake targeting its prey, quite chilling.

"Bai Ruozhu, we shall see. You better hide your little thing well," he said, then turned and strode away, his attendants and guards hurrying after him. The group departed, and the space in the yard of the Westward Pavilion suddenly felt much more open.

Bai Ruozhu communicated secretly with Furball, telling it to be careful in the future and to hide in the space whenever it saw Prince Saihan, wanting to see how his Evil Poisonous Insect would devour Furball then.

Prince Saihan could restrain Elder Shougu, but he had less control over her, all because she had the space. Once Furball hid inside, the Evil Poisonous Insect wouldn’t be able to devour it.

Bai Guanghe looked at Bai Ruozhu, asking with some nervousness, "Is everyone alright?"

Ao Qi and Princess Yingtong expressed their gratitude to Bai Guanghe and Fan Li with a bow, but they noticed Bai Guanghe was still looking at Bai Ruozhu. Princess Yingtong, as if realizing something, said with a smile, "Ruozhu, your surname is Bai, and Minister Bai is also surnamed Bai, are you relatives?"

Bai Guanghe realized he had lost his composure and quickly averted his gaze. Ruozhu’s eyes resembled Yunyun’s too much, and he couldn’t help but think of the past.

If he hadn’t been so pedantic and impotent back then, he wouldn’t have wronged Jiao Yunyun in such a way.

Now, he was old and didn’t have many tomorrows left, but he still didn’t wish to see the younger generation being bullied. He was no longer the weak, incompetent, and foolishly filial young man he once was.

"The princess is mistaken, I am not related to Minister Bai," Bai Ruozhu tried to make her tone more gentle, for fear that she might otherwise sound like she was gnashing her teeth.

Even so, Fan Li sensed something was off and stole a glance at her and Bai Guanghe.

Bai Ruozhu glared back at him, prompting Fan Li to quickly shrink back, not daring to look any longer. Nor did he dare to think further about it—after all, what did any of it have to do with him? Fan Li was not one to court trouble.

Princess Yingtong, thinking she had made a mistake, said with a laugh, "That was my misunderstanding then. I thank you all for today. Some other day, I will be the host and treat you to a meal as a token of gratitude."

Because of Bai Ruozhu’s categorical denial, Bai Guanghe felt his heart grow cold. He quickly glanced at Bai Ruozhu, saying, "The princess is too kind. This was our duty."

Seeing him be so courteous, Princess Yingtong did not press the matter.

Soon, the incident at the Westward Pavilion spread to the Imperial Palace. Just as Bai Ruozhu entered the palace, she was blocked by Jiang Yichun, who anxiously asked if she was alright. Bai Ruozhu said with a laugh, "Could he kill me? If he dares to touch me openly, he won’t be able to leave this Capital City."

Jiang Yichun still wasn’t at ease and looked at Jianqi, saying, "Arrange for more dark guards to follow Ruozhu recently."

"Yes, son-in-law, rest assured," Jianqi said.

Fortunately, in the following days, Prince Saihan didn’t cause trouble for anyone. Still, his attitude remained unchanged—if he couldn’t marry Diao Bin, he would marry Diao Yao. Because of this, Diao Yao hid in Cining Palace, wiping away many tears; she certainly didn’t want to marry a total weirdo.

Soon, news came from the palace that, in three days, the Empress Dowager would hold a Chrysanthemum Banquet in the Imperial Palace and had invited all the major aristocrats of the Capital to attend, specifically naming that they should bring along their unmarried sons and daughters. The intention couldn’t be clearer—it was to allow Princess Yingtong of the Western Regions and Prince Saihan of Turkic to select their marriage partners.

Many aristocratic families received the invitations, and the Emperor also mentioned it a few times in court, implying that it would be best if everyone attended, even if only as a formality. Still, even so, many households with unmarried daughters became incredibly nervous, and overnight, numerous young noblewomen fell ill.

Bai Ruozhu, after hearing the news, was laughing her head off. She said to Yingtong, "Look, everyone’s afraid of being chosen by that Saihan. He’s like a rat crossing the street, and he doesn’t even realize it. On the bright side, the Chrysanthemum Banquet will certainly be filled with young talents, who might even engage in poetry contests. You’ll have a good chance to choose carefully then."

Yingtong, unembarrassed, took her hand and said, "Then you have to help me keep an eye out, to spare me from making a poor choice."

"No problem," Bai Ruozhu now quite liked Yingtong’s straightforward and generous nature.

In the blink of an eye, the day of the Chrysanthemum Banquet arrived. Bai Ruozhu was called by the Empress Dowager to keep her company, offering her the chance to help Yingtong pick and choose as well.

As the time for the banquet approached, many young talents had arrived, including Leng Bin and Xue Wenqian, whom Bai Ruozhu recognized, and even people like Wang Tianzuo. Surprisingly, Du Zhongshu was also there.

Bai Ruozhu wanted to inquire who Du Zhongshu was representing as his family’s younger generation in the palace, but after some thought, she decided against it, deeming it inappropriate to ask about another man at this time.

As for the female guests, there were surprisingly few. Some of the ladies had even come by themselves, with slightly sheepish expressions explaining that their daughters were ill or had sustained injuries of some sort.

The seats of honor were taken by the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, and the Empress, with Princess Yingtong sitting on one side, next to the Empress, and Prince Saihan on the other.

Bai Ruozhu was called to sit by the Empress Dowager’s side, also seating herself just behind Yingtong.

Prince Saihan had already started to drink glass after glass, showing no anger upon seeing the few young women present. Instead, he looked toward the Emperor and asked, "Why hasn’t Princess Diao Yao, who is still unbetrothed, come?"

Supressing his anger, Tang Yin said, "Princess Diao Yao stated she is still observing mourning and it is not appropriate for her to join the feast."

"Princess Diao Yao’s filial devotion is truly moving. A woman who understands filial piety like this is definitely admired in Turkic," Prince Saihan declared boisterously, drawing the attention of the people around him.

Tang Yin’s face grew darker by several shades. "Prince Saihan has made a mistake; Diao Yao is only a county princess."

"As long as the Emperor agrees to a marriage alliance with Diao Yao and Turkic, she will be made a princess at that time. What’s the difference?" Prince Saihan deliberately spoke in a bluff and hearty manner.

The people on both sides fell silent, their looks toward Prince Saihan filled with hostility—this Prince of Turkic was far too arrogant!

Yet Prince Saihan seemed oblivious to the hostility surrounding him, raising his cup to everyone and saying, "Let’s drink, I’ll drink first as a sign of respect."