The little girl’s voice was loud and naive, drawing many curious glances.
“Oh, Madam, you don’t know either? I knew it. Where could such an amazing person really exist, knowing all sorts of flowers!”
The little girl’s words grew more impolite, yet no one could do anything about her. Children’s words were often taken without fault. Moreover, adults found it difficult to argue with her. If she, a child, was ignorant, was it not also ignorant for an adult to be the same? Some of the less composed individuals began pointing at Madam Zhao.
Upon noticing this, Su Xiaoqi immediately stepped forward to protect Madam Zhao and was about to retort. However, Madam Zhao held her hand and said, “This is Yao Huang among peonies, the finest variety of flowers.” Madam Zhao’s voice was soft and gentle, like a breeze caressing everyone’s ears, making them feel comfortable.
“Yao Huang, what kind of flower is that? A flower is just a flower, what’s this about being yellow or red?” The little girl was truly straightforward and utterly inconsiderate of others’ feelings, making her quite unlikeable.
After being stopped by Madam Zhao, Su Xiaoqi had been closely observing her, curious as to who had instigated her to target Madam Zhao. Initially, she hadn’t thought much of the girl confronting Madam Zhao. But after hearing her deliberately try to damage Madam Zhao’s reputation several times, Su Xiaoqi felt that she couldn’t simply excuse it as the girl being too young. She was already eleven or twelve years old. In this era where children matured early, at this age, most people were already engaged or even married. She wasn't that much younger.
Through further observation, she noticed that after speaking, the girl would unconsciously glance towards the Ning Princess Consort, who would then nod at her. It seemed this little girl was merely a knife in the Ning Princess Consort’s hand, striking wherever she was directed.
Su Xiaoqi quietly asked someone beside her about the girl’s identity. She was a young lady from a collateral branch of the Ning Prince’s household, ranked fourteenth in her clan. She frequently entered and exited the Ning Prince’s mansion. Outsiders saw that she was favored by the Ning Princess Consort, which earned her a good reputation among many noble ladies. However, in reality, she was no significant figure. She was merely kept by the Ning Princess Consort like a dog, trained to bite others.
With this understanding, Su Xiaoqi stepped forward and said, “My mother has already informed Miss Shen Fourteen. If there is nothing else, my mother will not be staying any longer.” Su Xiaoqi pulled Madam Zhao to move aside. There was nothing to discuss with someone who enjoyed putting on airs and was unreasonable.
“Wait, Madam Shen, I don’t understand what you’re saying. I wasn’t troubling Old Madam Shen, I just don’t understand these flowers and plants. My mother said if you don’t understand, you should ask, not pretend to know.” Shen Jiaojiao’s combativeness was quite strong. Despite her younger age compared to others, it was precisely this advantage that allowed her to say things that were unpleasant to hear.
“That’s your business.” Su Xiaoqi’s face darkened immediately. She was extremely displeased. After all, Madam Zhao was her guest at the banquet. If she were to be troubled here, Su Xiaoqi would feel utterly guilty. Therefore, no matter what, she would protect her.
As if not noticing Su Xiaoqi’s cold expression, Shen Jiaojiao turned and pointed at an orchid, asking Madam Zhao, “What is this flower?” Su Xiaoqi tugged Madam Zhao along, signaling her not to pay attention to Shen Jiaojiao.
Shen Jiaojiao immediately started to cry, and in front of the people who had rushed over, she claimed she was being bullied. She didn’t explicitly name anyone. However, the commotion had attracted onlookers. When someone asked what was happening, helpful individuals began to explain. Of course, their explanations did not favor Madam Zhao or Shen Jiaojiao. They merely spoke vaguely, pointing at the two and saying there was a conflict. This way, everyone would naturally assume that the problematic party must be Madam Zhao. She, an elderly lady, arguing with an underage young girl. Even if she were in the right, she would appear in the wrong.
Su Xiaoqi could no longer stand it and turned to face the crowd, saying, “Do you even know what’s going on, to be spouting nonsense like that?”
Princess Fu’an said, “Oh, Madam Shen, don’t overthink it. It might just be a misunderstanding; it will be resolved once it’s explained.”
Madam Zhao, seeing everyone start to target Su Xiaoqi again, felt her eyes well up. The circles of noble ladies and socialites in the capital were truly terrifying. She tugged at Su Xiaoqi’s arm, signaling her to let go. Then, she stepped forward and bowed her head, asking Shen Jiaojiao, “Miss, please tell me what else you wish to ask.” She would tell her. Just as Su Xiaoqi wanted to protect her, she also didn’t want to put her daughter-in-law in a difficult position.
“Jiaojiao, you are a child with a poor disposition. Old Madam Shen is from Mianzhou City, how could she possibly recognize these flowers?” The Ning Princess Consort finally spoke. Her words exuded a sense of nobility, as if she were looking down from above.
Madam Zhao felt indignant, and Su Xiaoqi also felt that this matter could not be left unresolved. She held Madam Zhao’s hand and whispered in her ear, “Mother, if you want to identify them, go ahead. If not, we’ll leave.” If these people were going to bully so brazenly, then the banquet was not worth attending.
“Xiaoqi, I’m fine; it’s just identifying flowers, it’s very simple.” Madam Zhao was very confident. She stepped forward and pointed to a profusely blooming flower, asking if Shen Jiaojiao wanted to know what that flower was.
“Mo Lan.” Madam Zhao stated concisely.
“Impossible. My grandmother raised Mo Lan, and Mo Lan doesn’t look like this at all.” Shen Jiaojiao said with certainty.
“This is Da Tun Qi Lin among Mo Lan. It’s not a native flower of Daliang, but grows on an island on the southeastern coast.”
“An island, Da Tun Qi Lin, what is that? I’ve never even heard of it. You must be lying to me.” Shen Jiaojiao blinked her apricot eyes, innocently speaking hurtful words.
Shen Jiaojiao didn’t understand, but Su Xiaoqi did. She remembered that when she first graduated, she went to collect samples and research plants in our country’s Treasure Island province. There, she saw a very peculiar flower. After verification, it was called Da Tun Qi Lin, belonging to the Mo Lan variety.
“The ‘Flower Classic’ records it as having large, unusual flower shapes, different from ordinary orchids, with a nest-like structure and multiple petals. Look, this petal is like a willow leaf, this petal is like a narcissus, and here, a bright red spot curls around the tongue…” Madam Zhao was very familiar with this flower. This was because He Qiulei, upon returning from the south some time ago, knowing her love for flowers, had brought her a few potted plants. Among them was this extremely precious Mo Lan. Because it was a heat-loving flower and extremely beautiful when in bloom, and also difficult to cultivate in the capital, its high price was indeed justified.
The schemer had intended to humiliate Madam Zhao in front of everyone, leaving her with the impression of being an unsophisticated bumpkin. But unexpectedly, she not only knew the answer but was also incredibly familiar with it. How could the play continue?
Shen Jiaojiao was stunned and involuntarily looked up at the Ning Princess Consort. The Ning Princess Consort was also at a loss for ideas. She had assumed Madam Zhao would not understand such refined matters. After all, according to intelligence reports, she was someone who could barely guarantee sustenance in Zhao Family Village. How could she have the leisure or the money to cultivate these precious flowers, each worth a mansion? She had planned for a single move to ruin her reputation, so she hadn't prepared a Plan B. At this moment, she too fell silent.
Princess Qionghua, standing nearby, suddenly spoke, “Old Madam Shen knows so many flowers, why don’t you teach me?” Su Xiaoqi rarely heard Princess Qionghua speak like a normal person. However, her words were hardly complimentary.