Chapter 123: Lin Jiaojiao Suffers a Setback, Resentment Brews Against Chu Mu

Chu Mu gave Chen Baoyi a slight, friendly nod. He did not know the relationship between A-Zhao and this young lady, but she had just intentionally spoken up to help him. Gratitude was due.

Facing Chu Mu’s kindness, Chen Baoyi felt momentarily flustered; after all, she intended to compete with her for Brother Chu. In the eyes of this Lady Chu, she likely saw her as the same type of person as Lin Jiaojiao. However, she would not sabotage the relationship between Lady Chu and Brother Chu, as there was likely no affection left between them anyway. She would wait—wait for the day Lady Chu left the General’s Manor—before launching her own pursuit of Brother Chu. But first, she had to deal with Lin Jiaojiao, who could not even act out a decent performance.

Chen Baoyi returned a faint smile to Chu Mu, thinking, "Lady Chu, consider this a favor returned for the rivalry over your husband; I shall deal with this 'white lotus' on your behalf."

Chen Baoyi stepped forward, took Lady Pang’s arm, and said coquettishly, "Aunt, why does our Pang residence invite just anyone? This Miss Lin has no status, no standing, and lacks even the refinement of the courtesans in the capital. Why on earth was she invited? She is lowering the status of all the ladies and madams present for no reason."

Lady Pang was a close friend of her mother’s from their youth. Although her mother was no longer in the capital, the bond between them remained, which was why she had come to the banquet.

Lady Pang held Chen Baoyi’s hand while standing next to Chu Mu and replied, "You naughty monkey, you have wronged your aunt. I did not invite any riff-raff to the banquet. I followed the rules strictly, inviting only ladies of rank or those renowned for their exceptional talent. As for this Miss Lin, she is certainly not on my guest list."

Chu Mu watched the scene unfold. Although he had wanted to find a good match for Lin Jiaojiao, it was conditional upon her own conduct—not her sabotaging him or smearing A-Zhao in front of everyone the moment she arrived. With such behavior, which noble family would dare welcome her into their home? It would only invite ridicule. It was time someone taught Lin Jiaojiao a lesson; not everyone was as brainless as the people in the General’s Manor, allowing themselves to be led by the nose. Everyone present was shrewd; who couldn't see through her petty schemes?

Lin Jiaojiao froze, tears welling up and trembling on her lower lashes. How could they humiliate her like this? She was a guest at the Pang residence! It was all the fault of that wretch, the Shen woman, and this girl in red. Was the Shen woman a mute? Could she not say a word in her defense? So what if she had humble origins? That was in the past. She was now a girl doted upon by the General’s Manor and the future General’s wife. Among these people, how many husbands held a higher rank than Brother Mu? How dare they look down on her! Once she became the General’s wife, she would make them pay.

And this girl in red—she didn't know where she came from. She was dressed in something so cheap, yet she dared to run wild just because she was a distant relative of Lady Pang. She would not tolerate it.

Although Chen Baoyi wore few accessories today, every piece was a priceless, peerless treasure. Even the fabric of her simple-styled dress was a tribute of immense value. But to the shortsighted Lin Jiaojiao, besides finding her stunning, she saw the girl’s attire as something beneath her station. Furthermore, since Chen Baoyi called Lady Pang 'Aunt,' Lin Jiaojiao assumed she was merely someone of humble birth who had managed to get an invitation by exploiting that connection. She must be jealous that she, too, was wearing red today, and that her own dress and gold-inlaid ruby headpiece were superior, which was why she was targeting her. It had to be that.

Lady Pang must have been influenced by this girl to be so harsh; she had nodded to her when she first arrived, after all. These two wretches were clearly trying to step on her, but she would not let them have their way.

"Sister, will you not say a word for Jiaojiao?" Lin Jiaojiao choked out. "It was you who brought me to the Pang residence. Now that I am being misunderstood, why not tell everyone that it wasn't I who shamelessly insisted on coming?" She then turned to Chen Baoyi: "Young lady, you and I are both of humble origin, so why be so intolerant? Yes, Jiaojiao is wearing red like you, and yes, the style and luxury of my attire surpass yours. But you shouldn't hold such deep hostility just because Jiaojiao outshines you. We are both here to attend the banquet; we shouldn't cause such a scene before our hosts."

Chu Mu’s face turned icy. It was clearly Lin Jiaojiao who had begged him to bring her here. How had it become him forcing her to attend? The crowd looked at Lin Jiaojiao as if she were a fool. Where did she get the confidence to compare herself to Miss Chen?

Being from a small, insignificant background, she couldn't see that any single item on Miss Chen was worth more than all of her jewelry combined. She didn't even recognize Miss Chen, yet she dared to spout nonsense about her being of humble birth. There were few people present whose status could exceed that of Miss Chen.

Chen Ding-tian, the Duke of Protecting the Nation, had seven sons and one daughter. Miss Chen was the only legitimate daughter of the Duke’s household. With seven older brothers and her parents shielding her, she was a figure in the Southern Chu Kingdom comparable to a princess—perhaps even more prestigious than the daughters of some concubines.

The gazes of the crowd led Chu Mu to speculate on the girl’s identity. She called Lady Pang 'Aunt,' yet according to his research, Lady Pang had no full sisters. There were a few half-sisters, but they were all at odds with Lady Pang—or rather, had been thoroughly put in their place. They had all married far away, none remaining in the capital, and they had no contact during the holidays. It was impossible for their children to be here, let alone be so favored by Lady Pang.

Suddenly, it dawned on him. Lady Pang had no sisters, but she did have one close friend from her youth: the wife of the Duke of Protecting the Nation. Could this girl in red be Chen Baoyi, the Duke’s daughter?

A moment later, Lady Pang confirmed his suspicion: "Baoyi, it is all my fault, Auntie. I didn't announce your status to everyone, causing others to mistakenly think you were of as humble an origin as her. Everyone, this young lady at my left is Chen Baoyi, who has just arrived in the capital. She is the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Protecting the Nation."

Very few people present were unaware of Chen Baoyi’s status. Everyone knew that Lady Pang was slapping that Miss Lin in the face. Lin Jiaojiao’s complexion turned a sickly mix of green and red, so ashamed she wished she could crawl into a hole. This girl in red was of such noble birth—a Duke’s daughter! How could she possibly compete with her? Was she not just asking for humiliation?

She glared at Chu Mu with malice. That wretch, the Shen woman, must have known this girl’s identity. She had known, yet she hadn't warned her, letting her make a fool of herself in front of everyone. What a calculated move!

Chu Mu found Lin Jiaojiao’s glare inexplicable. Was the woman mentally ill? She had made the mistake, yet she wanted to blame him?

Lin Jiaojiao was indeed thinking exactly that.