Chapter Sixty-One: Not on Purpose

“Oh my, isn’t this Lady Rong? I saw you from afar just now and thought some impudent maid had sneaked in!” Lady Jia strode forward, her words laced with unmistakable mockery, leaving a rather uncomfortable feeling in their wake.

Hua Rong turned slightly, taking in Lady Jia’s painstakingly crafted appearance. Today she wore a brocade of cloud-patterned silk, its yellow hue glowing in the lamplight, making her stand out like a beam of light in the darkness. Her makeup was exquisite, hiding her face behind a veil, quite unlike Hua Rong’s own understated touch. Even with a lovely face as her foundation, Lady Jia’s old-fashioned attire and overly dramatic makeup failed to impress, giving her an air of forced grandeur.

“So it’s Lady Jia. You look so radiant today, I fear all eyes will be drawn to you.” Hua Rong forced herself not to take offense. She smiled gracefully, determined not to stir trouble.

Her words were pleasant enough, prompting Lady Jia to toss her a disdainful glance. “Enough, I won’t linger here with you, Lady Rong, exchanging pointless chatter. I’ll be off now.”

Watching her depart, Hua Rong exhaled quietly. Su Xin, however, was displeased. “My lady, your rank is higher than hers. Why do you have to keep enduring her antics? You ought to teach her a lesson, lest she forgets her place!”

Su Xin bit her lip, barely able to contain her anger, but Hua Rong remained calm, shaking her head lightly with a gentle smile. “Our family has fallen on hard times, while hers boasts powerful connections—how can we compete? It’s better to avoid trouble than invite it. Why wade into muddy waters and create problems for ourselves?”

With that, she prepared to leave, but as she took her first step, a sudden tearing sound pierced the air.

Hua Rong’s expression changed. “What’s happening?”

In that brief moment, she turned to see Lady Yu standing there with a smug look, her foot planted squarely atop Hua Rong’s skirt.

“Oh dear, my apologies, I slipped,” Lady Yu said with a slight smile—hardly the attitude of someone genuinely sorry.

Hua Rong glanced at her ruined garment, feeling unbearably embarrassed. “You did that on purpose!”

The crowd wasn’t even dense enough for someone to accidentally step on her skirt—anyone with eyes could avoid such a mishap!

She took a deep breath; Su Xin beside her was flustered. “Oh no, my lady, the tear is too deep. If we go back to change, you’ll be late for the banquet! What should we do?”

If she wore this outfit, she’d certainly invite gossip; but if she left to change and missed the banquet, it would be just as bad. Either way, she was stuck, and Su Xin couldn’t decide what to do.

She glared at Lady Yu, furious. “The lady sent you gifts, yet you repay her so rudely—this was deliberate!”

“How brazen, this girl doesn’t know her place! I heard Lady Jia struck you before—perhaps because you never mind your tongue. Lady Rong, you ought to keep her in line,” Lady Yu said with a smile, her elegance tinged with seductive charm—though her repulsive behavior made her impossible to like.

Hua Rong frowned, glancing down at the foot stubbornly pressing her skirt, annoyance flickering in her eyes. “Mind your own business. Move your foot, now!”

She shifted slightly, hoping to prompt Lady Yu to relent. She had only come to attend the banquet, not to compete for attention, and couldn’t fathom why Lady Yu insisted on antagonizing her.

But Lady Yu ignored Hua Rong’s warning, feigning innocence as she murmured, “I’m afraid I can’t move right now—my foot’s gone numb. Perhaps you should wait a bit longer?”

“You—!” Su Xin lost her composure, but Lady Yu fixed her with a cold stare. “What do you mean, ‘You’? Are you trying to make everyone believe Lady Rong is bullying a weak girl who made an honest mistake and happened to get a cramp?”

The audacity was staggering—she could speak so shamelessly about a cramp. She must have a certain talent, Hua Rong thought.

“Endure it, you must endure—this isn’t the place to make a scene!” Hua Rong clenched her teeth, investing all her patience in coping with this woman, but it seemed useless.

The others hadn’t noticed what was happening; those who did merely watched for entertainment. The tension between the two grew, plunging the atmosphere into awkward silence.

Hua Rong’s frustration climbed to her throat, when suddenly a commotion sounded from afar. “Isn’t that the Second Prince? They say he’s fond of quiet, yet here he is at such an event!”

“He’s so handsome—even more so than the Emperor himself!”

As the excited voices swelled, Hua Rong turned to look. In the distance, a man in azure robes approached with effortless grace, finally stopping before Hua Rong and Lady Yu.

Noticing their stalemate, he spoke with a gentle laugh, “What’s happening here? Why are you both standing still?”

“I’d like to move, but I’ll need a chance to do so!” Hua Rong’s heart was already in turmoil—she was powerless to resolve the matter herself. If she tried to leave, her torn dress would leave her exposed, and she’d lose all dignity.

Lady Yu bowed politely to the Second Prince, then spoke with feigned helplessness, “Your Highness, I accidentally stepped on Lady Rong’s skirt and now my foot has cramped up. I can’t move just yet. I apologize for blocking your way.”

Her dignified demeanor was so false it left one speechless.

Hua Rong shot her a glare. “Don’t push your luck!”

“Hmm?” Lady Yu’s eyes glimmered with amusement, her demeanor tranquil, yet the challenge in her gaze was unmistakably bold.

“I told you it was accidental, Lady Rong. How can you be so narrow-minded?” As she spoke, Hua Rong saw Lady Yu arch her brows at Jun Yechen beside them.