Chu Qingying, clearly displeased, retorted, “Some people have faces as thick as mountains. It’s rare to see them show any shame.”
Fu Hongxiao was fine with self-deprecation, but being insulted outright was another matter.
As a concubine-born daughter, she had always been looked down upon by these legitimate young ladies. But now, as the soon-to-be liangdi of the Eastern Palace, she had newfound confidence.
With an air of disdain, she shot back at Chu Qingying, “Instead of wasting your time here with petty remarks, why not focus on ensuring your younger brother secures the heirship? Otherwise, all your efforts will amount to nothing.”
“The affairs of the Jingyun Marquis Manor are known throughout the capital, but no one would dare to stab Chu Qingying in the lungs right to her face.
Both Liu Yunhua and Yao Yunyi wore expressions of anger. A sparrow landing on a branch thinks it has grown heavier bones!
“Fu Hongxiao, don’t go too far,” Liu Yunhua said sternly, her face taut.
She and Yao Yunyi were both young ladies of noble families, and they couldn’t bring themselves to speak anything too crude.
Fu Hongxiao let out a sneer, her smugness practically uncontainable. “Miss Liu, your words are unnecessary. I was only kindly offering a reminder. If you don’t appreciate it, then forget it.”
Duan Mingxi looked at her and said, “Miss Fu, if you have the leisure to worry about others, why not take some time to help your aunt? I hear your Yiniang has spent half her life longing for the position of Marchioness. Now that you’ve managed to climb your way up to the Eastern Palace, she’s probably relying on your rise to help her turn the tables, isn’t she?”
Fu Hongxiao had always been arrogant. Although she was born of a concubine, her aunt’s favor and the weak standing of the official Marchioness gave her confidence. No one had ever dared to say such a thing to her face.
“What’s the matter, Miss Fu? Are you upset? Look at you, your face has turned as dark as the bottom of a pot. I was only speaking out of goodwill—if you don’t appreciate it, then never mind.”
The crowd: …
Well played! Returning the favor with her own medicine!
“Duan Mingxi, what’s there for you to be so proud of? Growing up in a merchant’s household—no wonder you lack manners!”
“Are you jealous? Envious?”
“What? Me, jealous of you? Don’t make me laugh!”
“It’s fine to be jealous of me; no need to hide it. I am the legitimate eldest daughter of the Marquis Manor, born of the main wife, with a proper pedigree. My adoptive Father is the wealthiest man in Jiangcheng, cherishing me like a treasure. When I marry, half of the family fortune will be my dowry. Considering all this, it’s normal for you to feel envious.”
The crowd erupted into murmurs. The Duan family of Jiangcheng will split half their fortune as her dowry? Really?
Fu Hongxiao looked at Duan Mingxi with a face full of scorn. “You’re such a liar! You’re just an adopted daughter of a merchant family. Half the family fortune as your dowry? Keep dreaming!”
“People like you, lacking both virtue and love, can only dream of such things,” Duan Mingxi scoffed. “Though I doubt even your dreams include such good fortune!”
“What did you just say?!”
“You claim to have money? I don’t believe it. How about we make a bet?”
Fu Hongxiao was dumbfounded. When did I say I had money?
Liu Yunhua, quick-witted, immediately chimed in, “Fu Hongxiao, are you backing down now? If you’re not wealthy, then why act so high and mighty? Do you think we’ll laugh at you?”
“Exactly,” Yao Yunyi added with a playful grin. “Just admit defeat, and we’ll let it slide.”
Chu Qingying, sensing an opportunity, joined in with mockery, “Fu Hongxiao, you always boast about being so impressive in the Marquis Manor. Was it all just for show?”
“Fine! Let’s bet! How do you want to do it?” Fu Hongxiao knew Duan Mingxi was setting a trap for her, but she couldn’t back down. Otherwise, she’d lose all face.
Duan Mingxi adopted a magnanimous demeanor. “Each of us can choose a team and place our bets. To show sincerity, how about this: whatever amount you bet, I’ll double it. How’s that?”
“There’s no need for that, Mingxi,” Yao Yunyi interjected with a frown. “We should all bet the same amount.”
Fu Hongxiao’s heart skipped a beat. Double? If I bet 1,000 taels, Duan Mingxi would have to bet 2,000! She didn’t believe the claim that the Duan family would give her half their fortune as a dowry. Duan Pingchang has his own son—why would he give her such a windfall? This is clearly a ploy to humiliate me! But I won’t fall for it.
“Fine, let’s bet!” Fu Hongxiao’s eyes glinted. This time, I’ll expose her for the fraud she is!
The onlookers, drawn by the commotion, cheered loudly. Fu Hongxiao felt triumphant, confident that she wasn’t the only one who disliked Duan Mingxi.
“What’s the wager?”
Someone in the crowd asked curiously, prompting others to excitedly explain the betting scheme between Fu Hongxiao, Duan Mingxi, and their friends.
“I’d like to join the fun too,” Bai Zhiwei stepped forward with a smile, drawing everyone’s attention. “It sounds intriguing, and it’ll make this year’s dragon boat race more exciting.”
Aware of the tension between Mingxi and Bai Zhiwei, Yao Yunyi stepped forward to respond, “Sure, a bet’s just for fun. Why not let Miss Bai join?”
Bai Zhiwei’s eyes gleamed as she glanced at Duan Mingxi. “If that’s the case, can others participate too?”
Duan Mingxi’s expression darkened.
Bai Zhiwei’s smile widened, and she raised her voice to address the crowd, “Ladies and gentlemen, if you’re interested, feel free to join in.” Turning back to Fu Hongxiao, she added, “Since we’re making bets, it’d be dull without stakes. How about we put up some prizes?”
Chu Qingying, catching Bai Zhiwei’s intent, retorted with a cold laugh, “Miss Bai, if you’re so interested, surely you’ll be making a generous contribution yourself. Let us see your sincerity.”
Unfazed, Bai Zhiwei replied, “I’m just a mere girl from the boudoir, nothing like Miss Duan’s abundant wealth. I’ll wager 1,000 taels—how about that?”
Fu Hongxiao immediately said, “I’ll put in 1,000 taels as well.”
Yao Yunyi’s expression grew uneasy. Among noble ladies, betting even 100 taels was considered extravagant, but here they were, casually throwing down 1,000 taels.
Looking smug, Fu Hongxiao glanced at Duan Mingxi. “What’s wrong? Is the eldest Miss Duan scared? If you apologize to me now, I’ll let it go.”
Duan Mingxi’s expression remained calm as she looked at them. “A mere 1,000 taels is enough to make you so arrogant? I thought you might have some real skill to show me, but this is it?”
Her words, sharp and dismissive, made the two women’s faces darken. Then, with a faint smile, she continued, “Such a small amount of silver hardly seems worth it. How about this? I’ll wager 10,000 taels. You two can decide what to do.”
The sheer sarcasm in her tone felt like a slap across Fu Hongxiao and Bai Zhiwei’s faces.
Gasps echoed around them. Ten thousand taels?! Even splitting the pot, Duan Mingxi alone was putting up 5,000 taels.
Someone in the crowd shouted, “Miss Duan, can we join in on the fun too?”
