CH 82

Chapter 82: War of Words

“If it’s possible to improve oneself by demeaning others, then there would probably be no need to work hard in order to win the Jasper Flower Banquet. Everyone can simply stand on the street and shout like uncultured fishwives. It’s effortless and saves trouble.” The past Su Qiqi definitely would’ve had no choice but to suffer in silence and swallow her bitterness, but she was now Xiao Susu.

She wouldn’t allow herself to be bullied like before.

She wouldn’t allow herself to be hit and insulted without fighting back.

Xiao Susu’s voice wasn’t loud, but it was just enough to crush the sound of the other girls’ mocking laughter.

Furthermore, every single word was filled mocking. However, it didn’t sound as unpleasant as their words and at the same time, was much sharper than their words.

Every word was like a blade.

It caused all the nobles present to lose face.

The words uncultured fishwives was quite a heavy description.

Hua Qianzi also lifted her head to look over at Xiao Susu. She had managed to deflect the topic so easily and skillfully, to the point that the opponent couldn’t even refute.

It caused her to recall Su Qiqi once again. Although she had won everything in the end, she ended up losing what she wanted most, the person she wanted most.

And Xiao Susu was even stronger that Su Qiqi had been back then.

She was also an opponent.

“You…” All the women at the table glowered and Xiao Susu. As of now, they seem to have already forgotten that they were the ones that had started this.

Yet there was nothing they could say in response to this.

The woman dressed in purple who had first brought this topic up was flushed with embarrassment. She glared at Xiao Susu, but there was nothing she could say.

She really wanted to just slap Xiao Susu. Xiao Susu had been nothing but a fool in the past, yet she dared to be so unbridled and arrogant now. The most unbearable part was that the prince was actually backing her up.

What she did earlier she had done in a moment of impulse, she hadn’t thought things through before she spoke. In reality, she was also aware that based on the prince’s attitude, Xiao Susu had the greatest hope of becoming princess consort. It was also because of this that she had been so hostile towards Xiao Susu.

As of now, there was nothing she could say to Xiao Susu’s refute, so she could only endure it.

Clap clap clap!

There was the sound of applause.

Nearby, on a different boat, Xu Weiran was standing at the head of the boat dressed in white, elegant and at ease.

His features were gentle like water, and his eyes exceptionally clear.

In reality, Xu Weiran was an uninvited guest.

However, his appearance actually alleviated the awkward atmosphere.

Originally, Xiao En wanted to walk up to protect Xiao Susu, but before he could, her refute had already stunned all the other women.

Her words were harsh and ruthless. As expected of someone of their Xiao family.

Hua Qianye also slowly got up to look towards Xu Weiran. “So it’s the crown prince of Serene Chaste Nation. What a coincidence.”

“It truly is a coincidence.” Xu Weiran smiled calmly, but his gaze continued to be fixed on Xiao Susu who was surrounded by women.

Xu Weiran sincerely admired her indifferent air and that exceptional natural poise. Regardless of how much pressure was on her, or what attacks she suffered, she was still able to stay so calm and collected. As expected, she wasn’t simple.

He hadn’t been mistaken.

The reason he had stayed instead of returning to Serene Chaste Nation was because his plan hadn’t succeeded yet, but it was also partly because of Xiao Susu. His appetite had been aroused.

At the Jasper Flower Banquet, he had already seen her brilliant talent and unperturbed response to honor and disgrace alike.

Now seeing her like this was very refreshing.

Although he had been quite far away, due to his profound inner strength, he had been able to hear the entire exchange.

Not only did Xiao Susu remain unperturbed in face of those insulting words, she had been able to speak words calmly that the other party was incapable of refuting.

The two boats gradually got closer, then Xu Weiran stepped onto Hua Qianye’s boat.

Since he was the crown prince of Serene Chaste Nation, Hua Qianye couldn’t really do anything disrespectful. He greeted Xu Weiran with a smile, but inwardly, he was very displeased.

He had been very low-key in taking this trip in hopes of taking advantage of this opportunity to improve his relationship with Xiao Susu, so that he would be able to understand this woman better.

Hua Ruxue had said that since this girl had been able to solve those ten boards of chess, she definitely also had high mastery of military affairs.

Setting aside for now the question of how a woman who had been dumb for fifteen years had been able to become clearheaded over the course of one night and actually possess such extraordinary talents, just her skill in chess was exceptionally hard to come by.

Hence, he had to grasp hold of her.

Everyone could tell Xu Weiran and Baili Mo’s intentions, so Hua Qianye was very annoyed to encounter Xu Weiran at this time.

It was as if this opportunity had indirectly been passed to Xu Weiran.

This person’s appearance caused the originally dark expressions of the other women to be instantly replaced by bright smiles again. Who wouldn’t like such a handsome young scholar? Especially when in Hundred Flowers Nation, women were viewed as superior.

The women here were more brazen and unconstrained.

Everyone aside from Xiao Susu and the Hua Qianzi immediately rushed up to surround Xu Weiran and Hua Qianye.

Then they started speaking all at the same time, asking all sorts of questions.

Although women were viewed as superior, it was still impossible to change the noisy nature of women.

“Crown Prince, how long will you be staying here? If you wish to go sightseeing, I can be your tour guide.”

“It must be known that there are innumerable historic sites and scenic spots in Hundred Flowers Nation. Crown Prince, you’ve really come to the right place.”

“They all say that the crown prince is gentle and virtuous. Seeing you today, as expected, rumors don’t lie…”

Contrasting with the lotus flowers on the surface of the lake, the group of beautiful women dressed in rainbows of colors were like graceful butterflies. The pleasant sound of delicate laughter tinkled over the water.

Xu Weiran patiently answered each of the questions from the beauties.

It was truly a harmonious scene of orioles and swallows, jades and rouges, interacting amiably.

Due to Xu Weiran’s appearance, all the women who had been targeting Xiao Susu had changed targets.

Even Xiao En shook his head with a helpless smile.

It was just in time to see that Xiao Susu was looking towards him, so he slowly walked over to her. Hua Qianzi was still next to her. However, Xiao En knew it was best not to get involved with this woman.

The further away they could get from her, the better.

“Just now… Are you all right?” Xiao En looked towards Xiao Susu with heartache.

Being asleep for fifteen years had already become a stain that she would never be able to get rid of.

“It’s fine. It’s nothing big. Being a fool is at least better than being someone intelligent that only lives to scheme against others,” said Xiao Susu lightly as she glanced over at the crowd.

Xu Weiran, due to being surrounded by women, hadn’t had a chance to say anything to Xiao Susu. Although there was still a smile on his lips, it contained a hint of helplessness.

This helplessness wasn’t obvious, but it didn’t escape Xiao Susu’s eyes.

Xiao En’s unease settled when he saw Xiao Susu’s reaction.

Of course, he was also aware that these women were just envious. Based on Hua Qianye’s attitude towards Xiao Susu, they wouldn’t dare to do anything.

At most they’d simply attack with words.

It was clear by now that even when it came to a war of words, Xiao Susu was nothing close to weak.

She simply didn’t want to bicker pointlessly.

“You can just insult them back.” Hua Qianzi suddenly spoke. She had already been observing Xiao Susu for very long time.

Who would have thought that this woman would actually speak at this time? Xiao Susu politely nodded with a smile. “Many thanks, Princess, but there’s no need. There’s no way we can very well bite back after being bitten by a dog, right?”

Hua Qianzi worked hard to suppress her emotions in order not to explode.

She smiled faintly. “Young Miss Xiao truly has the air of a general. As expected of Old General Xiao’s grandchild.”

“Princess is overflattering this one.” Xiao Susu’s heart dropped. She could tell that Hua Qianzi was purposefully being humble, so if she continued to try to avoid her, it’d only attract trouble.

However, not avoiding her and meeting her head on would only attract more trouble.

She felt slight unease. This Hua Qianzi truly had deep schemes.

She had actually set her sights on the Xiao family.

Xiao En also noticed that something was off and his brows furrowed slightly. He quietly kicked Xiao Susu’s foot under the table to indicate for her to be careful.

This Hua Qianzi wasn’t a simple character.

Right now, no one really understood what the emperor was planning, so no one dared to express their opinions lightly.

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Credits: Translated by Chiyomira