Peach Blossoms in Chang'an

Wu Tao had mixed feelings after reading the letter. The letter was not about the changes in the palace, but about the crisis of the country's destiny. The Western Regions were so arrogant, how dare they humiliate the Tang Dynasty like this! She tightly grasped the letter, secretly worried.

After reading the letter, Hu Bugui frowned and looked solemn. He held Wu Tao's hand and said in a deep voice: "Tao'er, don't worry, I will find a way."

Wu Tao held his hand in return and shook her head gently: "I'm not worried, I believe you." Her eyes were firm, full of trust and support for him.

A few days later, an invitation from the palace was delivered to them. The emperor invited them to host a banquet in the palace to entertain the Western Regions envoys, hoping that Hu Bugui could serve as an advisor to the envoys and assist in handling this incident.

Wu Tao knew in his heart that this banquet was not as simple as it seemed. The Western Regions had come with ill intentions, and the Emperor's brother wanted to use Hu Bugui's wisdom to resolve the crisis.

On the night of the palace banquet, the lights were on, and the magnificent hall was filled with people drinking and chatting. Wu Tao, wearing a simple and elegant dress, walked slowly into the hall holding Hu Bugui's arm.

Their arrival immediately attracted everyone's attention. Hu Bugui was handsome and imposing, while Wu Tao was elegant and graceful, like a perfect couple, making people envious.

However, not everyone was kind to them. The imperial concubine sitting next to the emperor stared at Wu Tao with a sinister look, and a sneer appeared at the corner of her mouth.

After the banquet began, there was singing and dancing, and fine wine and delicacies were served on the table. The emperor and the Western Region envoys pretended to be friendly with each other, and the atmosphere seemed harmonious on the surface, but in fact, there were undercurrents.

After a few drinks, the Western Region envoys began to speak disrespectfully to the Tang Dynasty. Hu Bugui responded calmly, defusing their words one by one and safeguarding the dignity of the Tang Dynasty.

The imperial concubine was even more displeased when she saw this. She deliberately raised her voice and said to the emperor coquettishly, "Your Majesty, look at this Mr. Hu, he is really young and promising! It's a pity..."

She deliberately dragged out the last word, her eyes fell on Wu Tao, with a bit of contempt and ridicule, "You are born in a humble family, you are really not worthy of such a talented person like Mr. Hu!"

When these words came out, everyone in the room was shocked. They all looked at Wu Tao and started whispering.

Wu Tao's face changed slightly. Although she was unhappy, she chose to remain silent for Hu Bugui's sake. However, this was only the calm before the storm, and greater humiliation was yet to come...

 Peach blossoms shine brightly in Chang'an

After the banquet began, there was singing and dancing, and delicious food and wine were served on the table. The emperor and the Western Region envoys pretended to be friendly and the atmosphere was harmonious on the surface, but undercurrents were surging.

Someone whispered, "So she is the woman who lived with Mr. Hu. I heard she was born in a brothel. I don't know what means she used to seduce Mr. Hu..."

"That's right. You don't even look at your own status, yet you still dream of flying up to the treetops and becoming a phoenix. You really overestimate your own abilities!"

Although these discussions were quiet, they were clearly heard by Wu Tao. Her face turned slightly pale, and she couldn't help but tighten her grip on Hu Bugui's hand.

Chun Tao stood behind Wu Tao, and was so angry that she trembled all over when she heard these unpleasant words. She wanted to open her mouth to refute, but Wu Tao gently pulled her sleeve.

Wu Tao took a deep breath, suppressed the humiliation in her heart, and shook her head at Chun Tao. She knew that at this moment, saying more would only make things worse.

Hu Bugui was quick to notice Wu Tao's strangeness. He tilted his head slightly and asked with concern, "Tao'er, what's wrong with you?"

Wu Tao forced a smile and shook his head: "I'm fine, just... a little depressed."

Hu Bugui was about to speak to comfort her, but was interrupted by the imperial concubine's sharp voice: "Mr. Hu, am I telling the truth? This woman is of humble status, how can she be worthy of you? If you like, I can introduce you to several famous ladies. I guarantee that they are all of noble birth, well-educated and well-mannered..."

The imperial concubine's words were full of provocation and malice. She just wanted to embarrass Wu Tao in front of everyone and make her retreat.

Wu Tao's heart felt like it had fallen into an ice cellar, and her whole body was icy cold. She knew that tonight, it would be hard to end peacefully...

Wu Tao's heart felt like it had fallen into an ice cellar, and her whole body was icy cold. The imperial concubine's words were like a sharp blade, piercing her self-esteem. The eyes around her were like sharp swords of scrutiny, leaving her nowhere to hide. She knew that tonight, it would be difficult to end peacefully...

Hu Bugui noticed Wu Tao's strangeness and held her hand tighter, trying to give her strength. He was about to speak to comfort her, but was interrupted by the imperial concubine's sharp voice: "Why? Mr. Hu, are you going to protect your... confidante?"

The imperial concubine covered her face and chuckled, her tone carrying undisguised sarcasm, "I forgot that Master Hu has always been kind to women, but I don't know if this girl is really worthy of such kindness."

She stared at Wu Tao with a scorching gaze, and said provocatively, "I heard that Mr. Hu is very talented and proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting. I'm sure this girl must have some outstanding qualities as well, right? Why not ask the girl to perform for us, so that we can open our eyes and see what kind of girl can be favored by Mr. Hu?"

As soon as the imperial concubine finished speaking, voices echoed around her. Everyone turned their eyes to Wu Tao, their eyes full of curiosity, inquiry, and even a hint of contempt.

Wu Tao took a deep breath and tried to suppress the anger and humiliation in her heart. She knew that the imperial concubine was deliberately making things difficult for her and wanted to embarrass her in public. If she backed down, it would only make the other party more proud and more unscrupulous.

She raised her head and met the Imperial Concubine's provocative gaze, with a faint smile on her lips. "Your Highness, thank you for your compliment. I am from a humble background, so how can I know anything about music, chess, calligraphy, or painting? It's just..."

She paused deliberately, her eyes sweeping across the faces around her that were filled with contempt and ridicule, and she said in a firm tone, "Although I come from a humble background, I know how to respect myself and love myself, and I will not belittle myself because of a few gossips from others."

Her eyes fell on Hu Bugui, her eyes were full of determination and trust, "I believe that Mr. Hu is not the kind of person who judges heroes by their family background."

Hu Bugui gave her an encouraging look in return and gently patted the back of her hand, signaling her to rest assured. He knew that Wu Tao was not an ordinary woman. She had her own pride and persistence, as well as her own wisdom and courage.

The imperial concubine was annoyed when she saw that Wu Tao was not frightened by her aura but became more calm. She snorted coldly and was about to speak when she saw Wu Tao slowly stand up and walk to the center of the hall.

"Since the Imperial Concubine wants to see my performance, I will show my ugliness." Wu Tao's voice was calm and firm, with an unquestionable power. She walked to the center of the hall, stood still, took a deep breath, and slowly closed her eyes.

Everyone's eyes were on her, curious about what she was going to perform.

At this moment, Wu Tao had only one thought in her mind: she wanted to prove herself. She was not a weak woman who could be bullied. She had her own pride and dignity, and she would not let Hu Bugui suffer any grievances because of her. Wu Tao slowly opened her eyes, with a confident light flashing in her eyes. She tilted her head slightly and signaled the musicians to play music. The melodious melody echoed in the hall, with a bit of exotic style, which was completely different from the court music of the Tang Dynasty, and instantly attracted everyone's attention.

Wu Tao began to dance to the rhythm of the music. She did not follow the complicated etiquette of Tang Dynasty court dance, but followed her inner feelings and stretched her body freely.

Her dancing posture is light and agile, sometimes fluttering like a swallow, sometimes dancing like a butterfly, and sometimes blowing across the water like a breeze, creating ripples. Each of her movements is full of power and beauty, but also has a bit of the free and unrestrained style of modern dance, which is very different from the traditional dance style of the Tang Dynasty and is refreshing.

The contemptuous whispers in the hall gradually disappeared, replaced by silence. Everyone was attracted by Wu Tao's dance and stared at her intently, as if time had stopped at this moment.

Even the imperial concubine, who had always been dissatisfied with Wu Tao, could not help but be amazed by her dancing. She had never seen such a graceful and moving dance, as if she was a fairy descending from the sky, with an extraordinary temperament.

After the dance, Wu Tao bowed gracefully. Suddenly, the palace burst into thunderous applause that lasted for a long time. People praised Wu Tao's dancing skills, and even the emperor couldn't help but nod his head in praise.

"Good! You dance well!" The emperor laughed loudly, "This dance is really unique and refreshing. I wonder where the young lady learned from to achieve such accomplishments?"

Wu Tao smiled slightly and replied in a neither humble nor arrogant manner: "Your Majesty, I just like dancing since I was a child, and I don't have any teacher."

Upon hearing this, the emperor was even more impressed and nodded repeatedly.

However, the imperial concubine's face became more gloomy. She originally wanted to take this opportunity to humiliate Wu Tao, but she didn't expect that she would become the center of attention instead. She was so jealous that she wanted to cut Wu Tao into pieces.

After the banquet, the imperial concubine did not leave as usual, but ordered people to take Wu Tao to a secluded palace.

Wu Tao felt a little uneasy in her heart, but she remained calm and followed the palace servants to the palace.

In the palace, the imperial concubine sat upright, her face stern, her eyes flashing with danger. She looked at Wu Tao coldly and said in a cold tone: "You are very smart and resourceful, but..."

She slammed the table, stood up, approached Wu Tao, and said with gritted teeth: "I warn you, stay away from Hu Bugui, otherwise, I will not let you have an easy time!" Wu Tao met the imperial concubine's threatening gaze, looking back with neither servility nor arrogance, but her heart was in turmoil. The imperial concubine's words undoubtedly showed her hostility towards her, and the source of this hostility was Hu Bugui.

"Your Highness, you are too kind," Wu Tao bowed slightly, her tone calm but with a hint of distance, "Mr. Hu and I are just friends, Your Highness is worrying too much."

"Friend?" The imperial concubine sneered, obviously not believing Wu Tao's words, "Can a friend make him treat you so wholeheartedly? Can a friend make him defend you even at the cost of disobeying the emperor's will?"

Wu Tao was shocked. The imperial concubine obviously knew everything that happened that day, even the details. It seemed that Hu Bugui had planted many spies around her.

"Your Highness has misunderstood," Wu Tao tried to remain calm. "Mr. Hu is kindhearted by nature. He just came to the aid of the weak when he saw injustice. He does not have any special feelings towards me."

"Special friendship?" The imperial concubine paced around Wu Tao for a few steps, and said in a mocking tone, "How can you, a commoner woman of low birth, deserve his special friendship? Why don't you look in the mirror and see if you deserve it!"

The imperial concubine's words were sharp and sarcastic, like poisonous needles piercing Wu Tao's heart. She clenched her fists, her nails digging deep into her flesh, and she barely suppressed the urge to refute.

"Your Highness is right," Wu Tao took a deep breath, suppressed her anger, and said calmly, "I am of humble origins, so I am naturally not worthy of Mr. Hu. I will be more careful in the future and never dare to have any unreasonable thoughts again."

"It's good that you know!" The imperial concubine nodded with satisfaction, a hint of pride flashing in her eyes, "You'd better remember what I said today, otherwise..."

She didn't say anything else, but the threat was clear.

Wu Tao lowered her head to hide the complicated emotions in her eyes. She knew that today's humiliation was just the beginning. Since the imperial concubine had become suspicious of her, she would never let her go easily.

"Go away!" The imperial concubine waved her hand impatiently, as if she felt annoyed to look at Wu Tao any longer.

Wu Tao bowed silently, turned around and left the palace full of depression and coldness.

Walking out of the palace, the warm sunshine sprinkled on her body, but it could not dispel the chill in Wu Tao's heart. The imperial concubine's warning echoed in her ears, like a huge rock pressing on her heart, making her breathless.

What should she do? Should she really stay away from Hu Bugui for her own protection? But can she really do it?

Wu Tao walked aimlessly in the imperial garden, her mind full of Hu Bugui's figure. His voice, smile, his gentleness and thoughtfulness, his firm protection, scenes flashed through her mind, filling her heart with sweetness and bitterness.

At this moment, a familiar figure appeared in her sight...