Reborn, the daughter of the Marquisate went crazy

The Dongling Palace was decorated with lights and colors everywhere, and it was magnificent.

Emperor Yingtian was dressed in a bright yellow robe with nine dragons, a crown with twelve tassels on his head, and sat upright on a gilded dragon throne, looking majestic without even being angry.

Envoys from various countries came forward one after another to present their gifts. Three-foot-tall blood coral, crimson as flame; pure snow wolf fur, warm to the touch; pigeon-egg-sized night-shining pearls, shimmering with brilliance. Each gift drew astonishment from the audience.

Delicacies were presented like flowing water, the sounds of stringed instruments and bamboo pipes were pleasant to the ears, and the dancers danced gracefully with their wide sleeves spread out.

Amidst the clinking of glasses, Princess Tuya suddenly stood up and shouted, "This is so boring! Is this the only way the women of Dongling can dance in such a coquettish and soft manner?"

As she spoke, she extended a slender finger and pointed directly at the lead dancer in the center. The dancer was frightened by her sharp gaze and stumbled back two steps.

Princess Tuya turned and scanned the female guests, her gaze sweeping over the seated ladies one by one. A hint of sneer played on her red lips, "We Linyuan women can shoot eagles with bows and ride horses to crush enemies. And you Dongling women... each one of you is so weak and frail, nothing but useless waste, dependent on men for survival!"

These provocative words were like cold water poured into boiling oil, and the faces of the Dongling officials suddenly changed. However, Tuoba Lie remained seated as steady as a mountain, calmly playing with his wine glass, as if he were indulging himself.

"Princess Tuya, you are wrong." Before the Dongling officials could speak, Feng Zhaoheng spoke first.

He leaned against the gilded table, looking like he was enjoying the fun, his voice languid with a hint of frivolity: "As a woman, Princess, I'm afraid it's difficult for you to understand a man's thoughts. The daughter of Dongling is as gentle as water, and she is the most understanding..."

He paused deliberately, his eyes sweeping across the ladies at the table with ambiguity: "Of course, men will be more pleased."

His words were so frivolous that the unmarried ladies at the banquet turned pale instantly, and several young ladies even hurriedly covered their faces with their sleeves.

Suddenly, Feng Zhaoheng changed the subject, a mischievous glint in his eyes: "But seeing how imposing the princess is, could it be that you wish to...compete with the noble ladies of Dongling?"

Lin Yuan and Feng Qian were singing the same tune, clearly intending to stir up trouble!

Emperor Yingtian, who was sitting at the top, had already stopped smiling. His face was gloomy and his eyes were cold.

Seeing the tense atmosphere, Princess Shuhua suddenly smiled. "Princess Tuya has come all the way here, wishing to compete with my daughter from Dongling. That's not a bad idea. I wonder what you'd like to compete in? Music, chess, calligraphy, painting, singing, dancing, or tea art? Or perhaps..."

"Humph!"

Princess Tuya sneered, interrupting the Grand Princess's words: "Dongling women really only know these boudoir tricks!"

She strode to the center of the hall, the long whip in her hand slithering like a venomous snake, and said sarcastically, "This princess doesn't want to compete with those empty ones."

Before she finished her words, she suddenly raised her whip and pointed it directly at the female guests' seats. Her eyes were as contemptuous as if she was looking at an ant: "Women of Dongling, if any of you can survive under my whip, I will be convinced!"

Tuoba Lie then spoke slowly: "Tuya, don't make trouble, they can't stand your whip." These words seemed to be dissuasion, but in fact, every word was full of thorns, clearly adding fuel to the fire.

The faces of the people in Dongling fell livid, caught in a dilemma. The noble ladies of Dongling were always pampered. If they refused to fight, they would be showing weakness; if they rashly accepted the challenge, Princess Tuya's ruthless tactics would result in death or injury. This was a clear dead end; no matter which choice they made, they would inevitably suffer humiliation.

Emperor Yingtian glanced at the female guests' seats and saw that all the noble ladies had already turned pale and lowered their heads, fearing that they would lose their lives if they were called out.

In the silence, Princess Shuhua slowly spoke: "Your Majesty, I have a suggestion."

Emperor Yingtian raised his brows slightly, a hint of expectation flashing in his eyes: "Aunt, please speak."

Princess Shuhua curled her red lips slightly, a barely perceptible smugness flashing in her phoenix eyes: "General Jiang is a martial arts master, and a tiger father has a dog daughter. His daughter must be no less capable. Why not let her compete with Princess Tuya!"

She suppressed a smile, thinking to herself: I had intended to set up a trap against Jiang Muxue today, but Princess Tuya had taken the initiative. If I could kill someone with a borrowed knife, let Jiang Muxue die under Tuya's whip, not only would I get rid of the thorn in my side, but I could also let her bear the infamy of bringing shame to Dongling. It would truly be killing two birds with one stone.

General Jiang's daughter? After a two-second pause, Emperor Yingtian realized it was Jiang Muxue. He felt a surge of displeasure. Even if Jiang Muxue possessed some martial arts skills, how could a divorced, middle-aged woman possibly face off against the vibrant and vibrant Princess Tuya? Why would the Imperial Aunt make such an unreasonable suggestion? But given the current circumstances, there simply wasn't anyone else suitable.

Emperor Yingtian glanced at the female guests' seats, but did not find Jiang Muxue.

Xie Qingli and Jiang Muxue's seats had been deliberately arranged next to the pillars, the thick red lacquer pillars almost completely obscuring their seats. As soon as she sat down, Xie Qingli realized it was Princess Shuhua's handiwork, but she remained calm and simply pulled Jiang Muxue to sit down.

But at this moment, Princess Shuhua pointed her finger at A Niang, and Xie Qingli's eyes flashed with coldness. She noticed that A Niang's face turned slightly pale, so she patted the back of her hand soothingly and winked at Leng Shuang who was standing beside her.

"Your Majesty." Xie Qingli suddenly emerged from behind the pillars and bowed to Emperor Yingtian. "Your Highness, I would like to learn from you, Princess, your wise counsel on behalf of my mother."

Jiang Muxue's eyes were filled with worry. She hurriedly tried to pull her daughter's sleeve, but only caught a fluttering hem. Xie Qingli, under everyone's shocked gaze, walked leisurely towards the center of the hall.

As she moved lightly, she glanced inconspicuously at Chu Yuncang in the men's section. Since Princess Shuhua was determined to commit suicide, she had to reciprocate. She was afraid that someone would be ruined at today's birthday banquet!

Xie Qingli was wearing a pale purple brocade dress with cloud patterns, a silver silk sash around her waist, and a plain gauze gown with wide sleeves. Although her attire was simple and understated, it couldn't hide her innate elegance.

Princess Tuya narrowed her eyes, and when she saw Xie Qingli's face clearly, a trace of jealousy flashed in her eyes. She shook the long whip in her hand and said coldly, "Who are you?"

Her eyes swept over Xie Qingli's slender figure, and she sneered disdainfully: "Based on your frail appearance, are you really looking for death? Sending out a little girl, do you have no one left in Dongling?"

Xie Qingli bowed calmly, a faint smile on her lips: "I am Xie Qingli, the legitimate granddaughter of General Jiang, and the Princess of Zhaoning, personally appointed by His Majesty."

She paused slightly, her voice suddenly turning cold. "Just now, the princess insulted the women of Dongling. You are really looking down on us. The women of Dongling are talented. They are not only proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting, but also in riding and archery. However..."

She suddenly raised her eyes, a cold glint flashing in them. "Why use a butcher knife to kill a chicken? This princess was fortunate enough to learn some martial arts from an old Taoist priest in the mountains. Today, I will represent the women of Dongling and compete with the princess."

She walked slowly forward, each step carrying a murderous aura. "I just don't know... what would happen if I accidentally killed the princess?"