Marrying a concubine and swallowing her dowry? The mistress turns around and marries a high-ranking

Chapter 670

In June, the old lady of the Duke of Li's mansion in Ancheng held her birthday banquet. The Duke of Li's mansion and the Crown Prince's palace had a close relationship, and both Mo Chonggui and Shen Lingjun went to offer their congratulations.

The other guests were all high-ranking officials and nobles of Ancheng. Knowing that the Crown Prince was coming, they all regarded this birthday banquet as a great opportunity.

They all brought their daughters and sisters of marriageable age. Each one was a young lady of high social standing, dressed in her finest attire, displaying her unique charm, like a hundred flowers vying for beauty.

The people of Western Qi were quite open-minded. In public, it was normal for young men and women to greet each other and even talk.

Mo Chonggui was surrounded by a group of beautiful women, some plump and some slender, their voices like nightingales, so engrossed that he could hardly extricate himself.

Shen Lingjun wasn't worried at all; he just stood there happily, enjoying the spectacle.

At that moment, a young lady walked into the crowd.

The moment she appeared, all the vying beauties fell silent, as if their arrogance had diminished.

This stunning beauty appeared to be about sixteen or seventeen years old. Dressed in elegant and noble attire, her beauty was breathtaking; she seemed to glow in a crowd. Her bearing was even more remarkable—graceful, elegant, and otherworldly. She was a sight to behold.

She stepped out like a force to be reckoned with, making all the other young ladies pale in comparison.

All eyes were on her as she walked step by step toward the Crown Prince, but no one dared to challenge her, for they would only be her foil. No one would be that foolish.

The beautiful woman walked gracefully forward and bowed to Mo Zhonggui.

"The eldest daughter of the Sheng family greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Mo Zhonggui was already annoyed by everyone's pestering, but when she heard the eldest daughter of the Sheng family introduce herself, she had no choice but to patiently return the greeting.

The Sheng family was a century-old prominent family in the Western Qi Dynasty, with considerable prestige and power. This eldest daughter of the Sheng family, Sheng Qiongluo, had a father who was the Grand Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat, so she couldn't be neglected and had to be treated with some respect.

The women all looked extremely unpleasant.

Sheng Qiongluo is known as the most beautiful woman in Ancheng, possessing both exceptional talent and beauty, and coming from a high-ranking family—her conditions are top-notch. If she wants to seize the position of the Crown Prince's concubine, what can they possibly use to compete with her?

However, to everyone's surprise, Sheng Qiongluo did not continue to talk to the Crown Prince, but instead continued to walk towards the Crown Princess.

Sheng Qiongluo also bowed to Shen Lingjun: "This humble girl greets the Crown Princess."

They were well-behaved, showing neither obsequiousness nor provocation.

Shen Lingjun said politely, "Miss Sheng, there's no need for such formalities. I've long heard that Miss Sheng is the most beautiful and talented woman in Ancheng, and seeing her today, I can confirm that her reputation is well-deserved."

Sheng Qiongluo smiled and said, "Your Highness is too kind. How could my daughter possibly match Your Highness's demeanor?"

The women exchanged bewildered glances as they saw that Sheng Qiongluo barely looked at the Crown Prince and showed no intention of showing off in front of him.

Sheng Qiongluo exchanged a few pleasantries with Shen Lingjun before leaving.

Another young lady, probably her close friend, stepped forward and took her arm, teasingly whispering, "Qiongluo, you are the most beautiful woman in Ancheng. Look, everyone avoids your brilliance when they see you. If you want the position of the Crown Prince's concubine, I guarantee you'll get it in no time."

Sheng Qiongluo smiled reproachfully and slapped her lightly.

"Don't talk nonsense! A young lady shouldn't say such things in public! Don't you know any shame!"

As she spoke, her face flushed slightly, and her voice lowered even further.

"I would never be a concubine. The difference between a wife and a concubine is like heaven and earth. Even if the Crown Prince is noble, a concubine is still just a concubine."

The young lady laughed and said, "Well said! Our Qiongluo is indeed ambitious!"

The two were not far from Shen Lingjun, and although they were whispering, Shen Lingjun still heard most of their conversation.

Given Sheng Qiongluo's talent, beauty, and background, she could easily become the principal wife of any noble young master in Ancheng. It's perfectly normal that she has high aspirations and looks down on the position of a concubine in the Crown Prince's residence.

Shen Lingjun didn't take it to heart and went to socialize with the other ladies.

At three quarters past 5 pm, the birthday banquet began. Just as Shen Lingjun was about to take her seat, she suddenly felt as if someone had stepped on her skirt. Before she could react, she heard a tearing sound and looked down to see that the thin tulle on her skirt had been ripped open.

The woman who stepped on her skirt was a noblewoman. She was so frightened that she quickly moved her foot away and apologized profusely.

"Your Highness, please forgive me! I didn't mean to! Someone pushed me from behind, and I lost my balance, which is why I stepped on Your Highness's dress!"

As she spoke, she looked behind her, but there was no one else there.

The noblewoman became even more panicked, unable to defend herself: "This... Your Highness, what I said is true!"

Everyone turned to look at them.

In this situation, Shen Lingjun naturally couldn't hold anything against it, and comforted her:

"Don't panic, it's nothing serious. I'll just go change into a dress."

She brought a spare dress with her when she came to the Duke of Li's mansion, and asked Dou Niang to fetch it from the carriage outside.

A maid from the Duke of Li's mansion stepped forward and said, "Princess Consort, please go to this empty room to change your clothes."

The old woman's voice was a bit rough and not very pleasant, but she looked to be in her thirties or forties, with a large build. It wasn't surprising that her voice wasn't as clear and delicate as a young girl's. Shen Lingjun didn't think much of it.

Shen Lingjun and Dou Niang followed the old woman to an empty room in the backyard.

The old woman went into the room first, lit the candles inside, and said to Shen Lingjun, "This room is a guest room and is currently unoccupied. Your Highness, please change your clothes here. This old servant will wait outside."

With that, he stepped outside.

Shen Lingjun turned around, about to have Dou Niang help her change her dress, when she suddenly saw that the old woman not only did not leave the door, but instead closed it and chopped Dou Niang on the back of the neck with a backhand chop, instantly knocking Dou Niang unconscious!

Shen Lingjun was startled, and before he could even shout, he witnessed an even more unbelievable scene!

The old woman's body emitted a series of teeth-grinding, bone-crunching sounds as her bones rubbed together. Her whole body trembled, and she instantly grew several inches taller, with broad shoulders, a sturdy back, and a wasp waist.

He casually ripped off his wig and leather mask, revealing a rugged, dark-skinned face with sharp features.

He's not some old woman at all, he's clearly a grown man!