Xiao Jinghan's smile made many people stare blankly, almost fainting on the spot.
Even Qin Miao and Qin Qian, who were standing beside the Princess Dowager, had their eyes lit up. Compared with such a man, the men their mother kept were nothing.
"General Xiao, are you here to accuse this princess?" The tone of the Princess Dowager actually softened as she sized up Xiao Jinghan from head to toe.
Yi Qing immediately stepped in front of Xiao Jinghan. How dare this woman have designs on her man? There was no way!
Xiao Jinghan saw Yi Qing's jealousy and couldn't help smiling to himself. This girl was so petty: "If the Princess Dowager has done something wrong concerning my wife, I will surely look into it."
Everyone gasped. Probably even the emperor wouldn't dare to talk to the Princess Dowager like this. After all, she was the emperor's aunt.
"Good, good, good. This princess would like to see what you can find out." The Princess Dowager laughed out of anger.
"General Xiao." The Princess of Ning suddenly stepped forward. "You should know your place."
Yi Qing looked at Xiao Jinghan curiously. Why did it seem that Xiao Jinghan was also being targeted?
"The Princess of Ning is right. The emperor has taught this subject to always be reasonable." Xiao Jinghan bowed.
Yi Qing staggered. Where did this Princess of Ning come from? She and the Prince of Ning were as innocent as could be. Moreover, she had saved the Prince of Ning and prevented the Princess of Ning from becoming a widow. Why was the Princess of Ning targeting them?
Could it be that the Prince of Ning had misbehaved at home and offended the Princess of Ning, and she wanted him dead so that she could be a happy widow? But because of her, the plan didn't succeed.
If that was the case, they were really on the same page. It was really her fault.
The Princess of Ning took a deep breath: "In that case, the matter between the Princess Dowager and Mrs. Xiao may have to be taken to the emperor for a ruling."
Xiao Jinghan ignored the Princess of Ning and looked down at Yi Qing: "Did they really bully you?"
Yi Qing nodded like a pounding garlic: "Yes, yes, yes. They said I had an affair with your subordinate and was involved with many other men."
Xiao Jinghan's face immediately darkened. For Yi Qing to be slandered like this in public was an insult to him: "Your Highness, this subject is that subordinate."
The Princess Dowager was stunned for a moment: "It was just a misunderstanding. This princess was also doing this for General Xiao's sake. Now that it's clear, please take your seats." She didn't want the situation to escalate.
"Since the Princess Dowager is doing this for my sake, please call those many men here so that we can get to the bottom of this." Xiao Jinghan bowed.
Truly, like attracts like. The couple really didn't give others any room for compromise.
"It was just a joke." The Princess Dowager wondered when this would end.
Yi Qing indicated that it was far from over. If they wouldn't let her have a good time, then no one would: "So people like us are just a joke to the Princess Dowager. I'm afraid I can't take such jokes."
She had wanted to show others her superiority before, but now she wanted to back down. Well, just stay up there. The view is great.
The noble ladies were now standing there like quails, looking at their noses and saying nothing. They were even too tired to show surprise. This first-rank general's wife was really an eye-opener. She dared to confront the Princess Dowager like this.
"Fine!" When had the Princess Dowager ever been forced like this? "Miao'er, tell us who those people are. Let Mrs. Xiao be convinced today."
Qin Miao thought her mother was going to back her up, so she was immediately excited. If Yi Qing was having an affair with other men, Xiao Jinghan would surely despise her. Then she would have a chance.
"Mother, just from what I know, there's Lu Tianxun, Deng Xiao, and the Prince of Ning, and there's also my..." Before Qin Miao could finish, the Princess Dowager slapped her across the face.
Qin Miao covered her face in disbelief. It was her mother who had asked her to speak. Why did she hit her?
"Nonsense. How can you just say whatever you want?" The Princess Dowager had originally wanted to find good matches for her two daughters. Now it seemed that as long as they could get married, that would be good enough.
She was noble, but her power came from the royal family. These people even the royal family had to show some respect to, especially the Prince of Ning, who was a member of the royal family himself.
Just who was this Yi Qing? Why was she so close to those people?
Mrs. Lu stepped forward again: "Your Highness, this subject can testify that Mrs. Xiao and my son are as innocent as can be. She just helped my son treat his leg. My son can stand up now thanks to Mrs. Xiao."
"Auntie, this subject can also testify. At that time, Mrs. Xiao hadn't married General Xiao yet. She was just helping the Prince of Ning with his illness." Although the Princess of Ning was angry, she still stepped forward.
Qin Miao had gone too far this time. She had even named these three people.
"There's no need to ask about Deng Xiao." The Princess Dowager knew Deng Xiao's identity. "Since this matter is now clear, please take your seats."
After all this, the Princess Dowager lost face and looked very embarrassed.
Qin Miao also left. If she stayed any longer, what would others think of her?
"Can they still enjoy their meal after all this?" Yi Qing sat beside Xiao Jinghan and looked around. "Hey, look at that young lady staring at you. She's quite pretty. How about I go over and ask if she's married?"
Xiao Jinghan gently flicked Yi Qing's forehead: "You little thing. I'll deal with you when we get home."
When Yi Qing heard the word "deal with", she immediately became obedient. No, what was wrong with her? She was starting to have dirty thoughts.
When the desserts and fruits were served, everyone started chatting, and the atmosphere quickly became lively again, as if nothing had happened just now.
Qin Miao left the banquet fuming and wanted to smash things. Yi Weiwei heard the noise and rushed over in a hurry.
"Who made the young lady so angry?" Yi Weiwei asked obsequiously.
"That Yi Qing is really hateful. She dared to embarrass me in front of so many people." Qin Miao gritted her teeth.
Yi Weiwei lowered her eyes for a moment: "I've told the young lady before that Yi Qing doesn't put anyone in her eyes. How about we take advantage of this flower-viewing banquet and ruin her reputation?"
Qin Miao looked at Yi Weiwei: "Do you have a plan?"
"The plan is right there. It just depends on whether the young lady is willing to make a sacrifice." Yi Weiwei joked.
"What's there to be reluctant about? Hurry up and tell me."
Yi Weiwei lowered her voice: "Later, when we're viewing the flowers, the young lady can find an excuse to get her away. There are so many men in the backyard. Just pick one, and that'll ruin her reputation."
"Those are all my mother's men." Qin Miao hesitated.
"So it depends on whether the young lady is willing to make a sacrifice." Yi Weiwei looked indifferent.
"Fine." Qin Miao just couldn't swallow this humiliation.
The lunch in the front was almost over, and Yi Qing was already full. Maybe her appearance had been too shocking, so no one bothered her during the meal.
Bai Yutang, on the other hand, quickly got to know many noble ladies. Her docile appearance was very popular among them, and she even received many gifts.
"Who's that?" Yi Qing pointed to a gentle noblewoman in a maroon front-buttoned robe. She was very popular among the crowd.
"Mrs. Yuan." Xiao Jinghan said with a faint smile on his lips. "The daughter-in-law of the Duke of Yuan."