Song Zhiyu was right. People from different social strata had different insights and cognitions. Only by knowing the lives and thoughts of the powerful and wealthy could one understand one's opponents.
The innate superiority of those aristocrats gave them an edge in momentum. This debate was inherently unfair.
Xiao Jinghan shook his head. "Even if that's the reason, it shouldn't be like this. They don't even take Song Zhiyu seriously."
"Then why?" Yi Qing really didn't understand what those people were thinking. "You said it was the Japanese who tried to assassinate Song Zhiyu. Among those involved in Song Zhiyu's teacher's case back then, who had contact with the Japanese?"
"Tell Deng Xiao to investigate." Xiao Jinghan looked at Yi Qing. "How's the preparation for your banquet going?"
"Almost done. Everything in the Western Garden is ready. I'll discuss the details with Mother tomorrow."
Previously, Yi Qing had wanted to hold a banquet, but the Grand Princess had snatched the opportunity. She never thought that when she held a banquet again, it would be when the Princess had fallen from grace. One really shouldn't offend Yi Qing.
Madam Di wasn't good at organizing banquets either. "Madam Lu is the best at this kind of thing, and Madam Yuan is also quite good. How about we go and ask them for advice?"
"Forget it." Yi Qing already found it troublesome like this. She didn't even want to think about asking others.
"But these people..." Madam Di hesitated. "Will they come?"
"They won't dare not to." Yi Qing smiled.
Those people really didn't dare not come. Even though they knew Yi Qing had ill intentions when inviting them, they still had to come with smiles on their faces and even tried to get involved with the General's Mansion.
When Yi Qing went to the Western Garden, she found out that the emperor had set the venue for the debate between the aristocrats and the poor scholars at Xihua Court. It was just one street away from the back gate of the Western Garden.
Xihua Court was famous for the deposed emperor's massacre of scholars there.
Back then, the deposed emperor was tyrannical. A hundred scholars, holding a petition on behalf of the people, denounced the emperor's incompetence. In the end, they were all killed at Xihua Court.
After the current emperor ascended the throne, he rebuilt Xihua Court and erected a monument to commemorate the scholars' integrity, hoping that all scholars in the world would be like them, speaking up for the people and correcting the emperor's mistakes.
Hearing Xiao Jinghan tell her about Xihua Court, Yi Qing thought that those so - called weak scholars actually had unyielding spines and would rather die than submit.
Some might think they were stupid. They knew what kind of king they were dealing with but still tried to remonstrate with their lives.
It was precisely because they took the unfeasible path and used their bones to tell others that it wouldn't work.
"Which kind of scholars died at Xihua Court back then?" Yi Qing suddenly asked.
"Most of them were poor scholars." Xiao Jinghan knew the emperor's intention.
"This dog emperor is so subtle in taking sides." Yi Qing thought that if Song Zhiyu and the others still lost after this, they couldn't blame the dog emperor.
Xiao Jinghan gently flicked Yi Qing's forehead. "Don't speak so recklessly in front of others."
"Got it." Yi Qing tilted her head up reluctantly. "You hurt me."
Xiao Jinghan smiled and gently kissed Yi Qing's forehead.
He never thought that one day he would dote on a woman like a child, just as the arrogant Yi Qing never thought that she would act so childishly and play the coquette in front of a man.
When Yi Qing arrived, some people were already there. The person in charge of reception was Aunt Liangqiu, who served Madam Di. Jushuang led some people to wait for orders on one side.
Madam Lu had come early. These days, she had figured things out. Madam Xiao was right. Moreover, her son had gotten involved in the poor scholars' petition. If something happened in the future, she could use the favor owed by the Xiao family to save her son.
"It's really strange today. Madam Jia usually comes early for such banquets. I sent someone to invite her to come with me today, but she said she wasn't feeling well. Maybe she won't come?" Madam Zhou walked up to Madam Lu and asked curiously.
"Madam Zhou doesn't know?" Madam Xia walked over. "Previously, Madam Xiao made Madam Xie and Madam Jia lose face at Zuixiangju. It even got to the Empress's ears. The Empress summoned Madam Xiao to the palace and scolded her for a whole day. I guess she's apologizing to Madam Xie today."
Madam Lu glanced at Madam Xia. "The Empress did summon Madam Xiao to the palace that day, but she didn't say what it was about. Let's not make wild guesses here."
Madam Xia was unconvinced. "What else could it be? Could it be that Madam Xiao called us all here to talk about her mother's matter?"
"Absolutely not." Madam Zhou scoffed. "If that's the case, who would dare to enter the Xiao family's door in the future?"
Madam Lu sighed inwardly. She didn't know where these people got their confidence. "I got up too early today and feel a bit unwell. I'll go over and rest for a while." She simply ignored these people.
The crowd gathered there, whispering and speculating whether Madam Di would come today. If she did, they would make her admit her mistakes. Maybe they could still get along with her in the future.
When Yi Qing's carriage arrived at the gate, it attracted everyone's attention.
"I'm getting off." Yi Qing saw that Xiao Jinghan had no intention of getting out of the carriage.
"Okay. Be careful." Xiao Jinghan knew Yi Qing wouldn't get into trouble. It didn't matter if she offended others, but he was still a bit worried.
At this time, Ruohong lifted the curtain of the carriage. "Madam, everything is ready."
Yi Qing was helped out of the carriage by Ruohong. The people standing at the gate unconsciously gathered around.
"Madam Xiao has quite a bit of face, making so many of us wait as the host." Madam Xia said sarcastically.
"It's not even the time I set. I came early. Is Madam Xia too idle to come so early and scold the host?" Yi Qing retorted directly.
Madam Xia's face turned extremely ugly. "The time Madam Xiao set is exactly mealtime. If we come at that time, others will think we're just here for the food."
"Otherwise?" Yi Qing thought these people were really interesting. "Can't we just make having a meal a simple thing?"
"You..." Madam Xia wanted to use her seniority, but she was only a third - rank imperial - conferred lady and couldn't compare with Yi Qing.
"Alright. It's still early. Since the host is here, let's take our seats first." Madam Lu came out to defuse the situation.
Yi Qing glanced at them and walked straight into the Western Garden.
Behind her, Madam Xia was so angry that she couldn't even control her expression. A group of people gathered around to comfort her.
"Forget it, forget it. Madam Xiao doesn't even put the Grand Princess in her eyes. Why do you have to provoke her?"
"Right. Why make things difficult for yourself at this time?"
...
"I just can't stand her arrogant look." Madam Xia raised her voice so that Yi Qing could hear.
"Keep it to yourself!" Yi Qing didn't even turn back. She left these two words and walked straight away.
This time, Madam Xia was so angry that her chest hurt. The people beside her didn't know how to comfort her. The more they comforted her, the angrier she got.
Madam Lu shook her head at their behavior and turned to enter the Western Garden. Didn't they understand? Since Madam Xiao had invited them so grandly, she was ready with the chopping block. They didn't even have the self - awareness of being the fish on the chopping block.