Chapter 37: The Great White Lotus

Xu Luowan felt as if demonic sounds were piercing her ears. Her heart fluttered, and her entire body trembled. Her mind was filled with questions: What did Tang Chaochao want with her? Would she try to do something to her again?

Observing the young woman, who seemed terrified out of her wits, Tang Chaochao found the scene suddenly dull. She turned and headed toward the palace gates. Only when Tang Chaochao’s figure disappeared did Xu Luowan let out a long sigh of relief.

At that moment, a young noblewoman approached her, asking in confusion, "Lady Xu, who was that? Why was she dressed like a Taoist nun?"

Xu Luowan looked at her and replied, "That is the second daughter of General Tang’s family," before hurrying away.

The noblewoman wanted to ask more, but Xu Luowan was already far off. She scoffed, "Just as the rumors say, she’s a wild girl from the mountains. To think she would wear Taoist robes to a palace banquet."

Xu Luowan kept her distance from these noblewomen for a reason. Having grown up in the capital, she knew well that these ladies loved nothing more than to grovel before the powerful and trample the weak. It was no secret that Tang Chaochao had abducted Xie Tingyao of the Prime Minister’s estate. Since today’s banquet was being hosted by Consort Jing, Xie Tingyao’s aunt, these noblewomen would surely seize the opportunity to humiliate Tang Chaochao to curry favor with Xie Tingyao or even Consort Jing.

Xu Luowan had no intention of getting involved. She sensed that Tang Chaochao was not a person to be trifled with, and it was unclear who would end up suffering in the end. Thus, she decided to play the quail—she couldn't afford to offend either side.

Tang Chaochao walked alone along the palace path, flanked by towering red walls. It was not her first time in the palace, but she had never had the chance to truly look around before. Suddenly, someone approached from the opposite direction. The people around them bowed and offered greetings, "Greetings, Your Highness, the Third Prince."

Tang Chaochao was the only one who did not bow. The Third Prince, Murong Si, did not seem offended. He walked alongside her. "The second daughter of General Tang is truly courageous. You dare to attend the Snow Appreciation Banquet hosted by my mother?"

Tang Chaochao didn't look at him, continuing to walk forward. "Because of Xie Tingyao?"

Murong Si curved his lips into a smile but did not answer. Tang Chaochao said bluntly, "I struck a prince, yet Consort Jing did not fly into a rage; instead, she hosts a banquet specifically to target me over her niece. It is quite strange."

A cold glint flashed in Murong Si’s eyes. "You jest, Lady Tang. I am not one to go around lodging complaints."

Tang Chaochao paused, then flashed a grin at Murong Si. "So, if I strike Your Highness again next time, you won't report me?"

Murong Si was stunned for a moment, then his lips curled up. "That goes without saying."

Their seemingly pleasant conversation caught the eyes of nearby nobles and courtiers, sparking whispers. "Who is that nun?" "How can she be chatting so happily with the Third Prince!" "Who knows!" "A common nun, and she dares to be so sycophantic. How the times have declined!"

Hearing this, Murong Si suddenly turned back and looked at the speaker. "What nonsense are you spouting? This is the second daughter of General Tang’s family. How dare you slander her!"

Seeing that the Third Prince was angry, the man immediately knelt to apologize. "It was my fault for misunderstanding the lady. I beg for your forgiveness."

Tang Chaochao did not look at him. Instead, she looked at Murong Si and said meaningfully, "Your Highness certainly went to great lengths to arrange this scene."

Tang Chaochao did not believe that anyone would dare insult her so brazenly in front of a prince. The purpose of this act was either to announce her identity to everyone beforehand, but that was clearly redundant, as her identity would have been revealed once the banquet began. So, why was Murong Si protecting her and waiting for her? Murong Si was the son of Consort Jing, and Xie Tingyao was her niece. One wanted to protect her, while the other wanted to target her. This was quite interesting.

Murong Si smiled. "I did this only because I have taken a liking to you, Lady Tang, and I did not want you to face unnecessary trouble." His voice was low, audible only to her.

Tang Chaochao frowned. "Your Highness, you may eat whatever you like, but you must be careful what you say. Be wary of trouble from your own mouth!"

Murong Si leaned in closer. "You simply haven't seen my sincerity yet, Lady Tang. If you could see it clearly, you wouldn't say such things."

Tang Chaochao did not retreat, meeting his gaze directly. "Your Highness has so many concubines; I fear your constitution cannot withstand much more. I happen to know a bit of mystical arts—looking at you, if you continue such nonsense, I fear you may face a bloody disaster."

Murong Si straightened up. This girl was truly capable of striking people. He did not want to be beaten by her in front of so many people. "You jest, Lady Tang. I have matters to attend to, so I will not escort you further. However, if anyone gives you trouble today, you may seek my help."

Tang Chaochao ignored him and walked away. Murong Si smirked. This woman was even more interesting than her sister. It wouldn't be bad if she could actually become his Third Princess Consort.

Tang Chaochao followed the palace servant to a grand hall where many had already taken their seats. Tang Yuntao and Tang Yaozu were among them. As the banquet had not yet begun, many nobles were gathered in groups, chatting. Tang Chaochao’s arrival did not cause much of a stir, but she suddenly sensed someone approaching from behind.

Instinctively, she caught the wrist of the person trying to push her. With a forceful tug, she flung the person into the hall, causing a loud thud. The woman was none other than the noblewoman who had been questioning Xu Luowan at the gate. Her name was Liu Rulan, the daughter of the Vice Minister of Revenue, Liu Zhou. Consort Jing had intended for her to be the Third Princess Consort, and she was deeply displeased by the sight of Tang Chaochao and the Third Prince on the palace path. She had intended to teach her a lesson, but she had not expected to be thrown away so unceremoniously.

As Liu Rulan looked up, she realized many probing eyes were on her. Embarrassed and angry, she stared at Tang Chaochao. "Why did you push me, sister?"

Tang Chaochao looked at the tears already forming in her meticulously made-up eyes. *A classic white lotus,* she thought. Tang Chaochao feigned surprise. "Miss, you were standing behind me. May I ask how I could have pushed you?"

The entrance to the hall was guarded by maids and eunuchs, so many had clearly seen how Liu Rulan had fallen. However, relying on Consort Jing’s favor, Liu Rulan was not afraid that the servants would dare offend her. She bit her lip and sobbed, "I fear I must have offended the second daughter of the Tang family in some way to be treated like this."

Upon hearing that the woman in the Taoist robes was indeed the second daughter of General Tang, everyone’s gaze shifted to Tang Chaochao.