Rebirth of Poisoned Empress, by 颜若优雅

Chapter 43

"Pfft!" Qi Xuan couldn't help but burst out laughing, "Haha...Yaoguang, you can't say it any better. They just all like to act. On the surface, they like to act like fairies and goddesses, but behind everyone's back, what do they not dare to do?"

"Xiao Xuan!" hearing him, QI Yue chastised. However, a smile toyed with the corners of his lips, and it was evident that their statements only gained his approval.

"Whether or not it's dull, I can't say. But don't men all have a preference for elegant and refined beauties? As for me, donned in this sort of bright red dress, isn't it inevitably a little too gaudy?" Whilst eating, Shen Liang interjected in a timely manner. He knew better than anyone how he looked. In his previous life, did he ever lack beautiful brocade gowns and jade accessories? In the end? Didn't he still lose to the elegant and refined pretenses the other women maintained?

"Liangliang, such words aren't exactly correct. Since ancient times, literati and scholars have indeed shown a preference for lotus flowers unstained by mud, but have you ever heard of anyone spending their fortunes to buy lotus flowers? On the contrary, peonies, known as the king of flowers, are not only luxurious but hard to find. Liangliang, you are a peony, and the rest of them can't compare."

As expected of the State Scholar's father. He really knew how to talk. Even Shen Liang almost believed that he really was an incomparable beauty, one of a kind in this world.

"Yes, yes. Liangliang, you're the best," Qi Yue and the rest were all literate, but they lacked literary talent. At times like these, they could only responsibly nod their heads. 

"Aren't you all just attempting to comfort me?" Shen Liang shook his head with amusement as he placed his chopsticks down. "Am I supposed to compete with a bunch of women on beauty? Is it worth it? Isn't it just the title of 'beauty'? Hurry up and eat, everyone. It's not early anymore. Xuan Ge, you'll stay home today to look after the courtyard with Uncle Fu. It will suffice for Yue Ge and Yaoguang to follow me."

"Then you must be careful. I heard that the madame will also head along today." When Qi Xuan heard him, he still couldn't help but worry. Although the madame had been grounded by the Marquis, the Elder Princess's invite specifically requested Liu Shuhan and her children's presences. She definitely wouldn't miss the banquet. 

"If she doesn't go, how would the good show start?"

"Huh?"

"Nothing. I'll go grab something," after, Shen Liang left the group of people and returned to his quarters. Prior to changing, he had placed the Nine Dragon's Bracelet in his drawers. His thin, white hands picked the bracelet back up and slid in on his left wrist while his fingers caressed against the smooth surface gently. Shen Liang's exquisite and beautiful face then revealed a tinge of desolation. He won't do anything if those people decide not to provoke him today, but if they intend to frame and humiliate him again like they did in his last life, then he will play with them, and they can all wait to see exactly who the prey was and who was the predator.

Four carriages lined up neatly before the front gate of the Marquis Donglin Manor. Amongst them, one appeared particularly luxurious and just one glance was sufficient to derive the conclusion that the carriage was undoubtedly a costly one. Liu Shuhan, the mother-daughter pair, Zhao Lan, and her daughter, as well as Lu Yang and her daughter all stood beside their carriages. Strange enough, no one stood beside the carriage that stood out amongst them all, as though the carriage had been prepared for someone else.

"...Xiao Wu..." Zhao Lan immediately spotted Shen Liang and her pupils immediately dilated. She heavily doubted her eyes and wondered if this really was Shen Liang. When he donned on a formal gown, he was simply too....