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Chapter 834: King Ping (Part )
The girls who attended the banquet in the palace had all heard about what kind of person King Ping was. However, they didn't have a deep impression of him after hearing about him from others. Now, seeing it with their own eyes, they were almost all shocked.

Everyone subconsciously tried to drive Li Fanghua away.

Li Fanghua was repeatedly told by her elders at home that she must not lose her composure after entering the palace and must appear calm and composed as the future Princess Ping.

She was just a young girl who had just come of age and was looking forward to marrying a good man. However, she was told that she would marry the mentally retarded Prince Ping. This was a favor from the Queen Mother Li to her family. The elders were very happy and chose her from among several eligible girls in the Li family because she was the most outstanding in appearance and talent.

No one asked her whether she was willing or not.

No one knew that she already had a lover.

No one cared about how she felt.

She was like a wooden sculpture, and was helped by maids to wash and dress up this morning, and was brought into Ning'an Palace by the elders, playing the zither in front of everyone. She was carefully looked at by Empress Dowager Li and examined by Her Majesty the Empress.

The loose skirt concealed her trembling legs, and the delicate makeup hid her panic and misery.

She was like a fish out of water, placed on a delicate chopping board, and closed her eyes resigned to her fate. However, King Ping's sudden move broke the heart she had built for herself.

The corners of her eyes suddenly became wet.

Madam Li, who brought her into the palace, noticed something was wrong with her. Her smile suddenly froze, and she hurriedly stood up to cover for her: "Fanghua is feeling a little unwell. I will take her out to rest for a while."

There were no fools present. Besides, who could ignore the pitiful sight of Li Fanghua biting her lips with red eyes and tears falling continuously?
Empress Dowager Li was furious and glared at Madam Li fiercely. She said calmly, "If that's the case, please leave for now!"

After all the picking and choosing, why did you choose such a good-for-nothing bastard?
In front of so many people, she was embarrassed. Most importantly, Jiang Shaohua was here today. How could Li Fanghua be worthy of the emperor's attention with her appearance? How could she be the Princess of Ping?
Jiang Shaohua's eyes swept across the girl from the Li family who was crying silently with tears in her eyes, and thought that this blind date party was completely ruined.

This Miss Li was obviously not happy to be the Princess of Ping. The Queen Mother Li was devoted to her natal family, and the Li family was eager to climb up the social ladder, so no one asked Miss Li if she was willing to be the sacrifice.

Jiang Shaohua didn't say much so as not to embarrass Empress Dowager Li.

Mrs. Li hurried forward and pulled up the out-of-control Li Fanghua, using an awkward smile to hide her inner panic.

Li Fanghua lowered his head and walked a few steps with Madam Li. Suddenly, he heard the loud shouting of King Ping, and his heart began to beat fast, and the hot blood rushed to his temples.

Li Fanghua suddenly broke free from Madam Li's hand with courage from nowhere, turned around, rushed to the Empress and Queen Dowager Li, and knelt down with a thud.

Mrs. Li's head buzzed and her heart sank.

Everyone was surprised, holding their breath, stretching their necks and pricking up their ears, for fear of missing even a little bit of the show.

Queen Mother Li looked unhappy as she stared at Li Fanghua.

Jiang Shaohua raised his eyebrows slightly, his expression unchanged.

"Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, Fanghua lost her composure in public today." Li Fanghua choked with sobs, her voice trembling like a small flower swaying in the wind: "Fanghua is not blessed to stay in the palace, I want to go home now. I beg the emperor and the Empress Dowager for permission."

A silence.

The concubines withdrew their gazes one after another, pretending that they did not exist. The female relatives who entered the palace for the banquet, when they saw the livid face of the Empress Dowager Li, quickly looked away as if they were burned by fire.

Mrs. Li's head was buzzing and two big words of despair flashed through her mind.

Finished!

What Princess Ping! After such a disgraceful incident, it will be difficult for the women of the Li family to enter the palace in the future. This Li Fanghua! How could she act so foolishly in public!
As a daughter of the Li family, she could marry into the palace and become the Princess of Ping, and she could continue the glory of the Li family for decades. This was her honor and dignity! How dare she do this!
Madam Li gnashed her teeth in hatred, but she had to turn around and kneel down together, trembling with fear and pleading for Li Fanghua: "Fanghua is young and shallow, and has never seen a big scene in the palace. She was disrespectful in front of the emperor today, and it was the Li family's poor teaching. Please calm down, Your Majesty, and Your Majesty the Queen Mother. I will take her back and teach her well, and I will come to the palace to apologize in the future."

Empress Dowager Li coldly spat out two words: "Go!"

Mrs. Li grabbed Li Fanghua's sleeve again.

Li Fanghua trembled, as if she had anticipated the miserable fate that awaited her. As a girl who had caused a great disaster, she would never have a good ending after returning to the Li family. She would either be arranged to marry casually, or she would fall seriously ill and never show up in public again, and die in a few years.

Li Fanghua raised her head and looked at Her Majesty the Empress with tearful eyes and pleading expression.

Your Majesty, please save me.

Jiang Shaohua frowned, and a long-forgotten scene flashed through her mind. Many, many years ago, she had also been a victim of a political marriage. The difference was that she was persuaded by the Queen Mother Zheng and willingly married into the fire pit.

Li Fanghua in front of us had the courage and determination to resist, and he made such a fuss in public, which was commendable.

"Mrs. Li," Jiang Shaohua said with a smile, "Wait a moment."

Madam Li wanted to kill Li Fanghua. However, since the emperor had spoken, she had to obey his orders: "Yes, please give your orders, Your Majesty."

Jiang Shaohua smiled and said, "Today is the Queen Mother's birthday, which is a good day. Miss Li was a little excited and lost her manners, which is not a big mistake, so there is no need to scold her too much. If she makes any noise, it will damage the good intentions of the Queen Mother."

Mrs. Li's heart tightened and she nodded repeatedly.

Her Majesty's words were enough to save her life.

Li Fanghua cried again. This time, it was tears of joy and gratitude. She didn't dare to say anything more, and just kowtowed three times. When she looked up, her forehead was red: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Jiang Shaohua smiled warmly and said, "No need to thank me. After you go back, talk to the elders about what's in your heart. The elders are kind and generous, and they will naturally feel sorry for the younger generation. Go!"

This "go" was much warmer than the two cold words from Empress Dowager Li.

Li Fanghua felt a surge of warmth in her heart. She responded with red eyes, then stood up and left with Madam Li.

The women who watched the drama heaved a sigh of relief. Their empress, though almighty, also had a kind and benevolent side. Just a few words changed Li Fanghua's fate.

Mrs. Li took Li Fanghua away, but the birthday party was not deserted.

Jiang Shaohua smiled and said to Queen Mother Li: "Don't be upset about this little thing. So many people came to the palace to celebrate your birthday today. You like to see young girls, so let them come forward and talk."