Chapter 8

Thus, Hu Qing became the only concubine in the General’s residence.

And this news spread like wildfire, reaching every corner of Jing City overnight.

The circle of noblewomen was abuzz with gossip.

Sure enough, as soon as I managed to step out, I ran into my nemesis.

And she was brazenly mocking me:

“Hahaha, Jiang Ran, you’ve let that concubine ride over your head.”

The dignified Vice Minister of Dali Temple’s wife pointed at my nose and laughed.

Completely lacking any semblance of dignity.

I listened patiently to her ridicule, then casually cleaned my ears.

“I heard your husband spent a fortune at Baihua Tower last night.

“Yu Jiaojiao, if you have the leisure to meddle in my affairs, you might as well frequent the brothels more often.”

Yu Jiaojiao’s face turned red with anger: “No matter how flirtatious my husband is outside, he would never bring anyone home!”

Oh, she seemed quite proud.

I hadn’t even had the chance to retort when she sneered again:

“I heard General Fan’s newly acquired concubine is as beautiful as a fairy. You better be careful, or you might end up being the laughingstock of Jing City.”

This gossiping woman, she talks too much!

I was about to spill the beans about her husband’s frequent purchases of aphrodisiacs!

But before I could say anything, someone walked straight over.

The surrounding chatter fell silent, and all eyes were fixed on him.

Even Yu Jiaojiao was stunned.

Hu Qing, dressed in a purple robe and wearing a golden crown, walked towards me through the crowd.

Such a show-off, too much of a show-off!

“How old is this young lady? Where does she reside?” Hu Qing handed me a freshly picked peach blossom.

I looked at him suspiciously.

“What young lady, she’s already married!”

Yu Jiaojiao chimed in from the side, and I could smell the sourness in her words from afar.

This pleased me greatly.

So I took the peach blossom from Hu Qing.

Hu Qing looked heartbroken: “A young lady with such beauty and youth, already married?”

He then turned to Yu Jiaojiao: “Could you please step aside, you’re blocking the way.”

Yu Jiaojiao’s face turned pale.

I thought of all the sad things in my life to keep from laughing out loud.

She glared at me: “Hmph, enjoy it while you can, I’m waiting to see you become a joke!”

Hu Qing asked her: “What do you mean by that, madam?”

Yu Jiaojiao: “…

“She’s about to become a discarded woman!”

Hu Qing’s expression changed.

Yu Jiaojiao’s lips began to curl upwards.

But then Hu Qing exclaimed joyfully: “If that truly happens, I would be honored to marry the young lady!”

I tugged at the corner of my mouth: Enough already, this is over the top.

Hu Qing seemed oblivious, and continued his endless praise and yearning for me.

Help, I’m mortified.