Chapter 2433: Can’t Hold It In

The attentive eunuchs swiftly carried away the unconscious Former Princess Consort, while a few maids knelt to wipe the blood from the floor and gather the broken porcelain.

The madams and young ladies exchanged uneasy glances, uncertain of how to react.

Ding Xiang smiled and respectfully bowed to Qiao Xuan, saying, “Your Majesty, it would be a shame if that senseless disturbance spoiled the mood. Please, don’t let it affect your Flower Appreciation Feast!”

“Yes, Ms. Ding is right!”

“Indeed, we’re all here for the Empress. I’m eager to enjoy today’s banquet.”

“Me too!”

“Absolutely!”

Qiao Xuan exchanged a glance with Ding Xiang, then smiled and said, “Ms. Ding and the ladies are correct. The garden is lovely—let’s take a stroll.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

“It’s an honor to accompany the Empress in admiring the flowers!”

Everyone sighed in relief, grateful to avoid further discomfort.

Tian Shanshan slowed her pace, gradually falling behind the group. She glanced up at the Empress, who was surrounded by the madams and young ladies, their flattering words and laughter grating on her ears.

Everyone chatted and laughed as if the earlier incident had never occurred.

Tian Shanshan silently mocked them, feeling a tinge of helplessness.

So, this is how easily people forget, how casually they move on.

It became clear that power was a remarkable thing. It could redefine reality, turning black into white. Without power, even a once-powerful Princess Consort could be reduced to nothing more than discarded trash, unnoticed and unlamented.

No one cared about her fate.

Not even she did.

A sudden chill ran down Tian Shanshan’s spine. It was too cruel to end up like this…

She had expected that after the former Princess Consort’s outburst, the Flower Appreciation Feast would be ruined, with the ladies finding excuses to leave the court one by one.

The Empress would lose face.

This was the first Flower Appreciation Feast—a grand event that began with great fanfare. Yet, she imagined it would end in awkward abandonment, tainted by blood. Such ill fortune would surely damage the Empress’s dignity, leading others to question her worthiness.

Perhaps even the Emperor would be displeased, seeing her as incompetent…

This was the outcome Tian Shanshan had anticipated with gloating satisfaction. It should have played out this way.

If only Ms. Ding hadn’t stepped in and spoken up…

But once that wretched woman had uttered those words, how could the madams still find it in themselves to excuse themselves and leave? They had no choice but to stay and smooth things over for the Empress.

Everything the Princess Consort had done today was in vain!

Tian Shanshan suddenly felt a sinking realization—nothing seemed capable of stopping Qiao Xuan. If this plan had failed, what else could she possibly try?

She couldn’t seriously place all her hopes on Shao Liulang, could she?

Without realizing it, they had arrived at the peony garden. As Tian Shanshan glanced at the vibrant flowers, the laughter and flattery surrounding her only deepened her irritation.

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