Chapter 28: Unbearable, It Is You I Shall Crush!
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Gu Nanshu’s whole body trembled without cease. It felt as though a thousand-pound boulder had been laid upon her heart, crushing the breath from her until she could scarcely inhale, as if she might suffocate herself to death.
She fought desperately to endure it, forcing her emotions down. To gain better control of herself, she casually picked up an empty bowl, ladled wine from a jar until it was full, and drained it in one gulp. Then she slammed the empty bowl onto the table with a resounding crack, her eyes brimming with ferocity and bewilderment.
They had been husband and wife for six years. Even if no affection remained between them, as a man, he had no right to kill her and then slander her reputation so viciously.
Jiang Mubai, that beast!
Sitting beside her, Lu Yanran stared at Gu Nanshu in astonishment. After letting out a hiccup, she asked, “Aunt-in-law, what did Jiang Mubai just say to you? Why did you suddenly become upset?”
Gu Nanshu said nothing. Her eyes remained fixed on the dishes before her as she ground her back teeth in restrained fury.
Seeing her silence, Lu Yanran frowned in confusion. Then, as if suddenly realizing something, her brows smoothed. She pointed toward Jiang Mubai’s retreating back and shouted, “Did he bully you? I’ll go beat him up!”
She sprang to her feet, her cold gaze sweeping toward Jiang Mubai like that of an enraged little bird.
Gu Nanshu immediately reached out with her right hand and seized Lu Yanran by the arm. Looking up at her, she said, “This is a trivial matter. You needn’t get involved. I can handle it myself.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, Gu Nanshu lifted the wine jar, still half full, from the table. She turned and strode after Jiang Mubai. Raising the jar, she brought it down with all her strength against the back of his head.
Crash!
Smash!
The jar shattered over Jiang Mubai’s head, wine bursting everywhere. It soaked his red wedding robes and stunned everyone at the banquet.
The lively celebration fell utterly silent at this sudden turn of events.
Every eye turned toward Gu Nanshu, who had just smashed the groom with a wine jar. Everyone looked as though they had been struck by lightning, unable to make sense of what they had witnessed.
The people at Prince Heng’s table were just as shocked. Prince Heng stared at Gu Nanshu, whose face was twisted with murderous fury, and his brows drew tightly together.
He cast a calm glance at Yun Feng and Lie Yan beside him, wanting to know what had happened.
Lie Yan and Yun Feng had been watching the princess consort closely all along. Though they had not heard what Jiang Mubai had said to her, they had seen the moment her entire demeanor changed.
And then came the sight of her lifting the wine jar and smashing it over Jiang Mubai’s head.
Yun Feng hurriedly leaned close to Prince Heng’s ear and whispered a few words. His expression abruptly turned cold, and he instantly understood.
Lu Hanyuan looked at Prince Heng in astonishment and asked, “Tenth Brother, what is going on? Why did your princess consort suddenly smash Jiang Mubai with a wine jar?”
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“Royal brothers and sisters-in-law, please remain calm. I’ll go see what happened.” Prince Heng rose as he spoke.
Everyone urged him on at once. “Go quickly! Hurry! Don’t let this turn into something serious.”
After being struck by the wine jar, Jiang Mubai staggered, swaying on his feet. His entire head throbbed so violently that he stood motionless where he was.
Holding the back of his head, he turned around. When he saw that Gu Nanshu was the one who had attacked him, he was completely stunned. His astonished gaze swept around the room, taking in the unbelievable looks everyone was directing at him. In an instant, he felt utterly humiliated.
He quickly turned back and met Gu Nanshu’s eyes with an expression that was both aggrieved and severe. Gritting his back teeth, he demanded, “Aunt-in-law, what do you think you’re doing? Why would you use a wine jar to strike your nephew? Have you gone mad?”
Gu Nanshu felt that she probably had gone mad—driven mad.
But she paid no attention to his words. She was not afraid of making a scene, nor did she care how others looked at her.
This was the grievance between her and Jiang Mubai. Sooner or later, it would have to be settled. Whether sooner or later, a day of drawn swords was inevitable.
She lifted her chin proudly. She would endure no longer. With a cold laugh, she said, “What’s wrong with this princess consort striking you? Wasn’t Master Jiang just so eloquent a moment ago? Why are you being so evasive now? Why pretend you don’t understand, you hypocrite?”
“You—”
Before he could finish, a leg came flying through the air and slammed into Jiang Mubai’s abdomen.
Jiang Mubai was merely a civil official. How could he withstand a flying kick delivered with half the attacker’s strength? He was sent sprawling to the ground, unable even to rise.
The man who had kicked him pointed at him fiercely and shouted, “Jiang Mubai! I never imagined you could harbor such vile intentions!”
The man was none other than Feng Zhinian, whose blood was always quick to boil.
Jiang Mubai’s condemnation only deepened everyone’s confusion.
What did he mean by vile intentions? What was going on? Why had the bride’s own brother attacked her husband? And why was it all for the sake of the Tenth Prince’s consort? What exactly was happening here?
From the moment he had escorted Gu Nanshu from the Feng residence to the Jiang household for the wedding, Feng Zhinian had silently watched over her. When Jiang Mubai had suddenly leaned close to Gu Nanshu’s ear, Feng Zhinian had wanted to kick him right then and there.
Though he did not know what improper words Jiang Mubai had whispered to her, in Feng Zhinian’s eyes, Jiang Mubai was clearly harboring ulterior motives.
That bastard! How dare he set his sights on Gu Nanshu?
Jiang Mubai lay on the ground, clutching his aching abdomen. Yi Fei hurried over and helped him up.
“My lord! Are you all right?”
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Jiang Mubai shook his head in silent endurance. His gaze remained fixed on Feng Zhinian and Gu Nanshu, his expression so innocent that he looked like the true and only victim.
Feng Zhinian, who had been so triumphant moments before, quickly turned around. His face softened with tenderness as he looked at Gu Nanshu. He took a step toward her and asked anxiously, “Nanshu, did he bully you?”
Feng Zhinian’s appearance made Gu Nanshu knit her brows tightly. When he approached, she took a step back and said, “Feng Zhinian, stay out of this.”
Feng Zhinian’s expression darkened. “Fine, I won’t interfere. But I have to avenge you!”
He sprang forward with agile speed and charged at Jiang Mubai, his knuckles cracking as he swung a fist toward Jiang Mubai’s face.
In the next instant, a palm suddenly blocked his path. Its force seized Feng Zhinian’s fist, and in the struggle, the palm drove his entire arm backward. He was forced to retreat several steps, plainly outmatched in martial strength.
“Enough fooling around!”
The newcomer was none other than Prince Heng. After shouting a reprimand, he cast a sharp glance over the three people caught in the confrontation. His gaze finally settled on Jiang Mubai as he ordered, “Why are you still standing there? Have your servant take you down to change clothes.”
“Yes, Royal Uncle.”
Yi Fei accepted the order and hurriedly helped Jiang Mubai away.
How could Prince Heng possibly bring the matter into the open and question everyone before the assembled guests? Jiang Mubai had to be sent away first, lest the family become the subject of ridicule. Protecting the Feng family’s reputation was what mattered most.
Prince Heng then fixed a stern, cutting gaze on Feng Zhinian. Feng Zhinian immediately lowered his head and turned away, looking like a stubborn water buffalo that refused to yield even an inch.
With a look of exasperation, Prince Heng withdrew his gaze from Feng Zhinian and strode toward Gu Nanshu. Without asking what had happened, he seized her arm and pulled her away on the spot.
Yun Feng, Lie Yan, and Huan Tao hurried after them.
Feng Zhinian did not remain where he was either. He headed toward the bridal chamber of Feng Yuxi and Jiang Mubai.
Once everyone involved had left, the banquet hall remained as silent as a grave. The guests stared at one another in bewilderment, each wondering what on earth had happened.
After a brief stillness, the hall suddenly erupted. Rumors began flying in every direction.
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