Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 329 - 327 (Extra Update)

Chapter 329: Chapter 327 (Extra Update)

"Your Majesty, it was never stated that we couldn’t help each other before the contest, and in my opinion, since this is a etiquette competition, the most important thing is to not be impolite! The legitimate ways we use to maintain decorum are not of significance. Additionally, only those who are courteous would be willing to assist others. How can helping those in need be considered impolite?" Xiao’er analyzed rationally, speaking evenly and calmly.

"Seeking favor by sensationalizing, acting clever of your own accord! You must have been given many outfits to prepare with, why did you feel the need to alter them? Isn’t it just about picking the most suitable one?"

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager’s expression darkened slightly. If the lady of Rui’an county disclosed that all those clothes were meant for festive occasions, wouldn’t everyone know that she purposely made things difficult for her?

"In terms of etiquette, appropriate clothing and makeup are the basic protocols, hence this question. However, the outfits provided to us were all mismatched, oversized and ill-fitting. I thought this was a deliberate test, asking us to solve it ourselves! There were many baskets of threads and needles nearby, so I thought we were allowed to alter the clothes to make them fit better and be more suitable for the occasion, so as to not make a faux pas when worn. Empress Dowager, am I wrong? Or did I misunderstand?"

"Of course you’re right." The Empress Dowager gave a curt nod. Since the lady of Rui’an county did not disclose everything, she wouldn’t shoot herself in the foot.

"The lady of Rui’an county makes a valid point. Only a courteous person would be eager to help others. Since it was a test, I believe the one who alters the clothes to be more fitting and suitable for the occasion listed on the parchment is the victor of this round!" Shangguan Xuanyi spoke out.

Unbelievably, the parchment given to the girl mentioned a funeral! To humiliate her would be equivalent to humiliating himself!

"Indeed! The results are unreasonable, there should be a reselection!" Shangguan Xuanhao also agreed, nodding his head.

"There should be a reselection! The one who alters the clothes the best is the real winner!" Shangguan Xuanjun voiced out as well.

Whoever alters the clothes the best is the winner? Ridiculous! An etiquette competition has turned into such a mess!

The Empress Dowager, looking at her grandsons, felt a toothache coming on. If she had known, she wouldn’t have let them attend! These people were all biased towards the lady of Rui’an county!

...

After the reselection, the first place still went to Fu Ranhui. Her parchment mentioned a palace banquet, and her outfit along with her makeup were impeccable.

Being the daughter of the eldest princess, the relationship was clear even without explanation. Everyone understood why.

The second place went to Shen Yun’er, and the third place went to Xiao’er...

It was admirable that she managed to clinch the third place considering the difficult challenge she was given.

After all, the outfit Xiao’er altered could only be deemed as not impolite at a funeral, but it certainly wasn’t suitable for a funeral.

In this round, fourteen were eliminated and only ten were left to compete.

The third round of competition was about dining etiquette.

Looking at the green pastry before her, Xiao’er felt sick to her stomach!

What on earth was put into it! It smelled horrible!

She had a particularly keen sense of smell, so over the deplorable stench of her own pastry, she could faintly smell the sweetness emanating from the pastries of others!

The Empress Dowager indeed holds quite an unfavorable view of her!

She would rather die than consume this thing!

It has been said: ’as people come, you go!’

She had already been generous once before, and she wasn’t planning on doing it a second time!

Nonchalantly and elegantly, Xiao’er picked up a bit of the pastry with her chopsticks, lifted it towards her mouth, and then in the most beautiful way, dramatically fainted!

Shangguan Xuanyi made a hasty approach towards her.

The ladies and wives present all turned their gaze towards this: perfectly healthy, how could she suddenly faint?

"Big sister!" Yun’er also rushed towards Xiao’er.

"Summon the imperial doctor immediately!" the Emperor stood up from his dragon throne.

At the moment Shangguan Xuanyi lifted Xiao’er, she slowly regained consciousness.

"Girl, are you alright?"

"What’s the matter with you, Xiao’er?" asked Mrs. Liu, as she rushed over anxiously.

Xiao’er looked dazed, awakening in the arms of Shangguan Xuanyi and asked, "What happened to me?"

"You fainted," replied Shangguan Xuanyi, his brows furrowed.

"Oh, I fainted? Now I remember, I’m fine. I was just overwhelmed by the smell." Xiao’er quickly covered her mouth after the words slipped out.

Overwhelmed by the smell?

What smell could have overwhelmed her? The Emperor was puzzled.

The Empress Dowager frowned upon hearing this. She had underestimated this girl; she was playing games with her.

"Girl, who farted and overwhelmed you with their smell?" Shangguan Xuanhao eyed the maidens on either side of Xiao’er.

The two maidens’ faces turned redder than cooked lobster.

Xiao’er almost laughed out loud. Shangguan Xuanhao, you’re a prince, why can’t you speak more gracefully?

Only after hearing Xiao’er’s words did Shangguan Xuanyi notice the foul smell.

What’s there left to understand?

Shangguan Xuanyi picked up one of the pastries that had dropped onto the table and sniffed it. His face turned as pale as if he’d been frozen solid!

"Xiao Fuzi, arrest the cooks from the Imperial Dining Room and take them to the Imperial Clan Court! I’ll interrogate them myself!" Shangguan Xuanyi’s voice was cold as frost.

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager was even more incensed. How dare he go to such lengths for that woman, without considering her dignity as the grand Empress Dowager!

Aunt Lin sensed trouble brewing and quickly knelt down. "Your Highness, please calm down! The pastries were made under my instructions. A maid made a mistake, mistakenly delivering the pastries intended for the Countess of Rui’an."

"You ordered it to be made? Why?" Shangguan Xuanyi looked at her coldly.

"Those pastries are a delicacy from my hometown. I’ve been longing for them, and fortunately, the new Imperial Chef knows how to make them. So, I asked him to prepare a batch for me," she replied.

"Very well, then, finish these pastries yourself right now! And you, with the maid who made the wrong delivery, will both receive ten heavy beatings and be demoted to the Clothing Bureau!"

"Your Highness, spare me, Emperor, spare me! Empress Dowager, spare me..."

"Xuanyi, Aunt Lin has served me for years. She’s only made a minor mistake."

"Grandmother, this isn’t a minor mistake. The Countess of Rui’an is the future Empress, their half-mistress. They should be more careful. What if the pastry was poisonous not just foul-smelling? It was out of respect for you that I’ve been lenient!"

"Take her away!" The imperial doctor arrived, so Shangguan Xuanyi stopped speaking and helped Xiao’er sit up.

The imperial doctor took Xiao’er’s pulse with a handkerchief.

When he was done, Shangguan Xuanyi asked, "Doctor Luo, is Countess Rui’an alright?"

"Nothing serious. She just fainted from inadequate energy and blood flow. I’ll prescribe some tonic medicine. After a month’s treatment, she’ll be fine." He’d never seen such a healthy person before! But it was better to err on the side of caution to cover for her.

Upon hearing this, the Empress breathed a sigh of relief and ordered the maids to help Xiao’er lie down and rest.

Xiao’er, however, refused, saying she was fine and would rest at home.

The Empress did not insist, and ordered someone to carry Xiao’er out of the palace in a sedan chair.

Shangguan Xuanyi personally escorted them home.

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