Who is this person?
Li Man'er had never seen her before and didn't know her rank. However, seeing her arrogant demeanor, she assumed she wasn't a minor beauty or a noble lady, but at least a Jieyu.
As expected, the woman slightly bent her knees and performed a less-than-standard curtsy. "Greetings, Sister Shufei."
Li Qingshu remarked, "Shu Jieyu, you have quite the interest. Instead of resting in your own palace while carrying the dragon's fetus, what are you doing in the garden?"
Tsk tsk, the tension between these two was palpable. This Shu Jieyu was quite capable; she appeared to be of a certain age and yet was pregnant.
Li Man'er glanced at Shu Jieyu's belly, her pupils involuntarily widening slightly. Then, she averted her gaze, no longer looking.
Shu Jieyu very proudly touched her still-flat stomach and said in a cheerful voice, "The imperial physician said this pregnancy of mine is very stable. Although it's not yet three months and still early, walking more is beneficial for the child in my womb."
She then looked at Li Qingshu and pursed her lips into a smile. "Your Highness has also carried an imperial heir before. Surely you understand this basic principle, don't you?"
How could Li Qingshu tolerate such insolence? Even though her child was lost, and even though Shu Jieyu was carrying the imperial heir, she was, after all, a consort.
In this palace, above her were only the Empress, Noble Consort Wei, and Consort Xian. For a mere Jieyu to dare to retort to her with such hurtful words, how could she bear it?
"Presumptuous," Li Qingshu was not someone who lacked self-control. Although Shu Jieyu's words were unpleasant, she was, after all, carrying the imperial heir! To slap her, or to make her kneel and reflect, would be utterly irrational.
"I am a Consort, and you, a mere Jieyu, dare to disrespect me? I will spare you this once, considering you are carrying the dragon's fetus. Return to your palace and reflect."
Li Qingshu was already being exceedingly polite and accommodating. If it were someone else, they might not have let this matter pass so easily.
That Shu Jieyu was also lacking in discernment, completely failing to perceive Li Qingshu's anger. She smugly took two steps forward. "Consort Shufei, you wield great authority. Can you truly rely on the Fourth Princess to gain favor with the Emperor for your entire life? The one in my belly, once born, will be far more noble than a dead person."
"You..." Li Qingshu's eyes turned red with anger, her hand raised, but she restrained herself and stopped it mid-air, not daring to strike.
Seeing that a major incident was about to unfold, Shu Jieyu immediately sneered, "Strike me, why don't you? Are you afraid? Oh, right, how could I forget, Consort Shufei is a wise woman! Knowing you cannot count on the Fourth Princess forever, you've chosen another outstanding junior from your clan. Are you planning to share the Emperor's favor? Letting your niece secure your position for you?"
Li Qingshu was utterly infuriated, but she dared not do anything to Shu Jieyu, who was carrying the imperial heir. She could only turn away, deciding to leave.
Shu Jieyu was deliberately provoking Li Qingshu, insisting on blocking her path and aggressively preventing them from leaving.
"What, did I hit a nerve? Consort Shufei, your scheme is truly despicable and nauseating! Letting your niece attend to the Emperor, how could you even conceive of such a plan."
Li Man'er originally did not want to meddle, but Shu Jieyu's face was truly repulsive. Furthermore, this woman had repeatedly provoked Li Qingshu with her words and insulted Li Man'er herself. Did they, the Li family, have no one?
Li Man'er subtly turned sideways and quietly instructed the accompanying Aunt Wen Xiu, "Go and invite the Emperor."
Aunt Wen Xiu was flustered by the situation. At Li Man'er's reminder, she finally remembered that it would be best to have the Emperor resolve this matter. If that wasn't possible, summoning the Empress Dowager and the Empress would also suffice.
Aunt Wen Xiu turned and quickly left the garden.
Li Man'er stepped forward, placing herself in front of Li Qingshu, successfully drawing the attention of Shu Jieyu and her entourage.
Seeing Li Man'er step forward, Shu Jieyu's eyes gleamed, like a starving dog spotting soup, almost drooling.
Li Man'er pretended not to see, and merely asked, "Shu Jieyu, you have repeatedly insulted Your Highness. What is your intention?"
"I haven't; I am merely speaking the truth."
"Speaking the truth?" Li Man'er couldn't help but chuckle. "But just a few days ago, His Majesty punished a Noble Lady due to rumors. You wouldn't possibly be unaware of this, would you?"
Shu Jieyu had not considered this angle. She only wanted to enrage the aunt and niece but did not expect that Li Man'er, known for her volatile temper, would be speaking to her so calmly at this moment.
"Is that so?" Shu Jieyu decided to feign ignorance. "I am recuperating from my pregnancy and know nothing."
"You know nothing? And yet you mock Consort Shufei with such words? Her rank is above yours, and you dare to disrespect a Consort? How audacious." As Li Man'er spoke, she heard footsteps approaching in the distance. She immediately continued, "The Fourth Princess is Consort Shufei's darling child. You deliberately target her by bringing up the Fourth Princess's affairs. What do you want?"
The more Li Man'er acted this way, the more excited Shu Jieyu became. At this moment, she wished Li Man'er would slap her a few times, perhaps even kick her belly, that would be perfect.
"You want to know what I want?" Shu Jieyu provocatively took two steps forward. She did not believe Li Man'er could endure it.
Li Man'er was not foolish; she had long seen through Shu Jieyu's intentions.
"It's just because you're relying on the fact that you're carrying..."
Li Qingshu, fearing Li Man'er would lose her temper, interrupted her, "Man'er, you are just a child. Don't get involved."
Li Man'er replied, "I don't intend to get involved. I simply cannot stand by and watch her bully you. Aunt, the Fourth Princess is your lifeblood. How can she be so carelessly disparaged?"
Li Man'er's words caused Li Qingshu to feel a surge of sorrow. She suppressed her grief and gathered her spirits. "The Empress and the Empress Dowager will handle this matter for me. As for Shu Jieyu..."
Li Qingshu's gaze sharpened. "Quickly help your mistress away. If the dragon's fetus is harmed, how many heads will you have to lose?"
Not all the palace maids knew the truth. Several of them panicked and began to urge Shu Jieyu to return to her palace.
"Your Highness, we should go back!"
"Yes, Your Highness. It would be bad to offend Consort Shufei."
Shu Jieyu was almost angered to death by her foolish servants. She could only give a look to her two maids.
The two maids understood her intentions. On the surface, they were persuading Shu Jieyu, but in reality, they were making subtle moves, pushing Shu Jieyu towards Li Qingshu and Li Man'er.
Li Man'er, with her sharp eyes, immediately understood their scheme and quickly pulled Li Qingshu back.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Just as the two groups were in chaos, a thin, sharp voice rang out at the opportune moment: "The Emperor has arrived."
Upon hearing this, everyone quickly looked in the direction of the voice. Indeed, a figure clad in imperial yellow was approaching, the Emperor himself.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
"Greetings, Your Majesty."