Consort Xiao led a group of palace maids to Lin Qinghe, a cold smile on her face, yet she pretended to say, "Isn't this the Princess Consort Rong? Long time no see… It's rare to encounter you in the palace today. Why don't you come to my Yuan Chun Palace for a little while? I happen to have a lot I want to chat with the Princess Consort Rong about."
Once they reached Yuan Chun Palace, she would have plenty of ways to deal with this wench! And without anyone noticing!
Lin Qinghe, being of sound mind, naturally wouldn't foolishly follow Consort Xiao. However, she also needed to find a way to test You Rong…
With a glance from the corner of her eye at You Rong, who seemed to be hiding behind her in fear, she deliberately provoked Consort Xiao, "Consort Xiao, let's speak plainly. You want to take me to Yuan Chun Palace, you've prepared some means to deal with me, haven't you? I might as well tell you directly, I will not take a single step with you today! Moreover, with the Empress Dowager present, do you think you can do anything to me?"
Lin Qinghe's words undoubtedly struck Consort Xiao's sore spot, and she even ground it down a few times.
Consort Xiao's face instantly turned very ugly. You Rong, standing behind Lin Qinghe, also changed his expression, a hint of worry flashing in his deep eyes.
Lin Qinghe showed no fear, her gaze defiantly meeting Consort Xiao's sinister stare, unyielding.
Come on!
Infuriated and wanting to act, right? That's exactly what she wanted!
Upon hearing this, You Rong couldn't help but tug at Lin Qinghe's sleeve, and whispered, "Princess Consort, let's return to the manor, I want to go back…"
If it were any other day, Lin Qinghe would have certainly heeded You Rong's words and quickly dealt with Consort Xiao to take him away. But today, she was testing You Rong, so she naturally wouldn't listen to him.
Lin Qinghe curved her lips into a smile and said to You Rong, "Your Highness, you don't need to be afraid. Didn't the Empress Dowager just tell you, with her here, no one in this palace can bully us. On the contrary… the Empress Dowager will surely make those who want to bully us pay!"
These words were undoubtedly naked provocation. Consort Xiao, relying on her son being the Crown Prince and her own favor, was accustomed to being arrogant and overbearing in the palace. Enraged, she lost all reason and gritted her teeth, cursing, "You wretched creature! Today, I will make you understand what rules are!"
Consort Xiao, furious, raised her hand to slap Lin Qinghe across the face. Normally, Lin Qinghe could dodge, but she didn't. She feigned being stunned, while her peripheral vision subtly observed You Rong.
She saw You Rong's pupils contract, and a look of worry flashed across his handsome face. Just as Consort Xiao's hand was about to touch her face, You Rong suddenly pulled her, causing Consort Xiao's slap to miss.
You Rong, not forgetting to maintain his act, pulled Lin Qinghe back, and then, feigning terror, cried out in panic, "Wuwu… Princess Consort! I want to go back to the manor! Go back to the manor…"
You Rong didn't know that Lin Qinghe had seen his every reaction and had long since seen through his feigned recovery.
Lin Qinghe snorted inwardly.
Well! Good acting, quite convincing. If you want to play along, I'll play along with you!
It seemed like You Rong's tug was a mere coincidence that allowed Lin Qinghe to dodge. Consort Xiao suspected nothing. On the contrary, her anger intensified at missing her target, her face contorting with rage. She resentfully ordered the palace maids and eunuchs, "Guards! Seize the Princess Consort Rong for me!"
The palace maids were about to surround them. Judging by Consort Xiao's demeanor, she was determined to teach Lin Qinghe a lesson today.
Lin Qinghe was not flustered. When Consort Xiao first arrived, she had seen a palace maid running towards Cining Palace. As expected, it was someone from the Empress Dowager's side. It wouldn't be long before the Empress Dowager arrived to resolve the situation.
She now wanted to see what You Rong would do.
Watching the palace maids approach, Lin Qinghe feigned blocking You Rong, "Consort Xiao! What are you trying to do?!"
Consort Xiao gave a cold smile, "What am I trying to do? Since the Princess Consort Rong doesn't understand the rules of this palace, I will teach you!"
"You dare!"
"I'll show you if I dare?!" Consort Xiao furiously yelled, "Don't stand there idly, seize the Princess Consort Rong for me!"
"Yes, Consort Xiao."
As Consort Xiao's palace maids moved to grab Lin Qinghe, You Rong felt anxious, but he couldn't use his martial arts, or it would reveal that he had recovered his senses. He lowered his head to look at the pebbles on the ground, a thought flashed through his mind, and he subtly exerted force with his foot, kicking a stone that struck a palace maid's ankle heavily. The maid cried out in pain and stumbled forward, taking down several other palace maids with her.
Looking at the maids who had fallen in a heap before her, Lin Qinghe knew it was You Rong's doing. The corners of her lips curled upwards.
Heh… quite capable, aren't we!
Consort Xiao's face was almost contorted with rage at the sight. She berated, "A bunch of fools! What are you doing? I told you to capture someone, and you fell? Can't you even walk properly?!"
The palace maids quickly got up and kowtowed to apologize, "Consort Xiao, please forgive us. We were wrong, please forgive us…"
"Go! Get up, all of you, and seize the Princess Consort Rong! I will teach her the rules today!"
"Yes, Consort Xiao."
As the palace maids got up and were about to surround them again, You Rong was about to take Lin Qinghe and run when he caught sight of the Empress Dowager rushing over in anger. His eyes flashed, and he quickly ran forward, throwing himself into the Empress Dowager's arms, loudly complaining, "Imperial Grandmother, wuwu… someone is bullying Grandson and Princess Consort. She's so fierce, she hit Grandson, hit Princess Consort… Grandson is in so much pain, so scared…"
You Rong's outburst, coupled with the Empress Dowager's anger at Consort Xiao for intercepting them, made her even more furious and heartbroken.
The Empress Dowager hurriedly comforted You Rong, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid… Don't cry, your Imperial Grandmother is here. No one can bully you and Princess Consort! Wait for your Imperial Grandmother to get justice for you!"
"Empress Dowager! I did not! You… you stop slandering! When did I hit you?!"
You Rong, glaring at by Consort Xiao, cried even harder, hiding behind the Empress Dowager in fear. The Empress Dowager glared at Consort Xiao, "Consort Xiao! You shut your mouth!"
Consort Xiao, her face full of resentment, shut her mouth, glaring hatefully at You Rong, who was being comforted by the Empress Dowager.
Seeing You Rong crying so pitifully, Lin Qinghe almost couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Tsk tsk tsk… You Rong truly has a knack for this. His acting is even better than hers.
The Empress Dowager, holding You Rong, walked over quickly. Lin Qinghe, along with Consort Xiao and her entourage, who looked even more grim, bowed in greeting.
"Greetings, Empress Dowager."
"Greetings, Empress Dowager… Ah!" Before Consort Xiao could finish speaking, the Empress Dowager raised her hand and slapped her across the face. The crisp "slap" sound stunned everyone present.
Lin Qinghe was no exception. The Empress Dowager's move was too decisive and swift!
Consort Xiao, holding her stinging face, suppressed her anger, "Empress Dowager, why did you hit me for no reason? Even as the Empress Dowager, isn't this going too far?!"