Tang Qi’s voice turned ruthless as her sharp gaze swept over everyone present. Everyone avoided Tang Qi’s eyes, lowering their heads and not daring to speak, afraid that Tang Qi would question them.
The red marks on Luo Xu’s face were not very noticeable under the sunlight, but upon closer inspection, faint finger imprints could still be seen. It looked like she had been pinched, or perhaps slapped!
Tang Qi examined it carefully several times, growing more furious. Her palm suddenly struck a nearby man-height Bronze Pillar Palace Lantern. A loud boom resonated as the thick, pure copper palace lantern was broken in half at the waist.
The severed upper half crashed heavily to the ground, producing a tremendous impact sound. The fine white jade floor immediately cracked like a spiderweb.
“Who did it?” Tang Qi gritted her teeth. Luo Xu gently tugged at the corner of her clothes a few times, not wanting her to make an issue of it now. After all, Tang Qi had just received her title and still lacked power and influence.
“This Palace did it!” Accompanied by the tinkling of jade ornaments and a gust of perfumed wind, a voice spoke: “If Princess Hele has any dissatisfaction, she can speak directly.”
Tang Qi turned towards the voice. The speaker was actually the Noble Consort. The Noble Consort was dressed in a moon-white palace gown, with elaborate head ornaments. Although her exquisite face wore a smile, one could see the hidden disdain.
“This Palace merely saw that Miss Luo is beautiful with delicate skin and, forgetting myself for a moment, I gave her a pinch.” The Noble Consort leaned back slightly, using her raised chin to enhance her aura: “Is Princess Hele satisfied with this explanation?”
No wonder no one here dared to speak! Tang Qi patted Luo Xu’s hand and said, in a voice everyone could hear, “Wait here!”
She walked calmly to the front of the Noble Consort. The Noble Consort’s palace maid tried to block her, but Tang Qi pushed her aside with one hand.
Her gaze carried killing intent. The Noble Consort had never encountered such a situation before. She felt some timidity, but struggled to keep her spine straight: “Are you dissatisfied with This Palace?”
Tang Qi suddenly extended a finger and pressed down on the Noble Consort’s shoulder. The Noble Consort only felt a tremendous force coming from her shoulder, forcing her to slowly bend her knees and kneel. The moment both knees hit the ground, she seemed to hear the mocking sounds of those around her.
“You are merely a First-Rank Noble Consort. Why do you not kneel upon seeing This Palace?” Tang Qi’s voice was extremely cold: “Without the Empress to teach you, has Noble Consort forgotten her own status?”
“You…” The Noble Consort was enraged, but was suppressed and could not move, not even able to make a sound. Never before had she hoped someone would come to help her.
But who would dare to interfere in this feud?
“Stop.” Someone actually did dare to interfere. Tang Qi turned her gaze and saw Zhao Chengfeng walking hurriedly over. He had changed into a set of magnificent clothes, completely unable to see his earlier dishevelment. Seeing this scene, he quickly spoke: “Although Imperial Elder Sister is a Superior First-Rank Princess, Noble Consort is our nominal mother. According to filial propriety, Noble Consort probably does not need to kneel.”
The System, which had been monitoring Zhao Chengfeng, saw Luo Xu’s injury and became furious, clamoring to turn into a wild wolf and bite the Noble Consort.
Tang Qi patiently waited for Zhao Chengfeng to finish, then spoke unhurriedly but very clearly: “Filial propriety? I am the Legitimate Princess born of the Central Palace, while Noble Consort is still a concubine. Does the Crown Prince not understand the distinction between legitimate and concubine-born?”
Zhao Chengfeng’s expression stiffened. He heard Tang Qi’s thin lips part slightly, uttering the words he least wanted to hear: “Isn’t that right, my concubine-born younger brother?”
The two sons under the Emperor’s name were both concubine-born. In the past, Zhao Chengfeng had not felt that being concubine-born was anything significant. But now that the Legitimate Princess had returned to the palace, the distinction between legitimate and concubine-born felt like a giant slap across his face.
Tang Qi paid no more attention to Zhao Chengfeng. She crouched down and withdrew her hand, looking at the Noble Consort, who was crying miserably with tears streaking her makeup. She revealed a smile that terrified the Noble Consort: “Noble Consort, This Palace grew up in the mountains and is used to being free. I don’t understand all these twists and turns, but…”
The Noble Consort’s body stiffened. Tang Qi stood up, pulled Luo Xu back to their seats and sat down, as if just noticing everyone else was standing: “Sit down, everyone. Why are you standing?”
The other female family members forced smiles and hurriedly returned to their seats. Only now did all the previous whispering cease, and the entire venue fell silent. Tang Qi looked at Luo Xu with heartache: “I’ll apply medicine for you when we get back.”
“I’m fine.” Luo Xu felt guilty: “I’ve caused you trouble again.” Earlier, the Noble Consort had called her over to talk and, in jest, patted her face before pinching it hard several times.
Even Zhao Zhen only noticed after she returned to her seat.
Although it was painful, she couldn’t resist. It would be impossible not to feel wronged.
“Noble Consort was targeting me. She’s angry that my rank is higher than hers.” Tang Qi poured her a cup of fruit wine: “Happy now?” The Noble Consort had always been arrogant, naturally dissatisfied that a wild child had stolen her thunder. She picked on Luo Xu, the softest target, first.
Luo Xu nodded emphatically: “Happy.” But she was worried: “Will His Majesty be displeased with you?”
“Probably not!” Tang Qi wasn’t worried. She lowered her voice: “The Noble Consort’s maiden family is a century-old noble house. These powerful families and nobles in recent years have always been opposing Imperial Father. Imperial Father has long wanted to act against them.” No founding Emperor was not of heroic strategy and great talent; who would want to be suppressed by those deeply rooted century-old families.
Luo Xu immediately understood: “No wonder Noble Consort has never had children.”
While the two were whispering here, over there, the Noble Consort stubbornly knelt and refused to get up. Disregarding her status and face, she bellowed for someone to summon His Majesty.
Tang Qi sneered. If the Emperor wanted to intervene, he would have come long ago. Why wait until now?
Indeed, it was only when the banquet began that the Emperor arrived late. Seeing the Noble Consort, he looked surprised: “My beloved consort, what is the matter…”
The Noble Consort threw herself into the Emperor’s arms and started crying, recounting her grievances as she wept. She prided herself on being Noble Consort and wouldn’t normally act like this, but being forced to kneel on the ground by a junior had driven her past reason.
The Emperor’s face turned stern: “He’er, did this happen?”
Tang Qi stood up respectfully: “It did happen. However, Noble Consort stated it incorrectly. This Palace punished her not because of others, but because propriety cannot be disregarded.”
The Emperor paused, about to reprimand Tang Qi and let the matter pass lightly, when the Noble Consort roared: “Your Majesty, this concubine believes her identity is unclear.”
Zhao Yi’s face fell: “What do you mean?”
Zhao Chengfeng’s hand gripping the wine cup tightened, a hint of expectation in his eyes. He heard the Noble Consort say through gritted teeth: “Even if she resembles the Empress, it doesn’t necessarily prove she carries the Royal Family bloodline. This Concubine demands a Blood Test for Kinship.”
Luo Xu’s heart clenched, and she instinctively grabbed Tang Qi’s hand. Tang Qi, however, somewhat thought higher of the Noble Consort. The Blood Test for Kinship was quite a vicious idea. If nothing happened, it would just displease the Emperor.
If something did happen, she would be guilty of polluting the royal bloodline and die without a burial place.
But this Blood Test for Kinship had no basis in reality; it was all down to fate. Tang Qi stood up gracefully, showing no retreat at this moment: “Fine, This Palace agrees!”
A flash of venomous resentment crossed the Noble Consort’s eyes. Tang Qi continued: “But This Palace has a condition.”
“What condition?” The Noble Consort jumped out, failing to notice the displeasure in the Emperor’s eyes.
Tang Qi pointed at Zhao Chengfeng and looked at the Emperor: “Since we are doing a Blood Test for Kinship, let’s do it together! Your child requests to perform the Blood Test for Kinship with the Crown Prince.”
The Noble Consort hadn’t thought of dragging Zhao Chengfeng into this. Her heart trembled, for she was now aligned with Zhao Chengfeng’s faction. But thinking Zhao Chengfeng was Zhao Yi’s biological son, there was nothing to fear! She stopped crying and tugged at the Emperor, demanding he agree.
She also pleaded bitterly, saying she was doing it to prevent the royal bloodline from being confused! Furthermore, her proposal gained support from quite a few Titled Ladies.
Zhao Chengfeng hadn’t expected to be involved and was displeased with the Noble Consort’s presumptuousness. Yet he also thought it a good opportunity, perhaps one where he could eliminate Tang Qi. He too put on a show, stepping forward: “Your child will follow Imperial Father’s arrangements entirely.”
Zhao Yi was overwhelmed by the crying and fussing, but he also knew that to gain the officials’ recognition, this step was inevitable. There were currently skeptical voices in the court. He looked at Tang Qi with concern, his previous anger completely gone: “He’er.”
Luo Xu was extremely nervous. She held Tang Qi’s hand but couldn’t help her. Tang Qi patted her hand reassuringly, comforting her silently. At this moment, the Noble Consort perked up and stood: “This Palace will go prepare the water.”
“No need.” Tang Qi casually took some clear water meant for rinsing mouths from a palace maid, casually poured it into an empty bowl, and said, “Let’s do it!”
The Noble Consort was provoked by her attitude: “Princess Hele, this concerns the royal bloodline. This Palace hopes you can show proper decorum, not those bad habits learned from the common folk to handle this matter.”
“What’s wrong with the common folk? As water can carry a boat, it can also overturn it. With the common people, there is the Royal Family; with the Royal Family, there is the Emperor. You are an Imperial Noble Consort of the Royal Family, supported and nurtured by the common people. What qualifications do you have to look down on them?” Tang Qi did not flinch, her words resounding with conviction.
Several Titled Ladies from humble backgrounds couldn’t help but want to cheer for Tang Qi!
“Your Majesty…” The Noble Consort always felt the water Tang Qi personally handled was problematic. The Emperor waved his hand, sending the Chief Eunuch beside him to fetch water. He also summoned several Imperial Physicians. The Imperial Physicians carefully examined the water and all nodded, indicating it was normal.
Once everything was ready, Tang Qi unhesitatingly pricked her finger and squeezed a drop of blood into the water. Zhao Yi, anxious, also pricked his finger and dripped a drop of blood.
The Noble Consort practically lay over the table. The silk handkerchief in Luo Xu’s hands was twisted into shreds from her grip. Everyone else craned their necks, wanting to see the scene clearly.
All eyes were tightly fixed on the porcelain bowl before them. They saw the two drops of blood meet in the water and finally, slowly, merge together.
They merged!
Zhao Yi burst into hearty laughter, in excellent spirits: “Good, good! I knew there was no problem.”
The Noble Consort’s eyes widened. Her lips trembled as she looked at Tang Qi, wanting to say “Impossible,” but immediately shut her mouth. Previously, she could claim concern for the royal bloodline. Now that the blood had merged, contradicting it would inevitably earn Zhao Yi’s scorn.
Luo Xu felt she could barely breathe. Seeing the result, she slowly let out a sigh of relief and slumped into her chair. Tang Qi, on the other hand, remained calm and composed, as if not worried at all. She even had the mind to turn and smile at Luo Xu, pointing to the table to suggest she eat something.
The System patted its chest: “With the System in hand, the world is mine!”
Zhao Chengfeng was a bit disappointed. The pressure this princess, Tang Qi, gave him was even greater than the previous Crown Prince. If he could kill his opponent in one stroke… He was deep in thought when a silver needle was presented to him. Tang Qi raised an eyebrow: “Crown Prince, your turn.”
Zhao Chengfeng didn’t care; he took the silver needle and pricked himself. Zhao Yi, just to give Tang Qi face, laughingly dripped a drop of blood.
The two drops of blood met in the bowl, and finally, slowly fell to the bottom separately—they did not merge!
For a moment, absolute silence reigned!
