Chapter 47: Saving the Exiled Crown Princess Consort (19)

Luo Ping’s eyes widened as she heard Luo Xu’s cold voice: “Miss Luo should address me as Commandery Princess.”

Disbelief crawled across Luo Ping’s face. Her body swayed slightly, like a white flower battered by raindrops, pitiable and delicate.

A few days prior, Luo Xu had completely moved out of the Luo Family and been formally adopted under Zhao Zhen’s name. Zhao Zhen and the Marquis of Zhenbei had been childless for years, and they were utterly fond of Luo Xu. That very day, Zhao Zhen had gone to the palace to petition for Luo Xu’s title.

Zhao Yi, still feeling guilt over Tang Qi taking an attack meant for him, readily granted Luo Xu the position of Commandery Princess—a title with prestige but little actual power.

In an instant, Luo Ping’s eyes brimmed with tears. Her frail body seemed barely able to bear the weight of the wine cup in her hand. She cast a pleading glance toward Tang Qi, as if hoping Tang Qi could ease the tension.

The System marveled, “Host, is she trying to seduce you?” It shuddered internally. “The way she’s looking at you, full of unsaid affection, longing to speak but holding back…”

Tang Qi picked up a slice of lotus root and placed it in Luo Xu’s bowl. “Today’s lotus root is excellent, try some!” She completely ignored Luo Ping’s helpless gaze. Luo Ping lowered her eyes in disappointment, revealing a delicate nape. After a moment, she forced a smile. “Yes, Commandery Princess!”

A nearby noble lady couldn’t stand watching this any longer, but didn’t dare offend Tang Qi. She could only silently lead Luo Ping away. Once they were at a distance, she spoke. “Why did you go looking for that woman? She’s too high and mighty now to associate with people like us.”

“I was too forward. I suppose Elder Sister is still angry with me…” Luo Ping looked pitiful. Not far away, Mother Luo and Luo Huaimin, seeing Luo Ping so disregarded, nearly crushed their wine cups in their grip.

Luo Huaimin still had some sense and knew Luo Xu was not someone he could afford to offend. Mother Luo was livid. Spotting an opportunity when Luo Xu excused herself to relieve herself, she hurriedly followed.

But after walking a few steps, Mother Luo lost sight of Luo Xu.

She searched several spots but couldn’t find her. Just as she was about to turn back, a hand clamped over her mouth, and she was forcefully dragged behind a nearby rockery. A series of terrible scenarios flashed through Mother Luo’s mind. Terrified, tears and snot streamed down her face, until she heard a familiar voice. “Did Madam Luo have some business with this Commandery Princess?”

It was Luo Xu! Mother Luo’s first reaction wasn’t anger, but relief. She gasped heavily for breath. Luo Xu continued, “What, you thought I wouldn’t hurt you? Feeling relieved now?”

Mother Luo’s momentary relaxation tightened instantly. She looked at Luo Xu with terror. “I am your mother!”

“My mother is the Grand Princess Zhao Zhen.” Luo Xu stared down at Mother Luo, who at this moment felt like a venomous snake fixated on its prey.

This topic enraged Mother Luo. “We had an agreement back then! We allowed the adoption, you prevent Luo Ping from marrying the Prince of Leisure, and you went back on your word!”

Luo Xu crouched down, ignoring Mother Luo’s accusations. In her hand was an oddly shaped hidden weapon. “This is a new design of mine. The silver needles inside are as fine as hairs. Once they enter the body, they travel with the bloodstream to the heart. Even the most skilled coroner could not determine the cause of death.”

Seeing the fear flash in Mother Luo’s eyes, Luo Xu lowered her voice. “I want to ask, when you said before my exile that you had prepared silver to ease my journey, was that true?”

Hearing this, Mother Luo nodded frantically. “It’s true, it’s true. I took a thousand taels of silver to the yamen runner escorting you. You are flesh from my own body, how could I truly abandon you?”

Luo Xu pressed her lips together. Mother Luo had no reason to lie at this moment. Why, then, had the yamen runner said she had no money on her?

“It was the day before you left the capital. I didn’t trust anyone else, so I specifically sent your younger sister to do it.” Mother Luo was completely unaware she had just sold out Luo Ping.

The hand holding her hidden weapon trembled slightly. Luo Xu’s voice was hoarse. “On the day of my exile, why didn’t you come to see me off?”

“That day, your sister had prepared many things long in advance. Who knew that as she passed by the lake, a tree branch struck her, and she fainted.” Mother Luo dared not hide anything. “Both she and the items fell into the lake, and everything was ruined…”

“When your sister woke up, she thought we had knocked her out. She cried bitterly. I didn’t dare tell her the truth.” Mother Luo was trying to prove she wasn’t entirely lacking in love for Luo Xu. She stared at the hidden weapon, terrified that Luo Xu might use it and she would die right here in the palace.

“Your sister has always cared deeply about you. Please, go beg Princess Hele, don’t let your sister be forced to follow the Prince of Leisure to his fief!” Mother Luo pleaded.

To her surprise, Luo Xu suddenly burst out laughing. She covered her forehead, laughing with abandon.

“You…” Mother Luo began. Luo Xu waved a hand dismissively. The attendant beside her said, “You may leave.”

Mother Luo scrambled to her feet, not caring that she was covered in dirt, and practically crawled away. Luo Xu only stopped laughing some time later, wiping tears of mirth from the corners of her eyes.

She never imagined it all came down to Luo Ping!

She wanted to ask Luo Ping why, but immediately felt it was pointless.

Back at the banquet, Zhao Chengfeng was already drunk, pulling people aside to ramble endlessly, occasionally breaking into sobs. Zhao Yi, too, felt a heaviness in his heart.

Seeing Luo Xu return, Tang Qi poured her a cup of cool tea. “To settle the heat within.”

Luo Xu lowered her head and recounted what had just happened. The System had already broadcast it all in real time, but Tang Qi still listened attentively. When Luo Xu’s emotions surged, Tang Qi held her hand and said softly, “I’ll help you get revenge.”

That night, as the banquet ended late, everyone remained lodged within the palace, even the ministers.

The palace was deep in peaceful silence when suddenly someone cried out in alarm. “Fire! Qionghua Palace is on fire!”

Numerous eunuchs and guards rushed to fight the blaze. Luo Xu sat up. “That’s Mother’s residence.” Qionghua Palace was Zhao Zhen’s dwelling. She hurriedly dressed; Tang Qi also threw on an outer robe. Luo Xu said, “This fire is suspicious. You go check on His Majesty.”

Tang Qi sent the System to follow Luo Xu and nodded in agreement. “Alright. I’ll check on Imperial Father and come find you right away.”

Luo Xu left swiftly. Tang Qi finished changing to go see Zhao Yi, when suddenly her vision blurred. She shook her head, but her steps grew unsteady. She had to lean against the wall just to stay upright.

“Poisoned!” Tang Qi was shocked.

After her body’s transformation, her internal energy and physique were far superior to an ordinary person’s. She was also quite knowledgeable in medicine and poison, yet she had detected no sign of poisoning this time. What was going on?

Was it something she ate today, or…

Her gaze shifted to a burning incense burner nearby. Stumbling, she walked over and knocked it over with a palm strike, then moved to the doorway to take deep, desperate breaths of air.

The palace hall, previously full of palace servants, was now utterly silent and empty, not a soul in sight.

Something was wrong! She never knew there was a poison in this world that could harm her!

If she could just recall the System, she could detoxify. But the situation was off. Thinking of Luo Xu’s safety, she steeled herself against the urge to summon the System, struggling to clear her increasingly foggy mind.

Even her vision was becoming a blur.

“System, is Luoluo poisoned? If there’s an emergency, I authorize the Emergency Rescue Protocol.” Tang Qi called out mentally to the System, but she could no longer hear its reply clearly.

She didn’t know how much time passed before she saw a slender figure approaching slowly. The figure was lithe and graceful, bringing a wave of fragrant wind with each step.

Tang Qi looked up, feeling an unbearable itching heat throughout her body, as if something was crawling under her skin. Her throat was parched. The person before her seemed like a cool, clear spring, the only thing that could soothe her symptoms.

“You… who are you?” Tang Qi tried to stand straight but could only sit there helplessly.

Luo Ping hadn’t expected her to still have any will left, thinking Tang Qi would simply pounce on her the moment she saw her. She bent down, her lips hovering by Tang Qi’s ear, breathing softly. “Hele, I’m Luo Xu!”

Luo Xu? Luoluo!

Tang Qi shook her sluggish brain and squinted at the person. Luo Ping continued, “Have you forgotten? I’m your most beloved Luo Xu!”

She pressed closer, nestling entirely into Tang Qi’s embrace. The gossamer fabric of her clothes was soft as water. Tang Qi could easily feel the warmth and presence of the person in her arms.

So cool, so comfortable!

Tang Qi slowly wrapped her arms around her. Luo Ping’s smile widened. “Carry me back to the room, alright, Hele?” Tang Qi’s gaze was blank. At these words, she lifted Luo Ping and swayed unsteadily toward the bedchamber.

A victorious smile curved onto Luo Ping’s lips. She couldn’t help but laugh in Tang Qi’s arms.

Luo Xu, so what if you’re the female lead? I still trampled you underfoot. So what if you fell and got back up? I can still destroy everything you possess.

She murmured to herself, “Luo Xu, no need to thank me. I’ll just take this Princess Hele for myself!”

Meanwhile, Luo Xu had already calmed Zhao Zhen. Wearing a cloak, Zhao Zhen stared at Qionghua Palace with icy eyes. A fire starting the very day she returned? She absolutely refused to believe it was a coincidence.

But what was really going on?

“Mother!” Luo Xu looked at her with worry. Zhao Zhen gave a reassuring smile. “Mother is fine. It warms my heart that you care so much.”

The personal guard of Zhao Yi also arrived. Zhao Zhen returned to her usual composure and exchanged a few words with him. Luo Xu asked, “General, did you see the Princess on your way here?”

The guard cupped his hands in salute. “This General did not see Princess Hele.”

The fire was limited to this area in the entire Imperial Palace. Zhao Yi had assumed Tang Qi was with Zhao Zhen. A bad premonition rose in Luo Xu’s heart. She’d been here with Zhao Zhen for a while now. Tang Qi should have reached Zhao Yi’s palace by now, or at least arrived with the guard.

Where could she be?

“Mother, I will go back and check.” Luo Xu was worried. Zhao Zhen nodded comfortingly. “Hele has high martial arts skills; nothing will happen to her.”

Luo Xu also tried to reassure herself with this, but the unease in her heart didn’t lessen in the slightest. She hurried back toward her bedchamber with her people, silently praying, Let nothing happen, let nothing happen. For some reason, the usually short path felt endlessly long.

She felt like she’d walked forever, yet she couldn’t reach the end. Just when she thought it was her imagination, the guards beside her also noticed something was off. “Commandery Princess, this subordinate feels something is wrong with the path. We’ve been walking for almost two quarter-hours.”

Fear seized Luo Xu. Afraid that Tang Qi was in trouble, she broke into a run without stopping. She didn’t know how long it took before the main gate of the palace suddenly appeared before them.

The carved, vermillion-red doors stood in place, with the usual guards at their posts, looking exactly as always. Luo Xu rushed forward. “Where is the Princess?”

The guards’ faces showed awkwardness. They lowered their heads and cupped their hands. “Replying to the Commandery Princess… the Princess is in her bedchamber.”

Luo Xu’s heart finally eased, and she nearly collapsed to the ground. She steadied her nerves. As long as she’s safe. She pushed at the door to enter.

But the guard continued, “However, Miss Luo entered some time ago. The Princess relayed an order earlier not to let anyone in. Miss Luo…” The expression on his face said the rest.

The guard wailed inwardly. What is this mess! Two women fighting over one man, I’ve seen that. Two men fighting over one woman, not unusual either. But this… two women fighting over one woman…

This Princess is far too fickle! And the way that Miss Luo was dressed… if anyone says it was innocent, who would believe it!

A roaring sound filled Luo Xu’s mind. She suddenly recalled her childhood, when her grandfather left her a peach wood bracelet she treasured dearly. But one day, a young Luo Ping received a fright, and a street fortune teller claimed she needed a peach wood bracelet.

In the end, her parents forcibly took the bracelet and gave it to Luo Ping.

Tang Qi… Luo Xu shook her head violently. No, no, no. Tang Qi won’t be taken away! She stared at the vermillion-red doors and reached out to slowly push them open.