Chapter 27: The Splendid Country Part 2

The palace maid’s face went ashen as she knelt and started kowtowing frantically. “Princess, spare my life! This slave didn’t do it on purpose!”

The Head Eunuch was reluctant to punish the palace maid, but with Chief Lady Fang watching, he had no choice. “Ten strikes of the large plank, and then throw her out of the palace.”

The palace maid’s face turned deathly pale, and she shrieked, “No, Eunuch!”

“You made your own bed. Someone, drag her away!”

The palace maid was silenced with a hand over her mouth and dragged off. The Head Eunuch then fawned over Xiao Luo. “Your Highness, Princess, how is this?”

Although he was asking Xiao Luo, the Head Eunuch glanced at Chief Lady Fang. After all, here, Chief Lady Fang had more authority. Seeing that Chief Lady Fang seemed disinclined to bother, he let out a sigh of relief.

Chief Lady Fang said to Xiao Luo, “Princess Xiao, it’s about time we returned.”

She truly didn’t want to get involved in such trivial matters. She still had to report back to Her Majesty after escorting this one back.

“Alright, let’s go.” Xiao Luo retracted her gaze and followed Chief Lady Fang back.

Lin Qiao’er watched her leave, a strange light flickering in her eyes.

The palace where Xiao Luo lived was the Sweet Spring Palace, which had been abandoned for many years.

Chief Lady Fang escorted Xiao Luo to the entrance of her palace and then turned to leave. Chuntao ran out anxiously from inside. “Princess, you’re finally back.”

Chuntao noticed her palm, and her expression was on the verge of tears. “Princess, what happened to your hand? Was someone bullying you?”

“No, I accidentally hurt it myself. Let’s go inside first.” Xiao Luo led her through the gate.

Chuntao rummaged through everything until she finally found a bottle of Golden Wound Medicine. While applying the medicine, she carefully ventured, “Princess, I heard that at the banquet yesterday, Her Majesty took you to Frostfall Hall?”

Xiao Luo nodded. “Mm, and I even slept in the Dragon Bed.”

Chuntao’s eyes widened in extreme shock. “You slept in the Dragon Bed?”

“Yes, is there a problem?” Xiao Luo raised an eyebrow and asked.

Chuntao said, “I heard people say that a few years ago, the former Chancellor’s son tried to climb into the Dragon Bed at night, and Her Majesty beheaded him on the spot and threw his body out of the palace. How could you occupy Her Majesty’s Dragon Bed?”

A ruler that ruthless, killing even the Prime Minister’s son without a second thought—how did their Princess escape unscathed?

Xiao Luo heard this story and said in a flat tone, “Maybe Her Majesty has taken a liking to me.”

Chuntao’s eyes widened. “Princess, what nonsense are you spouting?”

After an hour, it seemed like people from outside the palace had arrived.

“Princess, Chief Lady Fang, who serves Her Majesty, is coming towards our palace with a lot of people. They aren’t coming to cause us trouble, are they?” Chuntao ran over, her face full of anxiety.

Xiao Luo said, “Don’t panic. They probably aren’t here to cause trouble. Come, let’s go see.”

She got up and opened the door just in time to see Chief Lady Fang leading the people into the courtyard.

Chief Lady Fang, leading the group, knelt respectfully. Her tone was humble as she said, “Your Highness, Princess, this servant was greatly disrespectful earlier and completely forgot about the injury to Your Highness’s hand. This time, I have specially requested an Imperial Physician to come and treat the Princess.”

Xiao Luo was slightly surprised. Why had Chief Lady Fang’s attitude towards her changed so drastically? Could it be Xia Lingyu…

She didn’t speak, and they didn’t dare rise. Finally, Xiao Luo said, “You may all rise.”

“Thank you, Your Highness!” Chief Lady Fang finally let out a breath. Thank goodness this Princess didn’t hold a grudge.

Xiao Luo said, “Why thank me? I should be thanking Chief Lady Fang for bringing the Imperial Physician here to treat my injury.”

Chief Lady Fang looked terrified. “No, no, no! Your Highness flatters me. Th-this… This is Her Majesty’s will.”

As she spoke, Chief Lady Fang carefully glanced at her and said softly, “Her Majesty is concerned for Your Highness and commanded me to bring the Imperial Physician.”

Xiao Luo understood. Sure enough, the Empress had given Chief Lady Fang a talking-to. That was why Chief Lady Fang had changed her attitude and brought an Imperial Physician over. She had to admit, that Empress truly had taken her to heart.

The thigh was practically right in front of her, waiting to be clung to.

Xiao Luo smiled. “Then please convey my thanks to Her Majesty.”

Chief Lady Fang nodded. After the Imperial Physician re-applied the medicine and bandaged the wound properly, she leaned closer to Xiao Luo and said, “Your Highness, tonight, Her Majesty wishes to dine with you. When the time comes, this servant will send someone to escort you over.”

“Alright.” Xiao Luo smiled.

In a hidden corner of the Imperial Garden, Lin Qiao’er waited anxiously, and finally, Xia Wuheng arrived.

Xia Wuheng wore a jade crown and a white robe, looking refined, cultured, and elegant.

“Qiao’er, I’m here. Did you wait long?” A charming smile graced Xia Wuheng’s lips as he naturally opened his arms to embrace her.

Lin Qiao’er had been happy the moment she saw him, but then she suddenly caught a whiff of a woman’s fragrance on him. Her expression changed, and she dodged his embrace.

Seeing her dodge, Xia Wuheng said with some displeasure, “Qiao’er, what is the meaning of this?”

“Xia Wuheng, do you have me in your heart at all? Why do you have to marry so many concubines?” Lin Qiao’er felt terrible inside. The man she loved still had so many other women.

Xia Wuheng, as he always had in the past, wrapped her in a heartfelt embrace. “Qiao’er, you are the only one in my heart. Marrying those concubines is just an alliance between great families. It’s all an act.”

But Lin Qiao’er smelled that scent of rouge and powder on him again. A surge of disgust rose in her heart, and she couldn’t help but shove him away violently. “An act? I think you’ve made the act real!”

Xia Wuheng hadn’t expected her to push him. He stumbled backward several steps, nearly falling. His face was filled with shock.

Seeing him like that, a flash of regret went through Lin Qiao’er’s heart. She softened her tone. “Royal Highness…”

“Say no more.” Xia Wuheng’s face was cold and stern. “Qiao’er, I know you’re jealous, but have you considered the big picture? For the sake of our great cause, I have spared no cost, even marrying women I do not love. And you still want to pressure me?”

Lin Qiao’er looked ashamed. She couldn’t help it; she was still too much in love with Xia Wuheng.

“I was wrong, Your Highness. In the future, I won’t let jealousy get the better of me.”

Lin Qiao’er humbled herself and spoke many soft words, and only then did Xia Wuheng’s expression finally ease a bit. “Alright, I forgive you.”

“From now on, continue staying in the palace and find a way to climb higher, all the way to the position of a female official at Xia Lingyu’s side. Understand?”

Lin Qiao’er continued to nod obediently. She would definitely become her prince’s greatest support.

Xia Wuheng nodded in satisfaction. “I’ll leave first. Wait a moment before coming out.”

Then, he strolled leisurely around the Imperial Garden for a bit and suddenly discovered an exquisitely beautiful figure. The woman glanced back and smiled at him, instantly making his heart bloom with joy. His very soul was captivated.

Princess Xiao, truly a peerless beauty!

Xia Wuheng pulled out the folding fan he always carried at his waist, unfurled it with a snap, and then walked over, fanning himself and wearing a charming smile.

Just as Lin Qiao’er came out, she bumped into a palace maid in a frantic hurry. “Elder Sister, I’ve gotten separated from my Princess. We’re new here and aren’t familiar with the palace. Elder Sister, could you please help me find my mistress?”

Lin Qiao’er hadn’t planned to meddle in other people’s business, but she realized that “Princess” was very likely Princess Xiao. After all, currently, she was the only princess in the palace.

Remembering the injury on Princess Xiao’s hand, Lin Qiao’er agreed. “Alright.”

So she took Chuntao to search for Xiao Luo.

As they walked, they came across a pavilion in the Imperial Garden ahead, where two figures were pushing and shoving against each other.

Lin Qiao’er raised her eyes to see that scene, and her mind went completely blank.

Xia Wuheng had Xiao Luo pinned against a pillar. Xiao Luo was struggling weakly, her expression one of humiliation, anger, and visible tear tracks.

“Your Highness!” Chuntao abandoned Lin Qiao’er and rushed forward, shoving Xia Wuheng away. “What do you think you’re doing to the Princess?!”

Xia Wuheng raised an eyebrow slightly, the corner of his mouth curving up, still maintaining the image of a dashing gentleman. “Princess Xiao, don’t you want to explain?”

Xiao Luo lowered her head, not daring to look at him, clearly terrified of his overbearing power.

A flicker of amusement passed through Xia Wuheng’s eyes. “Very well, Princess Xiao. You were the one who provoked this prince first. Next time, I won’t let you off so easily.”

With that, he walked off, fanning himself with what he thought was a dashing air.

Xiao Luo, pale-faced, slumped weakly to the ground. Chuntao was also crying at her side.

Lin Qiao’er’s gaze was blank. It slowly focused on the two of them, master and servant. She walked over, her voice trembling, “Your Highness, are you alright?”

The man she loved had dared to disrespect the kind Princess Xiao and molest the poor Princess Xiao.

Xia Wuheng had just been swearing his sincerity moments ago, and now he had done something like this. Why had she ever fallen for a man like him?

In that instant, Lin Qiao’er felt as if a knife were twisting in her heart.

Xiao Luo was escorted back to her palace, supported by both Lin Qiao’er and Chuntao. She looked completely lifeless, which only made Lin Qiao’er feel even more terrible inside.

In this palace, the one woman who had stepped forward to help her had been humiliated and bullied like this by the man she loved.

Lin Qiao’er’s initial heartache slowly transformed into fury.

“Your Highness, please don’t be sad. Everything will slowly get better,” Lin Qiao’er said, unable to offer much help, only soft words of comfort. She resolved in her heart that she would definitely help this pitiful princess more in the future.

A pale smile blossomed on Xiao Luo’s face. “Thank you. I’d like to be your friend. Could you tell me your name?”

Lin Qiao’er was taken aback. A lowly palace maid like her, and the Princess actually wanted to be her friend?

Even though the other was a hostage, she was still a princess in name, wasn’t she?

Immensely touched, Lin Qiao’er said with tears in her eyes, “Your Highness, this slave is named Lin Qiao’er. I am just a Fifth-Rank palace maid. I am truly unworthy to be Your Highness’s friend.”

Xiao Luo took her hand and said softly, “Why wouldn’t you be worthy? Here in the palace, we are both equally trapped by forces beyond our control. That is precisely why we can be true friends.”

Lin Qiao’er felt so guilty she had no words to respond. Remembering how Xia Wuheng had bullied Xiao Luo, a flame of fury ignited in her heart.

Damn Xia Wuheng! I will never believe you again!

After Lin Qiao’er left, a faint, lingering smile remained on Xiao Luo’s face, which made Chuntao very worried.

“Your Highness, please don’t do anything rash!”

Xiao Luo lightly tapped her on the head. “Alright, I’m fine.” She was tougher than that.

She thought the tragedy of this female lead stemmed from loving a scumbag too deeply. So she had devised a plan to seduce Xia Wuheng just a little and conveniently let Lin Qiao’er see that the man she loved was this kind of person. That way, Lin Qiao’er wouldn’t like him so much anymore and would instead come to despise him.

Besides, Xiao Luo hadn’t let Xia Wuheng take advantage of her at all.

System: “Babe, you’re a genius! Mission Progress has advanced to 20%!”

Just as Xiao Luo thought, the key to changing the plot lay in the female lead. If the female lead didn’t like the male lead, the following events wouldn’t happen.

But still, had Lin Qiao’er completely given up on Xia Wuheng in her heart?

Inside the Imperial Study.

Xia Wuheng said to Xia Lingyu, who was reviewing memorials, “Imperial Sister, your Imperial Brother has recently taken a liking to a woman. May I ask you to grant her to me?”

“Oh~” Xia Lingyu’s voice lengthened. She raised her head, and a sharp, dangerous light flashed through her phoenix eyes. “Tell me, who has caught your eye?”

Xia Wuheng said, “Princess Xiao. Your Imperial Brother is utterly smitten with her. Truly, at first sight.”

“Heh heh…” Xia Lingyu said meaningfully, “Love at first sight, you say.”