Liu Chan remained unaware that the other was scrutinizing her appearance and didn’t respond to the remark, instead turning her gaze toward the Big Orange Cat.
By now, the palace maid had squeezed the cat so tightly it had nearly ceased struggling. Its pitiful wails had faded into despondent whimpers.
Liu Chan knew perfectly well that begging Consort Sun further would likely yield no response. Moreover, judging by Consort Sun’s dismissive tone when mentioning Jing Guifei—devoid of either fear or respect—she clearly wasn’t intimidated by the noble consort.
So Liu Chan decisively grabbed the maid’s wrist. “Let it go.”
Perhaps startled by the sudden command, the maid reflexively loosened her grip.
Seizing the opportunity, the Big Orange Cat emitted a forceful whimper, broke free with a struggle, and dashed away with a yowl.
Realizing what had happened, Consort Sun flew into a rage at Liu Chan’s audacity. Unable to directly confront Liu Chan, she pointed at the fleeing cat and shrieked, “Catch that beast immediately! Smash it to death in front of me! Let’s see how a mere animal dares defy my wishes!”
Instantly, several attendants under Consort Sun’s command swarmed toward the cat, cornering it until the panicked creature bristled all over, darting frantically while hissing threats through bared teeth.
Seeing this, Liu Chan strode forward and yanked back the attendant closest to the cat.
The Big Orange Cat seized the opening to escape!
“Liu Shi! How dare you disrespect me!” Consort Sun’s face darkened completely as she twisted her handkerchief and advanced. “Don’t think your status as Jing Guifei’s sister permits you to provoke me!”
After all, the Sun family’s standing in the imperial court far surpassed that of the Lius. The Liu family had merely secured a place among the capital’s elite by producing an Empress Dowager and a noble consort—their actual court influence was negligible compared to the Suns’.
And this was just some obscure minor daughter from that family.
Liu Chan had intended to avoid further conflict when she spotted a deeply familiar figure approaching on the distant path.
She immediately whirled back toward Consort Sun, adopting an expression of righteous indignation. “As one of His Majesty’s consorts, you should uphold palace decorum and compassion! Why must you torment an innocent kitten?”
This provocation ignited Consort Sun’s fury.
“It’s just an animal! I’ll beat it to death if I please—who are you to interfere?”
Just then, a eunuch appeared, gripping the scruff of the Big Orange Cat’s neck despite its desperate struggles and piteous cries, obsequiously presenting it to Consort Sun.
A smirk tugged at Consort Sun’s lips as she cast a contemptuous glance at Liu Chan’s flushed face. “Strangle it,” she commanded triumphantly.
“You wouldn’t dare!” Liu Chan’s eyes reddened with fury as she rushed forward, snatching the cat from the eunuch’s grasp.
Consort Sun completely abandoned decorum, jabbing a finger at Liu Chan. “Beat her! Beat her severely! I’ll reward whoever beats her to death!”
It remained unclear whether she meant to strike Liu Chan or the cat in her arms.
The crowd surged forward, and one bold eunuch produced a rod from his sleeve, swinging it toward Liu Chan.
Clutching the orange cat tightly, Liu Chan curled over it protectively and shut her eyes.
The next moment, a scream pierced the air—but no anticipated pain followed.
She opened her eyes to see the figure in bright yellow already standing before the crowd.
Xiao Lin spoke coldly.
“What a fine Consort Sun! Who do you think you’re trying to beat to death?”
At Xiao Lin’s words, everyone’s expressions changed drastically, and in the next moment, they all prostrated on the ground.
Including Consort Sun.
But not Liu Chan, who was holding a cat in her arms.
At this moment, Liu Chan stood in place, looking pitifully at Xiao Lin, much like the nearly dead Big Orange Cat in her arms.
When Xiao Lin looked at Liu Chan, he slightly furrowed his brows.
Liu Chan seemed to have just reacted, quickly kneeling toward Xiao Lin while unable to suppress a gasp, her small face instantly turning pale.
“What’s wrong?” Xiao Lin’s gaze fell upon her.
“Your Majesty, this humble girl’s foot…” Liu Chan hesitated for a moment before gritting her teeth and speaking, “This humble girl sprained her ankle yesterday, and just now accidentally aggravated it.”
This was indeed true.
Her foot had been sprained yesterday when she went to support Xiao Lin, but she hadn’t paid it any mind. Just now, amid the pushing and shoving, she had twisted it again.
“Your Majesty~” Consort Sun cursed inwardly “fox spirit” before coquettishly addressing Xiao Lin in front of her, using a sugary voice, “Your Majesty, this concubine also fell earlier and is in great pain.”
Though she said this, Xiao Lin’s earlier scolding still made her heart tremble with fear.
After some thought, Consort Sun decided to take the initiative, “Look, Your Majesty, this concubine’s arm…”
Before she could finish, Xiao Lin looked at her, his gaze devoid of any warmth.
Thus, Consort Sun’s voice abruptly ceased.
Xiao Lin once again turned his attention to Liu Chan, who was squatting there sweating profusely. He turned and ordered, “Summon Royal Physician Wang to examine her.”
It’s just a sprained ankle—does it warrant calling a royal physician?
And Royal Physician Wang at that, the highest-ranking physician in the Imperial Hospital!
“Yes.” Huang Jiu was momentarily stunned, then sighed inwardly and said to the young eunuch beside him, “Go summon Royal Physician Wang.”
Liu Chan seemed momentarily dazed, then looked toward Xiao Cui beside her.
Xiao Cui quickly stepped forward cleverly, “Miss Liu.”
Liu Chan, supporting herself on Xiao Cui’s arm, struggled to stand up. Still holding the Big Orange Cat from earlier in her arms, she hurriedly addressed Xiao Lin, “Your Majesty need not summon a royal physician. This humble girl will recover after resting for a few days.”
Seeing her disheveled state and her eagerness to distance herself from him, Xiao Lin felt both annoyed and amused.
“Your Majesty.” Consort Sun, seeing him ignore her, couldn’t help but feel her heart sink.
Could it be that this illegitimate daughter Jing Guifei was using to secure favor had truly captured the Emperor’s interest?
But she herself had been quite favored recently!
For a moment, Consort Sun felt a heavy sense of crisis rising within her, her expression dark as she stared at Liu Chan.
Liu Chan naturally keenly sensed her hostile gaze, but she paid it no mind. Instead, she looked up at Xiao Lin, tears glistening in her eyes yet smiling generously as she expressed her thanks.
“Thank you, Your Majesty, for helping this humble girl. Otherwise, this cat…”
She pretended to sigh with relief.
“Just a cat, yet you’d protect it with your life.” Xiao Lin’s tone was indifferent.
He himself paused momentarily after saying these words.
Liu Chan naturally knew what he was thinking—it was merely that a similar “cat protection” incident had occurred with that person. And now, at this moment, propelled by Consort Sun’s actions, she had struck a chord in Xiao Lin’s heart.
“All living beings have souls. A cat is a life too,” Liu Chan replied softly.
Xiao Lin shuddered.
How could she say these words?
No one would know the words he had spoken with Jing’er, unless it was someone as pure-hearted as Jing’er…
For some inexplicable reason, Xiao Lin’s mind conjured the image of the young girl smiling as she spoke of “all things having souls,” and Liu Chan’s face at this moment bore such a striking resemblance.