When Xie Yuantang returned from Situ Qing’s place, her little face remained sullen and unhappy.
Hong Qu asked in confusion, “What’s wrong? Did His Majesty get angry because of the Sixth Prince’s matter?”
“Father wasn’t angry,” said Si Tu Yan, still holding a piece of cake. “Father even kept us for lunch before we returned.”
“Then…” Hong Qu looked puzzled at Xie Yuantang.
Xie Yuantang pouted and said, “Father said that after the hunting trip, my husband and I can attend the imperial academy.”
“Really?” Hong Qu exclaimed excitedly. “That’s wonderful! This shows His Majesty values His Highness and you, Imperial Consort. Why aren’t you happy?”
As soon as she finished speaking, she saw Xie Yuantang’s face darken even more: “Father also said that besides going to the academy, I have to enter the palace to learn etiquette from the Empress. Do you think I can smile about that?”
Hong Qu: “…I suppose not.”
Remembering Empress Jiang’s hypocritical face, Xie Yuantang felt furious and couldn’t help muttering, “That old witch!”
Trying to use palace rules to torment her? Well, let’s see who can outlast whom!
Seeing her Little Imperial Consort’s fighting spirit, Hong Qu suddenly felt a chill down her spine, sensing that… someone was about to face misfortune!
In the afternoon, Xie Yuantang routinely handed Si Tu Yan a Nutrient Solution.
Since the residual poison in Si Tu Yan’s body hadn’t been completely eliminated, and her current body was too weak to fully cleanse his toxins, she could only make him take an Antidote Pill every few days followed by a Nutrient Solution.
This way, even if the poison couldn’t be removed immediately, it would ensure his body’s resistance grew stronger. Once she regained more strength, she could proceed with the second phase of his treatment.
Naturally, Si Tu Yan knew nothing of this. He simply thought Xie Yuantang was giving him a novel type of tea.
“Wife, why can’t I find where you keep your tea leaves?” Si Tu Yan asked curiously, looking at the teacup. “And every time I drink the tea you give me, I feel very comfortable, as if filled with energy.”
Xie Yuantang thought to herself, of course! Having the Nutrient Solution formulated by the post-apocalyptic world’s top medical expert drunk like water – even a dead ox would become lively!
However, affected by the poison, Si Tu Yan soon fell asleep. Too angry about the Empress to sleep, Xie Yuantang decided to take Hong Qu for a walk in the nearby small garden.
Just as they stepped out of the courtyard, they saw a group of people approaching.
The leading young woman wore a light pink palace dress with her hair styled in a Xieyun Bun, pink pearl and gold filigree earrings dangling from her ears that matched her outfit. Her entire demeanor radiated arrogance and haughtiness – Xie Yuantang didn’t need to think twice to know this must be another princess.
Beside her followed an equally lavishly dressed woman, tall and slender with elegant features – quite a visually pleasing beauty at first glance.
“Oh no, Imperial Consort! It’s the Third Princess!” Hong Qu recognized the approaching figure immediately and grew anxious. “What should we do? The Third Princess must be here to cause trouble for you.”
“Cause trouble for me?” Xie Yuantang blinked. “Why?”
Among the palace members, she had only met the Fourth Prince Si Tu Ye and the Sixth Prince Situ Xu. Where did this Third Princess come from?
As she wondered, Hong Qu whispered, “Of course it’s because you took the Sixth Prince’s jade pendant!”
Xie Yuantang froze for a moment, finally remembering who this Third Princess was.
The third princess, Situ Feng, and the sixth prince, Situ Xu, were twin siblings born to the same mother. Their mother, Consort Li, although her maternal family could not compare to the influence of Duke Yu’s Mansion, was currently the Emperor’s favorite.
Because of this, the siblings Situ Xu and Situ Feng were no less audacious in their actions than Situ Ye, if not even more so.
After sorting out the relationships behind the scenes, Xie Yuantang felt no panic, only a slight curiosity as she stared at Situ Feng’s face and muttered softly, “These twins don’t look very much alike…”
Her voice was low, and Hong Qu didn’t catch what she said, still anxiously asking, “What should we do? Should I go wake His Highness?”
Although their prince wouldn’t be of much use even if he came, at least he was part of the imperial family, which would be better than the Little Imperial Consort facing this alone.
Xie Yuantang raised her hand to stop her, curling her lips in an unconcerned smile. “No need. They’re just here to deliver money.”
Deliver money?
Hong Qu looked at the furious Situ Feng and couldn’t help asking, “Imperial Consort, are you… sure about that?”
“Of course! They’re all my wealth-bringing gods!”
After saying this, Xie Yuantang watched as Situ Feng approached, then naturally walked forward and affectionately called out, “Third Sister!”
Situ Feng: “…”
Remembering what her brother had said, she immediately glared darkly at Xie Yuantang. “Who’s your third sister?! Someone as unworthy as you dares call this princess ‘third sister’? Are you looking to die?”
Hong Qu trembled as she bowed nearby, wondering how to beg the third princess to spare her Little Imperial Consort, when she heard Xie Yuantang drop a shocking remark: “If not ‘third sister,’ then what should I call you? Could it be… ‘little third’?”
Thump!
Hong Qu’s knees went weak, and she collapsed to the ground. Her anxious heart finally gave out!
Situ Feng’s temperament was exactly like Situ Xu’s, if not even more explosive.
The moment Xie Yuantang’s words fell, Situ Feng’s slap came swinging: “You little wench! This princess will tear your mouth apart!”
She didn’t share her brother’s rules.
No “don’t hit women” or “don’t hit children” nonsense here—whoever displeased her would get beaten!
Unfortunately, the slap missed.
Xie Yuantang, relying on her height—no, her lack of height—advantage, effortlessly dodged the slap by lunging forward.
But Xie Yuantang’s lunge didn’t stop there; she directly hugged Situ Feng’s thigh and charged forward.
“Oops! What’s happening? I seem to be losing my balance~
Xie Yuantang feigned a cry, casually grabbing Situ Feng’s leg and giving a strong downward tug!
With a rip!, Situ Feng’s expensive and luxurious palace dress instantly tore and fell away, revealing the white trousers underneath.
“Ah… What are you doing?!”
Before Situ Feng could react, a sudden chill hit her below.
Flustered, she hurriedly clutched the torn skirt. Her maids were stunned, rushing forward to cover her with their own clothes and forming a circle to block the view of the guards behind.
For a moment, everyone was bustling about—only Xie Yuantang emerged completely unscathed.
In her small hand, she still held two pieces of pink fabric, fluttering in the wind, declaring her victory!
Hong Qu looked at her nervously. “Imperial Consort, are you… alright?”
“Do I look like I’m in trouble?”
Xie Yuantang smiled and patted her shoulder. “Don’t worry. The one in trouble isn’t me.”
Hong Qu glanced at the chaotic crowd over there and instinctively swallowed hard.
In her heart, she thought: It’s obvious that you’re not the one in trouble, but you’re the one stirring it up!
Xie Yuantang smiled and beckoned to Situ Feng, saying, “Xiao San, the quality of your skirt isn’t very good.”