Seeing Princess Qing continuously asking about Jiang Yunxu, Jiang Yan’er deliberately sighed with a helpless expression.
“What’s the matter? Is there something difficult to say?” Princess Qing also lost interest in drinking tea. She set down the teacup in her hand, took out a handkerchief to gently wipe the corner of her mouth, her gaze shifting between the two people opposite her.
Chu Youqi pursed his lips and remained silent, as if even mentioning Jiang Yunxu made him feel disgusted. He angrily turned his head away.
Seeing this, Princess Qing became even more curious: “Although This Princess Consort has not been in Jingcheng recently, I have heard a little about the reputation of Third Princess Consort. I heard her medical skills are quite good, and she saved the Little Imperial Grandson.”
Jiang Yan’er gave Nanny Lin a meaningful glance.
Understanding her intention, Nanny Lin wore an expression of barely contained frustration and said: “Princess Qing, you don’t know. Ever since Wangfei saved the Little Imperial Grandson, her temper has grown worse by the day. Relying on someone backing her, she looks down on everyone, completely disregarding sisterly affection. She repeatedly bullies Cefei, cut off this servant’s hand not long after entering the Wangfu, and even framed the entire Yi’an Bo Fu family. Even our Prime Minister’s Wife was so angered she fainted.”
When Nanny Lin reached the emotional part, she even wiped away a few tears, extending her severed hand with a grievous expression.
Princess Qing said indignantly: “She is an ugly woman. If not for the Late Emperor’s arranged marriage, how could she have the fortune to marry into Sanwangfu? And she dares to be so arrogant and domineering!”
“Princess Qing, Auntie, please don’t be angry. After all, Wangfei is Wangfei, and she has medical skills. She’s just putting on airs, she doesn’t have bad intentions.”
Jiang Yan’er pretended to speak well of her.
Mentioning medical skills reminded Princess Qing of the purpose of her visit today. She sneered repeatedly: “This Princess Consort will see for herself today how Third Princess Consort puts on airs. Someone, go invite Third Princess Consort.”
Nanny Lin volunteered to lead Princess Qing’s people to Linglong Pavilion, muttering as she went: “Ah, it’s only because my Cefei is kind-hearted that she still thinks of covering for Wangfei’s lies.”
They soon arrived at Linglong Pavilion. Hong Qiao sat on the threshold holding a wooden stick, looking wary upon seeing the group.
“Miss Hong Qiao, what’s all this fuss about? An elder from the Wangfu has come to see Wangfei. Please quickly invite Wangfei out.”
Nanny Lin exaggeratedly shouted, bowing her waist as if terrified of Hong Qiao.
This was a stark contrast to her unruly attitude a few hours earlier.
“Wangfei has caught a slight chill and is not fit to receive guests,” Hong Qiao said.
“How can that be? This old servant saw Wangfei just three hours ago, how could…”
As soon as Nanny Lin spoke, she immediately covered her mouth, pretending she had accidentally misspoken.
This caused the old nanny beside Princess Qing to frown repeatedly: “Princess Qing wishes to see Third Princess Consort. Go and announce her quickly.”
“Wangfei is ill and cannot receive guests!” Hong Qiao tightened her grip on the wooden stick, her face cold, poised as if ready to strike at any moment.
Nanny Lin reached out and pulled the old nanny back, feigning terror on her face: “This girl was bought by Third Princess Consort from outside. She’s very wild, be careful she hurts you.”
Seeing this, the old nanny couldn’t help but sneer: “Third Princess Consort has quite the airs, not even going to see an elder. Clearly, she doesn’t take Qing Wangfu seriously at all!”
After saying this, the old nanny turned and left. Nanny Lin chased after her, explaining all the way, but unfortunately, the old nanny walked faster and faster, completely ignoring her.
Returning to the main hall, the old nanny embellished the earlier scene. After hearing it, Princess Qing’s gaze instantly turned cold.
“Indeed, she has caught the eye of nobility, to the point where even the humble Qingwangfu is beneath Sanwangfu’s notice.”
Jiang Yan’er immediately rose to explain, “Aunt Qing, please calm your anger. Perhaps the Wangfei truly has caught a chill and is unfit to receive guests. Do not harm your health over this.”
“A chill?” Princess Qing sneered, lifting her chin. “If that is the case, then this Wangfei must see this niece-in-law of mine. Lead the way.”
“Aunt Qing…” Jiang Yan’er attempted to intervene but was cut off by Princess Qing. “The Wangfei is ill-tempered, arrogant, disrespectful to elders, and cruel-hearted. She is utterly unworthy of being the Third Princess Consort. In contrast, the Cefei, born of a noble family, is well-educated, reasonable, and understanding—truly the choice for Wangfei.”
It was a pity that no matter how fine one’s status or appearance, they could not withstand the Late Emperor’s decree of marriage.
Chu Youqi secretly vowed that he would not let Yan’er suffer. He would find a suitable opportunity to divorce that wretched Jiang Yunxu!
“Why not seize this very chance?” Princess Qing, eager to win over Zaixiangfu and quite courteous to Jiang Yan’er, suggested, “Disrespect to elders and a malicious heart are enough to strip her of the position of Third Princess Consort.”
Jiang Yan’er was overjoyed upon hearing this. “But… would that be appropriate? After all, the Wangfei has only been married for a short while.”
“Fear not, I will support you,” Princess Qing said affectionately, patting Jiang Yan’er’s hand. Although she had come to see Jiang Yunxu, she was certain the other would not dare refuse.
Moreover, there was an opportunity to win over Jiang Yan’er—why not take it?
“If Aunt can assist, this Prince would be immensely grateful,” Chu Youqi said. His greatest wish was to marry Jiang Yan’er as his principal wife.
Having received a satisfactory answer, Princess Qing’s smile deepened. Before they knew it, they had arrived at the entrance of Linglong Pavilion.
“Wangfei, it was this maid who blocked the way,” the old matron pointed at Hong Qiao.
Jiang Yan’er immediately stepped forward and spoke gently to Hong Qiao, “This is Princess Qing. Quickly inform the Wangfei to come and pay her respects.”
“The Wangfei has caught a slight chill and should not be exposed to wind. Please return,” Hong Qiao replied, gripping her staff firmly and refusing to yield.
“How can you, a mere maid, be so ignorant of propriety? This is Princess Qing!”
Jiang Yan’er deliberately emphasized the title “Princess Qing” while observing the darkening expression on Princess Qing’s face. Inwardly, she was delighted, hoping Hong Qiao would cause a scene.
Hong Qiao stood beneath the corridor, holding her wooden staff defensively. “The Wangfei will see no one.”
To Princess Qing, Hong Qiao’s stance seemed like a provocation. She shouted sharply, “How dare you! A lowly maid dares to obstruct this Wangfei? Guards! Bring the Third Princess Consort out at once. I want to see just how grand a posture she dares to strike!”
Just as Princess Qing was about to force her way in, Hong Qiao cried out, “My Wangfei is too severely injured to receive anyone. Does Princess Qing intend to force her to her death by coming here?”
Hearing this, Princess Qing abruptly halted, her chest heaving as she glared at Hong Qiao, her eyes seemingly piercing through her.
“San Wangye, a mere maid dares to show such disregard for her mistress. Isn’t this too much?” Princess Qing said.
“Outrageous! Who gave you the audacity to threaten Princess Qing? Usually, Jiang Yunxu’s reckless behavior is one thing, but today you don’t even know your place. This Prince will teach you a lesson!”
Chu Youqi had long disliked Hong Qiao, and he was even convinced that the corpses piled at the door this morning were her doing.
Thus, he wanted to seize the opportunity to kill Hong Qiao.
“Prince, perhaps the Wangfei is truly ill, and this maid is merely loyal to her mistress?” Jiang Yan’er tugged at Chu Youqi’s sleeve, speaking magnanimously while anxiously urging Hong Qiao, “Hurry and ask the Wangfei to come out. Don’t let the Wangfu lose face.”
Though seemingly a plea, these words only stoked the fire in Chu Youqi’s heart, intensifying his murderous intent.
“You, my dear, are simply too kind-hearted, allowing even a maid to bully you like this.” Princess Qing had lost her patience. Just as she raised her chin to give an order, a maid hurried in to report, “Madam Mu has arrived.”
Madam Mu was the sister-in-law of the current Empress. Her arrival at this critical moment likely meant she was here to support Jiang Yunxu.
But since she had already come, Chu Youqi lacked the courage to turn her away and had no choice but to invite her in.
“Why are there so many people here?” Madam Mu, also born into a noble family and no stranger to Princess Qing, arrived in a grand procession of maids, wearing a deep purple gown. Her dignified presence was in no way inferior to Princess Qing’s.
Princess Qing raised an eyebrow and glanced sideways at Madam Mu, saying sarcastically, “What wind has blown Madam Mu here?”
“I heard that the Third Princess Consort possesses exceptional medical skills. Coincidentally, my family’s Old Madam is unwell, and I wished to invite the Third Princess Consort to examine her.” Madam Mu looked around, feigning surprise. “But why does Princess Qing look so troubled? Are you also here seeking medical help?”
The word “seeking” was used with deliberate finesse.
Princess Qing’s expression stiffened, and she cleared her throat awkwardly. She had indeed come to see Jiang Yunxu for treatment but had no intention of “seeking” help.
Instead, she had planned to command her junior based on her status.
Madam Mu waved her hand, and the maids behind her set down gift after gift—silks, satins, rare delicacies, and fine foods, everything one could imagine.
“San Wangye, please don’t laugh. These are just humble tokens of respect, certainly not comparable to the vast wealth of the Qing Wangfu.”
Madam Mu pretended to be apologetic. “If the Third Princess Consort can cure my family’s Old Madam of her chronic illness, these are merely appetizers.”
These words were a direct slap to Princess Qing’s face, as she had brought nothing with her.
Beside her, Chu Youqi and Jiang Yan’er also looked displeased, never expecting Madam Mu to elevate Jiang Yunxu so highly.
Madam Mu represented the Mu family and, by extension, the face of Empress Mu. Who would dare contradict her?
Just as everyone was feeling awkward, Jiang Yan’er stepped forward, wearing a troubled expression. “Madam Mu, you may not know this, but the Wangfei has caught a chill and should not receive visitors. Princess Qing came out of concern for the Wangfei’s well-being, so she is here to visit.”
“Exactly, this Third Princess Consort is still ill. This Princess hasn’t even seen her face. Madam Mu, I’m afraid you’ll have to return disappointed today.”
Princess Qing was relieved she hadn’t stated her purpose earlier. As an elder visiting a junior, what right did the junior have to put on airs?
Madam Mu seemed to understand and turned her gaze to Hong Qiao.
“But in truth, my Wangfei is not ill. She was severely beaten and is unable to receive guests.”
Hong Qiao changed her earlier stance, abandoning her previous stubbornness.
For some reason, Jiang Yan’er’s eyelid twitched. Her stunningly beautiful face forced out a pale smile: “You’re lying again, you maid. Who would dare to strike Wangfei? Could it be that Wangfei provoked someone she shouldn’t have outside and got retaliated against?”
The Third Princess Consort’s fierce reputation had already spread, so it wasn’t impossible.
But Madam Mu smiled: “Who would be so brazen under the Emperor’s very feet, and in broad daylight? I don’t believe Jingzhao Yin would be so negligent. If even a dignified Wangfei could be struck, who would dare to go out in the future?”
These words carried some weight, and inexplicably, Chu Youqi’s eyelid twitched, a vague sense of foreboding stirring within him.