11 – I went into the wrong room… I remembered 808 as 308.
“Alright! Take it easy!”
Lu Xiao Ning raised the pitch of her last syllable, instantly in high spirits.
When Zong Zheng Ye wasn’t around, she was the queen of the hill. After all, she was an Imperial Consort—she could afford to abuse her power a little.
So, with a wave of her hand, she declared quite imperiously, “Take all of these away and bring me some spicy stir-fried dishes instead.”
“Imperial Consort, you can’t! Do you know that this set meal you’re eating now was something I spent three days and three nights meticulously researching for you? It’s absolutely tailor-made!
The duck in this boiled duck soup was raised with care for three months, fed daily with a mixture of deer antler and sorghum, and given medicinal supplements every ten days.
Even the duck feathers on this bird are rich in nutrients—warm, cooling, and nourishing. It’s priceless!
And as for this steamed fish, it was raised in the Mekong River by specialists, flown in daily. During transport, to keep it fresh, it was wrapped directly in premium butter…”
“Stop!” Hearing the nutritionist’s lengthy explanation, Lu Xiao Ning was completely stunned.
“You fed the duck deer antler? Are you sure?”
“Of course. So you must trust my professional integrity—it’s absolutely for the sake of Your Highness’s health.”
These days, a person’s life isn’t even as good as a duck’s?
Goodness gracious.
“Fine, this duck had a tough life. Can’t let it go to waste—I’ll eat it!”
Lu Xiao Ning picked up her utensils again and wolfed down the meal.
Though the flavors were mild, remembering that these were all premium ingredients and not wanting to waste them, she polished off the entire set meal.
However, she wasn’t full…
“By the way, are all members of the royal family sparrows? How can anyone get full on so little? Does Third Highness eat like this every day too? Just these portions?”
“Small, frequent meals help prevent fat accumulation. Also, eating until you’re eighty percent full is sufficient.”
The nutritionist patiently explained.
But Lu Xiao Ning patted her flat little belly.
Eighty percent full? Why did she feel only sixty percent full?
“Gan Song, from now on, tell the kitchen to give me double portions! I have low blood sugar—if I don’t eat enough, I’ll faint.”
“Uh, that doesn’t seem quite proper,” Gan Song said helplessly.
Lu Xiao Ning slapped the table. “I’m the Imperial Consort. Do you dare disobey me?”
“I wouldn’t dare. I’ll follow your orders.”
“That’s more like it. Good boy. Those who obey get kisses; those who defy get scolded!”
Having wielded her borrowed authority, Lu Xiao Ning finally stood up.
She’d eaten, she’d given her orders—now she could finally go out!
“Gan Song, prepare a car for me. I’m going out.”
“Yes.”
Just as Gan Song was about to call the driver, Lu Xiao Ning suddenly changed her mind.
“Prepare a motorcycle for me instead. I want to go out on my own, no need for a driver.”
“A motorcycle?” Gan Song looked surprised, thinking to himself, Well, well, she certainly doesn’t follow the usual path.
But normally, no one at the imperial retreat rode motorcycles.
Lu Xiao Ning waited and waited in the hall. After half an hour, Gan Song came to report.
“Imperial Consort, the motorcycle is parked at the entrance of the imperial retreat. Here are the keys.”
“OK.”
Lu Xiao Ning stood up, took the keys, and tossed them in her hand.
Striding out, she left the imperial retreat and immediately spotted the large motorcycle at the entrance.
Picking up a helmet and putting it on, she swung her leg high and mounted the bike with dashing grace.
Stepping on the throttle, as the motorcycle emitted a “putt-putt” sound, she shot away like an arrow released from a bowstring.
In the second-floor lounge, Zong Zheng Ye sat by the window, having witnessed Lu Xiao Ning’s “cool act” just moments before.
This girl, so quirky and unconventional, was truly unlike anyone else.
Beside him, Wen Jing stood with a furrowed brow, looking puzzled.
He had clearly investigated Lu Xiao Ning’s background thoroughly—she was just an ordinary girl next door, nothing out of the ordinary.
Yet, after spending time with her, why did he vaguely feel she was overly special?
Could His Highness really tolerate such a wild and noisy girl? Spend a lifetime with her?
“Send someone to keep an eye on her. I want to know her every move.”
After a long while, Zong Zheng Ye withdrew his gaze.
…
Meanwhile, in another imperial retreat, a hot-bodied model was brought in by two tall, burly men in black.
Leading the way at the front was Song Yiyi.
On an expensive leather sofa, Zongzheng Ting lounged lazily, a cigar clenched between his teeth.
When the model was brought forward, his eyes suddenly narrowed, and the corners of his mouth lifted into a sinister smile.
“What exactly happened? Why did the job fail?”
“Replying to the Second Imperial Highness… I went to the wrong room… I mistook Room 808 for Room 308… By the time I realized my mistake and went back… it was already too late…”
The model trembled, not daring to look Zongzheng Ting in the eye.
Originally, she had accepted a sum of money from Zongzheng Ting, agreeing to help him seduce Zong Zheng Ye, take compromising photos, and expose them online.
Three years ago, although Zong Zheng Ye had been in a car accident that left him disabled in both legs, he was still the most outstanding among the three princes.
Thus, Zongzheng Ting was uneasy and wanted to completely ruin him through scandal.
Everything had been meticulously planned—Zong Zheng Ye had been lured to the Royal Hotel and drugged.
All steps had proceeded smoothly, except at the most critical moment, everything fell apart.
At the thought of the failure, Zongzheng Ting’s eyes turned vicious.
“Tell me, do you think wolves would like your pretty face and this alluring figure?”
Hearing this, the model’s face paled, and she immediately began to plead, “Second Imperial Highness, give me another chance! Please, don’t throw me to the dogs, don’t… don’t…”
Zongzheng Ting grew even more excited at her cries.
He raised a hand. “Louder. Make it more pitiful.”
“Waaah, Second Imperial Highness, I was wrong. I don’t want to die.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll spare your little life.” Zongzheng Ting held the cigar between his fingers and ordered Song Yiyi, “Throw her to the dogs. Remember, protect her vital areas.”
“Yes!” Song Yiyi obeyed like a loyal hound, personally dragging the model away.
Moments later, the entire imperial retreat echoed with fierce barks and the woman’s screams.
After about ten minutes, Song Yiyi dragged back a bloodied woman to report.
By then, the model no longer had a single patch of intact skin on her body—her face, arms, and legs were all torn and bitten.
The scene was excessively gruesome, truly horrifying to behold.
Yet Zongzheng Ting nodded in satisfaction, as if admiring a work of art. “She’s dirtied my carpet. Throw her into the sea.”
“Yes!” Song Yiyi showed no trace of sympathy in her eyes as she dragged the model’s mangled body away.
Zongzheng Ting stared at the bloodstains left on the floor from the dragging, his eyes narrowing fiercely.
Since he hadn’t managed to tarnish Zong Zheng Ye this time, he would just have to wait for the next opportunity!