Cheng Yunmeng tightly closed her eyes, her eyelids trembling slightly.
Qing Guifei wasn’t actually worried that Lan Zhaorong would truly be bullied – that little one had too many clever tricks up her sleeve, as she had witnessed before.
Judging by the sly glint in the little one’s eyes, she was likely planning a new “accident scam.”
However, the first to speak was Jiang Xingran, who had been silent all along.
He dropped to his knees with a thud and immediately kowtowed three times with loud “thump, thump, thump” sounds. When he straightened up, the red mark on his forehead was clearly visible.
“Niangniang Rou Fei, yesterday Xingran was too nervous and forgot to defend Fourth Brother. If Niangniang is angry, please punish Xingran directly!”
After these words fell, the room fell silent for a long moment.
Jiang Huaian’s eyes darted around twice, as if he had discovered something amusing: “Little wooden block, I thought you’d been poisoned mute. So you can actually speak.”
No matter how he had tormented Jiang Xingran before, the other had remained silent like a sealed jar, greatly reducing his fun. But this time…
He had finally found Jiang Xingran’s weakness: “Mother Consort, Father Emperor hates fraternal conflict the most. We mustn’t lay a finger on Seventh Brother today~”
Cheng Yunmeng grew anxious and immediately knelt down as well: “Niangniang Rou Fei, Xingran is young and doesn’t know better. It’s all my fault for failing to teach him properly. Please punish me directly…”
Jiang Xingran’s small face turned pale, and he wanted to kowtow again to plead, but Cheng Yunmeng quickly stopped him: “Xingran, listen to your mother. This is what I deserve. Don’t say anymore…”
Her Xingran had to go out every day to secure food for their mother and son. As his mother, it was only right that she should bear some hardship for her child…
Moreover, the little one’s inner thoughts had said this was a calamity she was destined to suffer anyway.
It was all because of her status that made life so difficult for their mother and son in the palace.
Cheng Yunmeng suddenly recalled that night from the past, filled with regret. If only she hadn’t covered someone else’s shift that day…
Jiang Xingran’s face was full of anxiety as he tried to speak again, but Cheng Yunmeng frantically reached out and firmly covered his mouth.
A mother should naturally protect her child.
Even if she were truly punished to kneel in the snow outside today, she would do so without hesitation!
In that moment, both their faces were streaked with tear stains.
Jiang Yingcheng stood blankly nearby, blinking her eyes, her heart full of confusion: 【Ah…】
【Chengcheng was all ready to fake a fall, what should I do now…】
【Father Emperor’s Imperial Carriage is about to arrive at the entrance of Liuhua Hall. If Yunmeng Yiyi and Seventh Brother keep crying, Chengcheng won’t be able to deliberately stage an accident to frame Niangniang Rou Fei…】
Lan Zhaorong’s figure stiffened, and even her sobbing unconsciously stopped.
His Majesty was coming?
She wouldn’t have to kneel in the snow today?
How soon was “soon”? If the little one faked a fall, would His Majesty really punish Noble Consort Rou out of heartache?
Questions filled her mind one after another, but the most urgent matter now was to make Noble Consort Rou act quickly, so His Majesty would catch her in the act.
At this thought, Cheng Yunmeng quickly patted Jiang Xingran’s back gently in rhythm, whispering in his ear, “Don’t be afraid, Xingran. Your Father Emperor will be here soon.”
Above them, Qing Guifei, who had been drinking tea, paused.
Well, well—so they were really planning to stage a setup…
Noble Consort Rou, unaware of the complicated thoughts swirling in their minds, saw that their crying had temporarily ceased and remarked with a tone of sarcasm, “What a touching scene of motherly affection. Anyone unaware might think I’m about to have Lan Zhaorong thrown down a well.”
She slowly rose from her soft chair and took two steps forward. “They say a child’s faults reflect the father’s failures, but His Majesty is extremely busy with state affairs every day. As consorts, we ought to share some of his burdens.”
“Do you two still harbor resentment over Lan Zhaorong being punished for this matter?”
Cheng Yunmeng immediately bowed and kowtowed. “Replying to Niangniang, this humble one wouldn’t dare hold even a sliver of grievance.”
Noble Consort Rou lifted one corner of her lips into a careless, mocking smile, somewhat satisfied with Lan Zhaorong’s compliance.
Although Jiang Huaian was eager to see his mother consort punish Lan Zhaorong, what he relished even more was the pained expression on Jiang Xingran’s face. Seeing the other suddenly accept the situation, he couldn’t resist taunting, “Jiang Xingran, you should know that the suffering your mother consort endures today is all because you opposed me yesterday.”
“If you had just admitted yesterday that you were the one who pushed Little Eleven, wouldn’t there be none of this trouble today?”
“Do you think this palace is someplace where your mother consort’s status gives you any room for choice?”
“Consider today a lesson—so you’ll know what attitude to adopt when you see me in the palace from now on.”
His heart swelled with satisfaction, and even the constant, throbbing pain behind him seemed to lessen.
In the past, when he bullied Jiang Xingran, although the other never dared to fight back, Jiang Xingran’s face was always full of arrogance, his gaze as if looking down on an ant. Even though Jiang Huaian always came out on top, he often felt he’d lost in terms of presence.
But now, it was good—he finally knew what Jiang Xingran truly feared.
A vicious smirk curled at Jiang Huaian’s lips.
Fight me?
See if you’re even worthy.
Jiang Huaian’s eyes swept around the room.
Qing Guifei, who was on good terms with his mother consort.
Jiang Yingcheng, his little follower who obeyed his every word.
Then his gaze fell back on Jiang Xingran.
“What are you waiting for?” Jiang Huaian snapped at the palace maid who was about to reach Lan Zhaorong. “Didn’t my mother consort say it already? Slap her face!”
Hurry up and slap her—after that, his mother consort had plenty more tricks in store.
Xi Wu glanced back at Noble Consort Rou.
Though Noble Consort Rou’s face showed no particular expression, Xi Wu, having served her for years, knew this was silent permission.
Xi Wu then lifted her foot again, preparing to take those final few steps toward Lan Zhaorong.
[Oh ho ho, Father Emperor is already standing behind the door?!]
Qing Guifei set down her teacup, her voice strained as she said, “Sister Jingwan, this isn’t appropriate…”
Noble Consort Rou turned in surprise, as if puzzled why Qing Guifei, who had remained silent all this time, would suddenly speak up and seemingly try to stop her.
“You—”
Before she could finish, several startled cries suddenly erupted behind her.
Noble Consort Rou whipped her head around.
The few people present had no idea what had just happened. Xi Wu’s raised foot remained suspended mid-air, her expression a mix of shock and fear. From her perspective, the shimmering glow at Xi Wu’s temples seemed to be a faint sheen of sweat.
As for Jiang Yingcheng…
She was on the floor, rolling one turn after another, heading straight for the door…
Noble Consort Rou fell silent.
Judging by Jiang Yingcheng’s rolling posture, it looked very much like she had taken the initiative to roll toward the door.
But from Xi Wu’s reaction, it seemed as though she had been kicked by the other party.
What was this?
Even at her current exalted status, when she had wanted to frame someone in the past, she had never resorted to such clumsy methods.
Jiang Yingcheng had no idea what others were thinking, but she was on the verge of giving up.
She asked 007 in her mind: H-How much further…?
Originally, she had planned to roll all the way to the door so her Father Emperor could witness her feigned pitiful state, but…
No one had told her the floor would be this hard, and rolling would hurt so much…
Dizzy and disoriented from the journey, she had barely made it halfway when someone abruptly stopped her.
Jiang Yingcheng looked up and met Jiang Yan Chuan’s slightly angry gaze. Her lips trembled, and she immediately burst into loud sobs: “Waaah—”
It r-really hurts so much—
Jiang Yan Chuan: “…”
Whose fault was it, really?