Chaрtеr 8: It Sееms I Undеrestimated Тhis Fеudal Womаn
Ru Qiu glancеd аt Qing Хi аnd stерpеd fоrwаrd, saуing, “Thе Princеss Сonsоrt has bееn in this stаte sinсе returning. Shе lооks… nоt wеll. Еunuсh, plеasе fоllow me to set dоwn the mеdicinаl hеrbs.”
Qing Хi sighеd, his gaze fillеd with pity аs hе lооked tоward thе solitarу figurе bу thе windоw.
No wоnder she was sо dеsроndеnt. Anyonе fаlsеly аcсused, publiсlу rеbukеd, and neаrlу brought befоre the еmреrоr for рunishmеnt would inevitably feel disheаrtenеd.
Whаt wаs еvеn morе detestablе was thаt the instigаtor nоt only went unpunished but also failed to offer even a word of apology.
Earlier, he had seen clearly—the deep purple handprints on Cui Jin’s fair and delicate wrist were evidence of how much force Xiao Lin had used.
A delicate young lady from a noble family had suffered such an unjust calamity.
Turning away from Cui Jin, he whispered, “You should also try to console the Princess Consort more. This Secondary Consort is the Prince’s favorite. If the Princess Consort doesn’t learn to accept it… how will she manage in the future?”
Lin Zhao had been in the capital for two years and enjoyed exclusive favor in the Prince’s Manor.
From what he had observed coldly, her favor was likely to last a long time.
Ru Qiu nodded and said, “I will do my best to console the Princess Consort. Thank you for your advice, Eunuch.”
“Ah, I was just speaking out of turn,” Qing Xi waved his hand dismissively.
Although Cui Jin had only been in the manor for two days, her words and actions always carried a respectful courtesy toward servants like them—this courtesy was not directed at the prestigious title of the Prince’s Manor but at people themselves, which was truly rare.
Compared to Lin Zhao’s aloof and arrogant demeanor, treating them as less than human, he naturally leaned more toward Cui Jin.
But what could he do? The Prince was blind.
Thinking this to himself, when he returned to report, his words unconsciously carried a hint of bias: “The Princess Consort has been sitting by the window the whole time, her face extremely pale, making her eyes appear red… She looks rather pitiful.”
Xiao Lin fell silent for a moment.
He had indeed acted impulsively today.
“Later, go to the storeroom and pick out some good items to send to the Main Courtyard. Also, tell the steward that after tomorrow’s return visit, the authority over household affairs will be handed over to the Princess Consort.”
“Yes,” Qing Xi nodded.
Xiao Lin had not originally intended to entrust household affairs to Cui Jin. Given today’s incident, the authority over household affairs would serve as an apology.
But in Qing Xi’s view… Lin Zhao came from a humble background and had never learned to manage household affairs. Back then, she had personally refused the authority over household affairs, even expressing disdain and contempt. Now, giving it to Cui Jin inevitably carried a sense of condescension.
The conversation between the two in the front courtyard was not kept private and soon reached Lin Zhao’s ears.
Her face immediately turned cold, and she knocked over the medicine bowl beside her.
“It seems I underestimated this feudal woman. She dared to use such despicable and dirty methods to frame me and even deceived the Prince!”
Her maid, Qiu Wen, hurriedly tried to calm her down: “These are just underhanded tricks. If you, Secondary Consort, were to employ the tactics you used on the battlefield, how could she withstand even a single move from you?”
“Besides, even if she schemed and framed you, isn’t the Prince still biased in your favor? She must be seething with anger right now.”
Lin Zhao sneered coldly: “The Prince and I are a couple who have weathered hardships together. Our bond is extraordinary—how could she possibly shake it?”
After speaking, her icy gaze fell on Qiu Wen, her tone filled with blame: “I’ve said it before—I dislike these underhanded schemes. Yet you insisted on taking matters into your own hands, buying medicine for me to drink. Now, it has led to me being framed and misunderstood by the Prince!”
“It was my carelessness.”
Qiu Wen also regretted it deeply: “Fortunately, the Prince is still biased in your favor and did not blame you. Otherwise, I would truly be guilty beyond redemption.””Forget it.” Lin Zhao relented. “You were just being protective of your mistress, but remember from now on—people of my Pearl Jade Courtyard would rather break than bend. We conduct ourselves with integrity. Never resort to such underhanded methods again; it cheapens us!”
Qiu Wen quickly nodded, though inwardly she thought her mistress was too straightforward.
In the depths of a noble mansion, how could such uprightness be tolerated?
But the Secondary Consort treated her like a sister, often saying they were equals despite her servant status… It would be false to say she wasn’t moved.
From now on, she would simply plan more carefully for the Secondary Consort.
“By the way,” Lin Zhao’s eyes flickered slightly, “has the traitor who switched the medicine been found?”
Qiu Wen hesitated. “This… I handled the entire process myself. The medicine couldn’t possibly have been swapped unless… unless Hui Chun Hall tampered with it when I purchased it.”
Lin Zhao frowned slightly. “Hui Chun Hall is actually colluding with that feudal woman?”
After careful analysis, Qiu Wen also felt this was the most likely possibility.
Finally, Lin Zhao called someone to clean up the shattered medicine bowl fragments on the floor, but Qiu Wen stopped her.
“His Highness misunderstood you today. This misunderstanding cannot be left overnight. You’ve been wronged and refuse to take medicine—this is the perfect opportunity for me to invite His Highness over.”
Lin Zhao’s expression turned cold. “Didn’t I just tell you not to use such despicable methods? Have you forgotten already? If I use illness to seek favor, how am I any different from those disgusting women in the inner chambers?”
“It’s just to clear up the misunderstanding with His Highness,” Qiu Wen hurriedly explained. “Do you really want to push him toward the Main Courtyard? Besides, don’t you truly wish to see His Highness?”
“…I don’t!” Lin Zhao avoided her gaze, insisting firmly. “If you dare go find him, I will punish you severely!”
Qiu Wen wanted to say more but held back, retreating instead.
Lin Zhao watched her retreating figure, her eyes flickering thoughtfully.
Once outside, Qiu Wen gritted her teeth and ran toward the front courtyard.
She absolutely could not watch the Secondary Consort be overshadowed by that vile woman from the Main Courtyard or let her steal His Highness away.
The Secondary Consort was proud and unwilling to lower her head, disdaining to use such dirty tricks. Then let Qiu Wen be the one to use them!
As long as she could bring His Highness here and reconcile them, she was willing to accept even the harshest punishment from the Secondary Consort!
…
Because of today’s incident, Xiao Lin had also grown somewhat angry with Lin Zhao, resenting her for causing trouble. He had originally intended to give her the cold shoulder for a few days, but upon hearing from Qiu Wen that Lin Zhao refused to take her medicine, he couldn’t help but worry.
Arriving at the Pearl Jade Courtyard, Qiu Wen opened the door and invited him inside.
“Who allowed you to come in?” Lin Zhao’s angry voice came from behind the bed curtains.
Qiu Wen quickly explained, “Secondary Consort, it’s His High—”
“I won’t take the medicine! All of you, get out!”
Lin Zhao cut her off, her usually cool voice tinged with a sob. “Already misunderstood to this extent… I might as well truly die from the Entwining Thread Toxin and find some peace!”
Xiao Lin’s expression darkened. “What nonsense are you saying!”
Hearing his voice, Lin Zhao fell silent for a moment, then immediately pulled the bed curtains tighter, her voice turning cold. “Why have you come? To see when I’ll die?”
“Qiu Wen, go and receive your punishment! A severe one!”
Qiu Wen closed her eyes. “Yes.”
If she could bring His Highness here, this beating would be worth it!
“Don’t blame Qiu Wen,” Xiao Lin frowned deeply, striding forward. “You refuse to take your medicine, yet you won’t let her seek help?”
“I don’t need you to care!” Lin Zhao’s voice was icy.
Xiao Lin exerted force and pulled open the bed curtains, revealing Lin Zhao’s red-rimmed eyes.
Seeing him look at her, she quickly turned her head away, covering her eyes with her hand.
The anger in Xiao Lin’s heart dissipated considerably upon seeing her like this.In the end, it was he who had spoiled Lin Zhao, allowing her to commit such acts of framing and false accusation. Now that she could not bring herself to admit her mistake, he had no choice but to offer her a way out.
Xiao Lin’s voice softened slightly: “Today, the evidence is clear. To appease the Princess Consort, I have no choice but to act this way.”
Lin Zhao paused briefly, a hidden glimmer of relief flashing in her eyes.
She had always known that, given the bond they shared as a couple who had weathered hardships together, and her own upright and proud nature, how could he not believe her?
What separated that feudal woman from her was not just the wisdom of centuries to come, but also Xiao Lin’s unwavering devotion to her alone!
…But she could not simply forgive Xiao Lin just like that.
She maintained a cold expression for quite some time, causing Xiao Lin’s brow to furrow, before finally glancing at him: “You have hurt me so deeply today that my heart aches. Only when you manage to make me smile again will you be allowed to leave Pearl Jade Courtyard!”
Xiao Lin was not one to indulge in coaxing, especially when the other party remained unresponsive.
But since Lin Zhao demanded it, he could not bear to leave her cold. He sent over numerous rare treasures, fine garments, and exquisite jewelry, finally coaxing her into a slightly better mood.
Yet, after a night had passed, when it was time for Cui Jin to return to her family home, the doors of Pearl Jade Courtyard remained tightly shut.