A shadow fell across the path ahead, blocking the sunlight.
Before the person even spoke, a sharp fragrance of rouge drifted over.
Zhu Xinyan lifted her eyes and saw a woman dressed in blazing red standing in front of her. The woman’s features were bright and glamorous, but her expression carried unconcealed hostility.
Behind her stood several maids and old servants, all staring at Zhu Xinyan as if they were facing a mortal enemy.
Even without introductions, Zhu Xinyan guessed her identity immediately.
So this must be the legendary Side Consort Qiao.
Sure enough, the beauty in red coldly sized her up from head to toe, then let out a sneer.
“So you’re the woman the prince brought back?”
Her tone was full of contempt, as though inspecting some cheap trinket bought from the market.
Zhu Xinyan had never been one to suffer losses with her mouth. Seeing the other party clearly arrive with bad intentions, she immediately smiled sweetly.
“And you must be Side Consort Qiao.”
Qiao Chuyue slightly lifted her chin, waiting for the other woman to bow respectfully.
Instead, Zhu Xinyan blinked innocently and added:
“You’re even prettier than the rumors say. No wonder the prince kept visiting your courtyard before I entered the manor.”
The hostility on Qiao Chuyue’s face instantly froze.
Originally, she had prepared an entire stomachful of sarcastic remarks.
But being unexpectedly praised like this left her unable to vent her anger properly.
Like punching cotton.
Silver Qiao beside her reacted first and barked:
“How dare you! When you see the side consort, why aren’t you kneeling?”
Zhu Xinyan immediately revealed a shocked expression.
“Kneel? But yesterday the prince specifically told me my legs are delicate and shouldn’t be overworked.”
As she spoke, she rubbed her waist with exaggerated grievance.
“My waist is still sore right now.”
The surrounding maids instantly lowered their heads.
Though nobody dared laugh aloud, shoulders were visibly trembling.
Everyone in the manor already knew the prince had called for water three times last night.
Now hearing Zhu Xinyan say this so bluntly—
Wasn’t she basically flaunting favor right to Side Consort Qiao’s face?
Qiao Chuyue’s expression turned green on the spot.
Her fingernails nearly dug into her palms.
“You shameless woman!”
Zhu Xinyan immediately looked wronged.
“How am I shameless? I merely answered truthfully.”
Then she suddenly seemed to realize something and covered her mouth in panic.
“Oh dear… Side Consort Qiao, don’t misunderstand. I wasn’t trying to show off.”
Those words only made Qiao Chuyue angrier.
Her chest heaved violently twice before she suddenly stepped forward, raising her hand to slap Zhu Xinyan.
Silver Qiao and the others instantly looked delighted.
But before the slap could land, Zhu Xinyan quickly retreated half a step and cried out dramatically:
“Murder! The side consort is beating people in broad daylight!”
Her voice was astonishingly loud.
Several servants sweeping nearby immediately turned their heads.
Even the hidden guards in the shadows twitched their mouths.
Qiao Chuyue’s raised hand froze awkwardly in midair.
If she truly struck her now, the matter would definitely spread throughout the entire manor before noon.
The prince had only just brought this woman in.
If word reached him that she publicly bullied the new favorite on the second day—
Qiao Chuyue’s eyes flickered uncertainly.
Seeing her hesitation, Zhu Xinyan instantly pressed forward.
She even took the initiative to grab Qiao Chuyue’s sleeve affectionately.
“Side Consort Qiao, calm down. Anger causes wrinkles.”
Qiao Chuyue: “…”
“Besides, the prince likes beautiful women most. If you age from anger, wouldn’t that let others benefit?”
Qiao Chuyue almost choked to death on those words.
What did she mean “others”?
Wasn’t she herself that “other”?!
Yet Zhu Xinyan still wore an utterly sincere expression, looking completely harmless.
Qiao Chuyue suddenly understood.
This woman was shameless.
Utterly shameless!
And against such a person, ordinary methods simply didn’t work.
After glaring fiercely at Zhu Xinyan for a long while, Qiao Chuyue finally squeezed out several words through clenched teeth:
“Fine… very fine.”
Zhu Xinyan smiled brightly.
“Thank you for the praise.”
Qiao Chuyue nearly blacked out from rage.
She violently flung her sleeve away and turned to leave.
But after taking two steps, she suddenly stopped again.
Without turning around, she coldly said:
“Don’t think temporary favor lasts forever. In this manor, the longer the days ahead, the better you’ll understand.”
With that, she swept away dramatically with her entourage.
Watching her retreating figure, Zhu Xinyan clicked her tongue twice.
“So fierce.”
Then she muttered softly to herself:
“She looks pretty, but unfortunately her temper’s too explosive. Endocrine imbalance at a glance.”
The hidden guards in the shadows: “…”