Face-Slapping

Ever since Xiao Qianyu returned, countless spies in the palace had been keeping an eye on him.

Consort Guo was no exception. Almost as soon as Xiao Qianyu made a move, the masters of the various palaces received word.

When they learned he had gone to Qionghua Palace, those who had felt uneasy about lowering their heads and bending their backs earlier patted their chests in relief. Good thing they had thick skin and knelt quickly.

Then they began gloating, waiting to see the commotion between the Grand Princess and the Third Prince.

Leaving aside how the Third Prince was fretting and pacing anxiously, Consort Guo immediately set out for Qionghua Palace after receiving the news. At the same time, she sent someone to seek help from Emperor Yongchang.

The Grand Princess, Xiao Yuan, also knew that Xiao Qianyu had come for her. She shrieked and smashed the ornaments beside her, throwing whatever she could get her hands on. Her face twisted in fury. "What does he want from me? She's nothing but a lowly slave. Is she really worth all this relentless pursuit?"

The porcelain shattered across the floor. A palace maid immediately knelt in trembling fear to clean it up. Even when a shard cut her hand, she didn't dare stop.

The Grand Princess's temper was truly violent. If it weren't for the Palace Rules laid down by His Highness the Crown Prince, the people serving in her palace would have had an even harder time.

As they listened to the Grand Princess's curses from above, the palace servants kept their heads down and said nothing. Yet they couldn't help envying those who served the Crown Prince. Not only was he kind to his subordinates, he also stood up for the eunuchs around him.

Meixiang, the Grand Princess's personal lady-in-waiting, had been given to her by Consort Guo. She hurried to soothe the Princess. "Princess, don't be afraid. At worst, we can hand Laixi over and say he killed Huaying out of a personal grudge. Then you can apologize to the Crown Prince. You're his younger sister, after all. Seeing that you've sincerely repented, he won't be able to do anything to you."

"Why should I apologize to him? He's already bullied me once. Does he mean to bully me a second time?" the Grand Princess shouted. "I'm going to ask Father Emperor to decide this!"

She rose to leave, but Meixiang hurriedly stopped her. "Princess, you absolutely mustn't."

The Grand Princess was violent-tempered and reckless, not someone easy to deal with. Meixiang was truly exhausted. If Consort Guo hadn't ordered her to look after the Grand Princess, she would have wanted to wash her hands of the whole matter.

"Think carefully, Princess. His Majesty already feels guilty toward His Highness the Crown Prince, and he was displeased with you because of what happened last time. If he learns you've fallen into your old ways again, he certainly won't go against the Crown Prince's wishes." She tried earnestly to persuade her. "Why quarrel with the Crown Prince over a moment's anger, only to lose His Majesty's favor? Besides, you're his younger sister. Admitting your mistake to your own brother is nothing to be ashamed of." A little coquettishness, and she could have anything she wanted.

Those who understood the times were wise. How foolish it was to cross swords with the Crown Prince of the realm.

Meixiang regretted it now. Back then, because the Crown Prince had fallen from favor, she had turned a blind eye and tacitly allowed the Grand Princess to take her anger out on Huaying. That was what had brought them to this disaster.

Hatred welled in the Grand Princess's almond-shaped eyes. "But I don't want to. I don't want to! I'd rather Father Emperor punish me than bow and scrape before Xiao Qianyu."

She was a princess, and Father Emperor's first daughter. She had been raised as the apple of everyone's eye, just like him. Why should she be trampled under Xiao Qianyu's feet like a blade of grass?

"Enough! You're becoming more and more unreasonable. You've disappointed me." A splendid figure entered through the palace doors. It was Consort Guo.

She glared sternly at her daughter. "Is the Crown Prince's name yours to call? Where have all your manners and rules gone?"

Everyone in the palace had heard that His Highness the Crown Prince had undergone a drastic change in temperament. He was no longer as gentle and benevolent as before. Now he was a powder keg, ready to explode at the slightest spark.

Everyone else was trying to stay out of his way, while this fool she had given birth to was rushing headlong into trouble.

"Greetings, Your Highness," Meixiang said, quickly leading everyone in a bow.

Consort Guo shot her a displeased sidelong glance, but knew this was no time to blame or settle accounts with her. She went straight to the front and took her seat.

The Grand Princess gave up her place, lips pursed in grievance. "Mother, why have you come?"

"Enough of this idle talk. When the Crown Prince arrives, hand the person over without fuss, then apologize properly. Listen to what he has to say. If he wants to beat you or scold you, take it. Do you understand?"

"Mother...!" The Grand Princess pouted, about to protest, but when she met her mother's stern gaze, she nodded reluctantly.

Consort Guo let out a breath. The first blaze the Crown Prince had kindled after returning to the palace was not something anyone could defy. She could only hope the Grand Princess had truly taken her words to heart.

She was about to instruct the Grand Princess on how to handle things when a palace servant came to report, "His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived."

Knowing how much her daughter cared about appearances, Consort Guo realized the Grand Princess wouldn't be able to bring herself to lower her head and apologize with her mother watching. So she went to take refuge in a side hall. "Do not neglect the Crown Prince."

After giving that instruction, Consort Guo left with her people, trailing a lingering fragrance.

Meixiang reminded her, "Princess, you should go and welcome the Crown Prince."

Hatred flashed across the Grand Princess's face. She stamped her foot and said, "Bring Laixi. We're going to see the Crown Prince."

Xiao Qianyu stepped down from the sedan chair, looked up at Qionghua Palace, and walked inside.

Shumo hurriedly followed behind with the others, while Eunuch Hai quietly trailed after them.

The Grand Princess was Emperor Yongchang's first daughter and the child of his favorite consort. Naturally, he had spared no expense on her palace, planting qionghua trees throughout its grounds.