A palace maid lifted the sedan curtain, revealing Zhu Yue'e before Bai Qinchen. She wore a golden phoenix robe, looking magnificent and regal, her bearing graceful. Her dignified, lovely features carried a noble elegance, and a hint of allure lingered between her brows, though cold pride predominated.
"Mm!" Zhu Yue'e reclined lazily on her phoenix seat, glancing down at Bai Qinchen.
"Bai Qinchen, do you know what trouble you caused today?" Zhu Yue'e narrowed her eyes slightly, a trace of amusement appearing on her exquisite face.
"Trouble? What trouble?" Bai Qinchen asked, feigning confusion and looking utterly bewildered.
Seeing him play dumb, Zhu Yue'e curled her lips into a teasing smile. "Bai Qinchen, I like clever people, but if you're too clever, I can find you very annoying."
"Please forgive me, Your Majesty. I'm slow-witted and truly don't know what trouble I've caused." Bai Qinchen cupped his hands, still looking puzzled.
"Hmph!"
Zhu Yue'e snorted coldly. "Fine. Since you want to play dumb, let me ask you: who gave you permission to fight outside the palace gates?"
"Wasn't that your order, Your Majesty?" Bai Qinchen looked blankly at her, as though he had suffered a terrible injustice. "You told me to come guard you, but these people wouldn't let me inside to guard you closely. Weren't they defying your orders?"
"Heh. Do you think I need your close protection in this vast palace of mine?" Zhu Yue'e asked scornfully.
"You're relying on these people to protect you?" Bai Qinchen spread his hands. Around him, a whole crowd lay on the ground, clutching their heads and wailing.
Zhu Yue'e knitted her delicate brows. She had intended to take the opportunity to teach Bai Qinchen a lesson and put him in his place, but instead, he had put her in hers.
"Hmph!