Consort Li was delighted by Hua Kai's words and clapped Hua Kai's hand, laughing, "That's right. Even officials can't manage their own backyards. So many thefts are so shameful! The masters of each household must hate Luo Zhiheng so much. The Emperor has no choice but to put on a show, but how can he not be angry? Luo Zhiheng has really shot herself in the foot this time. Let's go see, so we can help collect Luo Zhiheng's body."
Consort Li let out a series of sinister laughs and left, supported by her two maids, Hua Kai.
It's only been two days since that incident, and Luo Zhiheng has recovered from her anger. She smiles at everyone she meets all day long, especially Mu Yunhe. No matter how Mu Yunhe treats her coldly and indifferently, she always has a sweet and innocent smile on her face.
Although Mu Yunhe didn't let her go to bed, she indirectly received many treasures, which made her very happy.
Mu Yunhe saw through Luo Zhiheng's little scheme at a glance, and his contempt for her was not hidden on his face: "Go away and laugh, stop your endless chatter, you greedy person."
Luo Zhiheng wasn't angry. After eating her fill, she went to sleep. Then, as quickly as possible, she found a slave trader through her wet nurse and bought a group of servants—only fifteen in total. None of them knew each other; the maids and servants were all carefully selected. With some training, they could all be used. At least these people directly called her "Master" and treated her with respect, so she no longer had to worry about any disobedience.
In two days, Luo Zhiheng turned the courtyard into a maze. Every room in the courtyard was thoroughly cleaned, and several strict old women were in charge of the small kitchen's food preparations, with the wet nurse supervising. Everything related to the food had to be handled with extreme care.
Personnel matters were left to Xiao Xizi, who also handled the allocation of people in the courtyard. One thing that made this courtyard different from others was the presence of gatekeepers—two burly, strong old women. Both of them had menacing faces that were intimidating to behold.
Luo Zhiheng has taken the first step toward independence; the second step is to prevent outsiders from entering at will.
Then, the training of the maids was also overseen by the wet nurse, and the head maid was the leader of the maids and also Luo Zhiheng's bodyguard. She was also tasked with protecting Mu Yunhe. Because the head maid knew a little martial arts and possessed immense strength, Luo Zhiheng gave her a new task: to teach the loyal and skillful maids in the courtyard a few basic martial arts moves, so that they could be used as fighters in case of emergencies.
Luo Zhiheng is making the most of all worldly resources, both human and material. Now that she has launched an independent operation, she must protect Mu Yunhe and make the best use of everything.
Luo Zhiheng was highly motivated and finally saw hope and a glimmer of light. At least in this Prince's mansion, she went from having no place to stand to being able to manage a small courtyard today. How arduous and difficult that had been!
"Your Highness, all the rooms have been cleaned, except for yours and the young prince's," the wet nurse said with a beaming smile. Seeing the child she had raised so quickly and efficiently establish himself in the palace, and even gain the young prince's favor and trust, the wet nurse was overjoyed.
Luo Zhiheng wasn't in a hurry. She pulled the wet nurse aside and said, "Please sit down and rest for a while. There's no need to rush. This world will be ours from now on. You should enjoy the good life with me. As for the young prince, I've already sent Xiao Xizi to speak to him."
The two were chatting and laughing when a noise came from the room, followed by Mu Yunhe's cold shout: "Get out!"
Then Xiao Xizi came out with his head down and said to Luo Zhiheng with a guilty look, "Reporting to the Princess Consort, the Master can't say anything and refuses to leave that bed no matter what we say."
Luo Zhiheng raised an eyebrow, not understanding why this man was being so awkward at a time like this. It was a spring cleaning; if he didn't come out, who would dare to clean properly? Besides, that room was about to get moldy if it wasn't cleaned soon. 11.
"I'll go take a look." Luo Zhiheng was about to step inside when a stern voice suddenly came from outside the door: "Stop! Who dares to trespass into the young prince's courtyard?"
"Hey, when did two guard dogs appear in this yard?" The voice outside was arrogant and contemptuous.
"When did a mad, blind dog appear outside my door? How dare it insult my people like that?" Luo Zhiheng turned around and looked at the old woman with a cold smile. The old woman was none other than the old maidservant of Consort Li.
The old woman's face stiffened, and she stopped craning her neck to look inside. Her expression was unpleasant, and she wanted to curse, but when she thought about what Luo Zhiheng had done these past two days, she knew that Luo Zhiheng was not someone to be trifled with. So she pursed her lips and said loudly, "The head mistress asked me to tell you something. The Emperor's decree has arrived, saying that Luo Zhiheng is to receive the decree. Why don't you come with me right now!"
The entire courtyard fell silent, staring blankly at Luo Zhiheng. They had only just been bought here, and they hadn't expected a mere servant to dare treat the young princess like that? What would their attitude towards the young princess be from now on? Everyone had different thoughts, but since they had just arrived at the palace, this moment was crucial. If they thought Luo Zhiheng was weak and easily bullied, and that even a servant could yell at her, then Luo Zhiheng could forget about establishing any authority in their eyes.
Luo Zhiheng understood this principle, and she was also aware of Consort Li's little schemes. Since Consort Li had used this old woman as a stepping stone to establish her authority, she naturally wouldn't be polite.
Descending gracefully down the steps, Luo Zhiheng walked slowly forward with her hands naturally behind her back. Everyone's eyes followed her figure. Seeing that she was being treated so disrespectfully, yet still had a smile on her face, they were all a little uneasy. Could it be that this little princess was really a pushover? If so, they didn't know how much suffering they would endure following such a person.
When Luo Zhiheng reached a short distance from the old woman, the two old women at the door stepped aside. The old woman sent by Consort Li, seeing that Luo Zhiheng not only didn't refute her but also approached with a smile, concluded that Luo Zhiheng must be afraid of Consort Li and her words. She inwardly scorned Luo Zhiheng as nothing more than a paper tiger. The old woman shouted, "Stop dawdling! Hurry up! The imperial edict is still ahead. Who do you think you are, daring to make the imperial edict wait for you? If Consort Li hadn't gone to receive you beforehand, that eunuch would have already arrested you and charged you with disrespecting the Emperor… uh!"
Before the old woman could finish speaking, everyone felt a flash before their eyes, almost blinding them!
Luo Zhiheng slowly walked up to the old woman, her charming smile still on her face. She seemed completely unaffected by the old woman's increasingly outrageous words. But the next moment, she unexpectedly raised her leg and kicked the old woman in the stomach, cleanly and neatly!
No one knew how hard the kick was, but the old woman was sent flying backward with both feet off the ground. Although she didn't fall far, the thud was still chilling!
Luo Zhiheng gracefully and calmly tossed down her skirt, looking down at the old woman with a cold laugh: "You know what disrespect is? Then what you just said to me wasn't disrespectful? And you kept calling me Consort Li, would Consort Li want someone like you by her side? How shameful! With someone like you by Consort Li's side, how can Consort Li's gentleness and kindness be reflected? You're more like a mean-spirited person! How can I stand by and watch you, this piece of dog shit, defile Consort Li's sweet and holy beauty? Don't worry, in a moment I'll have the eunuch take you away and punish you for the crime of disrespect."
Luo Zhiheng's words were not loud, but everyone in the courtyard could hear them clearly. As the wind blew by, everyone felt a chill in their hearts.
The elderly residents who had lived in the courtyard for a long time gained a deeper understanding of Luo Zhiheng's true nature as a smiling tiger, which strengthened their resolve to follow her and remain loyal to her. Didn't they see how the young princess had systematically eliminated Consort Li's supporters one by one in just a few days? And Consort Li, who was usually so capable, was constantly being defeated and suffering losses in Luo Zhiheng's hands, yet she remained completely unaware of it.
Luo Zhiheng didn't change her clothes. She took her maid and Xiao Xizi and walked away. Some old women were already leading away the old woman who had been kicked so badly that her internal organs were twisted together.
In the courtyard, the servants watched Luo Zhiheng with awe and reverence.
Upon arriving at the main hall in the front courtyard, the Princess and Consort Li were already there, along with a stern-faced chief eunuch who was sitting there enjoying tea.
"You've finally arrived, Eunuch Yu. This is our little princess." Consort Li spoke before the princess could, her voice full of apology. She then scolded Luo Zhiheng in a low voice, "How could you be so inconsiderate? You made Eunuch Yu wait for so long! Hurry up and come over to apologize to Eunuch Yu."
Luo Zhiheng sneered inwardly. Had she been waiting too long? She had rushed here immediately upon receiving the news. If it had taken too long, someone was probably deliberately delaying the announcement. She smiled, but didn't look at Consort Li; instead, she looked at the Princess. Seeing the Princess looking at her with anxiety and worry, Luo Zhiheng knew her guess was correct.
Under everyone's tense gaze, Luo Zhiheng slowly bowed, her bow directed towards Eunuch Yu. Consort Li thought she was frightened; a princess apologizing to a eunuch? She was about to lose face. Almost everyone was waiting to see Luo Zhiheng make a fool of herself, even Eunuch Yu remained calmly seated, accepting Luo Zhiheng's bow with perfect composure…
Everyone gasped for breath, then Luo Zhiheng said clearly, "Heng'er greets Mother Consort."
It's past midnight! Please leave a comment and vote! Happy Dragon Boat Festival, everyone! *kiss*
100 Dangerous Bounty! There is no abandonment, only widowhood!
Updated: 2013-06-13 11:24:56 Word Count: 7851
She was not paying respects to Eunuch Yu, nor to Consort Li, but to the princess who held the title of a princess in name only.
Bowing like this is correct, but continuing to do so at this moment is tantamount to courting death. Not only will Consort Li not spare her, but even that ill-intentioned Eunuch Yu will not let her off the hook.
Consort Li watched the spectacle with a cold eye, thinking to herself that the more arrogant Luo Zhiheng was, the better, because the more arrogant she was, the faster she would succeed.
The princess's eyelids twitched, her eyes filled with deep worry and relief. She quickly and gently said, "Good child, get up quickly."
Luo Zhiheng straightened up and looked at Eunuch Yu. However, just when everyone thought that Luo Zhiheng should pay her respects to Eunuch Yu this time, they heard her say in a clear voice, "Didn't His Majesty send you to deliver the imperial decree? Why are you still sitting there?"
Eunuch Yu's flabby eyelids twitched, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes. He put down his teacup, his voice soft yet sharp: "So why has the little princess kept this old servant waiting for so long without being able to announce the decree? Do you know that the emperor is always the one being waited for, when has he ever waited for anyone?"
The last sentence was quite stern, with a hint of ruthless questioning.
Luo Zhiheng was late; that was an indisputable fact. No one asked why she was late; everyone seemed to know, but no one seemed willing to mention it.
Luo Zhiheng was never one to sit idly by and wait for death. She remained calm and had someone bring the old woman up. Because Luo Zhiheng had kicked her, the old woman couldn't stand up and collapsed at Luo Zhiheng's feet, like a stray dog.
Consort Li's expression changed instantly.
Luo Zhiheng raised her eyebrows, a hint of coldness in her expression, and pointed at the old woman, saying, "I didn't want to be late either, but unfortunately, I received the message too late. This old woman was supposedly sent by Consort Li to find me. So, I would like to ask you, Consort Li, did you tell this old woman to come find me as soon as Eunuch Yu arrived? Why did she only find me just now?"
Eunuch Yu's gaze sharpened as he looked at Consort Li. Consort Li felt a tightness in her chest. After calming herself down, she smiled serenely and said, "Of course, I sent someone to look for you when Eunuch Yu arrived. It must have been this old woman who was lazy and delayed the search for you. Damn old woman Wang, am I right?"
Wang Pozi knew perfectly well what Consort Li meant. She was terrified and her face showed panic. She hurriedly said, "That's right. It was my own fault for delaying the time. It's not Consort Li's fault. Consort Li really told this old servant to hurry up and inform the young princess."
Luo Zhiheng laughed: "So you mean you don't blame Consort Li, but instead blame me, who was completely unaware of the situation from the beginning?"
She was nitpicking and finding fault relentlessly. The old woman was sweating profusely, and Consort Li's face was stiff. Only Eunuch Yu remained calm and didn't even lift his eyelids.
"This old servant deserves to die! This old servant had no such intention! Please forgive this old servant, Your Highness!" The old woman saw that Luo Zhiheng was determined to persist, and if she didn't take full responsibility, Consort Li would definitely make things difficult for her when she returned. The old woman kowtowed repeatedly, while Consort Li merely watched coldly.
Luo Zhiheng sneered, "I'm not a saint. I can't forgive and forget just because someone insults or humiliates me. Eunuch Yu, you are someone close to the Emperor, and I respect you. But this old woman is truly despicable. She has delayed me for so long and made you wait for so long. Moreover, she has no respect for hierarchy and is extremely arrogant and presumptuous in front of me. Our Mu Prince's Mansion cannot keep such a servant, nor dares to keep her. I ask you to make a decision for me. When you leave, take her with you and do whatever you want with her."
"How dare you! How dare you touch her people without permission!" Consort Li's concubines abruptly looked up, their sinister gazes filled with icy coldness. However, she quickly concealed her expression; at this moment, she could only endure.
Suddenly, Eunuch Yu burst into a loud, unpleasant laugh. Logically, he wasn't qualified to sit and act arrogantly in the Mu Prince's residence, but the Mu Prince wasn't home, and there wasn't a single adult male head of the household who could manage things. Mu Yunhe was used to being ignored, which was why Eunuch Yu dared to be so presumptuous. However, there was also the Emperor's decree involved.
The Emperor had long heard of Luo Zhiheng, who dared to impersonate him in the marriage, and was also well aware of her past vices. Normally, the royal family would never want a woman with such a tainted reputation, but Mu Yunhe had personally asked for her, and Mu Yunhe was his younger brother's only legitimate heir. The old Emperor did not want Mu Yunhe to be upset because of this, so he turned a blind eye.
But Luo Zhiheng wouldn't stay still. She'd only been married into the Prince's mansion for a short time, yet she'd already turned the entire backyard upside down. And that wasn't all; the investigation revealed that the brainless, infatuated Luo Zhiheng, while arrogant, was also somewhat of a bully who preyed on the weak. However, in the Prince's mansion's backyard, Luo Zhiheng was surprisingly flexible and resourceful, even managing to subdue Consort Li, who had held absolute power for years. This truly opened the old emperor's eyes.
Where does the Emperor not have secret guards? There are some in the Prince's residence too, but very few, and they're not there to monitor the Prince's inner quarters. After all, he's his trusted younger brother, and the old Emperor isn't that harsh. It's just that this occasional investigation uncovered such an interesting matter, which piqued his interest. He ordered Eunuch Yu to come and deliver an imperial edict to Luo Zhiheng.
Thinking of this, Eunuch Yu sighed. The Emperor still cared about Prince Mu; otherwise, he wouldn't have sent the prince out to fight at this critical juncture, and also sent out Mu Yunjin, the only remaining heir of the Prince's family. The Emperor was trying to preserve the bloodline of the Prince's family. Seeing that the old emperor was about to pass away, he had to leave behind the most crucial support for his favored son.
As for Mu Yunhe, he was already a dying man. If it weren't for Luo Zhiheng's actions, the Emperor wouldn't have been able to care for him given his current state of mind. Someone who was about to be abandoned has now caught the Emperor's eye; it's hard to say whether this is a blessing or a curse. 11.
Eunuch Yu composed himself, stood up, and bowed to Luo Zhiheng amidst the stunned silence of the crowd. He then took out a bright yellow imperial edict from his sleeve and said, "Luo Zhiheng, receive the edict."
The incense table was already set up. Luo Zhiheng was startled, somewhat nervous, as her era still bore the shadow of the late Qing Dynasty. Although imperial power was fragmented, it still retained some influence. So, upon seeing the imperial edict, Luo Zhiheng felt both angry and nervous, but she still calmly knelt down.
After listening to the imperial edict in a daze, everyone was stunned, especially Consort Li, who looked at the yellow silk in Eunuch Yu's hand in disbelief, almost shouting out her question: Why isn't it an edict of punishment? How did it become an edict of reward?
The emperor's concise praise was that Luo Zhiheng had inadvertently uncovered a source of trouble, helped many families recover their losses, and discovered a potentially wicked servant. This was considered an achievement, and the emperor rewarded Luo Zhiheng with one hundred taels of gold and the title of "Loyal and Brave Lady."
This reward was truly insignificant, practically nothing at all. For the Mu family, one hundred taels of gold was nothing, and how could that title compare to the prestigious title of Little Princess Consort? However, this title had one redeeming quality: the Emperor had stated that it was counted above the rank of Princess Consort, belonging solely to Luo Zhiheng, not to anyone else. Moreover, as long as Luo Zhiheng didn't commit the grave offense of treason, this title would forever remain with her, never to be relinquished.
The implication is that even if Luo Zhiheng is no longer the little princess and loses the noble title of princess, she will still be the loyal and brave lady!
Therefore, the value of this title becomes apparent. Even without the title of Princess Consort, Luo Zhiheng is still a first-rate noblewoman with this imperial bestowal. In the eyes of others, the Princess Consort is the Princess Consort, and she will remain so for the rest of her life, except in death.
But Luo Zhiheng understood that she wouldn't be the little princess forever. Not only did she want a free and independent life, but the lack of affection between her and Mu Yunhe also made a lasting relationship impossible. Moreover, she had an agreement with the prince: the day he returned victorious would be the day she and Mu Yunhe would have absolutely no connection.
Once the prince returns, she can regain her freedom and live openly under the name Luo Zhiheng. With the title of "Loyal and Brave Lady," she won't have to worry about anyone being too arrogant and bullying or mocking her, the divorced wife.
Luo Zhiheng was practically bursting with excitement, even more so than when she saw the hundred taels of gold. She suddenly wondered if the emperor had some foresight. How could he be so merciful? It was like a pillow being delivered just when she was about to fall asleep. This way, she could leave Mu Yunhe without any worries.
The future looks so wonderful!
Luo Zhiheng's gratitude was genuine. She accepted the imperial edict and, for the first time, generously rewarded Eunuch Yu with a large red envelope. With a beaming smile, she said to Eunuch Yu, "You are truly my lucky star! Please also tell the Emperor that Luo Zhiheng will forever remember His Majesty's kindness."
Luo Zhiheng was used to being forthright. Although she had some respect for the emperor, she had already died once and was more open-minded about things. She was more relaxed and less restrained.
Even Eunuch Yu was stunned by Luo Zhiheng's genuine joy and happiness. He inexplicably wondered, "Could this little princess be a fool? The Emperor's decree is quite significant. If it were an ordinary intelligent woman, she'd probably be frowning and living in constant fear of being divorced. Why is Luo Zhiheng genuinely happy?"
"Of course, this old servant will certainly convey the young princess's words. Then this old servant will take his leave." Eunuch Yu said with a smile. Perhaps the emperor's idea is right. Maybe in the future, the title of this loyal and brave lady can really be used to protect the young prince.
Eunuch Yu bypassed Consort Li to bid farewell to the Princess, his tone polite and respectful. Eunuch Yu was giving the Princess face, because the Princess was personally bestowed by the Emperor, meaning she was chosen by the Emperor. To disrespect the Princess would be to slap the Emperor in the face. The Prince could ignore the Princess, and the Emperor, doting on his younger brother, wouldn't mind, but a concubine dared to be so presumptuous in front of the woman chosen by the Emperor. Eunuch Yu could foresee that when the Emperor remembered and became angry, Consort Li would be the first to die.
Luo Zhiheng intimately linked arms with the princess, watching together as Eunuch Yu departed. Before leaving, Eunuch Yu noticed this scene, a meaningful glint flashing in his eyes. He gave Luo Zhiheng a meaningful look before leaving, taking with him the old woman who was desperately begging for mercy.
As soon as her father-in-law left, Luo Zhiheng affectionately pulled the preoccupied princess away from the front hall. Consort Li's face went from ashen to ferocious as she glared at the backs of the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, clenching her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms, her whole body radiating murderous intent.
Hastily returning to her courtyard, Consort Li could no longer contain herself and erupted. She smashed things around the room, roaring viciously, "That bitch! What incredible luck she had! To cause such a ruckus and still have the Emperor reward her? Has the Emperor lost his mind?!"
Consort Li became so angry that she started saying things she shouldn't have, and neither the head maid nor Hua Kai dared to say a word.
Enraged, Consort Li kicked her head maid to the ground and roared, "Why aren't you saying anything? Are you two sluts happy to see me being humiliated and everyone around me being punished? Do you want to betray me too? Or are you afraid of being dealt with by Luo Zhiheng? Speak! Believe me, I'll kill you right now!"
The head maid was truly devoted to Consort Li, and upon hearing this, she was terrified and burst into tears, but dared not utter a word.
Hua Kai, on the contrary, seemed to share the same hatred and timidly spoke up: "Your Highness, please don't be angry. Getting angry with that vile person will only make you angry. This servant has heard something that Your Highness might be able to use to strike a blow against Luo Zhiheng."
Consort Li's chest heaved with anger. Upon hearing this, she raised an eyebrow and said sarcastically, "What good ideas could you possibly have? Fine, tell me then."
Hua Kai hurriedly said, "This servant heard that General Luo's beloved wife died in childbirth after giving birth to Luo Ningshuang. Therefore, General Luo has always hated Luo Ningshuang and instead doted on Luo Zhiheng, who was born first. This is because General Luo regards Luo Zhiheng as a lucky star and Luo Ningshuang as a jinx."
"General Luo dotes on Luo Zhiheng like a precious jewel, which is why Luo Zhiheng is in such a wretched and lowly state today. However, General Luo's affection is undeniable, and he can say that the dowries he prepared for the two of them are quite different. Luo Zhiheng's dowry is quite rich and abundant, while Luo Ningshuang's dowry is very little. Although on the surface it may only look like a few loads less, the value of the dowry items is vastly different."
Consort Li had already grasped the underlying meaning, but she was still confused. She sat down, her eyes flickering, and asked, "What exactly are you trying to say?"
"Luo Zhiheng impersonated someone else to marry into the family, so the dowry that came with her wasn't Luo Zhiheng's, but Luo Ningshuang's. Luo Zhiheng's dowry is still safely in the General's Mansion, so isn't that Luo Ningshuang's dowry? Luo Zhiheng hasn't realized it yet, but once she does, do you think she won't cause a scene? Such a selfish person, wanting to marry into the royal family to climb the social ladder, she'd even be willing to harm her own sister. Would she really want her things to fall into her sister's hands?" Hua Kai said insidiously.
Consort Li pondered for a moment, then her eyes suddenly lit up.