She ran away as soon as she finished speaking, changing into a bright pink wedding dress. She even deliberately circled around in front of Mu Yunhe, whose face was grim, which angered Mu Yunhe so much that he ran away before he could turn on her. All that could be heard was her cheerful and arrogant laughter.
The laughter and the colors were enough to kill Mu Yunhe, but when the bright colors and cheerful laughter disappeared, an endless loneliness and suffocation once again accompanied the darkness. Mu Yunhe felt that his breathing was becoming even more difficult, and he curled up in pain on the bed.
Luo Zhiheng, carrying the gifts given to her by the princess, arrived at the gate of the palace with Mama Hu. However, before she could even step out, she was stopped by a soft yet arrogant voice.
"Oh, isn't this Hu Mama from the Princess's side? What are you rushing off to? You're leaving the palace without even telling me, the lady in charge? If the Princess has anything important to do, I can send someone to handle it. Does the Princess not trust me?"
Her words were soft, but gradually turned into aggrieved tone. However, Luo Zhiheng could detect an aggressive and domineering feeling in her words.
The arm that Hu's mother was supporting, which Luo Zhiheng had been holding, stiffened. Even Luo Zhiheng became alert for a moment. This voice was clearly the same voice that had spoken cryptically on the wedding day. It was said to be the prince's concubine.
Although Hu's mother said something to Luo Zhiheng, she felt that this woman's appearance at this moment was definitely not a friendly visit.
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034 More Arrogant
Updated: 2013-06-06 20:01:31 Word Count: 1579
"This old servant greets Consort Li," said Mama Hu, turning and bowing.
Consort Li didn't even glance at her, but instead gave Luo Zhiheng a sharp look, saying in an unfriendly tone, "Is this the new maidservant who came to serve the Princess? Why doesn't she kneel and pay her respects to me?"
Upon hearing this, Madam Hu's eyes flashed with mockery. The Princess Consort's prediction was correct; Consort Li had come looking for trouble. Consort Li had clearly seen Luo Ning Shuang's appearance and would undoubtedly recognize her as Luo Zhi Heng, yet she dared to belittle Luo Zhi Heng so blatantly, a direct slap in the face to Luo Zhi Heng, and arguably a public provocation of the Princess Consort. Madam Hu deeply resented Consort Li's arrogance, but she had to endure it. She wanted to see how Luo Zhi Heng would handle this difficult situation.
Madam Hu glanced at Luo Zhiheng with concern, and was about to speak when Consort Li said again, "Didn't you hear what I said? Are you deaf? What an unruly servant! You don't even bow to your mistress. Is this the etiquette taught by Her Highness the Princess?"
What a veiled attack!
Madam Hu immediately understood that Consort Li was criticizing Luo Zhiheng for not paying her respects after marrying into the family. Consort Li was the most narrow-minded person, and anyone she set her sights on would never have a good life. Consort Li was also clearly alluding to the Princess, implying that the Princess deliberately prevented Luo Zhiheng from paying her respects.
Madam Hu understood this, and so did Luo Zhiheng. She thought for a moment and realized this was another battle between women. This Consort Li was clearly using this as an excuse; was she angry that she hadn't paid her respects? But she was just a consort, a concubine of the prince—why should she, the dignified princess, be expected to pay her respects? Even elders weren't this arrogant. But when it came to arrogance, who could be more arrogant than Luo Zhiheng?
With a bright smile, Luo Zhiheng concealed the sharpness in her eyes and said with a gentle and magnanimous tone, "Your Highness, please don't be angry. It's not your fault that you don't recognize me, and I'm willing to forgive you for treating me like a maid. After all, since I married the young prince, I've stayed quietly in our courtyard and haven't moved around much. However, I have met my mother, and her kindness made me realize that the unfamiliar royal palace isn't so scary after all. But Your Highness's sternness today... is actually quite good. At least if anyone dares to cause trouble, Your Highness's presence will silence them. It truly has the power to annihilate all other flowers!"
Luo Zhiheng's words caused Consort Li's expression to change rapidly. No one expected that a mere maid would dare to comment on the two most noble women in the Prince's mansion so readily.
Luo Zhiheng was clearly on the side of the princess. Her affection for the princess and her similar flattery towards Consort Li were actually quite sarcastic.
Even if a mother-in-law is not favored, she is still a mother-in-law. A father-in-law's concubine may have great power, but she is still a concubine and an outsider. Luo Zhiheng chuckled inwardly, "This old lady can tell the difference between insiders and outsiders."
Consort Li's eyes blazed with fury. "Do you think I, the princess, would forgive a lowly imposter like you? You're asking for death!"
“Since Consort Li doesn’t recognize me, let me introduce myself again. My name is Luo Zhiheng, Mu Yunhe’s new wife, and the young princess of this palace. Don’t mistake me for someone else next time. We have other matters to attend to, so we’ll take our leave now.” Luo Zhiheng finished speaking obediently, ignoring Consort Li’s chameleon-like expression, and affectionately pulled the stiff-faced Hu Mama out of the palace, playfully whispering in confusion, “Mother, what does Mother need to do? Does she need to inform Consort Li before sending someone out of the palace? Isn’t Mother a princess? Isn’t she older than Consort Li?”
The sound faded into the distance, and everyone at the entrance of the Prince's mansion froze. The young princess dared to say such a thing; she was truly courting death!
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035 Master-Servant Relationship
Updated: 2013-06-06 20:01:32 Word Count: 1632
Madam Hu had been scrutinizing Luo Zhiheng the entire way. Luo Zhiheng's actions just now showed that she had chosen to side with the Princess Consort. But was Luo Zhiheng truly naive or feigning ignorance? Couldn't she see the extraordinary position of Consort Li in the Prince's residence? Didn't she know that her actions were a provocation against Consort Li? Didn't she understand that as long as she lived in the Prince's residence, she could forget about having a good day from that day forward? Because the Princess Consort she had chosen was helpless against Consort Li in many matters.
Over the years, no one has ever dared to mess with Consort Li. This is not for any other reason than that Consort Li has real power, is favored by the emperor, has a son who is so outstanding that he can directly inherit the throne after the death of the legitimate son, and is also because Consort Li is narrow-minded. No one can provoke her, because those who do are all slowly and deliberately killed by her.
Madam Hu suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for Luo Zhiheng. They knew perfectly well that Luo Zhiheng would be resented for not paying her respects to Consort Li, but they did not warn her. In the end, they were essentially watching Luo Zhiheng walk into the abyss of hell.
In that palace rife with traps and conspiracies, Luo Zhiheng could be shattered to pieces if she wasn't careful. If she couldn't hold on, it was only a matter of time before she was devoured and killed by Consort Li.
Luo Zhiheng completely disregarded Consort Li. She was currently filled with inner turmoil. In Luo Zhiheng's memory, her younger sister had always been weak and easily bullied; she had practically bullied her since childhood. Moreover, she had stolen this marriage. Her sister, who should have been the bride, was probably unable to even get out of bed right now, having been kicked repeatedly by Luo Zhiheng until she was covered in blood…
This ridiculous Luo Zhiheng! How is she going to clean up such a huge mess?
The General's Mansion was quickly reached. As soon as Luo Zhiheng got out of the car, she was startled by the exclamations of two people with tears in their eyes.
"Young Miss! You're finally back!" The nanny greeted her with eyes full of guilt and tenderness, lovingly grasping her hand and stroking it repeatedly to check for injuries. Her gaze never left Luo Zhiheng, like that of a mother who had long awaited her daughter.
"Miss, sob sob sob..." The maid grabbed Luo Zhiheng's other hand, and before she could say anything, she was already sobbing uncontrollably. Her red and swollen eyes told Luo Zhiheng that the maid must have been crying for a long time.
They were Luo Zhiheng's wet nurse, Zhang, and her personal maid.
Their silent concern and worry warmed her heart. Luo Zhiheng blinked and smiled, "Why are you crying? I'm back safe and sound, aren't I?"
"You also said that this time I would follow you even if it meant death, and would never leave your side again. These past two days without you by my side, I've felt like I've lost my soul." The wet nurse's beautiful face was haggard, and her loving eyes were full of tears.
The maid's round face had become thin, and she clung tightly to Luo Zhiheng's arm, crying in fear, "I came too! It's all my fault, Miss, please don't abandon me."
Luo Zhiheng, who said you're infamous and no one likes you? These two people beside you, though servants, have such genuine feelings for you. Eyes don't lie; they love you.
"Alright! As long as you stay with me, I will protect you. As long as you don't abandon me, we will always be family." Even bandits value loyalty, and Luo Zhiheng also possesses the chivalry and straightforwardness of outlaw heroes. Touched by this sincere emotion, she couldn't help but feel a surge of heroic spirit!
At the entrance of the General's Mansion, the three women, master and servant, clasped hands together. Although she did not understand love, she had family and friendship, so she would not be lonely or sad in this life!
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036 Sisters
Updated: 2013-06-06 20:01:33 Word Count: 1536
Moved, Luo Zhiheng returned to this unfamiliar home. A moment of trepidation passed before she asked her wet nurse, "Where is my sister?"
The thought of her blood-covered sister triggered Luo Zhiheng's rare compassion. After all, the old Luo Zhiheng had gone too far, robbing people and beating them. She hadn't been this vicious when she was a bandit.
The wet nurse's face instantly darkened. She was a woman who appeared gentle but was strong-willed, and Luo Zhiheng was her bottom line. Once that line was crossed, she would instantly transform into a powerful woman. At this moment, she sneered and said, "You'd better not worry about her. Wasn't she dragged to the wedding venue by the young master on the wedding day? She even walked back by herself. How could someone like that be hurt? That day, I really thought that the second young lady was actually fine."
Luo Zhiheng froze, then lowered her head in silence. Behind her, Aunt Hu's eyes darted around; clearly, she had remembered those words and was now suspicious.
That day, Young Master Yun Jin said that Luo Ning Shuang was beaten to the point of near death. If she was on the verge of death, how could she walk on the ground?
"So how have you been these past two days?" Luo Zhiheng didn't want to see them dragged down because of her willfulness.
The maid who had been squatting at Luo Zhiheng's feet had red eyes and gently tugged at her sleeve, saying, "I'm not doing well, I miss you so much, Miss."
The wet nurse, her eyes red, said, "If it weren't for Young Master Biao being here, we two servants would probably have been trapped and died." The wet nurse glanced at the composed Granny Hu, thinking that since the eldest young lady's marriage was a fait accompli, the second young lady couldn't be allowed to have an easy time. She wanted to lessen the eldest young lady's dislike for her in the Prince's mansion. She subtly sowed discord among Luo Ning Shuang's eyes: "You don't know that day we tried to stop you, but the second young lady's people and servants suddenly stopped us and imprisoned us. If it weren't for the maid later defeating those people, and us escaping just in time to run into Young Master Biao who suddenly returned, who knows what would have happened next. That second young lady even impersonated you, not wanting Young Master Biao to know about your substitute marriage."
At this point, the events had all connected. Neither Luo Zhiheng nor Hu's mother were stupid. Although there was no evidence to prove that Luo Ningshuang was up to something, the various suspicious points were enough to make people suspect that this substitute marriage contained a conspiracy.
Luo Zhiheng had no feelings for Luo Ningshuang, so she couldn't say she was angry or sad. She said, "Take me to see her." She wanted to meet this younger sister.
The wet nurse was completely unsurprised; she figured the young lady was definitely going to settle scores with Luo Ningshuang. But someone as hypocritical as Luo Ningshuang deserved to be taught a lesson.
The maid suddenly stood up, clenched her fists and rubbed them together, saying, "Miss, don't be afraid. This time, I will definitely protect you. If anyone dares to bully you again, I will beat them to a pulp."
Luo Zhiheng chuckled and patted her hand, then followed the wet nurse to Luo Ningshuang's room. Someone had already informed Luo Ningshuang of her arrival, so when she stood before Luo Ningshuang, she still saw the pitiful twin sister from her memories.
Luo Ningshuang never expected that Luo Zhiheng would actually return to her parents' home. She thought that Luo Zhiheng would live a life of subservience in the Prince's mansion, just like she had once...
"Sister, you're finally back! I was so worried about you." Luo Ningshuang's face was still swollen and bruised, but her eyes were filled with fear and apprehension, as if Luo Zhiheng were a monstrous beast.
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037 Warning
Updated: 2013-06-06 20:01:33 Word Count: 1592
For some reason, Luo Zhiheng found Luo Ningshuang's words somewhat laughable. Apparently, this woman had attended the wedding that day; if she was so worried about her, why didn't she step forward and switch places with her?
"How are you?" Luo Zhiheng asked, raising an eyebrow. The wounds on Luo Ningshuang's face were still there, the marks left by Luo Zhiheng.
Tears welled up in Luo Ningshuang's eyes immediately. She struggled to sit up, her maidservant nervously helping her up and watching Luo Zhiheng warily.
Luo Ningshuang shook her head frantically and said, "I'm fine, really, sister, I don't hurt at all."
"That's good. You're alright now that you're not in pain, so I don't need to feel guilty anymore. Um, there's something I need to tell you. Now that I'm married into the family, and this matter has already caused quite a stir, I don't want to hear any more rumors coming out of our household. Remember, we're all from the General's Mansion. We share the same fate, and we share the same fate. I don't care how the rumors started before, but if any more news that's detrimental to me gets out, and if I find out it's related to you, then don't blame me for turning my back on you as your older sister." Luo Zhiheng didn't bother with nonsense with Luo Ningshuang and warned her directly.
She wasn't stupid. Those rumors and gossips, aimed at her relentlessly, were practically trying to kill her, while the biggest beneficiary was Luo Ningshuang. Pity, kindness, weakness, compassion—all the goodness and mercy fell on Luo Ningshuang. Luo Zhiheng wouldn't dare say Luo Ningshuang was the instigator, but it was undeniable that Luo Ningshuang was playing both sides. Luo Zhiheng's attitude towards Luo Ningshuang was one of wariness and rejection!
Luo Ningshuang's expression froze instantly. She exclaimed in disbelief, "Sister, are you doubting your younger sister? I didn't do it!" Tears welled up again as she choked out, "How could I possibly harm you, sister? You are my dearest person. Although the fact of this marriage cannot be changed, I truly do not resent it. Perhaps this is fate. My fate is not as good as yours. Only you, with your noble destiny, are worthy of such a noble family."
That's really ironic!
This marriage is clearly shady, yet they still dare to talk about fate.
Luo Zhiheng remained noncommittal, then added, "Whatever you think, remember, don't mess with me. Let's each live our own lives."
Luo Ningshuang wiped away her tears and said, "I'll remember this, little sister. Can I ask you for a favor, big sister?"
Luo Zhiheng flicked her sleeves and was about to leave: "I probably can't help you with your affairs." Luo Zhiheng was a bandit with sharp eyes; she could see through pretense and had no interest in arguing with this younger sister.