This was what Luo Zhiheng confirmed first. But why would Luo Ningshuang do this? She was already married, and logically, she and Luo Ningshuang should have no further contact. Even if Luo Ningshuang hated her, she wouldn't be so persistent and relentless. And she even dared to let someone in to cause trouble?
Moreover, these people today are clearly very confident. Would they dare to do this if they didn't have someone backing them up? Not to mention that Luo Zhiheng is now the little princess, just look at her past infamy and viciousness. I'm afraid these old women wouldn't dare to mess with her!
So, does this mean there are actually many people behind them? No matter how powerful Luo Ningshuang is, she is still just a young lady who hasn't left her chambers. Even if she harbors resentment, she may not have the courage and strength to make these old women work for her. After all, Luo Zhiheng can kill people when she's angry! As long as the old women aren't brain-dead, they should be able to think of the consequences.
Yet they still did it, and even pointed fingers at Luo Zhiheng to hurl insults and slander. There must be someone behind them, someone they believe has the absolute power and ability to suppress Luo Zhiheng!
This person cannot be Luo Ningshuang, as Luo Ningshuang should not have this strength. So who is this person?
The old women, under the guise of delivering vegetables, happened to pass by her yard, and then, just as coincidentally, they got into an argument with Qiwan. Everything was too coincidental; it wasn't a coincidence, but rather deliberate! 120.
She can move around the Prince's mansion with ease, and even walk from the kitchen to the young prince's courtyard with such precision...
There must be an inside man in the Prince's mansion! Or perhaps the powerful person behind these three old women is someone with real power in the Prince's mansion!
The fact that these old women would run rampant in the Prince's mansion, and that they wouldn't bother with them if they didn't have a purpose, shows that Luo Zhiheng was absolutely certain that this trouble-making was the work of the person behind the scenes. And the only person who could be so obviously trying to cause a conflict between her and Luo Ningshuang and ruin her reputation was someone who had a grudge against her.
Besides Consort Li, who else could it be!
Luo Zhiheng raised an eyebrow, her smile deepening. In a few quick thoughts, her meticulous mind had almost completely analyzed the whole story. Although she couldn't be sure of the cause and effect she had figured out, she was certain of it.
How interesting! This Consort Li, unable to act openly, has resorted to underhanded tactics. Such a roundabout method, so meticulously planned, using her fiery temper to attack her, causing her to lose her composure and willingly fall into her trap, digging her own grave? What a vicious scheme!
Even if Consort Li could come up with such a brilliant idea to kill her, Luo Zhiheng still had doubts. Consort Li might not really understand Luo Zhiheng's fiery temper that used to ignite at the slightest provocation. Today, these three were hitting Luo Zhiheng's every word, adding fuel to the fire and stabbing her in the back. The only people who could understand her so well were those around her or her close friends.
This must be related to some people in the General's Mansion, since these three also delivered food to the General's Mansion.
The Prince's Mansion and the General's Mansion are colluding? That's possible, after all, these three people had mentioned dowry before. Could it be that her dear younger sister has caused trouble again? Luo Zhiheng frowned; things were getting a little tricky.
According to Luo Zhiheng's analysis, there was no need for these three people to speak, but Luo Zhiheng never liked being passive. Today, she wanted to stir up trouble and alert the people behind the scenes.
"Even a vegetable delivery woman knows how to play the law. Should I admire you, or should I admire the person behind you who taught you to say such things?" Luo Zhiheng regained her composure, her expression impeccable, but her eyes suddenly flashed with a cold light, so sharp it seemed capable of torturing the woman to death.
The old woman's eyelids twitched, and she lowered her eyes in alarm, but then she roared arrogantly again: "What nonsense are you spouting? I don't understand. Let us go right now! You're breaking the law. Even princes are subject to the law, let alone someone like you who stole your sister's husband!"
These words were full of resentment, but the old woman said them with sarcasm and mockery, so they must have been spoken by someone who harbored resentment towards Luo Zhiheng.
Besides Luo Ningshuang, the unlucky one who was beaten out by Luo Zhiheng, who else could it be?
But how could Luo Ningshuang have gotten involved with Consort Li? It doesn't make sense. Consort Li and Luo Ningshuang should be enemies. Unless Luo Ningshuang truly wants to marry Mu Yunhe, then Consort Li, who is determined to bring them together, is the executioner dragging Luo Ningshuang into a fire pit. If Luo Ningshuang is two-faced, her resentment towards Consort Li is unquestionable. How could they possibly be on the same side?
Luo Zhiheng lost her patience, walked up to the old woman, and said in a low voice, "It seems that if I don't teach you a lesson, you really won't know your place."
Luo Zhiheng's hand landed on the old woman's bluffing "You dare?", delivering a powerful punch to her lower abdomen. A blow there wouldn't leave a visible injury, but it would cause excruciating pain, like one's intestines and internal organs were being torn apart...
"Ah!" the old woman cried out in agony, cold sweat pouring down her face.
"If you dare say another word I don't like, I don't care who's behind you, I'll kill you, you believe me?" Luo Zhiheng bent down, her eyes wide, her smile amiable, but the corners of her lips curled into a suffocatingly cruel arc.
The old woman wanted to say something more, but Luo Zhiheng's fists were really hard. She wasn't a fool or a hothead, and naturally knew that a wise man doesn't fight a losing battle, so she really shut up.
"Now tell me, what's the deal with that dowry you mentioned?" Luo Zhiheng cared deeply about money, a fact unknown to everyone in this ancient world, as it was a secret belonging to Luo Zhiheng during the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China. Therefore, no one would dare to provoke her with money, but their previous words were so hateful, such as claiming the dowry belonged to Luo Zhiheng, were her mother's heirlooms, and were about to fall into Luo Ningshuang's hands.
If the old Luo Zhiheng had heard these words, she would have immediately jumped up in a frenzy, rushed home, and snatched the dowry, because she would have rightfully claimed it as hers. This is Luo Zhiheng's biggest weakness; she is simply not easily provoked. If Luo Zhiheng were to actually go back, her reputation would be further tarnished and irreparably damaged.
You've already married in place of your sister, so naturally your dowry should be exchanged with hers. You married your brother-in-law, leaving your sister no way out, and you even want to fight over her dowry. Luo Zhiheng, are you even human?
Luo Zhiheng thought that such rumors would inevitably follow. Really, did they only feel happy when she was ruined like this? Fortunately, although she loved money now, she acquired it ethically. What was rightfully hers, she would get back no matter how difficult it was. What wasn't hers, or what was involved in a conspiracy, she wouldn't take.
But if this really is an heirloom left by Luo Zhiheng's mother and intended for Luo Zhiheng, then she doesn't need to pretend to be a saint and give it to the hypocritical Luo Ningshuang.
"Hmph, someone has already come to propose marriage to the second young lady. If the second young lady is to get married, she will naturally have a dowry. You took the second young lady's dowry, so the second young lady will take your dowry. It's very fair!" the old woman sneered.
Luo Zhiheng straightened up. She finally understood. What a vicious and insidious trick!
This would allow her and Luo Ningshuang to have another battle, and the result would inevitably be that Luo Zhiheng's reputation would be ruined and she would suffer a crushing defeat. Not only would she not be able to get back her dowry, but she would also likely be caught by the Prince's Mansion because of her moral character.
Could she imagine someone sitting comfortably in the palace, watching from the sidelines as they fought, their performance a bloody spectacle, until Luo Zhiheng was utterly disgraced, while Luo Ningshuang received all the sympathy and pity? Perhaps Luo Ningshuang would even put on a show of humility and friendship, and as Luo Ningshuang gained more fame, Luo Zhiheng would become increasingly worthless and morally corrupt?
Virtuous and gentle, Luo Zhiheng was not virtuous or gentle at all that day! Wasn't this the perfect reason for the Prince's mansion to divorce her?
It's not hard to imagine that the result would be that Luo Ningshuang would gain a good reputation and a large dowry, Consort Li would get rid of her biggest threat and get revenge, while Luo Zhiheng would get nothing and eventually have to leave the palace in disgrace.
Killing three birds with one stone, a double blessing, but the good things for those two people are built on Luo Zhiheng's reputation and life! How vicious!
Luo Zhiheng's aura instantly darkened, a chilling and murderous intent that foreshadowed a bloody storm, frightening the three people into silence, and even Qi Wan trembled with fear.
Very well, since you want to play this game, then she'll play it all the way with you, and play it big! Since you started this game, then it's up to her, Luo Zhiheng, to end it. None of you will escape unscathed and will be eliminated at the last minute!
Suddenly, Luo Zhiheng turned to look at the three people, and to the girl's astonishment, she unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks, beating them until they howled in pain. Every blow landed precisely on their most painful spots, yet the injuries were completely invisible from the outside, causing them excruciating agony for days. Her vicious beatings were undoubtedly fueled by resentment; no one can tolerate someone constantly stalking them like a disgusting fly, relentlessly watching their flawed self.
After the fight, Luo Zhiheng wiped her hands and said, "Let them go!"
"Master?" Qi Wan exclaimed in surprise. Releasing them would be like letting a tiger return to the mountain.
"Not only should we release them, but we should also drag them out of the palace gates in a grand display. Qiwan, you take your men and make sure you pass by Consort Li's courtyard so she sees these bastards," Luo Zhiheng sneered.
She's declaring war on those behind them! She's telling them she accepts their challenge! Do they really think she's a sitting duck? The outcome is still uncertain!
That's the first update! There will be another update today, so please leave a comment and vote! Group kisses, have a great weekend, everyone!
Chapter 105: I'll leave you speechless! You dare flirt with this king! (Second update)
Updated: 2013-06-15 10:57:57 Word Count: 4368
Qi Wan swaggered through the city with the three men who were no longer able to stand or walk. The three strong old women carried them as casually as if they were cats or dogs. When they passed by Consort Li's door, the servants who were binding the old women didn't even need to lift a finger. The men rolled on the ground and screamed in pain, refusing to leave Consort Li's door.
Their eyes were fixed intently on Consort Li's courtyard, as if they were expecting something.
When Hua Kai saw this scene in the yard, her expression immediately changed, but not out of fear or worry, but out of excitement.
As expected, Luo Zhiheng was indeed furious. But what was the point of having these things brought to Consort Li's door? Could that fool Luo Zhiheng possibly see through Consort Li's involvement? Hua Kai thought with disdain, immediately dismissing the idea. Luo Zhiheng was a complete idiot. Even someone as cunning as Consort Li was being manipulated and used like a monkey by her master. If even Consort Li couldn't see the ingenuity of her master's scheme, how could Luo Zhiheng possibly see through the trickery?
"What's going on?" Consort Li walked out impatiently, just in time to see the group of people rolling on the ground by the door. Her face changed instantly; she had personally seen these people last night. Consort Li regained her composure and asked sternly, feigning ignorance, "Who goes outside? How dare they make such a fuss?"
Qi Wan wasn't good with words, but aside from her fear of Luo Zhiheng out of respect and loyalty, she wasn't afraid of anyone else. So, at this moment, she raised her small face and solemnly said as Luo Zhiheng had instructed, "Reporting to Consort Li, we just happened to be passing by. These two people were clearly delivering vegetables, yet they just happened to pass by our courtyard and dared to insult our Little Princess. The Little Princess was kind and didn't hold it against them, but they actually turned around and bit back, saying that the Little Princess hit them. Don't you think these people are too shameless and despicable?"
"Oh, I forgot the important matter. The young princess instructed me to drive these three vicious dogs out as soon as possible, so they wouldn't be able to easily pass by wherever they wanted in this important area of the palace. Our young princess said that she could overlook the fact that one of the dogs bit her when it passed by her courtyard, but it would be bad if these vicious dogs passed by other people's courtyards and went on a rampage, biting them or claiming to be relatives. We need to take them away and throw them out of the palace immediately."
Qi Wan spoke these words fluently and loudly, without any sign of nervousness. Because he was fearless and open-minded, Qi Wan became more generous when he met others.
When Qi Wan spoke, she was very serious. She really didn't expect that Luo Zhiheng's words contained such a clear and blatant veiled insult and slap in the face. But the guilty and clever Consort Li would not fail to understand. Her face immediately turned all sorts of colors as if she were about to open a dye shop.
Seeing that Qi Wan was about to leave with his people, Consort Li was naturally happy to be free. She didn't want to cause any trouble right now. Even if Luo Zhiheng discovered something, so what? Was she afraid of her? As long as she didn't admit it, Luo Zhiheng wouldn't dare to do anything to her, an elder.
However, those people were not easily fooled. They dared to cause trouble at the Prince's mansion because they were bold and reckless. Seeing that Consort Li seemed unwilling to deal with them, they immediately rolled on the ground and cried loudly, "You are heartless! What have we sisters worked so hard for? We came to the Prince's mansion and were beaten! Nobody cares about us! We don't want to live anymore, we'll die in front of Consort Li's courtyard. We beg Consort Li to give us a mat, wrap us up, and feed us to the dogs. So that in our next life we'll be more careful and not be fooled by those eloquent people again!"
This is like trying to tear down the tiles if you can't even get onto the roof!
The old women weren't fools; they realized that Consort Li didn't care about their lives anymore. So, they went all out and started making a scene in front of Consort Li's door, every word laced with threat. Qi Wan was too naive to understand, but the old women sent by Luo Zhiheng were paying close attention. Hearing this, they exchanged glances, secretly preparing to report back to the young princess.
Seeing that things were going badly, and that the old women weren't even pulling the three people up anymore, Consort Li knew things were about to go wrong. She secretly resented the unreliable old women that Hua Kai had found, but she still had to salvage the situation and not let these three people ruin things for her.
"Wait! They say they were beaten. What happened? The Prince's Mansion is a serious place, and our Prince has always had a good reputation. He is the most benevolent. How can he abuse his power in the Prince's Mansion? Who beat him?" Consort Li said sternly, her voice as dignified and impartial as if she were the reincarnation of Judge Bao.
But she forgot that saying this was tantamount to contradicting herself. Wasn't it she, Consort Li, who abused private punishment the most and the most serious? She even killed people.
She's not very good with words and her mind isn't very sharp either. It's okay if someone teaches her, but if no one teaches her, all she knows how to do is swing her fists.
A newly hired old woman from Luo Zhiheng finally spoke up: "Consort Li, please do not listen to the nonsense of these treacherous villains. They just want to cling to the Prince's mansion and extort some money. There are far too many people like this. They are truly blind to dare to cling to the Princess. The Princess will not be afraid of these villains. Consort Li must be knowledgeable and experienced, and naturally she will not believe the words of these despicable people."
This old woman was very eloquent, effectively shutting down Consort Li's next words. Moreover, her words were reasonable and logical; who in the Prince's mansion would care about such vulgar talk? If Consort Li were to take it seriously and interfere, it would be a huge joke.
Consort Li narrowed her eyes. When did Luo Zhiheng get so many capable people around her? Each of them spoke with a sharp tongue and a piercing edge.
"If Consort Li is alright, we'll throw these lowly creatures out so they won't get in your way." After the old woman finished speaking, she and several others tried to lift the three men up, but the three men just rolled around and refused to get up, yelling and screaming in pain.
Seeing this, Qi Wan stepped forward, grabbed one of them, and lifted him up as if he were a chick.
Seeing Qi Wan's actions, Consort Li's gloomy face suddenly brightened, and she shouted loudly, "Insolence! You arrested these people so easily, and they clearly had no strength to resist. You still dare to say you didn't lay a hand on them? If you didn't hit them, then why are you afraid of my questions? Put them down, I'll ask them a few questions, and if I find out they're lying, I definitely won't interfere. Otherwise, I won't stand by and watch injustice happen before my eyes." Qi Wan rolled away.
Qi Wan was secretly anxious. She had witnessed Luo Zhiheng beating people up, and quite ruthlessly and violently at that. She had never seen someone beat someone up so stylishly. But since her young mistress had clearly beaten people, those people must be injured. How could she let them see that? Wouldn't seeing that put her young mistress in danger?
However, Consort Li's people had already surrounded her. Compared to Consort Li, Luo Zhiheng was naturally outnumbered and easily blocked the old women outside. Qi Wan wanted to make a move, but because Luo Zhiheng had instructed her not to act rashly and to observe more and act less, and because the old women were blocking her, Qi Wan could only be anxious but dared not move.
Consort Li's eyes flashed with a fierce light. She ordered her men to open the clothes of several old women. As long as they had injuries, it didn't matter how they got there. She could assume that Luo Zhiheng had done it. Even if she couldn't bring Luo Zhiheng down, it would be worth it to add this mark to Luo Zhiheng's reputation.
Consort Li, feigning benevolence while subtly threatening, said, "You must tell the truth. If someone really beats you in the Prince's mansion, I can stand up for you. But if you dare to falsely accuse someone, no one will care about your life or death. Then don't talk nonsense anymore."
The three old women immediately shouted affirmatively, "Consort Li is kind-hearted! We three old sisters were really beaten, and we must have injuries on our bodies."
Without a care for shame, they began to undress. They trembled with pain, convinced that Luo Zhiheng had beaten them so severely they must be injured, so they eagerly lifted their clothes. Then, pairs of eyes were fixed on their bodies, scrutinizing them closely. Consort Li also looked, but the more she looked, the uglier her expression became. Their naked bodies, though not with perfect skin, were clean and free of any marks or bruises—hardly the appearance of someone who had been beaten.
Qi Wan stared wide-eyed, looking like she'd seen a ghost. She was puzzled; her master had clearly attacked them, so how come they weren't hurt at all? In the end, Qi Wan could only conclude that her master was incredibly powerful, practically invincible! Qi Wan grinned excitedly.
Seeing that everyone, especially Consort Li, looked very upset, the three old women thought they had gained their sympathy. They pointed with some delight to the places where Luo Zhiheng had hit them and said, "Here and here, they were hit very badly and still hurt a lot, uh?!"
The three old women stared at each other's bodies, stunned for a moment. Then they looked at their own bodies, their faces changing drastically as they exclaimed in shock, "This is impossible! Where are my injuries? Where are mine? I was clearly beaten, how can I not be injured?"
Seeing the three women's necks looking like they were insane, Consort Li felt extremely ashamed. Damn it, she had been tricked by Luo Zhiheng again. Although she didn't know how Luo Zhiheng had made these three old women insist that she had been beaten, Consort Li twisted the blame and attributed it to Luo Zhiheng. She was sure that Luo Zhiheng was playing a trick on her.
"Take them all out!" Having no other choice, Consort Li could only shout, contradicting herself, before striding away without pausing.
The old women behind her forgot to call for help, and could only stare blankly at their bodies. They were clearly in pain, so why were there no injuries? Was it a ghost? They all simultaneously recalled Luo Zhiheng's gloomy aura and the ruthlessness with which she had beaten them, and couldn't help but shudder. 15256726
When the servants picked up the three of them and took them away, they cooperated despite the pain, and were even eager to leave, as if afraid of staying in the Prince's mansion any longer.
After throwing the three men to the gate of the Prince's mansion, Qi Wan and her three servants returned and carefully reported everything to Luo Zhiheng. Luo Zhiheng rewarded Qi Wan by patting her head and giving her a big apple. She also glanced at the old woman who had contradicted Consort Li a few more times before letting them all leave.
As expected, she only tested the waters and managed to expose Consort Li. Just thinking about the scene makes me happy. Looking for injuries? Find them? That's a pipe dream! I just wanted to leave them dumbfounded and force them to fight amongst themselves.
After changing her clothes, she took the three servants from before, leaving Qiwan to protect Mu Yunhe, and headed out.
Mu Yunhe watched her change clothes, and for a long time he held back from speaking to her. But seeing that she didn't seem to have any intention of explaining herself, he awkwardly and coldly asked, "Where are you going?"
Luo Zhiheng shed her murderous aura and instantly transformed into that pure and adorable young girl. However, her wicked sense of humor prevented her from remaining so docile towards Mu Yunhe. She deliberately looked at Mu Yunhe with a gloomy and jealous gaze and said sourly, "Go back and see my sister, and your little wife who was almost married."
She grabbed Mu Yunhe's hand, ignoring his stiffness, and gently pried open his fingers one by one. She glared at him, a sinister smile on her face, and said, "She seems to harbor a deep resentment about not marrying you. Didn't someone just happen to say so many things in her defense? She's so pitiful and weak right now. As her own sister who stole her husband, I have to go back and comfort my dear sister, don't I? So, does Your Highness have anything to say to that… your ill-fated bride whom I, Cheng Yaojin, forcibly separated from you?"
Mu Yunhe knew she said it on purpose, but he still felt embarrassed. He didn't know anything about Luo Ningshuang. "The bride with no future"—that was a good metaphor. If they were destined to be apart, they should just stay away completely. Why did she have to provoke Luo Zhiheng? Seeing Luo Zhiheng's agitated state, although she was smiling, he felt she was truly angry this time. Frowning, Mu Yunhe felt a surge of disgust towards the "bride with no future." He disliked the faint, sinister aura emanating from Luo Zhiheng earlier, an aura clearly stirred up by the troublemaking Luo Ningshuang.
He withdrew his hand, lay down indifferently, and said calmly, "Don't try to pin those random women on me. Who knows who she is? Go if you want, but come back before lunch. You'll be serving me lunch today."
How heartless! So indifferent to someone who almost became his woman. However, Luo Zhiheng couldn't help but curl the corners of her mouth and said in a nonchalant tone, "Just because you're not blinded by lust, I'll definitely come back to serve you lunch today, Master."
As she spoke, she lightly patted Mu Yunhe's shapely buttocks, which were turned away from her, and ran away as if having a good time. Behind her was Mu Yunhe's weak but murderous roar: "Luo Zhiheng!"