But since Luo Zhiheng was clearly going to punish Consort Li today, how could Xiao Xizi not be happy? He really felt that he had also helped the young prince to get his revenge.
Once outside the gate, Xiao Xizi threw the vine in front of Consort Li, kicking up some dust. Seeing Consort Li still made Xiao Xizi tremble slightly, after all, he had been oppressed and bullied for so many years. But remembering that this was the Little Princess's territory, and that the Little Princess was so determined to punish Consort Li, he couldn't let his mistress down.
She straightened her clothes, making herself look neat and fearless, and said condescendingly, "Consort Li, Her Majesty knows that you forgot to bring the bramble, so she specially asked me to bring you one. Her Majesty is kind and understanding, and knows that if she didn't make you kneel here today, you would definitely feel uneasy, and Her Majesty would also feel uneasy."
"So, to avoid putting Consort Li in an awkward position, Her Majesty specially found this bramble for you. Her Majesty said that since you are an elder, a token gesture is enough. She would never allow you to kneel for too long, as long as your wishes and words are fulfilled. After all, you are an elder, and your word must be kept, otherwise, wouldn't others laugh at the Mu Prince's Mansion for having no manners?"
"Don't worry, this cane isn't heavy. Once Her Majesty sees your sincerity and good intentions, she will surely see you immediately." Xiao Xizi was quick-witted and felt triumphant. Naturally, she was in high spirits and looked at Consort Li's face, which was flushed and red, and dared not speak her anger. She had only one feeling in her heart: It was so satisfying!
Let you be arrogant, you old hag! Let you be wicked, you ugly woman! Indeed, it takes another wicked person to teach a lesson. Look at how the little princess's few words have made that fierce and domineering Consort Li cower and suffer in silence!
Consort Li stared intently at the thorny vine, feeling a sharp pain all over her body, her mind and body trembling. She knew she was enraged by Luo Zhiheng. Luo Zhiheng's move was too ruthless, leaving her no way out. If she dared not kneel today, Luo Zhiheng had the ability to make her lose face.
Why should she kneel before a lowly person? A third-class noble, the lowest of the nobles! How dare she humiliate her like this? She is royalty, a princess, a woman of noble birth! Doesn't Luo Zhiheng fear shortening her lifespan? Doesn't she fear feeling ashamed and being struck by lightning?
It must be because of Mu Yunhe! Mu Yunhe is backing up Luo Zhiheng, so Luo Zhiheng is now fearless, daring to do and say anything, and daring to disrespect anyone! What a scoundrel!
"What if I don't kneel today?" Consort Li glared fiercely at Xiao Xizi, as if she wanted to tear him apart alive.
Xiao Xizi's eyes were even bigger than Consort Li's. He was a little stunned. After all, he had lived under Consort Li's oppression for too long, and he still had a conditioned reflex to Consort Li's imposing manner. For a moment, he was a little afraid.
But the servant beside her was not afraid of Consort Li. He immediately widened his eyes and angrily accused her, "How dare you! You went back on your word! You just said that you came to apologize. Now you dare to go back on your word and even try to threaten us? It's not like the General's Mansion forced you to come. How can you be so unreasonable?"
Consort Li's face burned with embarrassment. It was the first time she had been criticized by an unknown servant, and in such a humiliating way. How could Consort Li possibly endure it?
She took a few steps forward and raised her hand to slap the servant, but Xiao Xizi had already reacted and stepped forward to stop Consort Li from hitting him. He was used to protecting Mu Yunhe and knew to rush forward whenever there was danger, forgetting that he himself would also be in danger.
The servant, a brave man, remained remarkably calm. Not only did he react and take a step back, but he also pulled the frail little Xizi back a step with him. The two of them dodged Consort Li's vicious claws. Consort Li herself lost her balance and fell forward.
With a thud, Consort Li fell heavily onto the steps, letting out a scream and unable to stand up for a while.
Xiao Xizi stared wide-eyed in astonishment, then his eyes were filled with pleasure and a smile, he was just short of clapping and cheering.
Consort Li's fall was incredibly unlucky; she landed squarely on the edge of the steps, instantly tearing her skin and drawing blood—a gruesome sight. Her screams were so piercing that they once again drew the attention of passersby.
Her maidservant stepped forward to help her up, but she was shoved away in a fit of rage. Another person slapped her, showing none of the dignity and kindness of a noblewoman. She looked like a shrew and was very frightening. Her disfigured chin made her look even more hideous.
"How dare you! I am Consort Li, the concubine of Prince Mu! How dare you humiliate and harm me like this! I will tell the Prince, and he will surely punish you lowly people!" Consort Li screamed and roared. She clutched the wound on her chin, her pupils constricted, bleeding profusely. She was in excruciating pain, terrified of the disfigurement and scarring. Overwhelmed with grief and rage, she screamed uncontrollably.
Suddenly, a clear and pleasant voice casually rang out: "Consort Li, what you're saying is inappropriate, isn't it? It's true that you are Prince Mu's concubine, but you yourself said that you are only a concubine. The proper wife is right here in our General's Mansion. How can you be allowed to be so presumptuous and noisy? Look at yourself, do you have even the slightest bit of grace and dignity left? You're simply shameful!"
"Besides, Consort Li, you fell down on your own. Your attempt to harm others failed, and the servants, avoiding you, did not retaliate or even touch you. Please don't blame others for your mistakes. Please be mindful of your manners and conduct, for you are a lady of high birth, a noblewoman, an inviolable and noble being. How can someone like you slander two of the lowest servants out of thin air? I believe Consort Li's magnanimity is as vast as the sky and the sea."
Those watching the spectacle, including Consort Li and others, all looked up. From the wide-open gates of the General's Mansion, a graceful figure walked slowly and elegantly. Her long hair flowed freely, adorned with dazzling tassels; her skin was like jade; she wore a light red gauze dress, exquisite jade boots, and jingling ornaments. This woman's gaze was flippant and arrogant, a smile playing on her lips yet revealing boundless disdain. At the prime of her youth, she exuded a wild and fiery charm, so flamboyant that it was almost impossible to look directly at her.
Who else could it be but Luo Zhiheng?
Compared to Consort Li's disheveled state and injuries, Luo Zhiheng was like a phoenix soaring freely in the sky. Noble, pure, charming, proud—all the good qualities belonged to Luo Zhiheng, while all the bad belonged to Consort Li. But clearly, it was Li Fangfei who was the phoenix soaring in the sky.
Her words were exquisitely crafted, flawless, and even her sarcasm and insults were delivered perfectly and subtly. This was Luo Zhiheng's true nature—so sharp, yet so tactful. Aside from the person directly involved, almost everyone would think Luo Zhiheng was a good person.
This is true praise to death! She elevates someone while secretly plotting to bring them down to earth. Luo Zhiheng is the most vicious woman.
"Consort Li, it's been a long time." Luo Zhiheng stepped out of the gate and stood in front of Consort Li, looking down at the disheveled Consort Li with a smile that seemed very sincere.
"Yes, it really has been a long time! But it's so hard to see your face. Two guards at the door were enough to stop me outside. The upbringing of your Luo family is indeed excellent." Consort Li said with gritted teeth and sneered.
Luo Zhiheng feigned surprise, widening her eyes: "What did you say? My servants stopped Consort Li from entering? That's impossible! How could they have the audacity? Didn't Consort Li herself say you came to apologize with a bundle of thorns on your back? That's why I didn't dare let them invite you in immediately. It's not their fault, but it seems I was wrong. I misunderstood Consort Li's meaning, wasn't I? Is that right? You didn't say you came to apologize with a bundle of thorns on your back?"
"I..." Consort Li was rendered speechless by Luo Zhiheng's words. Could she deny it? With so many people watching, how could she possibly take back what she had already said? She had fallen into another trap.
"Also, it's really not my fault that we haven't seen each other for so long. I really miss Consort Li, but she's such a busy person. We didn't even see her on the day we returned. No one answered the door when we knocked. I wonder what she was so busy with that day? Besides, even the Emperor knows we've returned, and we sent someone to inform Consort Li in advance. She shouldn't be unaware of this, right? So why was no one opened the door when we returned? Instead, the entire Mu Prince's residence was eerily quiet, as if no one was there?"
"Consort Li, please give me an explanation. If I don't understand what's going on here, I won't be able to sleep. And I won't let this matter rest; I'll keep pursuing it until I find out the reason." Luo Zhiheng squinted, her face full of curiosity, but her eyes were full of sneers.
Consort Li opened her mouth to say the reason she had thought of that day, but with Luo Zhiheng right in front of her, she couldn't bring herself to say the lie.
"I won't make things difficult for Consort Li. After all, you're an elder, aren't you? I'll give you the respect you deserve. But I can't keep your word. You said you'd take responsibility for your words. You said you'd apologize with a bundle of thorns on your back, so please keep your word. After all, Mu Yunhe and I aren't fools; we can't just play around with anyone. If you push us too far, we'll fight to the death. You should know that no one who offends me, Luo Zhiheng, ever ends well. But since we're relatives, you just need to fulfill the meaning of your words. I won't be like Consort Li, knowing someone is waiting at the door but refusing to see them, not opening the door, not showing up. I can't remain indifferent." Luo Zhiheng said with a gentle smile, speaking without being impolite. 17419965
The implication was that if you don't kneel down and carry that thorny branch on my back today, you can forget about entering the gates of my general's mansion.
Consort Li was so filled with hatred that she almost ground her teeth to powder. She was humiliated to the point of madness, but she did not lose her composure. She knew that she had come today not for that vile woman Hua Kai, but for herself. She also knew that if she wanted to scheme against Mu Yunhe and Luo Zhiheng, she would have to pay a price. But she did not expect the price to be so high, requiring her to kneel before the vile woman she despised the most.
But at times like this, she had to endure it, she had no choice but to endure it!!
Luo Zhiheng, you will soon pay back the humiliation you suffered today, tenfold.
Consort Li wiped her still-bleeding chin. Perhaps she had truly learned her lesson, for she endured Luo Zhiheng's constant harassment and humiliation. Though her face was cold, her voice remained calm: "I have truly come to apologize. As you said, I forgot to bring the thorny branch, and I came in a hurry, but my sincerity remains undiminished. After all, we are family, and family members cannot hold grudges overnight. Yun He and Yun Jin are the same; they are brothers whose blood is as strong as blood, and they should love and help each other even more."
"If I've done anything wrong in the past, please forgive me, children. After all, I am your elder, aren't I? I'll carry this cane, as long as you two children aren't angry. Besides, I really didn't mean it. We were all at the very back of the courtyard that day, and we really didn't hear you knocking. Alas, it's too late to say anything now. The Mu Prince's Mansion has been destroyed, and it's all my fault. Just for this, I failed to take good care of the Mu Prince's Mansion for the Prince, and I am guilty. Carrying this cane is not unjust."
Consort Li spoke methodically and confidently, as if she hadn't come to apologize but merely to comfort and appease the two disobedient children, as if Luo Zhiheng and the others were the ones at fault. And Consort Li even gave her apology a high-sounding reason—to atone for Prince Mu's sins? She clearly refused to kneel and apologize to Mu Yunhe and Luo Zhiheng, even at the cost of her own life.
But it doesn't matter, she just needs to kneel down. Even if she doesn't admit it, the fact that she knelt down in front of the General's Mansion today means that Consort Li has already lost a significant portion of the battle.
Consort Li reached for the bramble branch, which pricked her pampered hand, causing her to cry out in pain.
Luo Zhiheng acted as if she hadn't seen anything, watching as Consort Li's maid helped her remove the thorns from her body, carefully as if afraid of pricking Consort Li. Luo Zhiheng raised the corner of her mouth and said, "Xiao Xizi and you, you two clueless servants, didn't you see that Consort Li couldn't carry the thorns? Why aren't you going to help her?"
Luo Zhiheng gave Xiao Xizi a look, and Xiao Xizi immediately understood. He quickly stepped forward and, together with the servant, picked up the thorny branch and threw it onto Consort Li's back.
"Ah!" Consort Li screamed, falling onto the stone platform once more, injuring her chin again. The heavy thorny branch pressed firmly against her back, causing her to gasp and scream in pain: "It hurts so much! Ahh, take it off, you bunch of damned slaves, take it off!"
"Hurry up and take it away! You two idiots!" Luo Zhiheng hurriedly jumped up and down, but in her anxiety, she didn't seem to notice her footing and her delicate foot stomped hard on Consort Li's hand.
"Ah!" Consort Li screamed in agony, tears streaming down her face.
Luo Zhiheng seemed oblivious to the danger and dodged it without a trace. At that moment, Xiao Xizi and the other two had already pulled up the thorns, but then, due to carelessness, they tripped over them again. The thorns fell on Consort Li once more, and because the servant had pressed down on Consort Li's arm, rows of thorns from the thorns irregularly pierced the tender flesh of Consort Li's arm. Instantly, a pig-like scream rang out in front of the General's Mansion.
"Oh dear! How could this happen? You two idiots and morons! Get up now and help Consort Li up!" Luo Zhiheng ordered anxiously.
The more she directed, the more chaotic things became. Xiao Xizi and the servant seemed terrified and panicked, making mistake after mistake. Before long, somehow, the thorny branch was wrapped tightly around Consort Li's body, looping around and around. The sharp thorns were deeply embedded in Consort Li's body.
At this moment, Consort Li was like a hedgehog. However, while a hedgehog's quills are for self-protection, the quills on Consort Li's body were making her feel like she was dying.
Xiao Xizi was quick-witted. Seeing how much the reward of wealth was tormenting him, he quickly ran away, grabbing the busy, sweaty, and bewildered servant and hiding behind Luo Zhiheng.
Luo Zhiheng said with a smile, "Consort Li is truly a woman of great virtue. Nowadays, there are very few women as brave as Consort Li. It is a virtue to have the courage to admit one's mistakes. Consort Li is an elder, and you have personally said that you would apologize with thorns on your back. Wouldn't it be disrespectful to you if I didn't agree? Now it's much better. You have apologized with thorns on your back. How could I really bear to let you kneel down? Quickly have your maid help you up. Let's go inside quickly."
Consort Li was in so much pain that she couldn't speak. She was numb now, with only one terrifying thought in her mind.
Was she... subjected to violence?! Was she beaten in front of the General's Mansion by that vile woman Luo Zhiheng, who ordered her servants to do so? And Luo Zhiheng even uttered those despicable words like an idiot. Consort Li felt like she was going crazy, her madness burning everything in its path.
The two maids were also terrified, their faces pale. They tremblingly reached out to help her, but Consort Li was already seriously injured and had no strength. The three of them instantly fell into a heap, causing the sharp thorns that hadn't yet pierced Consort Li's body to embed themselves. Moreover, Consort Li half-stood up and then fell down again, her knees bent, essentially kneeling!
Luo Zhiheng stood straight in front of Consort Li, and accepted the kneeling.
Luo Zhiheng smiled and said to Consort Li, "Consort Li is too particular. Your servant tried to help you up, but you wouldn't. Didn't I tell you I don't need you to kneel? Look at you, still so polite. Why do you insist on kneeling to me? I am, after all, a junior. I dare not accept your kneeling."
As Luo Chifan raised an eyebrow when Consort Li suddenly looked up, he slowly moved away, but still ended up being forced to kneel down by Consort Li.
The roots of the vine were throbbing. Consort Li felt her heart churning violently, her throat tasted metallic, and something was about to burst out, but she forced it down. Her eyes were almost red.
"Oh dear!" Luo Zhiheng suddenly exclaimed, "What happened to Consort Li's chin? Why is it bleeding? Is she injured? How did she get hurt?"
How could she have only just noticed her injury! Luo Zhiheng, you're still putting on an act! I want to kill you!
"Hurry up, help Consort Li into the house, and quickly go find Madam Huoyun to examine Consort Li. Honestly, Consort Li is injured, why didn't you tell me?" Luo Zhiheng complained as she turned and stepped over the threshold without glancing at Consort Li again.
Humiliating Consort Li and injuring her severely are merely the initial acts of revenge, a small taste of the consequences. The real show is yet to come.
Consort Li was carried into a room in the General's Mansion where the higher-ranking servants lived, to await treatment. She was completely powerless to resist; even if Luo Zhiheng were to take her life now, she would deserve it and would have no way to fight back.
At this moment, Consort Li was filled with regret. She shouldn't have come to the General's Mansion. Even if she had to come, she shouldn't have come in person. This was practically walking into a trap, a lamb entering a tiger's den.
While Consort Li was filled with anxiety and regret, Luo Zhiheng pulled on Madam Huoyun and said coquettishly, "Is there any medicine that can produce immediate results after use, but will turn into a poison and damage the skin with frequent use? Just tell me."
Lady Huoyun, unable to get her way, said, "There is such a thing, but that falls under the category of poisons. The Poison Saint definitely has it. You can ask him for it. However, the Poison Saint has been in a bad mood lately, so you might not be able to get it."
Luo Zhiheng's eyes lit up, and she quickly found her wet nurse: "Wet nurse, I think the Prince is very good to you. Can you help Heng'er? Can you get that kind of medicine? You know, that Poison Saint looks at me like I'm his enemy now. If I ask for it, it might anger her. Not only will she not give it to me, but it might also make the Prince angry."
The wet nurse found it amusing; the young lady's methods of tormenting people were truly endless. That alone was enough to deal with Consort Li, and with this medicine, Consort Li would be lucky to escape with her life, or at least suffer a terrible fate. Regardless of whether Consort Li deserved it, she naturally had to help Luo Zhiheng.
“Young Miss is talking nonsense. It would be much more useful for you to ask for it than for me to do it. But this time, I will go and ask for it for you,” the wet nurse said with a kind smile.
When the wet nurse brought the medicine, Madam Huoyun naturally took it and then went to Consort Li to treat her injuries. A group of people surrounded Luo Zhiheng, and Luo Zhiheng's words were practically imperial edicts. This was not only because of Mu Yunhe's noble and superior status and his favor towards Luo Zhiheng, but also because the Prince was Luo Zhiheng's aunt.
But as they spent more time together, Luo Zhiheng's clear-cut love and hate, her vengeful nature, her refusal to truly bully others, and her charming, adorable, and mischievous personality became genuinely endearing. She was surrounded by older people; Madam Huoyun was nearly a hundred years old. As people age, they naturally develop a fondness for bright and clean things. This fondness extended to Luo Zhiheng.
Everyone indulged her and went along with her, naturally because they knew she knew her limits. If she wanted revenge, they would help her. Besides, that vile Consort Li actually tried to harm Mu Yunhe, hurt Luo Zhiheng, and even dared to court death, offering herself up for them to torment. If they didn't give her a good beating, wouldn't they be letting down Consort Li's arrogant behavior today?
Your Majesty, I just spoke to Lady Huoyun. How can we allow a lowly common woman to arbitrarily despise and harm the eldest grandson of our Silver Moon Kingdom? We need not show any mercy. Let Luo Zhiheng do whatever she wants.
In the General's Mansion, Consort Li had undoubtedly incurred the wrath of many. She herself was aware of this, so when Madam Huoyun wanted to treat her wounds, she was terrified, fearing that Luo Zhiheng would send someone to poison her.
"No need," Consort Li said, "I just have a few words to say to Mu Yunhe and Luo Zhiheng. Let them in, and I'll leave as soon as I'm done. These are just superficial injuries, nothing serious."
Lady Huoyun said with a surprised look, "Consort Li's injuries are all extremely serious. How can you not treat them? The wound on your chin, if not treated properly, will definitely leave a scar. Consort Li should know how serious this is for you, right? Does Consort Li not trust me? Or does Consort Li think that there is someone in the Mu Dynasty who is better at treating illnesses than me?"15.
"No, no, that's not what I meant. I was just in a hurry, and it's just a minor injury, how could I trouble you, Madam?" Consort Li was both annoyed and fearful, afraid that the wound might really leave a scar, so she was a little hesitant in her words, since Madam Huoyun's medical skills were comparable to those of a divine doctor.
"It's alright. Since it was the young princess who gave the order, I will naturally carry out her command properly." Lady Huoyun's nonchalant reply startled Consort Li once again.
Who is Lady Huoyun? She's the imperial physician of the Silver Moon Kingdom. Her status is naturally incredibly noble. When did Luo Zhiheng's words become so effective? She can actually command Lady Huoyun?
First update! Remember to vote for "The Fierce Woman," my darlings! It's the finals vote, ten votes per person per day. "The Fierce Woman" is number 21. Still asking for recommendation votes, comments, and monthly tickets! One more update today!
349 I'll set a trap for you! What's your purpose? (Bonus chapter for 24,000 comments)
Updated: 2013-09-25 19:32:04 Word Count: 3421
Just as Consort Li was in a daze, Lady Huoyun's ointment for her injury was already applied to Consort Li's chin. Consort Li was terrified, fearing that this person who always listened to Luo Zhiheng was poisoning her. But just as she was about to struggle, she felt a cool sensation soothe her pain. She stopped struggling, shocked and taking the medicine for granted, thinking it was a miracle cure with such miraculous effects—just a little bit, and the pain was immediately relieved! Such a medicine could not possibly be poison.
Consort Li was puzzled as to why Luo Zhiheng would be so kind as to actually help her. But then she thought, given her noble status and the fact that she had entered the General's Mansion in front of so many people, unless Luo Zhiheng was truly an idiot, she wouldn't dare to embarrass her or take her life in the General's Mansion. On the contrary, she would have to treat her well! Because if something really happened to her in the General's Mansion, Luo Zhiheng would be held responsible and unable to clear her name. With this in mind, Consort Li felt at ease.
Lady Huoyun's eyes flashed, revealing a deep sense of sarcasm.
"Oh, so you've started treating her wounds? Madam Huoyun, you must take good care of Consort Li. So many eyes saw her get injured outside our General's Mansion. Although it has nothing to do with our mansion, it was her own carelessness. But she was still injured right at our gate. So you must use the best medicine to treat Consort Li, understand?"
When Luo Zhiheng's voice came from outside the door, she had already pushed the door open and entered. Her face still wore that arrogant smile, and her gaze towards Consort Li showed not a trace of guilt or unease. She had clearly dealt with Consort Li so badly, both openly and subtly, yet she seemed completely oblivious.
Just then, Consort Li's eyes, which had been darting around, froze. She had just been trying to use this to her advantage, to drag Luo Zhiheng and the General's Mansion down, to link Luo Zhiheng to her injury, and to smear Luo Zhiheng's reputation. But who knew that in the blink of an eye, Luo Zhiheng would appear, say these words, clearly distancing herself from the matter, clarifying her relationship with it, and once again, swiftly, effectively, and infuriatingly catching her off guard.
Is Luo Zhiheng really a demon? How come she seems to know what she's thinking?
"Don't worry, Your Highness, this medicine is a sacred item, perfect for treating injuries. It's especially effective for burns and scars; it's a rare and precious medicine. Not everyone can use it. I only brought it out today because of Your Highness. I know Your Highness feels guilty that Consort Li fell and injured herself at the doorstep. If it weren't for this medicine, Consort Li would likely have a permanent scar on her chin. This medicine needs to be used continuously for a month to completely remove any potential scarring. And it cannot be interrupted even for a day." Madam Huoyun said seemingly casually, subtly touching the tall bottle with her hand, a hint of reluctance on her face.