Chapter 48
Chapter 48 First Taste of Jealousy
However, Princess Huizhen was observant and saw Huiling staring at Cuilian from time to time, as if she was signaling something to her. The naturally suspicious Princess Huizhen was stunned but she did not say much.
After the dinner ended, Princess Huizhen returned to her palace. After closing the doors, she slapped Cuilian forcefully.
Cuilian was dumbfounded and knew not how to react.
She froze as she knew not why the princess was angry at her. However, the situation at hand coupled with her understanding of the princess made her cold sweat come out.
“Princess… what did I do wrong?”
Cuilian teared up as she stared at the angry Princess Huizhen in front of her.
Princess Huizhen had just been scolded by the queen and was already furious. Furthermore, seeing that Cuilian and Princess Huiling were eyeing each other, dislike for Cuilian filled her heart.
“What did you do wrong, you bitch! Why are you hanging out with Huiling?”
Princess Huizhen shouted coldly, a wave of fury anger pouring out of her eyes. “Did you betray me for her? Do you want to spoil my relationship with the queen?”
Princess Huizhen had always had a hot temper and was never composed. Now, she was angrier and had gone forth to slap Cuilian.
Cuilian’s entire face was red and swollen, with blood bleeding off from the corner of her mouth. “No, no… You’ve got it wrong, princess, how dare I betray you!”
“But… she complimented that your plum blossom hairpin was pretty!” Princess Huizhen snorted. At the side, Hexiang lowered her head out of fright, not speaking.
It was pointless to say anything to Princess Huizhen now as she would not be able to accept any advice.
“No… Princess, you are fooled by Princess Huiling… She wanted to harm our relationship!” Cuilian was so scared that she knocked her head hard on the floor to beg for forgiveness. She was initially delighted to be praised by Princess Huiling, and did not expect that it brought her harm back to the princess’ mansion!
“Hmpt, what use do you have? Why does she need to harm our relationship?” Princess Huizhen snorted and pulled out the plum blossom hairpin from Cuilian’s hair, instead, she used it to slash her face. Immediately, a deep bloody scar appeared on her face.
Cuilian resisted the pain and did not scream.
Seeing that, Princess Huizhen squinted.
“Princess, you… Please do not be fooled by Princess Huiling! She wanted to harm our relationship, and use me…” Cuilian cried. She had been following Princess Huizhen for years and had always been loyal. She did not expect this to be her end.
“Princess… Princess! Please do me a favor and spare Cuilian this time!” Nanny Shao came out and saw the scene. She was pale with fright and immediately kneeled in front of the princess.
Shao Cuilian was the niece of Nanny Shao, and she was the one who recommended her to the palace.
Princess Huizhen snorted as she played with that beautiful plum blossoms. “Who allowed you to wear this? Huh? Cuilian, did you forget the rules in the palace? Servants like you are not allowed to bear jewelry with color… Erm, another slash should be enough! I shall spare your life!”
As she ended her sentence, she slashed Cuilian, creating another bloody scar on her swollen face. That made her look sinister and scary.
However, Cuilian cried and knocked her head hard on the floor. “Thank you, Princess, for your mercy! Believe in me! I will be loyal to you…”
Seeing her sincerity, Princess Huizhen snorted and threw the hairpin down. She stepped on it till it broke before leaving.
Cuilian and Nanny Shao kept knocking their heads until the princess’ footsteps dissipated.
Nanny Shao held Cuilian’s shivering hand, full of love and pity in her eyes. Nanny Shao never married and had always seen her niece as her daughter when she entered the palace.
However, Cuilian had been disfigured today and her heart pained with the thought. However, she still whispered to her, “Cuilian, come up, let me take care of your wound…”
Cuilian was still traumatized by Princess Huizhen’s cruelty. At this moment, even if she still had hatred and agony remaining, she dared not say anything.
The rest surrounding them dissipated too. Nanny Shao then brought Cuilian into her small attic. Taking a pot of water out, she cleaned the wound of Cuilian carefully.
“Princess is so cruel…” Nanny Shao whispered. It was quiet all around but Nanny Shao still looked around and out of the window with suspicion. She then closed the window and whispered to Cuilian, “Cuilian, Aunt has a secret…”
After a long while, Cuilian stared at Nanny Zhao silently after hearing her story. “Don’t worry, Nanny… Lian… will remember.”
Nanny Shao nodded and didn’t respond much. After a while, someone knocked on the door. Nanny opened the door and saw Princess Huizhen’s personal maidservant Fujin.
Fujin is the top maidservant next to Princess Huizhen, as well as a Qi Artist. Even though her skills were not amazing, she was popular around the princess and had a status that Cuilian and Hexiang cannot compare to.
Fujin smiled and whispered, “He, Cuilian, I heard that you made our master mad. I’m here to see you. What did you do? Perhaps I can help you!”
Nanny Shao and Cuilian were extremely confused. Fujin usually had an arrogant attitude that treated maidservants like them disdainfully. However, why did her attitude change today?
Could it be because Princess Huizhen did not tell her the truth, and she came here specially to understand it?
“Why are y’all looking at me? I merely wanted to know more about it, hehe!” Fujin smiled and went forth. Looking at the red and swollen face of Cuilian, she stuffed a note into her hand.
Cuilian was stunned. She looked down and realized that it was worth 1,000 pounds.
Nanny Shao and Cuilian were stunned. They stood still for long and forgot how to react.
Seeing that, Fujin smirked. Servants could barely earn 1,000 pounds in their life. Such a hefty reward should be able to entice everyone?
Nanny Shao’s eyes dimmed as she invited Fujin to sit down and start discussing.
—
The next day.
Hua Qiyue was about to bring Tianci to Prince Nan’s residences as it was the day to remove toxins. They must arrive at Prince Nan’s residences before nine o’clock.
When they left the mansion, they heard servants gossiping, saying that Third Madame and Hua Xiaoyi decided to seek treatment at Prince Nan’s residences.
Hua Xiaoyi was disfigured. However, if Prince Nan decided to cure her, she would definitely be able to restore her original youthful beauty.
However, they need to prepare at least ten thousand pounds for treatment, where could Third Madame get the money from.
Cold glimmer flashed across Hua Qiyue’s eyes as she realized that the two madames are all corrupted.
However, greed is part of human nature. As long as they did not strike, Hua Qiyue had no time to deal with them.
Yesterday, the news of Eunuch Li visiting Hua’s Mansion and rewarding cash to Hua Qiyue spread across the household. All the servants looked at Hua Qiyue enviously.
They regretted deeply. If they had been nicer to Hua Qiyue previously, perhaps they would be rewarded.
First Miss seemed to be extremely generous, giving 100 to 500 pounds each time. Who would not be enticed?
For a moment, all the servants treat Hua Qiyue like how bees treat flower, flattering her.
Hua Qiyue raised her hand and walked forward boldly. She needed to rush to Prince Nan’s residence with Tianci now as they were going late. That was her fault as she had cultivated inside her room yesterday instead of the other world as she wanted to accompany Tianci more.
The servants left, with regret tumbling in her heart. However, Hua Qiyue knew from Qiuyun that Hua Mengshi was sick yesterday. She understood that the sickness was a mental one, one that was caused by anger.
The notorious Hua Qiyue before was suddenly rewarded by the Emperor. How could that not make her arrogant and self-righteous Hua Mengshi sick?
15 minutes later, Hua Qiyue and Tianci returned to Prince Nan’s residence. This time, Lv Xin and Youshui followed them. The doorman looked at Hua Qiyue with strange eyes. Even though he got to see Hua Qiyue for every two days, she seemed different every time.
Prince Nan’s residence was much more luxurious than Hua’s Mansion. The two servants Lv Xin and Youshui opened their eyes wide to examine the place, whispering, “Oh my god, Prince Nan’s residence is indeed luxurious, much more luxurious than Hua’s Mansion!”
“I heard that Prince Nan is a mysterious figure. Even though he was a peasant, he had excellent medical skills that Emperor acknowledged. Thus, he was crowned Prince Nan!”
“Yes, it is truly impressive for someone without royal blood to be crowned Prince Nan!” Servant Lv Xin’s eyes were full of anticipation, eager to see Prince Nan later.
Hua Qiyue pursed her lips and smiled. Holding the soft hand of Tianci, she walked straight to the hall.
She didn’t expect Ji Feng and Ji Jing to be there. Yun Shimo was drinking tea with them in the hall. Seeing Hua Qiyue and her group, he stood up expressionlessly.
Yun Shimo examined Tianci. The little boy seemed chubbier after only two days.
However, Tianci seemed more handsome as he grew chubbier. Her white, soft, succulent face was likable by many. Seeing him, Ji Jing rushed forward to pinch his cheeks and wanted to kiss him. However, Yun Shimo pulled Tianci away.
“Decrum between different genders.” Yun Shimo chided her coldly. Tianci then made a funny face mischievously towards Ji Jing before going to the inner chamber with Yun Shimo.
“Come, come, Sister Qiyue, let’s drink tea together. We do not watch the tournament today until the last promotional match! That would mean more time with you!” Ji Jing smiled as Ji Feng looked at Hua Qiyue gracefully, with unrestrained delight in her eyes.
The more she stared at Hua Qiyue, the more she felt that she was calm and composed, unlike the seductive nature of a slut.
“That’s right. Jing, do you want to come to Hua’s Mansion.” Hua Qiyue sat down and invited Ji Jing.
Since Ji Jing and Ji Feng were nice to her, Hua Qiyue felt that they were true to her. After reviving, few people were as nice to her as she had the reputation of a loser and a slut.