Twenty-six

How could she possibly be wandering around here of all places?

Could it be that she knew the Imperial Noble Consort would be passing by and came here specifically to curry favor?

Meng Changle was filled with wariness and suspicion, having completely forgotten that she herself had been fawning over the Noble Consort the moment she entered the palace.

"Noble Consort, this young lady... I believe I know her."

Seeing Consort Chen still peering into the distance, Meng Changle spoke in a soft, gentle voice. "If I am not mistaken, she should be the fourth daughter of the Zhao family, the Commandant."

Consort Chen was stunned.

The fourth daughter of the Zhao family?

Having been in such a rush that day, she hadn't clearly seen the face of the seductress who had enticed her son. But now, seeing Meng Qingyue crouching on the ground—with her slender shoulders, delicate waist, and hair cascading like a waterfall—she really did bear a striking resemblance.

Consort Chen’s breath hitched in indignation.

She had only one son, Prince Zhao, whom she treasured above all else. That this little hussy would dare to set her sights on the Prince and commit such shameless acts, and now have the audacity to flaunt herself in the palace?

"Nurse Li!" she commanded sharply. "Send someone over. Bring her here; I have words for her!"

Meng Changle hurriedly intervened. "My Lady, given the fourth daughter’s status, would seeing her not be an affront to your eyes?"

In truth, she knew that if Meng Qingyue were brought over and identified herself, the whole charade would be exposed.

With a turn of her eyes, she devised a plan. "The marigolds on the lake are in full bloom. Why not order the fourth daughter to pick a cluster for you to enjoy?"

It was late winter, and the biting wind was blowing; the marigolds were only growing in the center of the lake. Unless one took a boat, they were completely unreachable.

Consort Chen took a calm look at Meng Changle, thinking that the Qiao family’s future daughter-in-law was truly clever. Sensing her dissatisfaction with the Zhao girl, she had devised a way to make things difficult for her, all to earn some favor.

However, sometimes being too clever made one appear calculating.

She smiled without exposing Meng Changle’s little tricks, for she had no intention of letting the Zhao girl off the hook anyway.

She closed her eyes faintly and replied, "Let it be done."

Meng Qingyue was crouching in front of the rockery, counting ants as they circled a grain of rice, finding it quite amusing.

The next second, a shadow fell over her. She looked up to see an elderly nurse standing before her.

"Greetings, Miss. Our Noble Consort wishes to enjoy a cluster of marigolds and would like to trouble you to fetch them."

Noble Consort? Consort Chen?

Meng Qingyue stood up, hesitating. Then, she recalled that when she had fallen off the cliff and been injured, Consort Chen had specifically sent medicine for her.

After a moment's thought, she agreed. "Very well."

To repay kindness with kindness and grudges with grudges—Consort Chen had treated her with such warmth that it was only right for her to pick some flowers for the Noble Consort.

Yet, when she actually went to do it, she found herself in a dilemma.

The marigolds were in the middle of the lake!

There was no one else here, no boat, and no bridge. How was she supposed to get across?

As if reading her thoughts, Nurse Li spoke coldly, her tone laced with malice.

"The Noble Consort said that the harder the task, the more it shows one's sincerity. If you are truly devoted, what does it matter if you have to jump into the lake to fetch them?"

...

Meng Qingyue felt something was wrong.

Judging by the nurse's behavior, she was clearly being difficult on purpose. But given that Consort Chen had gifted her medicine, she couldn't understand why the Noble Consort would want to torment her.

Seeing Meng Qingyue hesitating, Nurse Li grew impatient.

A base creature who seduced the Prince, now flaunting herself here—the very sight of her was nauseating!

She signaled with a glance, and a young eunuch understood immediately.

He stepped forward silently, kicked out with a heavy blow to her legs, and a sharp gust of wind rushed toward Meng Qingyue.

With a loud splash, Meng Qingyue was kicked into the lake.

As the icy water engulfed her, Meng Qingyue’s mind was still in a daze.

It was only when the cold, penetrating chill swept through her body from all sides that she finally realized: she had been pushed into the lake again!

If she could have guessed the reason last time, this time she was left with nothing but boiling rage!

Who had she provoked?

She was just crouching there watching ants—how could she be targeted like this?

Her fury, the bone-chilling cold of the water, and the terror of drowning were all soon muffled by a desperate, struggling cry for help: "Help..."

Consort Chen had arrived at the lakeside with her entourage.

Watching Meng Qingyue struggle and splash in the water, the anger Consort Chen had harbored for days finally began to subside.

The other noble ladies did not know the full story, but though they were puzzled as to why the Noble Consort was targeting the Zhao girl, they were happy to watch the spectacle.

Under the gaze of the crowd, Meng Qingyue splashed and begged for help until her voice grew faint and pleading.

Consort Chen was not a heartless person; seeing the girl’s face turn pale from the cold, she waved her hand to signal the eunuch. "Enough, pull her up."

The eunuch responded and moved forward, but Meng Changle suddenly turned and spoke. "I seem to have heard rumors that the fourth daughter of the Zhao family has often made shocking claims lately, saying she would marry a prince and bear a royal grandson... and that she even demanded others address her as Princess."

She added, as if to prove she had merely overheard it, "I suppose it is normal for a girl of marriageable age to have such delusions."

Delusions?

Consort Chen’s face turned an ashen blue with rage.

Others might not know the truth, but how could she not? This Zhao girl wasn't just delusional—she truly harbored the ambition to become a prince's consort!

Consort Chen’s expression shifted, and she glared at the woman struggling in the water, her eyes filled with undisguised, raging fury.

"Don't save her. Let her stay in the water to sober up so she can see clearly what her status is!"

Consort Chen was usually known for her tolerance; for her to act this way meant she was truly enraged.

Meng Changle smiled enigmatically, hiding among the noble ladies, her role well-concealed.

Some time passed.

When a soaked and barely breathing Meng Qingyue was finally hauled out, she was on the verge of death.

She was hoisted by two servants and thrown heavily onto the cold ground. Her cheek scraped harshly against the gravel, leaving several bloody gashes.

Consort Chen looked down at her face, her gaze as if dipped in poison. "Now, let’s see how you can use your pretty face to seduce men!"