The Cui Zhu Courtyard was in utter chaos, a scene of utter pandemonium.
"The people from your General Leng's manor have gone too far! They don't even show respect to the Empress!"
After returning to the Cui Zhu Courtyard, Nanny Wu ordered two other palace maids to pack their belongings and return to the palace.
The Liu family and her daughter were still unaware of the reason and were attempting to persuade Nanny Wu to stay. However, Nanny Wu simply flicked her sleeves and departed.
Leng Ruoshuang was immediately distraught.
"Mother, what is going on with this Nanny Wu? Why did she rush back to the palace?"
Consort Liu remained silent for a moment before saying, "This matter probably has something to do with that little slut."
Immediately, Consort Liu sent Ah Man, who was beside her, to the kitchen to inquire about the situation.
A moment later, Ah Man returned and recounted everything that had just happened in the kitchen to Consort Liu and her daughter.
"Mother, Leng Ruoli has gone too far! Are you unhappy because you see me living well?"
"Let's go and reason with Father!" Leng Ruoshuang said indignantly.
Consort Liu furrowed her brows upon hearing Leng Ruoshuang's words.
"This daughter of mine is becoming more and more foolish. She never learns to calm down and think rationally when something happens. I truly don't know who she takes after," Consort Liu muttered to herself.
"Mother, what are you muttering about? Let's go reason with Father together."
"Shuang'er, haven't you heard Ah Man clearly? This was your father's order," Consort Liu asked speechlessly.
"That's impossible! I am also Father's biological daughter. He wouldn't treat me like this. It must be that wretched Leng Ruoli who badmouthed me to Father, causing him to act this way."
"Sigh..."
Consort Liu felt a bitter smile.
"Let's go!" This daughter truly wouldn't give up until she had fallen off a cliff.
At this moment, Leng Ruoli, Jun Mohan, and Leng Jinyu were sitting in the pavilion in the courtyard, chatting and laughing, still savoring the instant noodles they had eaten in the small kitchen earlier.
"Li'er, why were the noodles you cooked so fragrant and delicious? I've lived for decades and never tasted such delicious noodles," Leng Jinyu said with an exaggerated expression.
"I never imagined the Princess Consort's cooking skills were so superb. How about we collaborate? We'll sell your instant noodles at my Drunken Immortal Tower, and we'll split it fifty-fifty, alright?"
Jun Mohan said alluringly. Considering you made me good food tonight, I won't hold you accountable for spitting food on me this morning.
"Sure. My noodles are very convenient to eat. Actually, you can just soak them in boiling water, and they're ready quickly. If you want them to taste even better, you can cook them in a pot like I did tonight, then add seasonings and toppings. However, one shouldn't eat too many of these instant noodles, as they can cause internal heat."
Jun Mohan nodded slightly.
As they were speaking, the Liu family and her daughter walked into the Ming Yue Courtyard and approached them.
"Father, why did you send Nanny Wu back to the palace?"
Leng Ruoshuang squeezed out two tiny tears from the corner of her eyes and pouted, complaining.
Unexpectedly, Leng Jinyu was not swayed by her act and found her demeanor utterly disgusting.
"If you are truly carrying Prince Qing's child and require many people to attend to you, I will send you to Prince Qing's manor in a sedan chair tomorrow. Prince Qing's manor will surely have someone to take good care of you."
"What? Father, I haven't even had my grand wedding with Prince Qing yet. How can I be so rashly moved into Prince Qing's manor? Being carried in by a small sedan chair is how one takes a concubine."
"You were promiscuous with a man before marriage and are pregnant. If the Emperor finds out, it would be fortunate if you weren't subjected to being drowned in a pig cage or strangled. Are you still dreaming of Prince Qing marrying you with a grand procession?"
"Father, why are you speaking to me like this?"
As soon as Leng Jinyu finished speaking, Leng Ruoshuang's wronged tears began to fall.
"Am I wrong?"
"Then why is that ugly woman Leng Ruoli..."
Before Leng Ruoshuang could finish her sentence, Consort Liu covered her mouth.
The surrounding temperature suddenly dropped, sending shivers down one's spine.
"Leng Ruoshuang, how dare you insult this Prince's Consort with such audacity."
The chilling aura radiating from Jun Mohan could pierce through flesh and bone, as if he were a moving refrigerator. He stood with his back to the Liu family and her daughter, his gaze lowered, making his expression unreadable. He pursed his lips and spoke coldly.
At this moment, Leng Ruoshuang noticed the figure Leng Jinyu was blocking. Her face was filled with panic as she knelt down.
"Your Highness Prince Leng, my daughter... she didn't mean to insult her sister just now."
Leng Ruoshuang hurriedly explained.
This was Prince Leng, who was known for his brutal nature, bloodthirsty tendencies, and cold-heartedness. It was rumored that he also suffered from a strange illness, and if anyone angered him, he would personally tear them apart.
Except for Qin Xixue from the Prime Minister's manor, who was infatuated with Prince Leng, most noble ladies in the capital feared him.
At this time, Consort Liu also knelt down tremblingly and pleaded, "Your Highness Prince Leng, this humble servant begs you, for the sake of her carrying the royal offspring, spare my daughter."
"You are begging the wrong person. You should be begging my Consort," Jun Mohan said coldly.
Upon hearing this, Leng Jinyu was quite satisfied with Jun Mohan's words, finally seeing him as a potential son-in-law.
As for Leng Ruoli, she rolled her eyes at Jun Mohan. "This man is becoming more and more..."
Sigh—
Then, she cast a faint glance at Leng Ruoshuang and said to Consort Liu, "I can choose not to hold her accountable, but I want you to pay me ten thousand taels of silver as an insult fee."
"What? Ten thousand taels of silver for an insult fee? Leng Ruoli, why don't you just go and rob someone!"
Leng Ruoshuang said indignantly.
"You can choose not to pay. Anyway, you are now Prince Qing's woman and carrying his child, so I can't punish you. I'll just have to find Prince Qing to collect the silver another day," Leng Ruoli said nonchalantly.
Just then, Steward Qi rushed in frantically.
"Your Highness, General, the Emperor has personally sent Eunuch Li to the General's manor to deliver an imperial decree, ordering the General, the eldest daughter, the second daughter, and Consort Liu to enter the palace immediately. The Emperor has matters to interrogate." Steward Qi said with a grave expression.
"Is Eunuch Li still in the manor?" Leng Jinyu asked calmly.
"Yes, he's waiting at the manor entrance."
"Alright, I also have matters that require me to go to the palace. We can go together."
Jun Mohan was the first to walk out of the Ming Yue Courtyard, followed closely by Leng Jinyu and Leng Ruoli.
Only the Liu family and her daughter were left in a daze. By the time they came to their senses, Jun Mohan and the other two had already reached the entrance of General Leng's manor.
At this moment, Eunuch Li was waiting anxiously at the entrance. When he saw Prince Leng emerging from General Leng's manor, he was slightly taken aback and quickly bowed to Prince Leng.
"This old servant pays his respects to Your Highness Prince Leng!"
"Eunuch Li, I will be accompanying General Leng and the others to the palace."
"Oh, alright, alright. Prince Leng, you may accompany them, of course." Eunuch Li said with a chuckle.
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My darlings, updating while taking care of my baby is not easy. Please leave more comments and follow for updates. Thank you, my dears, I love you all, muah!