Chapter 946: Chapter 946: The Stand-in Empress vs. the True Love Concubine (Part 11)
But Yun Qi merely gazed at Gu Shengyin with a tender expression, completely oblivious to the look she gave him.
Lu Xi bit her lip, and finally bowed slightly to Gu Shengyin, saying, "This servant girl was granted an audience by the Empress Dowager, and upon passing through the Imperial Garden, heard that the Crown Prince and Crown Princess Consort were enjoying the scenery here, so I came to pay my respects."
She felt that saying this was already an open admission of submission.
But Gu Shengyin did not intend to let this slide so easily.
If Lu Xi were to pass by effortlessly like this, where would Yun Qi’s, the Crown Prince’s, authority be? Where would her, the Crown Princess Consort’s, dignity be?
Gu Shengyin gently placed the teacup on the table.
The teacup clinked crisply against the marble table, a sound that seemed to transmit directly into Lu Xi’s heart.
Her heart suddenly began to race.
Gu Shengyin withdrew the smile from her face and said, "The Crown Prince and I are enjoying the scenery here, and it is strictly prohibited for idle individuals to disturb us. Miss Lu, perchance you did not hear this mentioned?"
She changed her tone: "If Miss Lu did not hear this, then I must see which audacious servant dares to disregard the orders of the Eastern Palace!"
Lu Xi’s face turned red and then white, Gu Shengyin’s words, while ostensibly scolding the guards, implicitly conveyed criticism directly to her.
She stopped short of pointing at her nose and calling her out for ignorance of protocol.
Ying Fu, who was standing woodenly to the side, glanced at Yun Qi’s expression, seeing that he showed no inclination to stand up for Lu Xi, gaining clearer insight into the significance of these two figures within his master’s heart.
He now stood out neither arrogantly nor humbly, and said slowly, "Reporting to the Crown Princess, this servant did remind Miss Lu that you and His Highness are here enjoying the scenery and not to intrude. Yet Miss Lu insisted on entering, and her status is noble, so the guards dared not forcefully intervene."
Noble status? It was once so in His Highness’s heart.
Gu Shengyin glanced at Yun Qi with a calm expression: "I wonder what His Highness thinks would be the best course of action now?"
Yun Qi looked at her indulgently: "Such matters are for you to decide as you see fit."
Lu Xi was deeply stung by the gentle smile on his face.
Once, that smile was always directed at her, and he even said, it wouldn’t be long before she would be welcomed into the Eastern Palace.
Why has everything changed?
Is it just because they have wed?
Gu Shengyin cared not for Lu Xi’s thoughts, Yun Qi’s attitude made her feel very content.
She leisurely said, "Since that is the case, Miss Lu should return home and study the rules thoroughly. ’Women’s Rules’ should be copied ten times. If still failing to understand decorum, I shall need to take extraordinary measures."
She actually dared to punish!
Lu Xi suddenly lifted her head.
Copying ’Women’s Rules’ ten times was not particularly difficult, but the crux was punishment from the palace.
If truly sentenced by the Crown Princess to copy ’Women’s Rules,’ her reputation would be shattered once word spread!
Everyone would know, the daughter of the Prime Minister’s Residence does not adhere to protocol.
In this way, she would certainly become a frequent laughingstock among the Circle of Noble Women!
Lu Xi raised her voice: "Crown Princess, this servant girl was particularly summoned by the Empress Dowager..."
Gu Shengyin interrupted her, "In that case, to express filial piety, Miss Lu should also copy the ’Diamond Sutra’ ten times."
Attempting to leverage the Empress Dowager against her?
Gu Shengyin indicated she truly feared not that.
Fourth Watch of the Night. Zhizhi’s eyes underwent a minor surgery today, now extremely swollen and red, very painful, somewhat unable to open. I will strive to write more in today’s update, if truly unable to manage, I will compensate in two or three days if less than the eighth watch of portions is delivered, everyone kisses.