Chapter 274: Speaking
“Have you met the Princess?”
The Emperor looked at the two and asked with a smile.
Prince of Chu and Princess of Chu respectfully replied, “Yes.”
“It was I who made Aunt angry.” Li Yu lowered his head again and said, “It’s all my willfulness and indulgence, failing Aunt’s teachings.”
Isn’t Princess Jinyu also willful and indulgent? The Emperor thought to himself, but he couldn’t say these words. He only nodded and said, “You should be more filial to her in the future and let her see your sincerity.”
Li Yu respectfully replied, “Yes.” The Princess of Chu also responded, “Yes.”
The Emperor’s gaze shifted to the child she was holding in her arms. Compared to the little prince who was clutching his clothes tightly in his arms and sobbing in fear, this baby girl of about the same age was quiet and composed.
In an unfamiliar environment, with unfamiliar people, she was neither afraid nor fussy. In the arms of the Princess of Chu, her big eyes darted around, and when she met the Emperor’s gaze, she cracked a toothless smile, waving her chubby little hand.
The Emperor couldn’t help but smile, his heart inexplicably softened.
“This child is a little chubbier than Bao Lang.” He couldn’t help but say, then looked at Bai Ying beside him.
Bai Ying sat in a daze, her eyes fixed on the Princess of Chu, as if her mind was wandering. She didn’t seem to hear the Emperor’s words.
Ever since the Prince of Chu and his wife entered, Bai Ying hadn’t spoken, and her expression was strange. The Emperor thought to himself, could it be that she also wanted to learn from Princess Jinyu and put on airs in front of the newlyweds and juniors?
“My beloved consort.” The Emperor called again, his expression concerned, “Are you, alright?”
Bai Ying was startled back to her senses and looked at the Emperor first: “Your Majesty. Your concubine, what?”
The Emperor said, “Look at the Prince of Chu’s child, so plump and white. She must eat better than our Bao Lang.”
Bai Ying’s gaze shifted to the Prince and Princess of Chu, then quickly moved away. She forced a smile at the Emperor: “Bao Lang is difficult to handle.” She stood up as she spoke, “Bao Lang should be fed now.”
After saying that, she called for the wet nurse. The eunuchs and palace maids who had been standing solemnly in the hall immediately became busy at her call, and the wet nurse hurried from the side hall.
“Your Majesty, you speak with the Prince of Chu. I will take Bao Lang and withdraw first.”
She gestured to the wet nurse as she spoke.
Although the wet nurse looked nervous, she still obeyed and went directly to the Emperor, taking the child from his arms.
Perhaps because he was truly hungry, the little prince did not resist the wet nurse and left the Emperor’s embrace willingly.
“Your concubine will withdraw first.”
Bai Ying bowed to the Emperor.
All this happened in an instant. The Emperor’s hand was still in the posture of holding the child, and he nodded blankly for a moment: “Ah, good, good.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Bai Ying retreated, followed by a flurry of eunuchs and palace maids.
The hall, which had been noisy for a moment, instantly became quiet again.
The Emperor looked at his empty arms and the empty seat beside him, seeming a little lost as if he didn’t know what had just happened, until his gaze landed on the Prince of Chu and Princess of Chu standing quietly in the hall.
He came back to his senses and explained, “The little prince is difficult to handle. If he’s hungry or sleepy, or if something doesn’t go his way, he cries and makes a fuss.”
Li Yu smiled and said, “All children are like that. They can’t speak, and they don’t want to cry and make a fuss. Adults need to be more attentive and discover their needs in time.”
The Emperor laughed: “You’re quite good at handling children.”
Li Yu looked at the baby girl in Bai Li’s arms: “Back then, the court was in chaos, and I lost my parents when I was young. Now, Your Majesty has brought peace to the court, and the country is prosperous and the people are at peace. I can raise my child with peace of mind. I want to give her everything I lacked when I was a child.”
The Emperor’s eyes were gentle. Wasn’t he the same? The court was in chaos, he was apprehensive, especially with his father’s disregard. Now, he must be a good father: “That is what I think as well.”
“Make him sleep quickly, no matter what method you use, don’t let him make any noise!”
Bai Ying looked at the wet nurse and said in a low voice, her eyes fierce.
The wet nurse trembled and replied, “Yes.” She hugged the little prince tightly and retreated into the inner chamber, surrounded by several eunuchs and palace maids.
Bai Ying sat down and drank several mouthfuls of hot tea in a row. Perhaps because she could no longer see that person, or perhaps because the tea warmed her limbs, her chaotic mind gradually calmed down.
“Go and see, in the hall, is the, person, still there?” She said.
Wang Degui looked towards the partition. The doors and windows of the side hall had been specially replaced, so the conversation in the main hall could be heard clearly. At this moment, he could hear the Emperor and the Prince of Chu talking, then laughing. It was obvious that they were still there, chatting and laughing happily.
However, since Bai Ying had spoken, Wang Degui immediately went to check and came back right away.
“Your Ladyship, they are all still there.” He said.
Bai Ying looked at him: “That, woman, is also there?”
That woman? Wang Degui was stunned for a moment. Was she talking about the Princess of Chu? He nodded: “Yes.”
There, not a dream, not an illusion, the person was still there, and everyone could see her. Bai Ying gripped the teacup in her hand, the hot tea scalding her palm.
She had indeed seen with her own eyes Zhou Jingyun throwing Bai Li downstairs, but…
Even Zhang Ze had doubts at the time that it was fake.
She also knew that this younger sister was different from ordinary people.
It’s just that, she thought, even if she didn’t die, she wouldn’t dare to appear in the capital again, living a life of obscurity and hiding. It would be as if this person never existed in the world.
In that case, for the sake of sisterly affection, it wasn’t necessary for her to die.
Unexpectedly…
Bai Ying clenched the teacup in her hand. This jinx actually dared to appear, and even became the Princess of Chu.
It wasn’t enough that she had seduced Zhou Jingyun before, now she had climbed onto the Prince of Chu.
Did the Prince of Chu know her true identity?
He must know.
Bai Ying suddenly remembered that the Prince of Chu had asked her about Bai Li before.
She thought at the time that the Prince of Chu was targeting Zhou Jingyun.
So, the Prince of Chu wanted to use Bai Li to threaten her?
This bastard!
“Your Ladyship, are you alright?” Wang Degui asked cautiously, looking at Bai Ying’s livid face, “What’s wrong?”
She had been happily waiting for the Prince of Chu and his wife to come for their visit, even dressed up specially, but why did she become so strange after seeing them?
She hadn’t spoken her usual witty words, and even directly snatched the child and left.
Could it be that Her Ladyship looked down on the Princess of Chu?
Of course, Her Ladyship looked down on this maid-born Princess of Chu, but she wouldn’t show it. Her Ladyship wasn’t a fool like Princess Jinyu.
But Her Ladyship was too strange today. What was wrong?
Hearing Wang Degui’s question, Bai Ying looked at him and took a deep breath.
✿✿✿
“Go and invite Zhang Ze to come.” She said in a low voice.
Why did she suddenly want to see Zhang Ze at this time? But Wang Degui didn’t ask further questions and replied, “Yes.” He was about to turn around to give the order when Bai Ying called him back.
“Tell him, no matter what he’s doing, drop everything and come.” Bai Ying said through gritted teeth.
Wang Degui knew why she needed to emphasize this. He didn’t know when it started, but it had become very difficult for Her Ladyship to see Inspector Zhang. Eight out of ten times, Inspector Zhang would send his subordinates instead.
He replied, “Yes,” once again.
Bai Ying’s voice came from behind again.
“Go and invite the Princess of Chu to come.”
Wang Degui was stunned and turned to look at Bai Ying.
Bai Ying’s face was still a little ugly, but her eyes had recovered their composure, no longer panicked.
“Let His Majesty and the Prince of Chu talk.” She said, “I will entertain the Princess of Chu.”
“Her Ladyship said the child is asleep, and it’s quiet over there, so she specially invited the Princess to come over and sit for a chat.”
Listening to Wang Degui’s words, the Emperor smiled, his expression satisfied. This was right, this was how a Noble Consort should behave. To be honest, he was a little dissatisfied with Bai Ying’s performance earlier. Although he pitied her humble origins, she was now a Noble Consort. If she continued to be so timid and hesitant, it would damage his face.
“She just can’t handle children. Wouldn’t it be more lively for the children to play together?” The Emperor said with a smile, looking at the woman who had been sitting in the hall and had now stood up as Wang Degui spoke.
Although she came from a maid’s background, she was quiet and elegant after entering, and her words and actions were graceful and generous.
The Emperor nodded with satisfaction.
“Then you go.”
Li Yu also stood up, his expression a little worried as he looked at Bai Li: “Can you do it?”
It was Bai Li who had proposed coming to the palace today, and she had told Li Yu that she wouldn’t hide her identity, she would let Bai Ying recognize her.
Sure enough, Bai Ying’s reaction after entering showed that she had recognized her.
It’s just, being alone together, was it safe?
Bai Li gently shook his sleeve and whispered, “Don’t worry.”
Looking at the two of them being affectionate, the Emperor smiled again: “Go, the Noble Consort doesn’t have the same temper as the Princess, don’t worry.”
Bai Li looked at the Emperor, curtsied with the child in her arms, then gave Li Yu a reassuring look before following Wang Degui towards the side hall.
Li Yu’s gaze followed her closely.
Bai Ying stared at the door, watching the person walking in behind Wang Degui.
She straightened her back, her expression calm. She had been caught off guard before, but now, she had calmed down.
There was nothing to be afraid of.
She didn’t say a word, just quietly looked at Bai Li, waiting for her to curtsy.
Wang Degui, who was leading the way, suddenly bowed and retreated outwards. The eunuchs and palace maids in the side hall did the same.
What was going on? Bai Ying’s face stiffened. This wasn’t right.
Yes, she would have everyone withdraw, but not now, and besides, she hadn’t given the order yet.
This, what was going on?
“I spoke for Elder Sister.” Bai Li’s voice rang out, and she walked closer step by step as she spoke.
Bai Ying couldn’t help but lean back against the chair, her hand gripping the armrest. How, how did she do it?
Monster!
She grabbed her Three Purities Bell again, but it still didn’t ring.
What about the Imperial Bell?
She should have moved the Imperial Bell from the main hall!
“Don’t be nervous, I didn’t confuse you, and I didn’t harm the Imperial Heir.” Bai Li said, “I just let them hear Elder Sister’s orders in advance.”
After saying that, she sat down on the soft couch, put the child down, and picked up the scattered toys nearby.
“Nannan, take this and play.” She said with a smile.
The baby girl lay on the cushion, hugging a cloth doll and playing happily.
Bai Li looked at the tea set on the table and poured herself a cup of tea.
She was so relaxed and at ease, as if she was the mistress of this place.
Bai Ying clenched her hand on the armrest: “You’re not dead!”
Bai Li took a sip of tea: “What’s so strange about that? Isn’t there a saying, ‘A scourge lives for a thousand years’? In your words, I’m the jinx of our family, how could I die so easily?”
Bai Ying gritted her teeth: “You still have the nerve to say that.” She sat up straight, “Since you’re not dead, and you dare to come out, and you dare to appear before His Majesty, aren’t you afraid—”
“Afraid of what? Afraid that you’ll eliminate a relative for righteousness?” Bai Li said, looking up at her, “You’ll arrest me and tell the Emperor that I’m your fugitive younger sister, and ask him to imprison and execute me?”
She chuckled as she spoke and took another sip of tea.
“If I don’t admit to being your younger sister, what evidence do you have to prove that I am your younger sister?”
“The officials didn’t find me when they raided our home and exterminated our clan, and your lackey Zhang Ze hasn’t caught me after all this time. Without any evidence, you tell the Emperor that I’m your younger sister, and I am? Why can’t it be said that you’re talking nonsense?”
“Since that’s the case, if you can talk nonsense, why can’t I?”
“You’re talking nonsense saying I’m your younger sister, then I’ll talk nonsense saying the little prince isn’t yours.”
Hearing these words, Bai Ying’s face changed, and she abruptly stood up.
Bai Li looked at her, raised an eyebrow and smiled, then picked up Nannan, who was chewing hard on the cloth doll, and held her up in front of her.
“I’ll also talk nonsense saying this is the little princess you gave birth to.”
Little, Prin, cess.
Bai Ying’s gaze fell on the baby girl. The baby girl didn’t cry or fuss when she was lifted up, she even smiled at Bai Ying and waved the saliva-soaked cloth doll at her.
This, child, was, that child!
