CHAPTER 602: CHAPTER 500: MOTHER-IN-LAW AND DAUGHTER-IN-LAW MEET

Dou Qingyi was stunned by this scene.

Just now, she thought Liu Qingyun hadn’t changed all these years, but in this instant, she suddenly felt Liu Qingyun was very unfamiliar.

She actually acted like this, making a move without any scruples?!

Has she really become so arrogant?

Back when she roamed the martial world, it was fine to ignore anyone, relying on her skills. But now, in the Imperial City of Great Liang, does she truly think she’s still the esteemed princess of Miaojiang?

Amidst the shock, Dou Qingyi’s heart was filled with deep jealousy.

Liu Qingyun had the lineage and looks she dreamed of, and Dou Qingyi was always cautious in her actions, yet Liu Qingyun could act without considering the consequences.

No matter how much trouble she caused, someone always seemed to back her.

But this time, no one would back her up.

Dou Qingyi struggled to swim upwards.

Liu Qingyun’s kick was so forceful that it pained her to the point of almost being unable to move. It took all her strength just to finally break the surface of the water.

However, before she could climb ashore, Liu Qingyun pressed her back into the water again.

"Liu Qingyun— gurgle gurgle gurgle—"

You lunatic!

Dou Qingyi couldn’t close her mouth in time, taking in a bellyful of water.

Liu Qingyun clapped her hands, "I was going to let you go, but the more I thought about it, the angrier I got, so I came back. Of all people to harm, why harm my son? Isn’t this just like looking for trouble with a lantern?"

"I’m really leaving now, I have to watch my son’s competition, missed it earlier, can’t miss the archery."

"My son is the best!"

"Son! Mama’s coming!"

Dou Qingyi had chosen a secluded place to carry out her ruse, ensuring no one would come here.

Of course, she had prepared witnesses to ensure her plan’s implementation.

Just waiting for the right moment, her maid would bring some seasoned stewards and palace maids to witness the scene.

It was just that Liu Qingyun made her move too quickly.

This time, Dou Qingyi didn’t hurry to swim ashore. Instead, she waited until Liu Qingyun had gone far before resurfacing.

She was soaking wet, feeling as heavy as a thousand pounds.

With all her effort, she finally managed to get half of her body onto the shore.

Then, the sky darkened above her.

Liu Qingyun had returned again.

Dou Qingyi’s body trembled.

Liu Qingyun looked down at her, "I’m still not over it. You snatch a man, fine, but you let your son snatch my son’s position as the Qilin. If I let you off like this, I’d never forgive myself in my dreams."

Dou Qingyi hurriedly opened her mouth and shouted for help.

Liu Qingyun again stomped her back into the water.

"Screech!"

A hunting eagle swept its wings and flew over.

Someone’s here!

"Consider yourself lucky, I’ll spare you for now."

Liu Qingyun quickly ran off.

By the time Dou Qingyi’s maid retrieved her, along with the head steward and several palace maids, Dou Qingyi was almost like an immortal elder.

Eunuch Zhen quickly had her carried to Consort Hu’s cooling courtyard.

Consort Hu was stunned at the sight, "Who is this?"

Eunuch Zhen replied, "Your Grace, this is Concubine Dou."

Consort Hu was even more surprised, "You... How did you end up like this?"

Consort Yu and Shen Zhaorong were also present.

Dou Qingyi sobbed, "Your Grace, please help Qingyi get justice..."

Shen Zhaorong instructed her personal maid, "Someone, get a cloak for Concubine Dou, and fetch a set of dry clothes from my chamber."

The personal maid responded, "Yes."

Shen Zhaorong spoke gently, "Concubine Dou, take your time to speak. What exactly happened? If someone set you up, Consort will surely get justice for you."

Dou Qingyi sobbed, "It’s Lu Linyuan’s mother! She threatened me... I refused her, so she wanted to kill me..."

Consort Hu frowned, "What did she threaten you with?"

Dou Qingyi cried, "She forced me to persuade Qi’er to withdraw from the competition, forbidding him from competing with Lu Linyuan for the Qilin position..."

Consort Hu’s expression turned cold, "How outrageous!"

Concubine Yu’s eyes shifted slightly, "Concubine Dou, are you sure it was the Imperial Grandson’s mother who harmed you?"

Dou Qingyi looked hurt at Concubine Yu, "Do you suspect me, Your Grace?"

Concubine Yu sighed, "I don’t suspect you, but just from the current competition results, it seems the Imperial Grandson doesn’t need to resort to such tactics."

Counting yesterday’s three matches, the Imperial Grandson won four matches in a row, each brilliant, without any suspense.

The only loss was the archery match just now, where the Imperial Grandson couldn’t draw the three-stone bow, but Lu Qi managed it.

And this match was purely based on brute force, not showing any exceptional skills of Lu Qi.

Dou Qingyi’s eyes flickered as she cried, "I questioned her the same way. If her son is so capable and victory was assured, why use tactics to force my son out? But guess how she replied to me? She said, ’That’s not your concern. Just have your son withdraw from the competition, or I’ll show you and your son the meaning of utter devastation!’"

"Such arrogance!"

Consort Hu coldly placed down her cup of tea, "Where is she? Bring her to me!"

Concubine Yu moved slightly.

Shen Zhaorong smiled, "Sister Yu, where do you plan to go? You wouldn’t be going to inform the Crown Prince, would you?"

Consort Hu ordered her personal female official, "No need to disturb the Crown Prince or Consort Hui, just bring her here to me!"

The personal female official was just about to go when suddenly, from outside the courtyard, a voice announced:

"Princess Consort Chen arrives—"

Everyone’s expression changed.

"Princess Consort Chen?"

Consort Hu deeply furrowed her brows.

Concubine Yu and Shen Zhaorong stood up, curtseying to the approaching Princess Consort Chen, "Greetings to Princess Consort Chen, sister."

Consort Hu didn’t move.

In terms of position, Princess Consort Chen was above her.

But when has she ever considered Princess Consort Chen worthy of regard?

She slowly said, "Wasn’t Princess Consort Chen supposed to be praying in the residence? I recall back when the second was designated as Crown Prince, Princess Consort Chen didn’t show up to allow us to offer congratulations. I’m really curious, what wind has brought Princess Consort Chen here today?"

Princess Consort Chen, who was usually devoted to praying, was dressed in palace attire today, exuding a natural elegance that even surpassed the noble birth of Consort Hu.

Emperor Liang was not a frivolous man; if Princess Consort Chen weren’t truly beautiful, he wouldn’t have favored her.

Princess Consort Chen said calmly, "Just felt like coming out. Passed by here and heard the Consort was present, so I came to greet her."

Consort Hu rolled her eyes disdainfully.

Jiang Hui Consort had the qualifications to contend, at least.

But what right does a lowly servant have to stand as her equal?

Princess Consort Chen turned back and said, "Xiao Bai, greet the Consort, Concubine Yu, and Zhaorong."

"Yes."

A graceful figure emerged from behind Princess Consort Chen, bowing to the three, "Greetings to Your Grace Consort, Your Grace Concubine Yu, Your Grace Zhaorong."

The three were stunned, "It’s you?"

Liu Qingyun said, "Yes, it’s truly a coincidence to meet the three Graces here."

Consort Hu said coldly, "I was just thinking of capturing you, and you’ve delivered yourself here!"

Liu Qingyun asked bewildered, "I don’t know what crime I’ve committed, Your Grace wants to capture me?"

Dou Qingyi accused, "You brought me to this state, and you dare say you’re innocent?"

Liu Qingyun looked surprised, "I harmed you? Concubine Dou, you can eat things recklessly, but you can’t speak nonsense."

Princess Consort Chen said indifferently, "Xiao Bai has been with me all along, probably didn’t have the chance to harm anyone. Even if we go to His Majesty, I would say the same."

Consort Hu spoke coldly, "Princess Consort Chen, are you trying to use His Majesty to pressure me?"

Princess Consort Chen said calmly, "Yes."

Consort Hu pointed at her nose, "You’re quite bold!"

Princess Consort Chen calmly replied, "We are both concubines of His Majesty; any issues should naturally be resolved by His Majesty."

Consort Hu coldly glared at Liu Qingyun, "A mere nameless woman isn’t worth bothering His Majesty about. I can handle this myself!"

Princess Consort Chen said earnestly, "Great Liang’s future Crown Princess, I’m afraid you can’t handle her."

Consort Hu was stunned, "You... what did you say?"

Liu Qingyun blinked, whispering, "Your Grace, it seems there was no such arrangement."

Concubine Yu and Shen Zhaorong looked incredulously at Princess Consort Chen and Liu Qingyun.

Dou Qingyi’s face twisted with jealousy.

The Crown Princess position she had repeatedly missed was now effortlessly being claimed by Liu Qingyun?

Princess Consort Chen said, "I only acknowledge one daughter-in-law, and my son only marries one wife. When Zhao Yan was appointed as the Crown Prince, I didn’t accept congratulations from the sisters here. On the day my son marries Xiao Bai, you all will definitely be invited for a glass of wedding wine."

She deliberately used the term "sisters" to remind everyone that she was the Princess Consort Chen, her position above theirs.

This was not a negotiation but a decision.

"If there’s nothing more, sisters, I will leave first. Xiao Bai, weren’t you saying how beautiful the flowers were somewhere?"

"In the Crown Prince Mansion, Your Grace, if you like, I’ll have some pots sent to the palace for your viewing pleasure tomorrow."

"Great! When does the competition start?"

"Soon."

"Come, accompany me to see it."

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law left Consort Hu’s courtyard, chatting and laughing as if no one else existed.

Consort Hu’s face turned a shade of green with rage, "A mere maid dares tread on my head!"

Dou Qingyi complained, "Your Grace, how can she not respect you..."

Consort Hu scolded her head-on, "You still have the face to speak? If you hadn’t mistaken identities back then, how would Lu Zhao Yan have become the Crown Prince? Who knows how much more it will take to reclaim the Crown Prince’s position now?"

Dou Qingyi felt extremely wronged.

Outside in the courtyard, Liu Qingyun and Princess Consort Chen’s conversation could still be faintly heard.

Princess Consort Chen spoke gently and delightfully to Liu Qingyun.

This should have been her mother-in-law.

But instead... Liu Qingyun had taken it away!

The two walked farther.

Liu Qingyun released Princess Consort Chen’s arm, said awkwardly, "Your Grace, I realize my mistake."

She had encountered Princess Consort Chen while sneaking away.

This was her first time seeing Princess Consort Chen.

Before she could explain what she had done, Princess Consort Chen took her hand and said, "Much prettier than in the portrait, don’t worry, I’m Ah Yan’s mother, and Ah Yan told me you entered the palace today."

It was the gentlest voice she had ever heard.

Lu Zhao Yan, raised under the Empress’s knee since childhood, never lost his affection for his biological mother.

To personally take care of Lu Zhao Yan, Princess Consort Chen willingly became an arduous worker in Princess Qin’s courtyard.