CHAPTER 162: CHAPTER 162: STALEMATE STANDOFF

"You! Don’t think you’re all that just because you come from the Northwest! My mother, the Imperial Consort, is someone both the Prime Minister’s Mansion and Prince Zhan Mansion look after. If you dare to disrespect me, I’ll make sure they disrespect you!"

This was something Princess Rongkang often mentioned in front of Lin Guifei and Princess Ming Ruo.

Who would have thought she’d blurt it out at this moment!

Upon hearing this, Princess Consort Yi didn’t get angry but laughed instead.

"Disrespect me? The Princess surely has a bold mouth."

She then spoke to the palace maid Ru Huan behind her.

"Someone, go to Qiqing Hall and invite the Emperor here. In this broad daylight, I want to see what becomes of blatantly defying the Emperor’s decree!"

"Yes, I obey!"

After saying this, Ru Huan hurriedly went towards Qiqing Hall.

This back-and-forth would take at least half an hour.

Standing under the sun now, one would fear suffering from heatstroke soon enough.

But Princess Consort Yi wasn’t afraid, ordering people to bring ice basins for comfort.

At the same time, she looked disdainfully at Princess Ming Ruo, as if mocking her foolishness!

At that moment, Princess Ming Ruo was indeed panicked.

She thought she was still in Lin Guifei’s palace, where she could act as she pleased.

Unexpectedly, Princess Consort Yi was not one to be intimidated.

Staring intently at her, surrounded by guards so she couldn’t leave even if she wished.

Drawing in a breath, just as she was about to take action, she heard Princess Consort Yi casually say another sentence.

"Come, prepare some umbrellas for Princess Ming Ruo, too. If she gets sunstroke, it’ll be hard for me to explain. Also, have the attending Imperial Physician come quickly. If the Princess has any mishaps, treat her immediately, but we must wait for the Emperor to handle it personally!"

This arrangement blocked off any idea Princess Ming Ruo had of feigning illness.

She truly regretted it at this moment.

If only she hadn’t threatened the palace attendants at the time. Now, she just hoped her mother would wake up soon.

Thus she could be saved from the fire and water!

Facing Princess Consort Yi, although terrified inside, she still bit her lip tightly, unwilling to lose face.

Princess Consort Yi saw this and thought it a wonder that such a resilient Princess could be born to someone like Lin Guifei.

If not for all else, if she honed this character, she would surely accomplish much.

Unfortunately, Lin Guifei and she had been at odds for years; a situation as incompatible as fire and water.

Even if she saw Princess Ming Ruo’s potential, there was no reason to assist her.

While the two were in a deadlock, the situation was discovered by Ming Changzai.

She had merely been passing by and happened to witness this scene by accident.

With Yao Tai Pavilion on lockdown, how was it that Princess Ming Ruo was standing outside?

And surrounded by Princess Consort Yi’s people.

She thought it must be significant.

So she quietly hurried to Yao Tai Pavilion to report the news.

Upon arriving, she saw that the guards at the gate had been replaced.

Unlike the timid guards before, this batch was clearly not to be trifled with based on their appearance.

Ming Changzai whispered a few words to her maid Pei’er, and then hid under a distant tree.

Pei’er took a deep breath and walked to the front of Yao Tai Pavilion.

Ming Changzai was too far away to hear what they were saying.

But watching Pei’er try several times to go inside and get blocked each time, she knew this path was impassable.

Indeed, when Pei’er returned panting, she learned what had happened.

"My lady, it’s hard to reason with these guards now. No matter how I implored, they refused, even just to pass a message. It seems that you won’t be able to go in to report to Lin Guifei."

Ming Changzai said nothing.

She was contemplating a countermeasure.

Princess Ming Ruo was Lin Guifei’s only child and surely would not fare well in Princess Consort Yi’s hands.

If it were delayed further, Lin Guifei might not even know what had happened.

By then, Princess Consort Yi could have already dealt with everything.

How could she then claim credit before Lin Guifei and receive a reward?

After thinking it over, she knew this path was blocked, so she had to find another.

"Let’s go, we’ll keep watch over Princess Ming Ruo. If something happens to her, we’ll be able to protect her!"

Her attitude was firm, but Pei’er beside her didn’t agree with her course of action.

"My lady, have you forgotten Bai Pin’s incident? Princess Consort Yi is even harder to deal with than Bai Pin. If we offend her, won’t life become even harder for us in the palace?"

"We’ve already offended those allied with Princess Consort Yi. Even if I don’t cause them trouble, they won’t spare me! Better to side with Lin Guifei for some protection!"

To Ming Changzai, although this move was risky, if successful, it would greatly benefit her future.

Thus, she was willing to take the gamble!

Master and servant quickly made their way to where Princess Consort Yi was causing trouble.

Meanwhile, the Emperor, upon learning of Princess Ming Ruo’s secret escape, was indeed enraged.

"Humph! Who gave her such audacity! To disregard even my decree!"

"Dong Yuzhong."

"At your service!"

"Find a quick-footed eunuch and tell Princess Consort Yi to lock up Princess Ming Ruo! Keep her hungry for three days!"

To him, Princess Ming Ruo had been fine until she was led astray by Lin Guifei.

Daring to run out so brazenly showed she had no respect for the royal family’s authority.

Dong Yuzhong hesitated to respond when he heard the three-day starvation.

An adult might manage, but how could a princess at such a young age endure hunger for so long?

"Your Majesty, please consider. The Princess is only four years old and has always been served with great care. How could she withstand a three-day hunger?"

Hearing Dong Yuzhong’s plea calmed the Emperor’s temper somewhat.

But thinking of the report just delivered, his long-standing displeasure with Lin Guifei peaked.

So he stood up and declared.

"Let’s go! I want to see just how uncontrollable this Eldest Princess is!"

With that, he left Qiqing Hall with his entourage.

As they departed, Dong Yuzhong glanced at a little eunuch on the other side.

The young eunuch instantly understood and quietly ran in another direction.

Heading straight for Huifang Courtyard.

If the Emperor was furious, no one could likely dissuade him.

Perhaps if Lin Changzai came, it might alleviate the situation a bit!

In Huifang Courtyard, Lin Wanyi was shocked to hear the news.

She harbored countless grievances against Lin Guifei.

But this had nothing to do with the child.

Since entering the palace, she hadn’t even met Princess Ming Ruo.

Unexpectedly, the first meeting would be under such circumstances.

After some thought, she spoke to the Second Prince who was diligently practicing calligraphy beside her.

"You keep writing carefully. If I’m not back shortly, eat first, don’t wait, understand?"

The Second Prince nodded and hesitated before speaking.