Chapter 739: Chapter 739: Irascible and Tyrannical

Lian Hua guessed correctly, the Emperor had given Consort De the details, and Shen Ming’s case involved all generals arriving in the capital. They would soon initiate the trial, and at that time, none of these people could escape. The long-standing miscarriage of justice was about to be redressed, and Consort Xu De’s mood suddenly brightened, improving her appetite so much that she ate an extra bowl of rice at each meal. The slight frustration suffocated by the various complicated palace duties of the Longevity Festival dissipated immediately, making her eager to continuously show her sincerity to the Emperor without stopping.

Consort Xu De strode forward, and promptly paid her respects to the Noble Consort.

Xiao Jizi and Xiao Qing stole glances only to see Xiao Linzi hurrying over from behind. The two of them felt relieved.

A group of people followed suit, paying respects to Consort De: “Greetings to Consort De.”

“Rise, today we celebrate together; no need for such formalities,” she said.

Lian Hua’s eyes sparkled as she watched the people arriving. She feigned performing a slow, half-hearted bow, which Consort De, who had moved closer, supported with a hand, giving her a teasing look that instantly made her beam with joy.

After the exchanges of bows were complete, Xiao Linzi rejoined his group, and Xiao Jizi quietly asked if everything had been said. Xiao Linzi nodded his head; he had searched a great deal before finding Consort De, and was a bit delayed, but now that he was here, Xiao Jizi felt relieved.

Consort De examined Lian Hua and, seeing that she was all right and noticing the arrow she held in her hand, found it somewhat amusing. “How many rounds have you thrown, and how many golden melon seeds have you won?” she asked.

This was the program she had specifically prepared for her sister.

Indeed, for this Longevity Feast, Consort Xu De had taken so much trouble simply because she felt that Lian Hua had been confined to Canglan Court for too long and wanted her to have fun during the celebration, hence the elaborate arrangements.

Speaking of golden melon seeds, Lian Hua, looking visibly upset, glanced outside and whispered, “It’s the third round now, ah… only five seeds.”

Not a single one when Cui Laner hadn’t come, four before Beauty Zhao and the others arrived, and none after the Noble Consort came, ah… truly star-crossed, a long and arduous task!

Consort De raised an eyebrow, scanned the surroundings, and then understood—it was these people disturbing her sister in the game of throwing arrows!

Looking at Lian Hua’s worried face, she couldn’t help but laugh and pinched her cheek, praising, “Not bad, child, hitting five is quite good.” She knew that Lian Hua had never played this game before.

Lian Hua’s face immediately lit up with joy, feeling quite proud, indeed she did well; although she took some detours at the beginning, she did hit the target with every arrow afterward!

She really wanted to boast to Consort De, but the current scene was not suitable. Remembering something, she tugged at Consort De’s sleeve and asked, “Sister, how come you are here? You are so busy, there really was no need…” The most important thing was not to delay Sister Consort De.

Consort De soothingly patted Lian Hua’s hand and said, “How could I not come when someone is bullying you?” This statement did not lower in volume and was clearly heard by everyone present.

Cui Laner’s heart began to race. Surely she wouldn’t pursue this further?

Thinking of Consort De’s style, she couldn’t help but feel scared and quickly raised her head, only to meet Consort De’s gaze, making a chill rise up her spine, as she involuntarily took a step back.

“What a deep sisterly bond!” The Noble Consort coldly observed from the side as Consort De and Beauty Lian spoke as if no one else was present, interrupting them with a snort.

In the palace, where true feelings were rare, the Noble Consort always found the close bond between Consort De and Lian Hua particularly irritating.

“Not bad at all,” Lian Hua waved her hand nonchalantly, naturally accepting the praise, and smilingly turned to the Noble Consort: “Didn’t Consort say that we are all sisters here? How could we not be close?”

Noble Consort choked and burst into fury, Canglan Court remembered too well!

Consort De laughed with a “puff” and gently tapped Lian Hua’s nose, “Naughty. It’s actually Noble Consort and Consort Liu who share a deep sisterly bond. Just a few days ago, when Consort Liu was seriously ill, as soon as Noble Consort visited, Consort Liu immediately got better.”

“How miraculous,” Lian Hua exclaimed, her eyes wide, unable to deny, “That still proves that Noble Consort and Consort Liu share an even deeper bond.”

Noble Consort was uncontrollably angry, feeling a fiery rage burning inside her. She wanted to lash out desperately to suppress it even a bit; blood rushed to her head, causing a faint headache. She tensed up, her hand uncontrollably trembling slightly—that feeling came again, this time she genuinely felt irritable and tyrannical, this wasn’t her!

Realizing this change, she was extremely horrified and her expression shifted subtly.

“What’s the matter? Noble Consort has been sitting down all this time, could it be that you are feeling unwell?” Consort Xu De keenly sensed something was off, looked over, and, seeing no reaction, added, “Indeed, I’ve heard from the Imperial Medical Bureau that Consort has been taking quite a few medicinal soups these days, you must take good care of your health.”

Lian Hua suddenly understood, no wonder—she knew something was off. Noble Consort had been refusing to get down, and just now she was so frightening; thanks to Noble Consort, it was her first time seeing someone self-harm.

No longer intent on arguing, Noble Consort anxiously wanted to know if there was something wrong with her body. She coldly glanced at Lian Hua and Consort Xu De, her gaze skipping Beauty Zhao, and without further delay, ordered her bearers to carry her away.

Everyone watched her leave.

Only then did a hint of cold intent emerge in Changzai Zhou’s eyes, and Beauty Zhao became restless.

Kong Yinyin stared blankly as she left; the scene had felt like a dream. The Noble Consort had always been a lofty presence to her, but just now… she couldn’t help but look up at Lian Hua. Beauty Lian faced off against the Noble Consort and unexpectedly did not falter.

Feeling someone’s gaze, Lian Hua turned her head and saw it was Kong Yinyin; she smiled warmly, “Did Xiao Yinyi get scared?”

Kong Yinyin looked down in fluster, shook her head, and after a while, said almost inaudibly, “Thank you.”

Lian Hua’s eyes narrowed with a smile. She turned her head back to see Consort Xu De looking thoughtful, gazing in the direction Noble Consort had left, seemingly pondering something.

Consort Xu De felt that something was amiss. This was not in Noble Consort’s character, and after pondering for a while, she couldn’t figure it out. Just as she was about to divert her gaze, she saw someone with their head bowed, carefully following behind Noble Consort’s sedan, trying extremely hard to minimize their presence, already a distance away.

Thinking they could escape after bullying her sister, how wishful!

She curled her lips into a smile, gesturing to her side, “Go, bring that Lady Cui to me.”

“Yes, Consort,” two attendants emerged and immediately headed towards Cui Laner.

Lian Hua followed the gaze, “Sister, Noble Consort just punished her, can we still… cough, do that? Wouldn’t that be against the rules? If it would make it difficult for sister, let’s not bother about it, it’s nothing.”

Consort Xu De laughed heartily, holding back from patting her head, “She was punished, but isn’t she yet to learn her manners? Today, I myself will teach her a lesson, she doesn’t need to be grateful, having her learn a lesson for the future will do, sister is only looking out for her.”

Lian Hua’s eyes brightened; she liked this direct, confrontational style, and with a giggling nod, praised in a seemingly virtuous manner, saying Consort Xu De was truly too hardworking, breaking her heart over the people of the Harem.