Hongtang was truly furious. The Princess Consort had already suffered enough; her husband was such a good man and had left this world so early. Now, even when going out to relieve so stress, she encounters such misfortune. What kind of matter was this?
As the maid beside Long Yue, Hongtang was filled with righteous indignation, feeling the need to stand up and reason.
But as soon as she spoke, the opposite maid imdiately mocked her with a sneering smile.
"Hahaha, it’s really laughable. My master is Princess Ding’an, her status is noble! You say I have no right to reprimand you?"
After the maid finished speaking, she marched up boldly and raised her hand to slap Hongtang across the face.
Hongtang did not expect her to act so suddenly and was caught off guard, receiving a solid slap on the face.
She covered her right cheek, which was red and burning, looking at her in shock and sha: "You..."
"Smack!"
Another sound echoed in the air, and the maid rudely slapped Hongtang again.
This maid seed to be adept at slapping others; her movents were precise and harsh, leaving Hongtang’s cheeks red and swollen, evoking sympathy.
"What, unwilling to submit? Haha, look at your master, does she dare to co out and speak for you?"
The maid looked arrogantly at Long Yue, noting how simply dressed she was, without many jewel pins indicating status—certainly from a humble background. Soone like her would never dare to challenge her master.
Thus, the maid beca even more audacious, preparing to give Hongtang a few more slaps when suddenly a fierce shout ca from afar: "Presumptuous, how dare you!"
With the shout, accompanied by the sound of horses’ hooves, several noble young n rode over, and one dismounted, standing in front of Long Yue.
The unexpected arrival was none other than Chang Yao!
As Chang Yao approached, he first glanced at the expressionless Long Yue, then turned his cold gaze towards the maid, as if looking at a corpse.
The maid sensed the atmosphere was wrong, and only then did she feel guilty and afraid. anwhile, the commotion grew, prompting Princess Ding’an to slowly descend from her carriage.
"Lian Xiang, what happened?"
Princess Ding’an wore a goose-yellow skirt, adorned with gold and silver, even hanging two South Sea pearls around her neck, looking luxurious and brilliant—starkly contrasting with Long Yue’s simple appearance.
As she appeared, she surveyed the surroundings, finally setting her gaze on Chang Yao, with a gleam in her eyes.
"So it’s the third young master of the Chang Family."
Princess Ding’an smiled softly and perford a curtsy, her manners dignified, naturally eliciting goodwill. However, Long Yue stood by watching coldly.
This Princess Ding’an, she had heard much about, mostly from Yang Zhuoya. Her father was Duke Dingguo, a founding hero during the establishnt of Dazhou, granted hereditary nobility and domain in the Huainan area. Princess Ding’an’s father was already the seventh generation.
Though the family no longer enjoyed the past glory, the title remained, so no one dared to be disrespectful.
But now, the current Duke Dingguo, despite possessing average martial arts and an ordinary career with no significant position, his daughter, Princess Ding’an, had grown close to Empress Dowager Xue.
No, she should not now be called Empress Dowager, but rather Grand Empress Dowager.
Grand Empress Dowager Xue seed to have retreated completely after the Chen Country remnants incident, no longer participating in any court disputes, nor contending with Qi Yun, acting as if she had learned to behave.
But Long Yue felt she was not that kind of person.
A woman with inherent ambition, how could she give up power so easily?
If you let a snake live, it will certainly cause trouble!
She was rely lying dormant before, waiting for a more opportune mont. Now, Qi Yun was heartbroken over Li Qingmu’s death and had abdicated to allow talent. She appeared to be stirring again, otherwise Princess Ding’an from afar in Huainan wouldn’t have co to Capital City.
With a new monarch cos a new set of courtiers, Qi Junlian ascending the throne; as an Emperor, he would certainly both elevate and solicit so, suppress and demote others. Hence, the Yunshui Building peach blossom festival banquet this ti.
If Long Yue’s suspicions were correct, this banquet would redefine court power dynamics!
Moreover, Long Yue noticed Princess Ding’an seed to have so interest in Chang Yao.
Being experienced, she could clearly see the charm in the young girl’s brows. Alas, the falling flower desired, but the flowing water was unfeeling; Chang Yao’s gaze at her was calm, without any ripples.
He coldly faced the lively girl and said, "Princess Ding’an, your maid has exceeded boundaries and acted unreasonably!"
The maid opened her mouth, wanting to speak, but facing the third young master of the Chang Family—a century-old family—how could a maid dare to provoke him, so she remained silent, looking plaintively at Princess Ding’an.
Princess Ding’an rely smiled and said, "What does Young Master Chang an by these words?"
Chang Yao said, "This is the Princess Consort Mu. Your maid thus insulting soone close to the Princess Consort Mu is disrespecting the Imperial Family!"
It’s commonly said that one must consider the owner when hitting a dog; among ordinary noblewon, hitting or scolding their maids might be overlooked. But this is a Princess Consort! A dignified princess’s attendant cannot be humiliated and beaten so casually.
Instantly, upon hearing the plainly dressed woman in front of her was indeed a Princess Consort, the maid nad Lian Xiang turned pale with fright!
Her body quivered and she knelt on the ground.
"Spare , Princess Consort, spare ! It was a misjudgnt on my part; I beg for rcy!"
She desperately banged her head on the ground until her forehead bled, just imploring Long Yue to forgive her.
Princess Ding’an’s face changed too, a Princess Consort?
This seemingly average woman with so charm was actually a Princess Consort?
Moreover, who was Princess Consort Mu?
She had never heard of her!
It was understandable that Princess Ding’an hadn’t heard of Long Yue; after all, she had just returned from Huainan, with her mories remaining from those earlier tis in the Capital City.
Dazhou was rather strict in conferring rits; so people rightly deserved elevation but the court feared title inflation, keeping it suppressed until significant accomplishnts were achieved for promotion.
A Princess Consort indicated a prince had been granted a new title, but given Qi Yun’s nature, it was impossible for him to newly title anyone as a prince; anything to be given was already done years prior.
Though she didn’t know where this Princess Consort Mu had erged from, being a Princess Consort ant being a mber of the Imperial Family; Chang Yao wouldn’t lie.
Thus, Princess Ding’an had no choice but to salute Long Yue.
"Greetings, Princess Consort Mu."
Long Yue looked at her indifferently; she perford her curtsy ticulously, without a flaw, yet her eyes betrayed her disdain.
"Enough." Long Yue said blandly, seeing Princess Ding’an rise to speak, she imdiately interrupted, "This maid is disrespectful to the Princess Consort and should be punished!"
Therefore, Princess Ding’an’s face turned imdiately!
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