Chapter 278: Chapter 279: Don’t Act Rashly

After Lady Liang left, the Emperor also departed from the Imperial Study Room.

He took the Dragon Carriage to Consort Liu’s residence.

Consort Liu personally helped the Emperor change his robes, feigning curiosity as she asked.

"I heard Your Majesty has named that Desert Pearl of Xiliang as Lady Liang?"

The Emperor gave a casual "Mm."

Consort Liu helped him remove the golden dragon crown from his head, replacing it with a simple, elegant jade hairpin.

After changing his clothes, the Emperor felt much more relaxed.

He sat leisurely on the soft couch and took the hot tea Consort Liu offered him.

Consort Liu leaned in close, her eyes filled with affection, her smile enchanting.

"But didn’t Princess Longzhu have her eyes on Prince Zhao? How could Your Majesty steal his love away?"

The Emperor chuckled. "It’s not like Prince Zhao likes her."

Consort Liu said, "But everyone knows she was smitten with Prince Zhao. By suddenly naming her Lady Liang, I’m afraid some people might get the wrong idea."

The Emperor was unconcerned. "Let them."

’He truly didn’t care what others thought. After all, none of them would dare to spout nonsense in his presence.’

’In time, new gossip would emerge, and the matter of Princess Longzhu would naturally fade from people’s minds.’

Consort Liu pouted her red lips slightly, feigning a jealous tone.

"To bring the Desert Pearl into your harem, Your Majesty doesn’t even care what others say. It seems Your Majesty is truly fond of her."

Her words sounded sour, clearly dripping with jealousy.

In truth, however, she was using this as an opportunity to probe, wanting to see why the Emperor had suddenly made Princess Longzhu a concubine.

’Is there some hidden motive behind this?’

The Emperor stroked her cheek, his tone full of mock exasperation. "You, you’re just so prone to jealousy."

Consort Liu waited a moment, but no further explanation came. She knew the Emperor had no intention of explaining his reasons for making Princess Longzhu a concubine.

Though disappointed, she let none of it show on her face, continuing to feign a jealous pout as she sulked by the Emperor’s side.

The Emperor was in a relatively good mood this time and was happy to humor her.

Why did he suddenly decide to make Princess Longzhu a concubine? Was it because he liked her?

’Of course not.’

’Princess Longzhu was indeed attractive, but to an Emperor with three thousand concubines, the most beautiful face was nothing more than a shell.’

’Beneath that shell, her personality was actually terrible, and she had a mountain of flaws.’

’Leaving such a spoiled, willful, and reckless little princess to run wild outside, who knew how much trouble she would cause.’

’It was better to bring her into the harem. That would prevent her from causing trouble outside—a permanent solution.’

The Imperial Palace, in the eyes of outsiders, was a magnificent and sacred place.

But those who truly lived here knew it was more like a gilded cage.

Once locked inside, one could never hope to escape.

’Besides, the purpose of the Xiliang Delegation’s trip was a marriage alliance anyway.’

’By doing this, the Emperor had fulfilled their goal. Both sides were satisfied; a happy outcome for all.’

’As for how Princess Longzhu would fare in the palace in the future?’

’That would depend on her.’

’If she knew what was good for her, she might be able to live out her life in peace.’

’Otherwise, there would be plenty of suffering in store for her.’

...

When Li Ji heard Princess Longzhu call herself Lady Liang, he raised a long eyebrow and glanced at the guard beside him.

The guard hurriedly explained, "The Saint just named Princess Longzhu as Lady Liang."

Lady Liang lifted her chin slightly, her expression arrogant.

’I’ll show this man before me. Even if he won’t marry me, I can find a better match.’

’Go on and regret it, you foolish Prince Zhao!’

Hua Manman didn’t care what the other woman’s status had become. Right now, her only thought was to avenge the birth mother of this body.

She took a step forward, staring intently at Lady Liang as she asked.

"Did you hire someone to injure my mother?"

Lady Liang played dumb. "What are you talking about? I don’t understand."

Hua Manman said, "We’ve already found the man you hired. If you truly have a clear conscience, you can confront him face-to-face."

Lady Liang’s gaze flickered, and her words were evasive.

"Are you joking? As one of the Saint’s concubines, how could I meet freely with another man? Let alone a confrontation! That’s absurd!"

Hua Manman pressed, "Is it that you don’t dare?"

No matter how hard Hua Manman pressed, Lady Liang denied it to the death.

’In any case, I’m the Emperor’s concubine now. Even Prince Zhao can’t do anything to me.’

At this thought, Lady Liang grew even more smug.

’It seems my decision to enter the palace as a concubine was a very wise one. It’s helped me avoid this mess perfectly.’

Li Ji heard her thoughts.

He couldn’t be bothered to waste any more time on this stupid woman. He gave a direct order to Chen Wangbei, who was standing behind him.

"Seize her."

Without hesitation, Chen Wangbei acted. Before anyone else could react, he grabbed Lady Liang’s arms, forced them behind her back, and pressed down on the nape of her neck, forcing her to bow her head.

Forced to bow, Lady Liang shrieked in panic.

"What are you doing? I am Lady Liang, personally titled by the Saint! How dare you lay a hand on me? Aren’t you afraid the Saint will punish you?!"

Li Ji sneered. "I forgot to tell you. I hold an Iron Certificate, bestowed by the Saint himself. No matter what crime I commit, as long as it isn’t treason or rebellion, I cannot be punished."

Lady Liang was stunned.

She had never imagined that Prince Zhao possessed something like an Iron Certificate.

No wonder he could be so fearless!

Lady Liang completely panicked. Her previously haughty demeanor vanished, and her pretty little face turned deathly pale.

The Xiliang guards she had brought were all stopped outside the palace. The guards with her now were all members of the Flying Dragon Cavalry.

The Flying Dragon Cavalry knew Prince Zhao was the type who feared nothing. They didn’t dare to cross him, so they could only verbally advise him to calm down. In reality, not a single one of them moved to save her.

Li Ji looked at Hua Manman and asked.

"How do you want to deal with this woman?"

Isolated and helpless, Lady Liang trembled in fear, on the verge of tears.

She shouted with all her might.

"You can’t do this to me! I’m not just the Saint’s concubine, I’m a Commandery Princess of Xiliang! I’m the King of Xiliang’s own niece! If you lay a hand on me, the Western Liang Country will not let this go!"

Hua Manman ignored her shouts and turned to the man beside her to say,

"I want to do it myself."

Li Ji gestured for her to do as she pleased.

Hua Manman’s gaze on Lady Liang was glacial.

Lady Liang subconsciously tried to defend herself. "What happened to your mother has nothing to do with me! Don’t do anything rash!"

Hua Manman found a rock in a nearby flowerbed.

She walked up to Lady Liang with the rock in her hand and said coldly,

"You caused my mother a head injury, so I’m going to put a hole in your head. An eye for an eye. Only then will it be fair."

With that, she raised her hand and viciously smashed the rock against Lady Liang’s forehead!

Lady Liang screamed in pain as blood streamed endlessly from her temple. Some of it trickled into her eyes.

Her world seemed to turn scarlet.

Then, her eyes rolled back, and she fainted.