Consort Kang was blessed with sudden inspiration and excitedly pointed at Huo Luo, saying: “Prince Huo Luo’s father is the Golden Blade King, so Prince Huo Luo will be the future Golden Blade King! Your Majesty, am I not correct?”
Noble Consort De immediately glared at Consort Kang with sharp eyes, while Consort Kang smiled triumphantly with incomparable charm.
Consort Lian, who had remained silent, also understood and quickly said: “Sister Consort Kang speaks correctly, Your Majesty. Don’t you think so?”
Being able to make Noble Consort De lose a daughter-in-law of noble status while currying favor before Qin Shuying—how could Consort Lian not add insult to injury?
Luo Meixiang’s lips trembled as she observed Emperor Delong’s expression, then saw Noble Consort De nod slightly. Her heart immediately turned ashen.
Liang Qiong was the Flower Fairy destined to become empress, Huo Luo happened to be destined to become king in the future, Huo Luo came seeking to marry a princess, and Emperor Delong ennobled Liang Qiong as Princess Fuqing…
Who was it that had designed this so seamlessly!
In a short time, countless thoughts raced through her mind, and she knew the situation was lost. If she persisted, Emperor Delong was not one to be easily reasoned with, and his thunderous wrath would be unbearable for anyone.
Finally, Luo Meixiang reluctantly kowtowed in gratitude: “Many thanks to Your Majesty for ennobling Qiong’er as Princess Fuqing! This subject’s wife expresses gratitude!”
From the main seats at a distance, Qin Shuying couldn’t hear their conversation but could see it all.
She picked up a cup of tea and took a light sip. How had Liang Zhe persuaded Huo Luo to request Liang Qiong’s hand from Emperor Delong?
She pondered this carefully.
Liang Zhe had finally made his move, and what a ruthless strike it was!
He truly was no benevolent person.
Emperor Delong issued two decrees on the spot—one ennobling Liang Qiong as Princess Fuqing, and another granting marriage between Liang Qiong and Huo Luo.
Huo Luo expressed gratitude on the spot, and the medicinal ointment happened to arrive just then. Emperor Delong had it sent to Liang Qiong, while Consort Kang and Consort Lian continuously congratulated Luo Meixiang.
With singing, dancing, and universal joy, everyone smiled—but no one knew how bitter Luo Meixiang’s smile was.
Suddenly, she directed her gaze toward Liang Zhe, who stood not far behind Emperor Delong. Liang Zhe—it must be Liang Zhe!
Besides Liang Zhe, who else would oppose her?!
It must be this bastard!
It must be!
…
As soon as the banquet ended, Luo Meixiang hurriedly returned to Liang Qiong’s room.
Liang Qiong lay on the bed while her personal maid Bizhu knelt on the ground, gently consoling her: “Miss, although this came from that Prince Huo Luo, it’s still considered an imperial gift from His Majesty. If you don’t use it, it would be the crime of disrespect… Madam, you’ve returned!”
Bizhu held a crystal-clear bottle in her hands. Seeing Luo Meixiang, her eyes immediately lit up as she stood. Luo Jinniang was also nearby, looking both worried and bewildered.
Luo Meixiang knew that Liang Qiong definitely wouldn’t want to use this ointment because it came from Prince Huo Luo.
Hearing Bizhu say Luo Meixiang had returned, Liang Qiong struggled to sit up, mumbling words through her mouth: “…don’t want…”
Luo Meixiang sat on the edge of the bed: “Qiong’er, listen to Mother—apply the ointment first, then we’ll talk.”
Liang Qiong continued whimpering, her body twisting in refusal to apply the ointment.
Luo Meixiang knew Liang Qiong couldn’t bear such a blow—she couldn’t bear it either. “It’s all that bastard Liang Zhe’s doing! Qiong’er, we cannot admit defeat. We must make him die without a burial place!”
Unable to speak, Liang Qiong strained to open her eyes wide, but due to facial swelling, they were compressed to mere slits, making her appear quite bizarre and laughable.
Luo Meixiang was so angry that her entire face became twisted. Her originally peerless beauty appeared fierce and malevolent: “Don’t worry, Mother will definitely help you vent this anger! Doesn’t he fancy Qin Shuying? Hmph…”
Luo Meixiang’s cold laugh was incomparably sinister and terrifying.
As the two were talking, a maid’s announcement came from outside: “Paying respects to Princess Fu’an!”
Luo Meixiang was startled. Princess Fu’an had already entered, her entire face radiant with joy: “Marchioness Liang is here too—how quickly you returned! It seems you couldn’t wait to come back and tell Second Miss Liang this joyous news. From now on, I’ll have another elder sister—what good fortune! Haha…”
Luo Meixiang suppressed her anger and replied calmly: “Your Highness is too kind.”
Princess Fu’an giggled several times and leaned close to Liang Qiong, making amazed “tsk tsk” sounds: “I wonder how Prince Huo Luo knew that Princess Fuqing possessed such stunning talent and beauty that he directly petitioned Father Emperor. Ah, if he were to see Princess Fuqing’s current appearance, I wonder if he would still be so enamored? I heard that the several concubines he brought from Huerhan are also extraordinarily beautiful, with an exotic charm different from us Great Zhou people.”
Liang Qiong was so angry her teeth chattered.
Someone else entered from outside: “Madam, Noble Consort De has arrived.”
Luo Meixiang steadied herself and stood up, seeing Noble Consort De, Consort Kang, and Consort Lian entering one after another.
Noble Consort De brought many rewards, which felt indescribably uncomfortable to Luo Meixiang’s eyes.
Noble Consort De’s expression was calm, while Consort Kang and Consort Lian were beaming with joy, speaking endless congratulations. Luo Meixiang had no choice but to feign delight and repeatedly express gratitude.
Consort Kang and Consort Lian thoroughly “visited” Liang Qiong, speaking enough sarcastically veiled words before finally departing with Princess Fu’an.
Just as Noble Consort De was about to speak privately with Luo Meixiang, many noble ladies arrived in succession to offer congratulations.
With the endless stream of visitors, Luo Meixiang and Noble Consort De never managed to speak alone. By the time night fell and exhaustion set in, Noble Consort De had left, but Luo Meixiang was still entertaining these noble ladies.
Each of them wore strange smiles on their faces.
After finally closing the main door, Luo Meixiang was nearly mad with rage, but she was already exhausted beyond measure—she lacked even the strength to curse.
These women who came to watch her humiliation—she wouldn’t spare a single one!
Of course they were happy—with Liang Qiong as Huo Luo’s wife, their own daughters were spared!
Liang Qiong’s entire body was painful, itchy, and swollen—this was the most unbearably miserable day of her fifteen years.
Moreover, looking so hideous, she had been thoroughly viewed by these noble ladies under various clever pretexts!
Luo Jinniang had been in extreme terror from afternoon until now. By evening, she truly couldn’t endure anymore and went to sleep.
Early the next morning, Luo Meixiang had Luo Jinniang summoned: “Jinniang, you didn’t handle yesterday’s matter well. I’m giving you a chance to redeem yourself through merit. Are you willing?”
Luo Jinniang stared blankly.
Luo Meixiang said: “I know you very much want to become Liu Junqing’s legitimate wife. Don’t worry, I’ll help you achieve this wish.”
Luo Jinniang was overjoyed: “Aunt, is this true?”
“Of course. This matter is actually quite simple. As long as Princess Fu’an has an affair with Prince Huo Luo, she’ll have no choice but to marry Huo Luo. That way, you can become Liu Junqing’s legitimate wife, and Qiong’er won’t have to marry Huo Luo. Killing two birds with one stone—don’t you think?”
Luo Jinniang nodded: “Aunt, what do you need me to do?”
“Have you noticed something?”
“What?”
“Liu Junqing actually cares very much about Qin Shuying.”
Luo Jinniang bit her lower lip. She didn’t want to admit it, but her feelings forced her to acknowledge it.
It was a strange feeling unique to women.