Chapter 358: Chapter 358 Kidnapping for Blackmail (2)
"Oh, that’s right, being but the daughter of a merchant, her manners are indeed unsatisfactory. Apart from using seductive arts to entice people, coupled with the stench of greed, it’s hard to say what else she’s capable of," Luo Qianxiang said with a contemptuous gaze, scanning Consort Lian up and down.
"Xiang Consort, you must not bully too much. Although I was born in a merchant family, I am also a consort personally appointed by His Majesty. By speaking so, could it be that you are questioning the Emperor’s decision?" she said, on the verge of tears, her large eyes watery and both aggrieved and defiant as she looked towards Luo Qianxiang.
"Do not spout nonsense. When have I ever questioned the Emperor’s decision?" she said, flustering and pointing at Consort Lian with a trembling finger.
"So many people have heard you. Do you still want to deny it?" she said, holding a handkerchief and lightly covering her slapped cheek, a side glance catching sight of the bright yellow attire of servants approaching from the corner of the garden. Lowering her eyelids, her eyes moved slightly, and her lips curled up with an eerie smirk.
"You, don’t be too aggressive," said Xiang Consort, her face deathly pale without a trace of color, her chest heaving violently.
Consort Lian shifted her body slightly to block Consort Xuan’s line of sight, lifted her eyes, raised her eyebrows, and watched Xiang Consort with a cold, mocking smile.
Seeing this, Xiang Consort realized she was doing it deliberately, and without thinking, she slapped Consort Lian again. Consort Lian lost her balance, toppled over the stone bridge, and fell into the icy lake.
Seeing this, the chief palace maid Xiaoxi screamed, "Someone, come quickly! Consort Lian has fallen into the lake!"
As soon as the Emperor stepped onto the bridge, he saw Xiang Consort slap Consort Lian into the lake: "What are you doing?"
Xiang Consort and Consort Xuan, hearing the voice from behind, turned around to see the Emperor approaching furiously, and they both quickly knelt down: "This servant pays respect to the Emperor; may the Emperor be in good health."
The Emperor stepped past them and looked towards the lake, seeing Consort Lian splashing back and forth in the water, seemingly slowly sinking deeper.
The Emperor turned towards the stunned people onshore and roared in anger, "Hurry and save her! If Consort Lian dies, you all will be buried with her."
Upon hearing the threat of being buried alive, people onshore plunged into the water, one after another, to rescue her, fearing that a delay might bring disaster upon themselves.
The eunuchs saved her and, under the direction of Eunuch Shi, carried her back to Moon Fairy Palace and summoned people to go to the Imperial Medical Bureau to call all the Imperial Physicians for treatment at Moon Fairy Palace.
After the people were sent away, the Emperor turned back to look at the two on the ground: "Xiang Consort, you’d better pray that Consort Lian is unharmed, otherwise, hmph..." He flicked his robe and strode away.
Xiang Consort raised her head to watch the Emperor’s retreating figure, her mouth opening as if to say something, but in the end, said nothing.
Consort Xuan did not only fail to understand but actually understood far more. She patted on her back and looked towards the palace maid standing by, "Help your mistress back to her palace and take good care of her."
"Yes, Consort Xuan," the maids replied, supporting their mistress and slowly walking away.
Inside Moon Fairy Palace, the palace maids went in and out several times before they managed to change Consort Lian’s wet clothes for clean, dry ones. The Imperial Physician felt her pulse and frowned as he discussed what prescription to make.
"How is it, how is Consort Lian?" he had just entered Moon Fairy Palace and saw the Imperial Physicians whispering outside the hall.
