“You hate being treated like this by others?” Pei Qianhao chuckled softly. Then, he released her chin. His right hand hooked her slender waist while he slowly lowered his head.
A handsome face exuding a demonic aura was slowly approaching hers, his scalding breath brushing against the side of her face. The scenes from the woods beside the Palace Side Quarters instantly engulfed her mind.
When she saw that he was getting increasingly closer, Su Xi-er turned her head away and raised her hands, wanting to push him away fiercely.
However, the more she wanted to break away, the closer he got to her.
“Su Xi-er, you’re scared of this prince?” His words were full of a demonic aura. Pei Qianhao’s left hand securely held her arms in place as he forced her to the corner.
Just as Pei Qianhao kneaded her left wrist, he knew that something was wrong.
Su Xi-er was completely unable to retaliate with the thin and weak state of her body. Not long after, her left hand was raised and pressed against the wall by him.
“This type of medicinal powder…” Pei Qianhao moved closer to have a sniff and the refreshing smell wafted into his nose.
All of a sudden, he raised the corner of his lips and smiled unrestrainedly in a devilish manner. “Your wrist had sustained an injury before. Moreover, it’s not a light one. This type of medicinal powder is specialised for treating sprains, especially bone displacement.”
Su Xi-er pursed her lips tightly and lowered her head. When she raised her head again, there were already tears in her eyes. “Old Maidservant Zhao secretly punished this servant by flogging. This led to my bones dislocating.”
“Oh?” His intonation rose, obviously not believing her.
“Prince Hao, if you don’t believe it, you can go and ask Old Maidservant Zhao.” Su Xi-er was already starting to weep in a low voice, appearing very delicate and pitiful.
Pei Qianhao’s brow was creased. Why did she instantly become like this?
He released her, but continued to fix his gaze upon her. “This prince is asking you, who set your bones in your wrist for you after they were dislocated?”
Su Xi-er bit her lips as teardrops trickled down her cheeks. She was currently the most adept in acting. “Old Maidservant Zhao meted out punishment privately. However, the palace rules dictate that when an old maidservant punishes a palace maid under her administration, there must be a reason. In order to prevent others from noticing, Old Maidservant Zhao instructed a palace maid who has some medical skills to set my bones.”
“Who bestowed the medicinal powder on your hand to you?” Pei Qianhao asked again.
“The Third Imperial Prince.” This is the truth. As for how Situ Li and Pei Qianhao contend, that doesn’t concern me.
Her words resulted in Pei Qianhao chuckling. “This medicinal powder is not an ordinary medication. Only people of a noble status can use it. Since he cares so much about you, could it be that he wants to marry you as his imperial princess consort?”
Su Xi-er purposely pretended to panic. “This servant doesn’t dare.”
Pei Qianhao glanced at her and walked towards the room door without saying anything.
“Prince Hao, if you directly go out from this servant’s room, that’s not too good, right…”
“When it comes to something this prince wants to do, I never consider others. Even if I walk out, which palace maid would dare to speak about this prince?” His words were full of domineering arrogance and nobility that seeped into his bones.
Su Xi-er didn’t speak and watched him walk out.
However, Pei Qianhao didn’t leave, instead summoning Old Maidservant Zhao to the courtyard of the Palace Side Quarters.
All of the palace maids held their breaths and watched with rapt attention. Beimin’s number one handsome man, the incomparably respectable Prince Hao, is standing right in the courtyard of the Palace Side Quarters! They were all very excited and wanted very much to raise their heads to have a glimpse of him.
However, as soon as they mustered up their courage to glance at him, they forcibly lowered their heads again, not daring to look at him at all.
Old Maidservant Zhao was punished to kneel on the ground. The atmosphere was heavy and Prince Hao’s overbearing might seeped out, weighing down on everyone and fiercely frightening every one of them.
“You meted out punishment in private and hurt Su Xi-er?” Pei Qianhao’s voice was cold and stern.
“This old servant, this old servant…” The cold aura exuding from Prince Hao terrified her so much that she was dumbstruck.
Right at this moment, Su Xi-er came out from the room. “Old Maidservant Zhao, why do you not admit to what you have done? This servant won’t blame you. It must have been that this servant did something wrong and made you unhappy.”
Old Maidservant Zhao was perplexed. What is this lass talking rubbish about!
Just as she opened her mouth to explain, Old Maidservant Zhao saw Prince Hao shooting daggers at her with his frosty look. In a split second, she recalled the words Su Xi-er had told her.
“I have a backer…”
If Prince Hao isn’t Su Xi-er’s backer, why would he be so concerned when she’s injured?
But I didn’t secretly mete out personal punishment on Su Xi-er!
The palace maids standing at the side had their heads lowered and didn’t even dare to breathe. Hong Li felt delighted yet afraid in her heart.
I saw Prince Hao walk out of Su Xi-er’s room just now! It looks like I have gambled on the right person! I want to follow Su Xi-er forever!
“Prince Hao, please investigate thoroughly. This old servant…”
Su Xi-er immediately interrupted her. “Old Maidservant Zhao, if you admit, perhaps Prince Hao will be lenient with his punishment.”
Her words caused Pei Qianhao’s ice-cold gaze to immediately lock onto her. She’s pressuring Old Maidservant Zhao.
The injury on her wrist might not have been caused by Old Maidservant Zhao, but was instead broken by me in the woods beside the Palace Side Quarters that night.
Old Maidservant Zhao understood the meaning behind Su Xi-er’s words at once. She was certain that Su Xi-er was Prince Hao’s person.
What should I do? He Ying is not here. Besides, the Empress Dowager’s power can’t be compared to Prince Hao’s!
Should I change sides now and lean towards Su Xi-er? Is there still time?
Old Maidservant Zhao was at a complete loss. She raised her head to look at Prince Hao again. He didn’t speak, but just the expression in his eyes alone could kill.
“Prince Hao…” Old Maidservant Zhao began to reply, but was interrupted by Pei Qianhao.
“Yes or no?” The sense of oppression was getting more intense, almost suffocating Old Maidservant Zhao.
In the end, she looked at Su Xi-er and saw a trace of gentleness flashed across the recesses of the latter’s eyes.
If I change sides at the last minute, will Su Xi-er pardon me?
Old Maidservant Zhao weighed her options and finally came to a decision. She laid prostrated on the ground and implored, “Su Xi-er slacked off and didn’t scrub the chamber pots, thus this old servant punished her. I used a plank to beat her but caused her wrist to be sprained due to using too much strength. After that, this old servant…”
“Secretly sent someone to set her bones?” Pei Qianhao’s tone was flat, making Old Maidservant Zhao unable to distinguish his mood.
“Yes.” Old Maidservant Zhao had no choice but to nod.
“Very well. Someone!” As soon as Pei Qianhao called out, Wu Ling appeared from his secret hiding place.
“Paying my respects to Prince Hao.”
“Take Old Maidservant Zhao away and punish her severely.” His tone was calm but full of intimidation.
Old Maidservant Zhao’s legs went limp. She constantly cast glances at Su Xi-er.
Su Xi-er took advantage of a moment when Pei Qianhao was not paying attention to her and nodded at Old Maidservant Zhao.
Old Maidservant Zhao thought that she would save her and no longer resisted, allowing the imperial guards to drag her out.
She didn’t know that Su Xi-er was placating her temporarily, having no intention to save her at all.
Pei Qianhao glanced at Su Xi-er. “Your wrist injury is very timely. This prince twisted and broke an audacious woman’s wrist in the woods beside the Palace Side Quarters; coincidentally also on the left hand.”
“This servant also hopes that you will capture the audacious woman who ambushed you as soon as possible, Prince Hao.” Su Xi-er bowed and spoke deferentially.
“Is that so? What about your delicate and pitiful appearance from before?”
“Prince Hao, you punished Old Maidservant Zhao according to the rules. This servant doesn’t feel wronged in my heart anymore. I am sincerely grateful now.”
Pei Qianhao burst into laughter. Every palace maid heard what he said. “If you are sincerely grateful, what about following this prince to the Beauty Palace?”
