After an unknown period, just as Lu Jingning thought she would collapse, a maidservant emerged. "Our Crown Princess has awoken. Please follow me."
Lu Jingning gritted her teeth, straightened her body with effort, and asked hesitantly, "Please trouble you, little sister."
The maidservant nodded slightly, acknowledging Lu Jingning.
Luo Wanqing had not rested. During the time she kept Lu Jingning and the others waiting, she had been making medicine, and had finally succeeded.
"Greetings to the Crown Princess," Lu Jingning and her entourage humbly performed a grand salute.
Luo Wanqing nodded, "You are excused. I did not expect your visit. What brings you here?"
Seeing that she feigned ignorance of their purpose, Lu Jingning honestly recounted the events, apologized to Luo Wanqing, and begged for her forgiveness.
Luo Wanqing sneered, "Madam Qin is truly skilled. If I did not have someone by my side, I would have fallen directly into the trap Madam Qin dug."
Lu Jingning looked embarrassed.
"The Princess Consort of Prince Qin and the Wife of the Heir Apparent have already come to apologize. I have already stated that I will not pursue the matter further. Madam Qin, as a member of Prince Qin's household, need not have made this trip," Luo Wanqing added.
Madam Lu's face lit up with joy, meaning the Crown Princess would not hold them accountable.
She spoke happily, "I knew the Crown Princess was magnanimous and would not hold a grudge. The in-laws' Princess Consort was making a mountain out of a molehill. Although there was a disturbance, the Crown Princess suffered no substantial harm. We will give that family some money later, and this matter will be resolved. Ah Ning, you need not worry."
Lu Jingning's face turned pale. She had just warned her mother not to speak when they met the Crown Princess, and now her mother had completely disregarded her words.
Lu Jingning looked at Luo Wanqing with concern. As expected, her expression grew colder.
"Crown Princess, my mother, my mother was just momentarily agitated and spoke without thinking," Lu Jingning said, tugging at Madam Lu's sleeve to signal her to stop talking.
Madam Lu, however, was unconcerned. "I didn't say anything wrong."
"Enough. I will not argue with you. Madam Qin has already apologized, and I will not keep you any longer," Luo Wanqing waved her hand.
As soon as she spoke, the maidservant beside Luo Wanqing began ushering them out, giving Lu Jingning no chance to speak.
The group was, in essence, driven out of the Hundred Herbs Hall.
"Mother!" Lu Jingning said angrily once they were in the carriage, "I told you not to speak, why didn't you listen?"
"But I didn't say anything wrong," Madam Lu retorted.
"Whether Madam Lu is right or wrong, you can ask Lord Lu when you get back," the wet nurse said sarcastically.
The Crown Princess of the State of Nanchang said she would not pursue the matter, but whether the authorities would pursue it was another story. Based on her extensive experience, this Crown Princess was no easy person to deal with. Madam Lu's words just now had truly offended someone. She only needed to subtly guide the victim's family, and this matter would not turn out as Madam Qin and Madam Lu wished.
"You don't need to scare people," Madam Lu glared at the wet nurse.
She clearly remembered that her husband had only said it was imperative to get the Crown Princess to forgive Ah Ning. And now, hadn't the Crown Princess personally said she forgave them?
What a foolish woman, the wet nurse thought to herself, and decided not to bother explaining the implications to Madam Lu. Now that the person who had harmed Madam Qin was not someone else, but her own mother, Madam Qin would have no one else to blame in the future.
Lu Jingning clearly understood this as well. She wished she could scold her mother, but knew it would be useless. She could only go back, act submissively, and beg the Princess Consort.