Luo Wanqing, dressed in casual attire, reclined lazily on a chaise lounge, not even bothering to dress up.
This clearly indicated one thing: her lack of importance for this meeting.
Naturally, the Princess Consort of Qin County was displeased at being treated with such disregard. However, no matter how unhappy she was, she dared not show it on her face. She had brought her daughter-in-law to apologize. Although Emperor Chongwen had not explicitly ordered it, his intention was clear: they were to obtain forgiveness from the Crown Princess of Nanchang.
"Greetings, Crown Princess," the Princess Consort of Qin County said with a semblance of kindness and guilt. "My daughter-in-law was ignorant and offended the Crown Princess. I hope the Crown Princess will forgive us for the sake of the good relations between our two countries. This is a small token of our Qin County Royal Mansion's regard for the Crown Princess. Please accept it."
Luo Wanqing acted as if she hadn't heard, idly fiddling with her slender fingers. After a long while, without even lifting her eyelids, she asked, "Does our Nanchang Kingdom lack these things?"
The Princess Consort of Qin County faltered, forcing a smile. "That is not what I meant. It is merely to express our county royal mansion's apology."
"After causing such a scene, a few gifts are considered an apology?" Luo Wanqing raised an eyebrow. "Furthermore, the instigator hasn't even shown up. Is this how you express your apology? Where is the sincerity?" Da Feng Novel Network.
Both the Princess Consort of Qin County and the Crown Prince's Consort were a bit bewildered. How could the person not be present? Wasn't her daughter-in-law/she already standing there humbly? Didn't the Crown Princess see such a person?
"Crown Princess, I am here," the Crown Prince's Consort quickly interjected, indicating her presence.
Luo Wanqing scoffed, "Why are you here?"
The Crown Prince's Consort was utterly confused. Why was she here? To apologize, to appease the Crown Princess, and to prevent her from holding a grudge.
"The Crown Princess is truly a humorous person," the Crown Prince's Consort awkwardly managed to say.
Luo Wanqing seriously doubted if the Crown Prince's Consort of Qin County had any brains at all. She had come running over without even understanding the reason for her outburst. Was she trying to be a scapegoat by stepping forward? Originally, if the Crown Prince's Consort had appeared, she could have seized the opportunity to let the matter go.
However, she detested people who plotted behind others' backs.
If one has the courage to scheme, one must be prepared to bear the consequences.
The Princess Consort of Qin County, being more experienced, quickly reacted and turned to ask the Crown Prince's Consort, "Jianing, why didn't Jianing come?"
"I looked for her before leaving, but she fell ill. She only sent someone to deliver these things, and these are hers," the Crown Prince's Consort replied.
"Ill? How did she suddenly fall ill?" the Princess Consort of Qin County asked.
"Perhaps it's because she didn't seek treatment from the Crown Princess, and the pressure was too great?" the Crown Prince's Consort hesitated.
The Princess Consort of Qin County's expression darkened. "After the conflict at the Hundred Herbs Hall that day, did you do anything else?"
"No, I didn't do anything," the Crown Prince's Consort said. Seeing her mother-in-law's displeased expression, she dared not conceal anything. "At the time, I saw Jianing was disheartened and wanted to do something to vent her anger, but I hadn't figured out what to do yet..."
What a fool.
The Princess Consort of Qin County wanted to scold her. If she hadn't done anything, why say all that afterwards?
"Crown Princess, you see, this one is brainless," the Princess Consort of Qin County apologized. "She still hasn't realized what happened even at this point."
The Crown Prince's Consort truly hadn't figured out what had happened.
"If she had brains, would she take the blame for someone else? I thought it was mother-daughter affection, but it turns out it was due to a lack of intelligence, being played for a fool," Luo Wanqing said sarcastically.