"Greetings, Princess."
The concubines called out in unison.
Xiao Yu'er scanned the women with her eyes, letting them glide over each one, finally resting on Ximen Xinyue. The corner of her lips curled into a dark, unreadable smile.
This expression made Ximen Xinyue tremble, a sense of foreboding washing over her. Just as she tried to look closer, the little girl skipped past her and gazed up at Sima Lanmei seated at the head.
"You are Consort Mei, a consort favored by Father Emperor?"
Consort Mei nodded casually when the little girl asked, "Yes, Princess."
As soon as her words fell, the whip in Xiao Yu'er's hand shot up like a dragon emerging from water. With a flick of her wrist, it lashed out directly.
Seeing the whip about to strike Sima Lanmei's head, she turned pale with fright, her face drained of color. She couldn't even move, completely frozen in terror.
However, the whip didn't land as intended because someone in mid-air caught it. It was Ximen Xinyue, who suddenly reached out and grasped the whip, smiling placidly.
"Princess, is there something we can discuss calmly? Why the violence? She is the Emperor's newly favored consort."
Ximen Xinyue gripped the whip tightly, flicked her wrist, and straightened it. Xiao Yu'er's small body was flung into the air, tossed aside.
In reality, Ximen Xinyue hadn't used much strength. To her surprise, she had pulled the little girl out, leaving her momentarily stunned.
The truth was, she hadn't intended to do so. Xiao Yu'er was using this as an excuse, leveraging Ximen Xinyue's strength to rebound and be flung away.
Flung aside by Ximen Xinyue, Xiao Yu'er was instantly enraged. She sprang from the ground, her wrist flicking. This time, the whip soared through the air again, heading straight for Ximen Xinyue's face, accompanied by a cold shout.
"Ximen Xinyue, you slut! How dare you hit me? My Father Emperor can't bear to hit me, and you dare!"
Ximen Xinyue was stunned. The whistling sound of the whip reached her ears. She dodged swiftly, but the women standing beside her were not spared. They all took the hit.
The whip swept across, and every concubine, as expected, received a lash. They cried out in pain, their faces pale, and retreated to the side.
Xiao Yu'er's whip rose again and again. This time, she targeted Sima Lanmei. Sima Lanmei stood up from her elevated seat and anxiously fled to the side.
In her haste, she slipped from the high seat, tumbling and scrambling in a most undignified manner, while Xiao Yu'er burst into laughter.
She displayed her petulant and willful nature to the fullest.
In the grand hall of Wendegong Palace.
The concubines dodged and weaved, while the little girl, thoroughly enjoying herself, laughed wildly and uninhibitedly.
The entire hall was in disarray. Ximen Xinyue's face turned unsightly with anger. She shifted her stance, flashing forward to subdue the little girl. But Xiao Yu'er didn't let her get close, commanding from a corner of the hall.
"Mochou, go and beat this woman for me! She dares to hit me."
"Yes, Princess."
Upon receiving the order, Mochou soared into the air. Her soft sword flicked, a cold gleam flashing as it lunged directly at Ximen Xinyue.
Every time she thought of Ximen Xinyue's detestable actions, she wished she could kill her immediately. Although Ximen Xinyue might be skilled, she was no match for Mochou.
Having traveled extensively, Mochou had seen all sorts of martial arts, and soon Ximen Xinyue found herself at a disadvantage. Mochou showed no mercy, leaping and dodging, quickly tiring her out until she was panting for breath.
Finally, Mochou flicked her hand and delivered a resounding slap. The sound echoed through the entire hall.
Ximen Xinyue was stunned, but quickly regained her senses. They were the Emperor's concubines, not only bullied by the princess but also struck by a servant. She immediately roared at the eunuchs of Wendegong Palace, "Hurry and summon the Emperor! We cannot go on living like this."
Having said that, she abruptly crouched on the ground, clutching her stomach, and cried out in pain with a pale face.
Mochou retracted her hand and stepped back. It was not yet time to eliminate this woman, as the Emperor was still in her hands. She didn't know where the Emperor was being held. If she found the Emperor, this woman would never have a peaceful day.
While Ximen Xinyue cried out in pain, Xiao Yu'er did not stop. She continued to whip forcefully. Several unfavored concubines, and those recently favored, like Sima Lanmei, were pale-faced, their hair dishevelled, hiding throughout the hall.
These ladies from reputable families knew no martial arts, and thus were no match for Xiao Yu'er. Although she was only five years old, her years of martial arts training had given her whip considerable power. If struck, it would leave deep, gruesome wounds.
Some of the women had already been hit, clutching their bloody arms and crying out. Their silk robes were torn.
Just then, a deep, solemn voice from a eunuch was heard from outside the hall door: "The Emperor has arrived."
Xiao Yu'er's pupils flickered. She put away her whip, her breathing growing heavy. Her small frame was frail, and she was still a child, already panting. She raised her head and, along with the other concubines, looked towards the hall entrance.
A tall, imposing figure clad in imperial yellow walked in.
Wearing an imperial yellow dragon robe and a golden crown, he exuded an extraordinary aura. His handsome face was clouded with thinly veiled anger as he walked in with a stern expression.
Upon seeing the Emperor, the concubines felt an overwhelming sense of grievance and their tears flowed like rain. They slowly spoke, "Your concubines greet His Majesty."
Consort Mei, who had been favored the night before, cried the most pitifully, her tears like pear blossoms, her appearance fragile and pitiable, her cheeks streaked with tears, her eyes clouded, conveying unspeakable charm and endless sorrow.
Seeing the scene, the Emperor swept his gaze across the hall, his eyes finally landing on the small figure standing in the center of the hall. She neither paid homage nor showed guilt, her small head held high, standing righteously in the center. Her beautiful, large eyes held a deep, dark glint like a lake, staring directly at him.
"Bold Xiao Yu'er, how can you so disregard propriety?"
"Propriety?"
Xiao Yu'er sneered and slowly spoke, "Does Father Emperor place such importance on propriety?"
Her words were veiled and profound, seemingly carrying hidden meaning, as she stared directly at the man at the head of the hall.
Bah, he dared to talk about propriety with her? What a shameless man, nothing more than a lustful ghost. Seeing these women injured, he felt heartache and lectured about propriety. Did he forget what kind of person he was?
The Emperor was startled. The little girl's eyes seemed to convey some information, but when he looked closely, there was nothing.
Although this girl was formidable, and he had suffered a disadvantage from her at Giant Peak Cliff that day, she was, after all, just a child. Such behavior was merely taught to her by the Empress.
The Emperor's eyes were extremely displeased. Was this the child the Empress had raised? So disrespectful of elders, so arrogant and uncivilized.
"Guards, immediately go to Fengluan Palace and summon the Empress to see me."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Eunuch Xiao Linzi received the order and quickly darted out to Fengluan Palace to deliver the decree.
In the grand hall of Wendegong Palace, the Emperor cleared his throat, signaling the concubines to rise.
Seeing the Emperor's apparent anger and his order to summon the Empress, the concubines assumed the princess would be punished. Thinking this, they felt much better. They rose and stood to the side of the hall, only Ximen Xinyue still cried out in pain, clutching her stomach.
The Emperor's expression was grim. He immediately ordered a eunuch to summon an imperial physician to treat Consort Shu and check on her imperial fetus.
Another young eunuch was dispatched to summon the imperial physician. Soon, Qingyao arrived, leading a group of eunuchs and palace maids.