Time Travel: Pampered by the Aloof Prince
Chapter 307: The Princess Truly is the Empress’s Own Daughter

Chapter 307: Chapter 307: The Princess Truly is the Empress’s Own Daughter

Zhou Hong lowered his head and glanced at the palace maid kneeling at Huaixi’s feet, he really couldn’t tell where they were hurt.

At most, their clothes had a bit of dust on them, moreover, he believed that Shi Zhou was not the kind of person who lacked discretion.

If she had truly intended to strike, it wouldn’t have been as simple as making these people fall over.

Zhou Hong was clear about this in his heart, yet he couldn’t say it out loud.

Seeing that he had not taken a stance for a long time, Huaixi knew that he had made up his mind to shield this lowly servant.

Her tone was chillingly cold as she warned, each word deliberate, "Commander Zhou, you wouldn’t want me to report this matter to the emperor, would you?"

This outcome was naturally not what Zhou Hong wanted to see.

But for him to seize Shi Zhou to vent Huaixi’s anger was something he truly found difficult to comply with.

On one hand, he knew that Shi Zhou was brought into the palace by Qi Yu; to strike her would be to slap the face of the Prince Qiu Residence.

Plus, Shi Zhou had a deep relationship with Shen Xiheng, he dared not lay a hand on Shen Xihe’s beloved.

On the other hand, he was quite certain that he probably could not defeat Shi Zhou.

After weighing the options, Zhou Hong bowed respectfully and said to Huaixi, "Miss Shi is a person of the Prince Qiu’s Princess; if the Princess wishes to take her down, I’m afraid you must first ask the Prince Qiu’s Princess."

He decided to pass this monumental burden onto the Prince Qiu’s Princess.

At this moment, in Jingyang Palace, dealing with the Empress, Qi Yu suddenly felt a chill down her back.

Her brow slightly furrowed, she pondered, wondering if there was anything unclean in Jingyang Palace.

Otherwise, it being June, why would she still feel a chilly eeriness slowly rising behind her.

However, she indeed didn’t want to continue staying in Jingyang Palace any longer.

The Empress had summoned her here simply to probe into Shi Zhou’s identity, ideally to retain the maid.

But the Empress did not expect that she would be so vigilant, entering Jingyang Palace alone, leaving Shi Zhou outside.

The Empress looked at the person leisurely sipping tea across from her, feeling a smothering frustration and coldly said, "Prince Qiu’s Princess, I’m asking you for the last time, where did your maid go?"

Facing her threat, Qi Yu remained as calm as Mount Tai.

She let out a light chuckle, slowly and deliberately blew the foam off her tea, and then leisurely began, "Princess, you’ve asked no fewer than three times, and I’ve answered quite clearly. There are dozens of maids in the residence, I’m not sure which maid the Princess is referring to?"

"Bang—"

The Empress, furious, smashed her hand on the table and sternly said, "You clearly know whom I’m talking about!"

Qi Yu set down her teacup, glanced at her with a smile, and said, "But, I truly do not know, perhaps the Princess could clarify a bit more?"

"You!" the Empress pointed at her, wanting to curse but unable to.

In broad daylight, she really couldn’t do much to this despicable woman.

Qi Yu had precisely guessed this and reveled in dancing on her last nerve, playing the fool with her.

The Empress took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down, yet her expression was still as dark as the bottom of a pot, she coldly said, "I’m asking about the maid who was with you when you came to Jingyang Palace yesterday. Where is she?"

Qi Yu’s eyes widened in feigned realization, and she responded with a mild tone, "Oh, so the Princess was talking about her. She made a mistake yesterday, and I punished her to chop wood in the residence. What does the Princess need from her?"

Knowing that the woman was lying but unable to do anything about her, the Empress seethed with frustration.

She scoffed, her eyes filled with resentment, "It’s for the best."

Qi Yu shrugged nonchalantly, "If the Princess doesn’t believe it, you are welcome to accompany me back to the residence to see for yourself."

Isn’t it just about who can be more shameless and who can act better?

Qi Yu rose to her feet, straightened the hem of her garment, and as she was about to leave, she suddenly turned back and left a breezy comment, "Princess, some things are better left undone if you wish them to remain secret."

Behind her was the sound of a cup shattering.

Qi Yu smiled, her mood greatly improved as she left the Jingyang Palace.

She was planning to head towards the Xuanruo Pavilion when suddenly, an eunuch hurried towards her and said breathlessly, "Princess Qi, the Princess has detained the person who brought you into the palace. Commander Zhou has requested your presence."

Upon hearing this, Qi Yu furrowed her brows, following the eunuch and hurriedly heading towards the garden.

Meanwhile, Li Huaixi was haphazardly insisting that Zhou Hong first beat Shi Zhou with twenty heavy rods.

Zhou Hong dared not strike and stood stern-faced, like a statue.

His gaze, however, continually drifted towards the rear left; he had already sent someone to summon Princess Qi, so why hadn’t she arrived yet?

Li Huaixi noticed his subtle movements and scoffed coldly.

Even if Princess Qi were to arrive, what of it? This matter was righteously hers to claim.

Moreover, could Qi Yu truly conflict with her over a mere servant?

Li Huaixi thought confidently, her mind already picturing how she would torment the wretched servant later.

By the time Qi Yu arrived, Zhou Hong was nearly moved to tears.

He suppressed his inner excitement, bowing to her and said, "Princess Qi."

The events that had just occurred were already made clear to Qi Yu by the eunuch who had gone to summon her.

It was but a trivial matter, yet Li Huaixi made such a fuss about it; truly, she had too much time on her hands.

Qi Yu glanced at Zhou Hong, silently expressing her gratitude for his actions.

After all, if not for his stalling, Shi Zhou might have truly clashed with Li Huaixi.

Zhou Hong awkwardly touched his nose; he couldn’t admit that he was afraid of the silver needle in Princess Qi’s possession.

Li Huaixi said to Qi Yu with a sarcastic tone, "The people brought into the palace by Princess Qi really lack discipline. Today, it’s just a slight against me, but what if they offend the Emperor and Empress tomorrow?"

Qi Yu was noncommittal to her words.

Li Huaixi’s statement essentially prophesied the future, as Shi Zhou was already causing the Empress sleepless nights.

Grabbing Shi Zhou by the sleeve, she brought her behind herself and asked, "Princess, what do you intend to do?"

A malicious smile curled on Li Huaixi’s face as she mischievously said, "I’d like to break her legs. How does Princess Qi feel about that?"

Qi Yu complied meekly, "Not very well, to maim someone over such a trivial issue, Your Highness truly lives up to being the Empress’s own daughter."

These words were akin to implicating the Empress as well, and Li Huaixi became instantly furious, pointing at her and reprimanding, "How dare you disrespect my mother!"

Qi Yu laughed lightly, genuinely unbothered by the remark, "Don’t be agitated, Princess. Just before, your mother invited me to Jingyang Palace; do you know why?"

While Li Huaixi knew she was being led astray by Qi Yu’s words, she inevitably followed along and asked, "Why?"

Qi Yu blinked and teasingly said to her, "If the Princess is curious, why not ask the Empress herself?"

With that, she took Shi Zhou with her, leaving Li Huaixi stomping her feet in fury behind them.

Zhou Hong discreetly blocked Li Huaixi’s attempt to chase after them, and with a look of indignation from her, he earnestly said, "I still have to report back to the Emperor, so I shall take my leave first."

As Li Huaixi watched them walk away, she gritted her teeth in anger.

She boarded her carriage but did not head back to her own palace. Instead, she changed direction towards Jingyang Palace.

She was determined to settle why the Empress had summoned that wretched woman.