Chapter 149: This Is for You to Play

Murong Yuyiao leaned sideways against the cushioned couch by the window, listening to a few palace maids whispering idly outside.

"Have you seen it? Princess Jiayou's little dog cart?"

"Who in this palace hasn't seen it! That little cart goes really fast!"

"Yeah! The dog pulling that cart has a truly huge head!"

"Indeed! Its fur is quite handsome, but its gaze is too fierce—at first glance it looks like a wolf!"

"Exactly! I was startled the first time I saw it!"

"Like a wolf?"

"I've long heard that that country girl actually moved into the palace, and even into the Phoenix Ritual Palace of the Empress, who now oversees the rear palace!"

"His Majesty has bestowed such favor upon her, yet she dares to act outrageously, conjuring up such a shocking novelty in the palace!"

"\"Wolf... wonderful. \" She murmured to herself, the corner of her mouth twitching into a distorted smile."

"Over the next few days, Murong Yuyiao daily brought a few palace maids to appear on the palace road where Tuan Tuan's little dog cart often passed."

"Finally, that afternoon, she got her wish and awaited the sound approaching from afar."

"Tuan Tuan drove the little dog cart: 'Big Wolf, go faster!' It shot straight forward from behind her, whistling past."

"Murong Yuyiao timed it perfectly; as the little dog cart passed beside her, she gasped 'Ah,' her body went limp, and she 'fainted' beside the path."

"The attending palace maids instantly fell into chaos."

"Miss Yuyiao! Wake up!"

"Quickly send for the sedan chair!"

"Hurry! Go fetch the Imperial Physician!"

"The Imperial Physician hurried over; Murong Yuyiao leaned against the bedhead, tears glistening, her breath weak: 'What a huge wolf! It came charging right at me! How could there be a wolf in the palace? I was scared to death!'"

"She deliberately curled up, continually wiping her tears; the Imperial Physician barely finished taking her pulse, prescribed a calming remedy, and left."

"Soon, 'Miss Yuyiao was frightened into fainting by the little dog cart!' spread throughout the rear palace."

"Xiao Jin lifted his head, looking puzzled: 'Mother Consort, why is Sister Yuyiao afraid of the Big Wolf? The Big Wolf is clearly well-behaved, never barking randomly.'"

"Noble Consort De gently stroked her son's head: 'Girls can be timid, after all.'"

"Noble Consort Rong seized the moment to educate her son: 'Lin'er, see? That little dog cart is extremely dangerous—it even made Sister Yuyiao faint. From now on, you're not allowed to fuss about wanting to ride it.'"

"Xiao Lin drooped his head, sullen and unhappy."

"\"Scared? Good. \" Noble Consort Hui beckoned her trusted maid Yunxi, lowering her voice: 'Go, go out and spread a few words.'"

"\"Just say that the Little Princess's dog was originally a ferocious beast, its nature hard to tame.'"

"\"That day Miss Yuyiao fainted because that beast bared its teeth and growled at her, nearly biting her.'"

"\"Fortunately it was the young Miss Yuyiao who was frightened; if it had startled any of the senior consorts, wouldn't that have caused a major incident?'"

"\"Yes, your ladyship, I will say it. \" Yunxi turned and left."

"Noble Consort Hui watched her retreating back and snorted, 'Empress, you rely on the Little Princess living in your palace, thinking you can vie for favor in the rear palace?'"

"I, for my part, want to see whether, without that child, His Majesty will still ever set foot in your Phoenix Ritual Palace!"

"Soon, rumors ran rampant through the palace, claiming that Princess Jiayou and her 'wolf-like dog' were extremely dangerous and absolutely should not remain in the rear palace."

"In the Phoenix Ritual Palace."

"Murong Jin watched Tuan Tuan happily playing in the grass clumps of the courtyard, her brows furrowed tightly."

"She spoke softly: 'Tuan Tuan, be good. How about we stop playing with that little dog cart from now on, okay?'"

"\"She's already frightened Miss Yuyiao ill; if it ever startles someone else again, there'll only be more trouble.'"

"\"Who got sick from my little dog cart? \" Tuan Tuan had just caught a rhinoceros beetle, feeling pleased, \"Is it that Murong Yuyiao?'"

"Murong Jin nodded, her worried brows not relaxing."

"What nasty scheme is that bad sister hatching now?"

"Tuan Tuan pondered, her eyes shifting: 'Was she frightened by my Big Wolf? Then let's go take a look!'"

"Seeing Tuan Tuan voluntarily suggest visiting, Murong Jin felt reassured—this child really is sensible!"

"\"Good, that's how it should be.'"

"They brought a few precious tonics and together went to Murong Yuyiao's residence."

"Just as they reached the main hall, they saw Noble Consort Hui, Noble Consort Rong, and the Eleventh Prince Xiao Lin all seated."

"When the Empress arrived, everyone hurriedly rose to salute and greet her."

"Noble Consort Hui spoke first: 'I humbly heard that Younger Sister Yuyiao fell ill from fright; I am concerned and have come especially to visit.'"

"Noble Consort Rong was more direct: 'I happened to pass by and came in to have a look.'"

"Murong Jin gave a slight nod, led the way into the inner hall, and everyone followed."

"Arriving beside the couch, everyone took a seat."

"Murong Yuyiao weakly leaned against the bolster, her complexion pallid, breath faint, struggling to rise: 'I, your subject, am gravely ill and unable to pay my respects to the Empress and the ladies; please forgive me.'"

"Murong Jin hurriedly said: 'Just lie down, no need for excessive ceremony.'"

"\"I heard you were frightened by the Princess's cart-pulling dog, so I came especially to visit.'"

"She intended to explain for Tuan Tuan: 'It's not a wolf at all, merely a larger sled dog, extremely gentle in temperament…'"

"Before she could finish, Murong Yuyiao suddenly flinched, letting out a low gasp, as if merely hearing it terrified her."

"Murong Jin swallowed the rest of her words, her face growing more worried; seeing this, it was clear she had been badly frightened, yet Tuan Tuan loves that little dog cart so much—what could be done?"

"Seeing this, Noble Consort Rong pressed her lips together and remained silent."

"Noble Consort Hui softly sighed: 'Empress, the Little Princess is young; liking some novel toys is understandable.'"

"But within the inner palace, rules and decorum are ultimately the most important."

"I think that little dog cart ultimately violates palace regulations; perhaps we should temporarily move it out of the palace? If the Princess truly loves it, we can take it back to the Prince's Mansion for her to play with."

"The outside world is vast, and there are none of these palace rules; I expect the Princess will surely be able to have even more fun."

Tuan Tuan stood beside Murong Jin, watching Consort Hui's mouth open and close.

This consort, there's so much in her eyes—just one look and you can tell she harbors ill intent!

She stepped forward a few steps, walking to the bedside: "Sister Yuyiao, did you get so scared by those two big tigers during the autumn hunt that you wet your pants, making your courage this tiny?"

Everyone froze—wet pants? Who? Murong Yuyiao?

An grown noble lady wetting her pants? That's a huge disgrace!

Murong Yuyiao's face "whoosh" turned bright red—this was the shame of her lifetime!

She shrieked, shouting: "You're talking nonsense! I didn't! It didn't happen!"

"Ah! Your voice is so loud!" Tuan Tuan's little head dodged backward.

Murong Yuyiao glared at her fiercely, sparks flying from her eyes.

"I was just asking!" Tuan Tuan giggled, placing the hercules beetle she had just caught on her arm exposed outside the blanket.

"Here, take this to play with! I just caught it in the yard—it's so fun!"

A huge black-shelled hercules beetle, swaying its joints and antennae, crawled up along the sleeve.