Chapter 102: Chapter One Hundred and Two

Inside the camp.

Accompanied by palace maids, Consort Xue strolled idly around the camp tents.

"Imperial Consort, it's too cold outside. Later when the game is being tallied, you'll still have to sit with the National Lord on the High Platform for a long while."

"This servant had better help you back to the tent to rest for a bit."

Thinking of that old fossil in the tent, Consort Xue's face showed a flash of impatience.

"The imperial physician said the National Lord cannot be exposed to wind while resting. The tent is stifling—why can't Her Highness step out for some air?!"

She couldn't be bothered to look at that face full of wrinkles and age spots, couldn't stand the smell of old age on him!

The palace maid's face filled with terror, and she hurriedly dropped to her knees to admit her fault.

"Imperial Consort, please calm your anger. This servant shouldn't have spoken out of turn—it was this servant who misspoke."

Consort Xue gave a light snort, shot her a withering glare, and with a haughty expression extended her hand, striking a pose as if waiting for the palace maid to support her.

"Get up. Don't make it look as though Her Highness mistreats you."

Hearing this, the palace maid quickly rose and once more took her arm.

At that moment, the camp entrance suddenly became lively.

"Quick, quick, quick! The Second Prince and the Fifth Prince have returned with their game!"

"The Second Prince even bagged a black fox!"

Hearing this, Consort Xue looked over with anticipation in her eyes.

The palace maid beside her also rose on tiptoe to peer ahead.

"I wonder which of the two princes will take the prize this year."

"I heard the reward is a Jade Pendant made of top-grade warm jade—it's the National Lord's personal keepsake."

Consort Xue kept staring in that direction, murmuring softly.

"Naturally it will be the Second Prince."

Suddenly, as if seeing something, a hint of urgency crossed her face, and she waved at the palace maid.

"Go quickly and tell Steward Quan that the two princes have returned, and have him attend to the National Lord and help him rise at once."

The palace maid hesitated.

"But what about you here?"

"Her Highness will wait right here. As if I could just run off?!"

"Yes, this servant will return very soon. Imperial Consort, please don't wander far."

Consort Xue waved her hand impatiently.

"I know. Go on, quickly!"

After the palace maid left, Consort Xue glanced around, then hitched up her skirt and walked toward the edge of the camp.

Sure enough, she spotted a tall, broad-shouldered figure in a corner.

"Imperial Prince."

Shang Xiao Hui turned to look at her.

"Ah Xue, you've come."

Consort Xue lowered her head slightly, a blush rising to her cheeks.

"Regarding the matter of the little Imperial Grandson, please accept the Imperial Prince's condolences. Taking good care of your health is what matters most."

There will always be more children in time.

At the mention of this, Shang Xiao Hui's face was filled with anguish.

"As for Xu'er, I suspect someone tampered with things in secret."

"I will make that person pay!"

Having said this, he looked at Consort Xue.

"Xue'er, you'll help me, won't you?"

Looking at his bloodshot eyes and the sorrow that nearly threatened to drown her—

Consort Xue's heart felt as though a great hand had seized it, kneaded it hard, and finally plunged it into aged vinegar.

The ache was unbearable, and she felt an inexpressible sourness.

In her heart, the Second Prince had always been a hero of unmatched valor, magnificent bearing, and high spirits.

But now, she sensed in him a trace of fragility and helplessness.

How could her hero ever show such an expression?

Absolutely not!

She stepped forward, took Shang Xiao Hui's hand, and nodded firmly.

"Yes, I will definitely help you."

Receiving the answer he wanted, Shang Xiao Hui showed a faint smile.

"Then tell me—how is Father Emperor's health, really, these days?"

……

After roughly the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Consort Xue emerged from the corner with faintly flushed cheeks.

She suddenly noticed two guards passing by carrying a cage, inside which was a very small beast with yellow-and-black stripes.

The two guards chatted as they walked.

"Hurry and send it to the Second Prince's tent. I hear the Second Princess Consort is especially fond of small beasts."

Hearing this, Consort Xue quietly clenched her fist.

"Halt!"

The two guards turned around, and upon seeing it was her, they hurriedly dropped to their knees to pay their respects.

"Your servant greets Imperial Consort (Gongzhu) Xuefei. May Her Highness enjoy boundless blessings."

Xuefei lifted her chin high, pointing at the cage in their hands, her expression arrogant.

"This one, Her Highness (Her Highness (Her Highness (Her Highness (Her Highness (Her Highness (Her Highness (Her Highness (Her Highness (Bengong))))))))) wants it!"

"This…"

The two guards showed troubled expressions.

Originally, hearing them mention the Second Prince's consort had already put Xuefei in a foul mood, and now seeing them dare to defy her, she felt even more irritated.

"What? It's just a mere cat—Her Highness can't even have it?!"

The two guards wore mournful faces.

"Her Highness, please calm your anger. This isn't a cat, it's a tiger cub."

Xuefei gave her sleeve a heavy swing and shouted angrily.

"So what? Her Highness wants it—do you dare not give it?!"

"Servant wouldn't dare, Servant wouldn't dare."

The two guards hurriedly set the cage down at her feet.

Xuefei's beautiful eyes widened.

"Why aren't you scrambling off yet?!"

"Yes, yes, yes."

The two guards scrambled away on hands and knees, hurrying off into the distance.

She glanced at the Young Tiger in the cage—yellow fur, faint black stripes, curled up uneasily, letting out endless "Aow aow aow" cries from its mouth.

Xuefei's expression eased considerably.

She bent down and opened the cage, lifting the tiger cub out with one hand.

Look—so what if it was meant to be given to the Second Prince's consort?

As long as she wanted something, didn't those people still have to offer it up respectfully with both hands?

If this little thing was hers, then the rest should be hers too.

Not knowing what she was thinking, the strength in her hand suddenly increased. The little tiger, in pain, raised its paw and scratched her twice.

"Aow aow!"

"Hiss!"

Looking at the two scratch marks on the back of her hand faintly beading with blood, a flash of viciousness and ruthlessness crossed Xuefei's eyes.

The corners of her mouth curved into an eerie smile as her hand gently stroked the little tiger cub's back.

Watching the little fellow curled up trembling in her palm, the tender cries rang in her ears.

In its weak state, it seemed as though a slight squeeze of her hand could end its life.

Thinking this in her heart, Xuefei did exactly that.

She wrapped her hand in her wide sleeve to prevent being scratched again, and forcefully gripped the little tiger's neck.

"Aow aow aow!"

The little tiger struggled desperately, screaming.

Watching the struggling grow weaker and weaker, a flash of exhilaration crossed Xuefei's eyes.

"Her Highness!"

"Her Highness, where are you?"

Seeing the figure of her personal palace maid, her hand suddenly loosened.

"Her Highness, the National Lord is looking for you."

Suddenly noticing the little fellow on the verge of death at Xuefei's feet, the palace maid covered her mouth and gasped.

"What is this?"

Xuefei didn't care in the slightest.

"Just found it. Seems to be injured. Take it back and look after it."

The palace maid hurriedly picked up the little tiger.

"Yes."

After Xuefei left, the palace maid carefully cradled the Young Tiger.

"Little fellow, don't worry. I'll definitely heal you."

Saying this, she hurried toward the servants' Tent.

After they left, a figure flashed out from a corner.

Watching the two women's backs, she gave a cold snort.

At this moment, the two guards from earlier also arrived, flashing ingratiating smiles at this person.

"Lord Qingmu, we did as you instructed. Do you think, then—?"

Saying so, the two rubbed their fingers together, their faces full of greed.

Qingmu first glanced around, then looked at them meaningfully, his tone inscrutable.

"Don't worry, you won't be shortchanged on rewards."

"But you must also remember—keep your mouths shut. What should be said and what shouldn't, you should know very well, right?"

The two guards nodded repeatedly, their faces fawning.

"Yes, yes, yes, don't worry, Lord. Our memories are terrible—we'll forget the moment we turn around, won't remember a thing."

"Oh?

Qingmu reached into her sleeve, then her eyes suddenly sharpened. She swiftly drew out the Dagger hidden in her sleeve and slashed forward in a clean stroke.

Two soft slicing sounds were heard, and the two guards collapsed to the ground clutching their necks.

"But I only trust the mouths of the dead!"