Chapter 668: First Volume_Chapter 668: Humiliation

First Volume_Chapter 668: Humiliation

Shuyi deliberately raised her voice extremely high, wanting Li Xiaolan to hear it.

So what if she's a Princess? What's so great about that!

She herself had the Sage's favor, as well as the Empress Title's high regard; once that Lin Wenwan ran off, the Imperial Consort position would be hers!

Thinking of this, Shuyi raised her head even higher.

Shuji beside her crossed her arms over her chest, chiming in with a mocking tone.

"Hehe, Noble Consort Shuyi, if I may say so, why must you lower yourself to the level of someone like her?"

"Since she returned to the palace, have you ever seen any of the Imperial Concubines from the various palaces and halls receive her?"

"In this Hou Gong, character determines status."

"By contrast, in Noble Consort Shuyi's courtyard, visitors come every few days—what a lively scene. That Li Xiaolan will never enjoy such esteem."

"When all is said and done, she's just a pitiful little thing, unloved by father and mother, all alone."

These words hit right at the heart of what Shuyi wanted to hear.

Now, throughout the entire Imperial Household, who didn't know that she was a rising star with limitless prospects.

Bathed in ten thousand favors, how could she be trampled underfoot by Li Xiaolan?

Just thinking about how the Imperial Household Department set aside all the finest things for Li Xiaolan first made Shuyi burn with rage.

On what grounds?!

"Mingyue Princess, a guest has arrived, and you won't even receive them? How rude."

Shuyi stood at the doorway and called out in a hostile tone.

Meanwhile, in the DaTang, Li Xiaolan sat beside the table, took the hot tea Xiao Xiangxiang handed her, and took a gentle sip.

She turned a deaf ear to the provocations outside the courtyard.

Xiao Xiangxiang had a soft, gentle nature and naturally would not pick a fight with anyone.

But Shu Feng was different—she stood at the doorway, glaring outside again and again.

"Your Highness, that Shuyi and Shuji, mere Shupin, dare to be so impudent."

"Your Highness is a Princess personally bestowed a title by the Sage, and throughout the entire Shedynasty, Your Highness is the only legitimate Princess."

"Let alone a mere Shuyi—even a Shupin Imperial Consort would have to treat you with proper courtesy upon meeting you."

Shu Feng had always been loyal and protective, no matter whose side she was on.

Whether it was following Jing Qianying back then, or Qin Feng, or now Li Xiaolan.

If anyone dared show disrespect to her master, Shu Feng naturally would not stand for it.

Li Xiaolan set down her Tea Cup and gave a faint, calm smile.

"Why bother caring?"

"Let her run wild if she wishes. This Hou Gong has no room for the reckless—there's no need for me to step in; someone will deal with her naturally."

At these words, Xiao Xiangxiang couldn't help but ask curiously.

"Your Highness, that Shuyi is deeply loved by the Sage and the Empress Title. In this Imperial harem, who could possibly deal with her?"

Hearing this, the corners of Li Xiaolan's mouth curved up slightly, her gaze steady and confident.

"The Sage likes her—doesn't he just like her youth and beauty."

"The Empress likes her—it's because she likes her naivety and ignorance."

"Looking across the Imperial Concubines of this Hou Gong, any who were straightforward and blunt were either thrown into the Cold Palace or tossed straight into the lake."

"Those who remain are all shrewd to the extreme."

"This sort of tiger-bottom-patting business, those Imperial Pin and Consorts naturally won't do—it's only these green newcomers who don't know how treacherous people can be."

"Who would dare rely on so-called favor and act without fear of death."

Hearing this, Xiao Xiangxiang couldn't help but feel a twinge of nervousness.

"Your Highness, you mean to say—"

"That Shuyi is being used by someone?"

Li Xiaolan answered without hesitation, blurting out: "The Empress wants to probe Feng'er's bottom line, forcing me to make a mistake."

"If I bring trouble upon myself, Feng'er will pressure the Sage, and the Empress Title will thereafter have scruples about acting and restrain herself somewhat."

"If Feng'er isn't forceful, then the Empress Title's moves will become bolder and more aggressive."

"When all is said and done, the Empress Title still hasn't given up."

In Li Xiaolan's view, Shuyi was nothing more than a tool of the Empress.

One that could be discarded at any moment.

No matter what fate befell Shuyi, for the Empress it was all benefit with no harm.

Such a young, beautiful, and talented New Noble Consort would, to some degree, threaten the Empress's sense of presence.

The Empress certainly didn't want another person in the Sage's heart competing with her for weight.

Ever since Lin Wenwan resigned from the Imperial Consort position, the Empress's moves had gradually increased.

That Imperial Consort seat was best left empty.

Whoever coveted the Imperial Consort seat had to first get past the Empress.

Shuyi outside the door, seeing Li Xiaolan refuse to come out, assumed she was afraid and grew even more arrogant.

"Hmph! The legendary Mingyue Princess is nothing more than this."

"Didn't you rely on Qin Feng backing you from the previous dynasty, acting without restraint? And yet this is all the courage you have?"

"From now on, at the Imperial Household Department side, don't compete with me—otherwise, don't blame me for being unmerciful."

Seeing Shuyi so triumphant.

Li Xiaolan didn't even dare to confront Shuyi directly.

Shuji beside her was even more smug, secretly sighing to herself — as long as she clung to Shuyi's thigh, why would she ever worry about not flourishing in the Imperial harem?

She immediately chimed in loudly.

"No matter how strong that Qin Feng is, he can't be mentioned in the same breath as a Sage!"

"Heh, wanting to execute Qin Feng — isn't it just a matter of one word from the Sage?"

"Noble Consort Shuyi, you have the Sage and the Empress Title standing behind you. Anyone in this Hou Gong with sense should stop contending with you — otherwise, they won't even know how they died!"

"If Qin Feng has the ability, let him enter the palace — heh heh heh."

The two of them felt secure, believing that no matter how fierce Qin Feng was, his reach couldn't extend into the Hou Gong.

No need to fear him!

As long as they trampled Li Xiaolan underfoot, they would surely win the Empress's favor!

Consort Ling, who lived not far away, pressed against the door and listened quietly.

A maid beside her asked softly, "My lady, aren't you the closest of friends with Shuyi and Shuji?"

"Why don't you go out and help them?"

Hearing this, Consort Ling didn't hesitate — she whipped around and slapped the maid across the face, leaving her dizzy and disoriented.

"Are you trying to get me killed?!"

"Stupid Maid, you're clearly out to harm me!"

The maid covered her swollen, red face, tears streaming down, looking utterly wronged.

"My lady, this Maid wouldn't dare."

Consort Ling rolled her eyes and said irritably, "My friendship with those two is out of respect for the Empress Title — what does it have to do with them personally?"

"Those two idiots don't know how deep the waters run in this Hou Gong, daring to brazenly throw their weight around against the Mingyue Princess. I guarantee they won't survive past tonight!"

The maid's eyes flickered with panic.

"The Mingyue Princess keeps her doors shut all day and has virtually no connections in the Hou Gong — how is she so honored?"

Consort Ling sighed.

"Connections? The connections in this Hou Gong aren't worth a single Tael!"

"In the Hou Gong, how far you go and how secure your seat is depends on the front court!"

"When Lin Wenwan was a Noble Consort with Grand Protector Lin backing her, no one could touch her seat — not even the Empress Title."

"And the moment Grand Protector Lin fell, Lin Wenwan was stripped of her position right away."

"What connections does her Li Xiaolan need? She's Qin Feng's Third Sister — that alone means no one dares touch a single hair on her head."

Just then, the sound of footsteps came.