The Eldest Princess Is So Annoying! - Chapter 10

Everyone turned toward the entrance.

Liu Puyu walked in carrying osmanthus cakes. Before Qie Ge could stop him, he had already dropped to his knees and bowed.

“This subject, Liu Puyu, greets Your Highness Qie Ge!”

Perhaps he was simply too excited, for his voice was so loud and clear that it would have been difficult for anyone not to hear him.

Qie Ge swept him a cool glance.

This Liu Puyu!

“Lord Liu, you may rise.”

“This subject thanks Your Highness!”

Liu Puyu was positively beaming.

He had never expected to encounter Her Highness here today. Every time he visited the Eldest Princess’s residence, Jingshu drove him out before the chair beneath him had even grown warm.

Had he known this would happen, he would have waited here for her every day.

Once Mu Xu and the others recovered from their shock, they hurriedly knelt.

“This common woman—this commoner—greets Her Highness the Eldest Princess Qie Ge! May Your Highness live for a thousand, thousand, ten thousand years!”

“Rise.”

How could Mu Xu, Jiang Huaisheng, and Xiao Hua possibly dare get up?

They remained kneeling.

Who could have imagined that the Eldest Princess Xiao Hua had insulted earlier was none other than Miss Nangong standing before them?

She had insulted the woman directly in front of her. If they stood now, would that not be the same as asking to die even sooner?

There were countless rumors about Qie Ge among the common people.

Her wanton behavior was only one of them.

What frightened people most was the claim that she possessed a heart as venomous as a snake or scorpion and delighted in killing. Anyone unfortunate enough to encounter her could lose their life over the slightest offense.

It was even said that when the new emperor ascended the throne, the Eldest Princess had brutally murdered their other siblings, sparing not even infants still wrapped in swaddling clothes.

And only a few days ago, she had ordered Prince Consort Liu Pucheng’s manhood cut off before divorcing him.

Truly, no heart was more poisonous than a woman’s.

How could someone so vicious and merciless possibly spare them so easily?

She must have something else planned.

Qie Ge raised one slender eyebrow, though a smile remained on her lips.

“What is this? Must I personally help you to your feet?”

“This common woman does not dare. Everything Xiao Hua said today was due to my failure to discipline her properly. I beg Your Highness Qie Ge to punish me,” Mu Xu said first.

She felt as though death was already upon her.

It was better for her to shoulder everything alone than to drag others down with her.

“You dare disobey my command, yet you claim you do not dare rise.”

After speaking, Qie Ge turned to Qingqian.

“Qingqian, how do you think I should deal with them?”

Judging by how Her Highness had indulged these unruly commoners earlier, she likely had no intention of taking their lives.

Qingqian replied, “Executing them would not be excessive.”

Although she said so, she had deliberately left plenty of room for mercy.

Qie Ge walked over to Xiao Hua.

The girl had buried her head so deeply that Qie Ge could barely see her face, and her entire body was trembling violently.

“You are Xiao Hua, correct? Raise your head and look at me.”

Xiao Hua slowly lifted her face.

Tears had already covered it.

“Do I resemble a fox?” Qie Ge asked with a smile.

At the sight of that smile, Xiao Hua felt as though she were looking at a savage wolf, tiger, or leopard.

She cried even harder, but she did not dare make a sound for fear of angering Qie Ge. Her face turned red from holding back her sobs as she shook her head desperately.

Qie Ge looked into the child’s terrified eyes.

She was apparently no longer a fox.

Xiao Hua had probably begun comparing her to some man-eating beast instead.

Liu Puyu finally understood what was happening.

So Jiang Huaisheng and Miss Mu were acting this way because Xiao Hua had caused trouble.

Insulting the Eldest Princess was a crime punishable by beheading.

Qie Ge had only asked casually. She did not expect Xiao Hua to tell her the truth.

Having been born into the imperial family, she had long since become accustomed to hearing lies.

“I already said I would not pursue the matter. If the three of you still do not understand, then remain kneeling.”

If they still refused to rise and Her Highness suddenly changed her mind, they would truly be doomed.

Liu Puyu hurriedly stepped in to smooth things over.

“Brother Jiang, Miss Mu, Xiao Hua, what are you still waiting for? Hurry and rise. Her Highness’s word is law. If she says she will not pursue the matter, then she truly will not.”

After Liu Puyu gave such an obvious hint, only a complete fool would still fail to understand.

“This commoner thanks Your Highness for sparing my life!”

“This common woman thanks Your Highness for sparing my life!”

Fearing Qie Ge would leave, Liu Puyu hurriedly struck up a conversation.

“What a remarkable coincidence today. I never expected to encounter Your Highness here.”

“Why has Lord Liu come here?” Qie Ge asked with a smile.

Yet inwardly, she was already weighing the situation.

These people appeared rather familiar with one another. They had likely known each other for some time.

Although Liu Puyu was merely the Minister of the Court of Imperial Banquets, his father, Liu Ren, was a Grand Secretariat Academician.

She had already ruined Liu Pucheng, but Liu Puyu remained.

Could Liu Ren have sent him to cultivate relationships with talented candidates before the upcoming imperial examination?

If they were already colluding before the examination had even begun, then should Jiang Huaisheng truly place highly, would that not add another capable supporter to the Left Chancellor’s faction?

“A few days ago, I promised the students I would buy them some pastries. I happened to have some free time today, so I came by,” Liu Puyu replied.

With every sentence he spoke, he glanced at Qie Ge.

The affection in his eyes was far too naked and obvious. Anyone could see it clearly.

Mu Xu lowered her head.

Had any ordinary woman been stared at by a man in such a way, she likely would have hidden inside her home and refused to face anyone.

Yet Qie Ge remained perfectly composed.

Her bearing was truly extraordinary.

She was a woman of the imperial family, after all.

Jiang Huaisheng let out a deep sigh.

He had never imagined that the woman Liu Puyu always spoke of as his beloved was this wanton woman.

Even though Qie Ge had divorced the Prince Consort, she had once been Liu Puyu’s sister-in-law!

How could the two of them…

How could they behave so shamelessly in public?

To indulge in such an improper relationship without even attempting to avoid suspicion—Qie Ge truly possessed no sense of shame!

Liu Puyu’s attention was entirely focused on Qie Ge, so he did not hear Jiang Huaisheng’s sigh.

Qie Ge, however, heard it clearly.

“Why does Young Master Jiang keep sighing? Is something troubling you?”

Jiang Huaisheng disdained speaking with Qie Ge.

Unfortunately, she was the Eldest Princess while he was merely an ordinary commoner. Whether he lived or died depended on a single word from her.

“Reporting to Your Highness Qie Ge, this commoner was merely thinking about a difficult question from the school.”

“Oh? Have you solved it?”

“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness Qie Ge. This commoner has already found the answer.”

Qie Ge looked at Jiang Huaisheng and laughed inwardly.

Anyone could tell that was a lie.

Still, she did not expose him.

Under her gaze, Jiang Huaisheng’s expression grew increasingly unnatural.

Why was this wanton woman staring at him like that?

Could she have seen through something?

He had not said anything!

Liu Puyu and Mu Xu gradually became tense as well.

Liu Puyu knew that when Her Highness looked at a man in this manner, she either intended to take him as a male favorite or have him killed.

Brother Jiang had never offended Her Highness, so killing him was naturally impossible.

That left only the other possibility.

No matter how good-tempered Liu Puyu normally was, he became furious.

Damn it!

That Jiang Huaisheng!

Liu Puyu had treated him as a close friend, yet having Miss Mu was apparently not enough for him. He even dared compete with Liu Puyu for the woman he loved!

Jiang Huaisheng felt a “burning” gaze fall upon him.

After enduring it for a while, he became deeply uncomfortable and raised his eyes.

Liu Puyu was glaring at him so fiercely that he seemed eager to grind his bones into dust and scatter the ashes.

Jiang Huaisheng was certain that if Liu Puyu did not have reservations, the man would probably give him a vicious beating.

But Jiang Huaisheng did not understand.

What had he possibly done to provoke Liu Puyu?

Mu Xu felt terribly uneasy.

Qie Ge’s gaze had remained fixed on Jiang Huaisheng.

Mu Xu had heard that on one occasion, Qie Ge encountered an exceptionally handsome man while out in the city and took him back to the Eldest Princess’s residence against his will.

Although Jiang Huaisheng did not possess the legendary beauty of Pan An, he was still more handsome than most men and carried a warm, refined air.

Could Qie Ge now be planning to steal him away?

Even if Qie Ge was the Eldest Princess, Mu Xu was still Jiang Huaisheng’s future wife.

She absolutely could not retreat.

Mu Xu tightly gripped her handkerchief.

After making up her mind, she took several steps forward. Once she reached Jiang Huaisheng’s side, she shifted a little closer to him.

Qie Ge noticed every one of Mu Xu’s small movements and found them amusing.

What sort of man beneath the heavens could she not obtain?

Would she truly take an interest in this insignificant, frail scholar?

Mu Xu clearly knew her identity now, yet she still dared use such a fearless and dignified gesture to make her position known.

She was certainly bold.

Earlier, Mu Xu had displayed righteousness by accepting blame and punishment for others. Now she revealed a trace of a young woman’s willful possessiveness.

Interesting.

Truly interesting.

“Is Young Master Jiang planning to take part in the upcoming imperial examination?”

Unease stirred faintly in Jiang Huaisheng’s heart.

“Reporting to Your Highness, yes.”

Qie Ge cast Mu Xu a meaningful glance.

“Then I hope Young Master Jiang achieves the result he desires and places highly.”

“This commoner thanks Your Highness Qie Ge for your auspicious words!”

Mu Xu’s heart gave a sudden thump.

Her suspicions seemed to have been completely confirmed.

Qie Ge smiled faintly.

“Qingqian, we are returning to the residence.”

Qingqian replied, “Yes, Your Highness!”

Everyone knelt.

“We respectfully see Your Highness Qie Ge off!”

After leaving the private school, Qingqian helped Qie Ge into the carriage.

Once seated, Qie Ge spoke.

“Return to the residence and receive your punishment yourselves.”

Although her voice was soft and measured, it carried an authority that brooked no resistance, filling everyone present with pressure.

The guards secretly rejoiced.

Fortunately, Her Highness had not investigated the matter further. Otherwise, the consequences would have been far worse than merely losing a layer of skin.

“Yes!”

Qie Ge lightly lifted the carriage curtain and glanced at the signboard of Yunqi Private School.

“Send people to keep watch over them.”

She would never overlook any danger hidden in the shadows.

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Liu Puyu clenched his fists.

His face had turned bright red with fury.

To his ears, Qie Ge’s words just now had sounded as suggestive as they possibly could.

Jiang Huaisheng was merely a scholar with a little talent.

What virtue or ability did he possess that could possibly earn Her Highness’s favor?

In terms of literary talent, Liu Puyu had plenty. How many poems had he composed? How many melodies had he written?

Who in Chang’an did not know the name of Liu Puyu, Minister of the Court of Imperial Banquets?

As for appearance, he had complete confidence in himself. There were countless young women competing for the chance to marry him.

And there was no need even to mention family background.

How could the declining Jiang family possibly compare with the Liu family, which enjoyed the emperor’s favor?

Most infuriating of all, Liu Puyu had always treated Jiang Huaisheng with complete sincerity.

Looking back now, it seemed utterly laughable.

“Jiang Huaisheng, I treated you as a friend, yet this is how you repay me!”

Jiang Huaisheng was thoroughly bewildered.

“Brother Liu, what do you mean?”

Liu Puyu could not be bothered to continue pretending with this hypocrite.

He threw down a harsh warning.

“Since you insist on opposing me, we shall wait and see!”

With that, he stormed toward the entrance.

Jiang Huaisheng was shocked and hurried after him.

“Brother Liu! Brother Liu…”

Mu Xu remained where she was.

With a grave expression, she watched Jiang Huaisheng chase after him.

Her mind was filled entirely with the look Qie Ge had given her before leaving.