MCSCPM -Chapter 348 Stopped When Leaving the Palace

“Fine, since you don’t believe it.” He Ningxiang tightly grasped her daughter’s hand and continued, “Aren’t you curious whether this matter was done by Prince Jing and the divine physician? Then go and find her yourself. Haven’t you always wanted to be friends with her? Your mother will give you this chance.”

It was the first time Chu Fengjiao had seen such a ferocious expression on her mother’s face, and her confidence instantly wavered. With uncertainty written all over her face, she asked, “Mother Consort… do you want me to go see Miss Yin?”

“That’s right. I want you to go see her, get close to her, find her weakness, and then come back and tell me,” He Ningxiang said, calculating in her heart. She couldn’t just sit and wait any longer.

Chu Fengjiao shook her head, clearly unwilling. “No, Mother Consort, I can’t do that. If Imperial Brother wasn’t framed by Miss Yin, wouldn’t I be wronging an innocent person? Mother Consort, please don’t force me to do something like this.”

“I’m not forcing you,” He Ningxiang said sharply. “Do you really want to see your Imperial Brother bullied like this, sent off to a remote county, never to return? Can’t you think about your Imperial Brother for once? Jiao’er, he has treated you so well—are you really going to abandon him for the sake of an outsider?”

“Of course not.”

“Then go,” He Ningxiang pressed relentlessly.

Chu Fengjiao’s face was full of anguish, torn between two sides. She believed Yin Qingyue wouldn’t do such a thing, yet she also didn’t want to see her Imperial Brother come to harm.

Seeing her hesitate, He Ningxiang immediately got up from the bed and cried out desperately, “Jiao’er, if you don’t agree, I’ll die right now. Your Imperial Brother has already been reduced to this state, and you’re still siding with outsiders—what’s the point of me living anymore? I might as well die!”

“Mother Consort—!”

He Ningxiang suddenly rushed toward a pillar. Fortunately, Chu Fengjiao reacted quickly and blocked her, stopping her mother in time.

Chu Fengjiao burst into tears as well, clutching her mother and saying, “Mother Consort, why must you do this?”

“If you won’t even help your Imperial Brother and your mother, then what’s the point of me living?” He Ningxiang sobbed.

“All right, Mother Consort, all right—I agree. I’ll agree to everything,” Chu Fengjiao finally gave in, forced to consent.

Only then did He Ningxiang stop making a scene. She tightly held Chu Fengjiao’s hand and said, “Mother knows you’re a good child, and I know you don’t want to do this. But think about your Imperial Brother, and think about Mother—this favor, you must help.”

“I understand, Mother Consort. Please rest well. I’ll take my leave now,” Chu Fengjiao said heavily, her face dark and somber, betraying her mood.

After helping He Ningxiang lie down and settling her to rest, Chu Fengjiao left the inner hall. She was full of worries—this once willful and unruly princess was now unusually silent, a rare sight indeed.

Her mother had pressed her too hard. She decided to leave the palace immediately.

Leaving Consort Shu’s palace, she headed straight for the South Gate. However, at the Guard Palace area, she ran into Consort Liu. Seeing how hurried Chu Fengjiao was, Consort Liu guessed something was up and stopped her.

“Princess, why are you in such a hurry? Where are you going?” Consort Liu asked.

“Greetings, Consort Liu.”

“No need for formalities. What’s wrong with you today? So reckless and rushed—where are you off to?” Liu Sishui continued to question her.

Naturally, Chu Fengjiao couldn’t say she was going to see Yin Qingyue, so she deliberately retorted, “Since when did Consort Liu start caring about my affairs? Why aren’t you staying in your own palace? What’s it to you where I’m going?”

“That sharp tongue of yours, that temper—you still haven’t improved at all. Hasn’t your mother taught you better?” Consort Liu said coldly.

“You can criticize me all you want, but why drag my mother into it?” Chu Fengjiao snapped angrily, looking as if she might strike someone.

Consort Liu sneered lightly. “I don’t have time to meddle in your affairs. I merely asked out of concern since you seemed in such a rush. But you turned that temper on me at once—now even if I wanted to care, I wouldn’t say another word.”

“Then it’s best if Consort Liu neither speaks nor asks,” Chu Fengjiao said bluntly.

“You—!” Consort Liu was left speechless, seething with anger. But she couldn’t slap Chu Fengjiao in front of so many people. She could only say, “Forget it. That temper of yours still needs your mother to teach you.”

Chu Fengjiao glared at her without saying a word.

At that moment, a palace maid hurried up to Consort Liu and whispered, “Your Ladyship, it’s time to go. Prince Ling is about to enter the inner palace.”

At the mention of Prince Ling, Consort Liu’s mood immediately brightened. She smiled and said to Chu Fengjiao, “I don’t have time to keep you company. Go wherever you please.”

With that, Liu Sishui hurried back to her own palace. Prince Ling was about to arrive—nothing was more important than that. The last time Prince Ling entered the palace, he only went to the front court and didn’t come to the inner palace. This time, she was ecstatic.

She left in such haste that she didn’t care where Chu Fengjiao was going.

Only after seeing Liu Sishui leave did Chu Fengjiao relax. She couldn’t let Consort Liu know she intended to leave the palace—especially to look for Yin Qingyue. Otherwise, she would surely face mockery and sarcasm, and Consort Liu might even report it to the Emperor.

Thinking she had escaped danger and everything would be fine, she never expected that just as she reached the side gate of the Guard Palace, only a step away from the South Gate—

“Eldest Princess, I advise you not to leave the palace.”

The voice came from behind. Chu Fengjiao turned around and saw Consort Lan. She was approaching with a group of palace maids and eunuchs, saying as she walked, “Princess, it’s better if you don’t leave the palace. If your Imperial Father finds out, you’ll be in serious trouble.”

Chu Fengjiao had never liked Consort Lan. She shot her a cold glance and said disdainfully, “I’m leaving the palace—what does it have to do with you, Consort Lan? What right do you have to interfere?”

“I’m not Consort Liu,” Lan Rao said coolly. “You can’t brush me off with just a few words.”

“How do you know about Consort Liu just now…?”

“I know far more than that,” Lan Rao said with a sinister smile, her gaze mysterious. She stepped closer and smiled faintly. “Princess, I also know that you’re going to look for Yin Qingyue, aren’t you? If you want to see her, I can tell you today—it’s impossible.”

Chu Fengjiao was shocked. She hadn’t expected Consort Lan to know about this. Her face turned pale—she had always been bad at hiding her emotions. Gritting her teeth, she asked, “How do you know?”

“Anything I want to know, I will know.”

“What exactly do you want?” Chu Fengjiao demanded.

“What do I want? I want nothing at all,” Lan Rao replied calmly. “And so I hope you won’t do anything either. This matter is not something you can interfere with.”

Though framed as obstruction, it was actually a warning.

Even if Chu Fengjiao were foolish, she could understand Lan Rao’s meaning. But her mother had forced her with threats of death. If she didn’t go get close to Yin Qingyue, how would she explain things to her mother?

“You’re not my mother,” Chu Fengjiao said coldly. “I want to leave the palace, and you have no right to stop me. Even if you go tell Father Emperor, he has no time to deal with me right now. If you go, you’ll only earn his reprimand. And if you want to stop me, let’s see whether you, Consort Lan, have the ability.”

“Is that so?” Lan Rao smiled.

Chu Fengjiao strode forward, ignoring Lan Rao’s obstruction. What she didn’t know was that palace guards had come along with Lan Rao.

Several guards blocked Chu Fengjiao’s path. No matter how skilled she was, she couldn’t overpower them all.

Lan Rao said, “I advise you to stay in the palace and study music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. This matter is not something you can manage. You’re just a young girl—girls should stay in their chambers and not go out. Don’t get involved in this at all.”

“I like getting involved. What can you do about it, Consort Lan?” Chu Fengjiao retorted.

“Then we’ll see whether you can leave the palace today.”

“You—Consort Lan, don’t go too far. I know you’re in favor right now. My mother consort and my Imperial Brother are in trouble, and you’re happier than anyone. But don’t forget—my mother is still Father Emperor’s consort, and my brother is still a prince. You, Consort Lan, have no children. No matter how glorious you are now, you’re still alone.”

For someone usually so unruly, Chu Fengjiao’s words at this moment were shockingly sharp.

Consort Lan hated nothing more than people mentioning that she had no children. Hearing Chu Fengjiao say it so casually, and in front of so many people, enraged her.

“Princess, I’ve said all I need to say,” Lan Rao snapped. “I already warned you. If you keep talking like this, I’ll slap your mouth.”

“Go ahead,” Chu Fengjiao said defiantly. “I’d like to see whether you dare.”

“Are you provoking me?”

“So what if I am?” Chu Fengjiao sneered coldly. “I dare do far more than this. You, Consort Lan, only dare to talk—you don’t dare to act.”

Chu Fengjiao glanced anxiously toward the South Gate, desperate to leave.

Lan Rao didn’t fall for it. She merely smiled and said, “You want me to hit you so you can make a fuss—but I won’t take the bait. I’m only telling you this: it’s best not to interfere in your Imperial Brother’s affairs. And it’s best not to meddle in Prince Jing and Miss Yin’s matters either. Don’t worry yourself—otherwise you’ll only bring trouble upon yourself.”

At those words, Chu Fengjiao shot Lan Rao an unwilling glare.

For the first time, she felt the chill of human indifference. Her brother had fallen, her mother had lost protection, and she herself was just a princess—bearing only a noble title, nothing more.

This time, Lan Rao was determined not to let her leave the palace. With the guards blocking her, and the South Gate right before her, she feared she truly wouldn’t be able to go out today.

In truth, Lan Rao was right. If her father knew, she would certainly be scolded. Her mother was under confinement and couldn’t protect her at all.

Grinding her teeth, Chu Fengjiao decided to swallow this anger for now and wait for a better opportunity to leave the palace—while guarding against both Consort Lan and Consort Liu.

“Consort Lan, it seems you absolutely won’t let me leave today. Fine, I won’t go out. I can’t be bothered to tangle with you.”

“It’s good that you understand,” Lan Rao replied calmly.

“Hmph.” Chu Fengjiao snorted coldly, turned around, and left.

In the past, she would never have held back like this.

Watching Chu Fengjiao leave in frustration, Lan Rao felt quite satisfied. She waved her hand and said to the palace maids beside her, “All right, let’s go back.”

With that, Lan Rao returned to her own palace.

Chu Fengjiao, simmering with anger, headed back to Consort Shu’s palace.