General Qi never expected that Princess Wu would make such a straightforward request to him in front of Eunuch Cao. The crucial thing was that he had no reason to refuse. He could only lower his eyes and say in a deep voice, "I'll go with you!"
Wei Dongling said calmly, "She's just a maid. There's no need to trouble General Qi. Please let Second Master Qi accompany this princess."
Seeing General Qi's silent consent, Second Master Qi led Wei Dongling and the others and rushed towards the secret room.
Seeing this, Qi Jinxuan quickly bowed to General Qi and Eunuch Cao and then left. Hongxiu, whose face was horribly swollen and who was sitting slumped on the ground, saw her young mistress leave. She quickly stepped forward, bowed her head, and chased after her.
As soon as Wei Dongling stepped out of the door, she was extremely anxious and rushed towards the secret room. Jingzhe flashed and followed closely. Second Master Qi and a group of maids and guards hurriedly trailed behind. Despite running all the way, they still couldn't keep up with the two people in front.
Wei Dongling kicked open the door of the secret room. It was empty inside, but a strong smell of blood assailed her nostrils. Wei Dongling rushed in and looked around. Finally, she saw a thin figure curled up in the corner. It was really Lvkou! At the moment, she was unconscious and pale. The dense blue and purple whip marks on her body were shocking. Her thin clothes were whipped to shreds, revealing the wounded and curled flesh. The person who whipped her didn't even spare her face!
Wei Dongling caught her breath. Her hands trembled as she gently touched Lvkou's face and called out, "Lvkou! Lvkou, wake up!"
Hearing someone calling her, Lvkou's long eyelashes fluttered slightly.
Thank goodness! She was still alive.
Seeing Lvkou so weak that she seemed to shatter at a touch, Wei Dongling felt as if her heart was on fire. There were at least forty or fifty whip marks! Qi Jinxuan must hate and resent her so much that she even tortured an innocent person! And this person was Lvkou, who had grown up with Miss Qi since childhood and had served her whole - heartedly by her side. How could Qi Jinxuan be so cruel?
Wei Dongling was burning with anger. Her hands trembled uncontrollably.
Jingzhe's eyes welled up with tears. She slowly took off her outer robe and covered Lvkou with it. Then she gently picked her up and said in a deep voice, "Miss Wei, I want to take her back."
Wei Dongling nodded. Her claim that she wanted to take Lvkou into the palace to serve was just an excuse. The palace was a dangerous place. She herself had to go there against her will. How could she let the innocent Lvkou go with her?
She actually wanted to take Jingzhe into the palace. After all, Jingzhe was good at martial arts and would be loyal and protective of her in times of crisis. But now Jingzhe's mind was completely on the injured Lvkou. Even if she followed her into the palace, she would be distracted.
Wei Dongling was burning with rage. She pushed open the door and strode out. Jingzhe hugged Lvkou and followed closely behind.
Only then did Second Master Qi lead a group of maids and guards rush over from afar. Seeing Lvkou in Jingzhe's arms like this, Second Master Qi's face also turned rather ugly.
Wei Dongling looked sorrowful. She said in a deep voice, "Uncle, I'm taking Lvkou away. She won't survive if she stays in the Qi Mansion."
Second Master Qi timidly peeked at Lvkou and silently nodded. He really couldn't have imagined that Miss Qi, who he had watched grow up and who seemed gentle and kind, could whip Lvkou like this.
Wei Dongling bowed to thank him. Then she led Jingzhe, a group of maids and guards, and turned towards the main gate.
When they passed by the main hall, Wei Dongling waved her hand to signal Jingzhe to take Lvkou away first. Just as Jingzhe was about to turn around, she was stopped by a voice behind her.
"Stop!" Qi Jinxuan blocked their way. Her face was full of anger. She asked in a deep voice, "What? Do you think you can just take her away like this?"
Hongxiu beside Qi Jinxuan looked at Wei Dongling with extreme hostility, as if she wanted to devour her alive.
Seeing Miss Qi's disrespectful attitude, the maid beside Wei Dongling was about to scold her, but then she heard Wei Dongling sneer coldly, "What? Should I stay and wait to drink your bird's nest? This princess is in a hurry to return to the palace today. I don't have time to chat with you. You'd better keep the bird's nest for yourself, Miss Qi!"
Qi Jinxuan's face flushed red. She knew that there was something added to the bird's nest that time! It must have been Lvkou who tipped her off! Thinking of this, Qi Jinxuan felt that she had been too lenient in whipping Lvkou.
Now Wei Dongling not only humiliated Hongxiu in public and beat her, but also planned to take Lvkou away from the Qi Mansion openly! Hongxiu and Lvkou were both her maids. Wei Dongling's reckless actions showed that she didn't even put her, the eldest daughter of the Qi family, in her eyes! The more Qi Jinxuan thought about it, the angrier she got. She shouted, "The hand of Princess Wu really reaches far! You even come to interfere with the maids of my Qi family. It seems that you're really idle as a princess!"
The maid beside Wei Dongling was angry. Miss Qi's disrespect for Princess Wu was an act of contempt for the imperial power! She was just about to teach her a lesson when she heard Princess Wu laugh loudly, "Even if this princess's hand reaches far, it's not as far as Miss Qi's leg! His Highness the Fourth Prince was eager to come and offer a gift even for the birthday of the second master of the Qi Mansion. Don't tell me that he has no intention of having an affair with you. I'm afraid no one will believe you if you do!"
Qi Jinxuan was stunned. Wei Dongling's words were meaningful! It seemed that Wei Dongling knew very well what she and the Crown Prince had done to her on the birthday of Second Master Qi!
Wei Dongling had endured this and not exposed it, but now she was subtly slandering her. What did "your leg reaches far" mean? If her father heard this, he might beat her to death! She really had nothing to do with the Crown Prince! Moreover, now that the Crown Prince had been demoted and lost his power, she couldn't have any connection with him at all.
"You're spitting blood!" Qi Jinxuan was furious. She trembled all over. Hongxiu, seeing her mistress so angry, quickly stepped forward to pat her on the back to help her calm down.
Wei Dongling glanced at her and sneered, "What? Does Miss Qi need this princess to show the evidence to General Qi?"
She had evidence?
Qi Jinxuan's pupils contracted sharply. Her heart trembled. She secretly wondered whether Wei Dongling's words were true or false. The physical evidence of the drugged bird's nest had been carefully disposed of, but as for the witness, Lvkou might have seen everything she had done! Damn it! She should have killed that girl Lvkou!
Wei Dongling saw the fierce look in Qi Jinxuan's eyes. She waved her hand and said with a smile, "Sister Jinxuan, don't worry. This princess isn't that idle!" Then she winked at Jingzhe to signal him to leave first and quickly take Lvkou to Ruan Niang for treatment.
Jingzhe took the order and carried Lvkou away at a brisk pace.
Seeing Jingzhe jump over the wall and leave, Qi Jinxuan was extremely angry. She shouted at Wei Dongling, "Don't think that just because you're now Princess Wu, you can do whatever you want with the imperial power! You had someone beat Hongxiu for no reason. You have to apologize to her!"