As soon as these words were spoken, Hongxiu, the maid beside Qi Jinxuan, was deeply touched. Her young mistress was actually defending her like this! At once, the pain of the several slaps on her face seemed to ease.
The maids beside Wei Dongling couldn't hold back any longer. Just as one of them was about to step forward to scold, Wei Dongling stepped forward first, smiling and saying, "Sure! I'll apologize to Miss Hongxiu right away!" With that, she took three steps in two and rushed to Hongxiu's side, kicking her to the ground with one foot. Then, with a smile, she said, "This princess is apologizing to you! Accept it well!" Saying so, she didn't care about her image at all and stepped forward to punch and kick Hongxiu. One kick after another landed on Hongxiu's already horribly swollen face.
I'll teach you a lesson for beating Lvkou! If I don't take action, you might not know that your sister here is both skilled in literature and martial arts!
Watching Wei Dongling's bold actions, Qi Jinxuan was stunned. So was Master Qi the Second. All the maids and guards were also dumbfounded.
They were really opening their eyes today. This Fifth Princess had always seemed gentle, elegant, and extremely kind in the past few days. But today, she showed her fierce side. With all these punches and kicks, the maid on the ground let out pitiful cries and was beaten beyond recognition. She cried out in pain for a long time.
"Ah—No!" Hongxiu wailed loudly, crying and pleading at the same time, "Princess! I was wrong—Ah—"
Wei Dongling didn't stop her punches and kicks at all. She said loudly, "What did you do wrong? It's all this princess's fault for not teaching you well. Come on, don't dodge! This princess will teach you how to be a decent person today!" With that, she punched and kicked again, beating Hongxiu until she howled like a ghost.
Qi Jinxuan's face turned as black as charcoal. She wanted to step forward to stop Wei Dongling but was afraid of getting involved. So she had to hold her belly and shout anxiously, "Wei Dongling! Let go right away! Beating a servant like this, are you still a human?"
One of the maids couldn't bear it any longer and angrily scolded Qi Jinxuan, "How dare you! You must not be rude to the princess!"
Wei Dongling said to the scolding maid excitedly, "Hey! You, come here and help this princess teach her a good lesson!"
"Yes!" The little maid stepped forward upon hearing this and imitated Wei Dongling to beat Hongxiu who was lying on the ground.
Hongxiu was kicked all over and hurt so much that her voice was almost hoarse from crying.
Qi Jinxuan glared at Wei Dongling angrily and said, "You're really heartless!"
All the maids were angry. This Miss Qi was really ungrateful. She had insulted the Fifth Princess one after another. Did she not want her head anymore?
Master Qi the Second was a bit at a loss. Seeing these two little sisters who were once very close now turning against each other and being at daggers drawn, he didn't know what to do for a moment.
Wei Dongling raised her eyebrows and smiled, "Sister Jinxuan is joking. I'm just beating the servant like you taught me, aren't I?"
"You!" Qi Jinxuan was so angry that her face turned ashen and she gritted her silver teeth tightly.
Wei Dongling glanced at Hongxiu who was being beaten and said loudly, "Sister Jinxuan knew that Lvkou was innocent, but because of your dissatisfaction with me, you beat her all over with injuries. I can only follow your example. Otherwise, how can I calm everyone's anger? Sister Jinxuan, don't be angry. Seeing that we're about to part ways, I still want to advise you. You're the legitimate daughter of the Qi family. If you still like to take your anger out on others in the future, even if you find a good husband's family, you'll still have a hard time convincing others and standing firm."
"Wei Dongling!" Upon hearing this, Qi Jinxuan was so angry that her heart beat faster. Her vision went black and she was a bit unsteady on her feet and almost fell.
Seeing that all the maids looked unfriendly, Master Qi the Second quickly stepped forward to support Qi Jinxuan and advised her in a kind voice in a low tone, "Miss, say less! Offending a royal princess is a capital crime that can get you beheaded!"
Seeing Qi Jinxuan trembling with anger, Wei Dongling was too lazy to say more. She waved to all the maids and guards and said, "Let's go back to the palace!"
"Yes!"
The black - and - blue Hongxiu was thrown on the ground, too weak to even cry.
Qi Jinxuan glared angrily at Wei Dongling and her group as they strode away. There was a look of hatred in her eyes.
Wei Dongling bid farewell to General Qi and led everyone out of the main gate of General Qi's mansion. When she got into the carriage back to the palace, she looked back at the plaque of the Qi mansion. From today on, she had completely fallen out with Qi Jinxuan.
She didn't publicize Qi Jinxuan's collusion with the deposed crown prince because she still had some regard for Master Qi the Second's kindness in her heart. If she were to severely punish and investigate, once the Qi family was labeled as the crown prince's party, it would undoubtedly be a disaster for them.
For the sake of Master Qi the Second's family, Wei Dongling couldn't and didn't want to do this. Of course, even if she was kind - hearted, Qi Jinxuan wouldn't appreciate it.
But it didn't matter. Anyway, she wouldn't have any intersection with Qi Jinxuan in the future.
After seeing off the Fifth Princess, General Qi quickly went back to his study to check his precious inkstone. In the wooden box in the cabinet, he saw the concentric jade inkstone lying there intact. General Qi couldn't help but feel confused. He just couldn't figure out why his precious daughter had lied.
When the carriage slowly drove into the palace gate, from afar, they heard someone shouting, "Your Highness, Fifth Princess! Wait for me!"
Wei Dongling lifted the curtain and took a look. She was quite stunned. The person rushing over was actually Cheng Hao!
The carriage stopped. Cheng Hao took three steps in two and rushed to the front. He knelt down with a thud and looked at Wei Dongling with burning eyes and said loudly, "Your Highness, I'm late. Please forgive me! Please take me into the palace, Your Highness!"
Cheng Hao's old mother at home had been safely picked up by Young Master Yu and was now placed in the Su mansion. Nominally, she was guarding the yard, but actually, she was living a comfortable life. He had long felt guilty and grateful to Wei Dongling in his heart.
Now, he was also entrusted by Jing Zhe to protect Miss Wei safely in the palace no matter what. Naturally, Cheng Hao was more than willing to do so.
Wei Dongling glanced at Cheng Hao who was kneeling on the ground and smiled calmly, "Why did you come so late! Get up quickly. You don't need to perform such a grand ceremony when you see this princess in the future."
"Thank you, Princess!" Cheng Hao stood up and happily followed behind the guards into the palace. When passing through the palace gate, he also cooperated and handed in his long sword.
After entering the palace, Wei Dongling got off the carriage and walked. She followed Eunuch Cao straight to the Taiji Palace.
In the Taiji Hall, the emperor was reviewing memorials. When he heard that the Fifth Princess had returned to the palace and was asking for an audience, he quickly threw down the memorials in his hand and ordered someone to bring Wei Dongling in.
Wei Dongling bowed respectfully. Her bright eyes were full of admiration, "Your child pays respects to Father Emperor!"
The emperor saw that her manner was dignified and her every word and action was in line with the rules. He lowered his eyes and smiled, "There's a family banquet today to welcome you back. I've been waiting for you for a long time. Come on, I'll take you to see the Empress Dowager. She's been looking forward to your return to the palace for a long time!"
"Yes! Your child also wants to see Grandmother Empress earlier." Wei Dongling bowed her head and followed the emperor's steps.