A determined look flashed across Duan Chuchu's face. "Since Princess Heyuan has spoken so bluntly, I have no choice but to go and see the Imperial Concubine. I believe she will judge this matter fairly."
"Humph! Miss Duan has become quite something! Just because she once enjoyed flowers with the Imperial Concubine, she thinks she can rely on the Imperial Concubine for support!" Princess Heyuan retorted defiantly with a sneer.
"The Imperial Concubine is of noble status. I dare not seek her favor, but I believe she will surely uphold justice in this matter! At least, the Imperial Concubine would never bully others because of her status!"
Hearing this, Princess Heyuan's expression contorted for a moment. "You..."
The situation reached a stalemate. By this time, a large crowd had gathered to watch the drama.
Prince Er, Xiao Yujin, who had witnessed the whole incident from behind a tent, looked at Princess Heyuan standing in the crowd and said, "Heyuan's temper is getting worse and worse!"
Then, as if casually, he added, "With such a temper, she's bound to make a fool of herself and suffer losses sooner or later! Fourth brother, you should advise Heyuan properly!"
Prince Si, Xiao Hanzhi, standing beside him, replied calmly, "Heyuan's temper does need to be disciplined. When I see Princess Changping some other day, I'll surely convey second brother's words to her."
Xiao Yujin rolled his eyes and said with a smile, "That's good then!"
"Alas! Miss Duan looks so pitiful. I wonder if fourth brother is going to play the hero and rescue the beauty?"
"Hanzhi will do as second brother wishes!"
Xiao Hanzhi maintained his cold expression all the time. Xiao Yujin tried to read something from his face but found no change in his complexion.
Xiao Yujin couldn't help feeling wary of Xiao Hanzhi. His younger brother had grown up, and his thoughts were becoming even more difficult to fathom. Sometimes even he couldn't guess what he was thinking.
Xiao Yujin also wore a faint smile on his face. He said to Prince Si, Xiao Hanzhi, Prince Qi, Xiao Jinnan, Prince Shi, Xiao Luochi, and the Heir of Prince Li, Xuanyuan Jue beside him, "Well, then let's go and take a look!"
As soon as they walked out from behind the tent towards the crowd, they immediately caught the attention of the noble ladies who were watching the show.
"I saw the commotion here just now. Is there something interesting going on?" Prince Er walked in the front, gently waving his folding fan. He looked extremely suave.
"Your servants greet the four princes and the Heir of Prince Li!"
Everyone except Princess Heyuan bowed and paid their respects.
The noble ladies' hearts skipped a beat when they suddenly saw the four princes and the Heir of Prince Li coming together. Not to mention their status, just their good looks had won the hearts of many noble ladies.
Prince Er was suave, Prince Si was upright, Prince Qi was as cold as ice, Prince Shi was gentle and elegant, and the Heir of Prince Li was extremely good-looking.
Any one of them could win the admiration of the noble ladies in the capital.
"Oh? What's wrong with Heyuan? You look so pale. Are you feeling unwell?" Xiao Yujin asked knowingly.
Princess Heyuan tried to keep her voice calm. "Thank you for your concern, Prince Er. I'm fine. I was just bumped into by a blind servant."
"Bumped into by a servant? How outrageous! Fortunately, I, Prince Si, Prince Qi, and Prince Shi are all here. We can help you seek justice and see who dares to bully our Princess Heyuan!"
Xiao Yujin put away the joking look on his face and seriously scanned the official's daughters present. The warning in his eyes was obvious.
Shen Li was standing at the back of the crowd. As soon as she arrived, she noticed Prince Er and the others hiding in the dark. Since they didn't show up, she pretended not to know.
She looked at Xiao Yujin. He had arrived earlier than her and must have seen the whole farce. Now he was pretending to know nothing and deliberately trying to support the aggressive Princess Heyuan. His motives were really worth speculating.
Shen Li then thought that it was obvious that Princess Heyuan had deliberately made things difficult for Duan Chuchu today. As far as she knew, although Duan Chuchu and Princess Heyuan were not very close, they had never had any enmity.
The only explanation for Princess Heyuan's deliberate provocation today was Xiao Hanzhi.
Any woman who had the slightest connection with Xiao Hanzhi was regarded as a thorn in the eye and a bone in the throat by Princess Heyuan. She wished she could tear them apart.
Shen Li silently repeated the names "Duan Chuchu" and "Xiao Hanzhi" twice in her heart.
These two had no connection in their previous lives. Could it be that without her in this life, Duan Chuchu was going to marry Xiao Hanzhi?
At this time, Princess Heyuan also refused with a faint smile. "Thank you for your kindness, princes. I'm not really wronged. I just had a little disagreement with Miss Duan. We can handle this ourselves. We won't trouble you, princes."
Then Princess Heyuan added, "I'm sure you princes have important matters to attend to. You'd better focus on your business. We girls can handle our own affairs."
However, Xiao Yujin waved his hand with a smile. "Heyuan, don't be so polite. We don't have any business to attend to today. Don't decline. I'm going to seek justice in this matter today!"
No one expected that after Princess Heyuan had clearly refused, Prince Er would still be so concerned about this matter. Since Prince Er had said so, Princess Heyuan couldn't decline anymore.
Prince Er, Xiao Yujin, seemed to have just noticed Xiu'er, who was kneeling on the ground with tears all over her face. He said in surprise, "Why is there someone kneeling here? What happened?"
Princess Heyuan said preemptively, "This maid bumped into me and dirtied my dress. I'm just asking her to apologize."
"Hmm, what an ignorant little maid! It's only right for Princess Heyuan to punish you for your mistake. Why are you still crying here and bringing bad luck?"
Xiu'er felt extremely wronged. She had thought Prince Er was a kind person, but she didn't expect that after just hearing a few words from Princess Heyuan, he would think it was her fault.
She was just a maid, so it didn't matter if she was scolded or punished. But her young lady was also a noble young lady. How could she be humiliated by Princess Heyuan like this?
After making up her mind, Xiu'er summoned up her courage and said, "Please, four princes, investigate carefully. It wasn't the maid who bumped into the princess. It was the princess who bumped into the maid herself."
"Oh? You mean Princess Heyuan deliberately bumped into you?" Xiao Yujin deliberately showed a puzzled expression. "Princess Heyuan is of noble status. Why would she bump into a maid like you?"
At this time, Duan Chuchu also said, "Prince Er, Xiu'er is my maid. She was reckless today. Please punish her, Princess Heyuan and Prince Er!"
"Miss, it was really the princess who..."
"Shut up! Don't say another word!" Duan Chuchu scolded sternly.