Commoner Queen: Falling in Love with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince - Chapter 29

Li Yingshui blew her nose. “It’s all because of that wretched woman, Murong Ziying! The Crown Prince has given his whole heart to her. I merely spoke a few words about her, and he was so furious that he wanted to behead me. I was terrified—the scene was truly horrifying.” Just thinking about how she had barely managed to keep her head made her heart pound with haunting fear.

“Don’t be afraid. With me here, you have nothing to fear! That vile woman entered the Eastern Palace and still doesn’t know her place and dared to stir up trouble. I must teach her a lesson!” Consort Li stood up in anger, ready to confront Murong Ziying.

“Wait, Your Highness… wouldn’t that be unwise?” Li Yingshui hesitated uneasily.

“Unwise? I am doing this to stand up for you! Look at how pathetic you are—no wonder that lowly woman has climbed over your head and is running wild!” Consort Li scolded Li Yingshui. Her anger was relentless.

“Your Highness, you don’t understand. The Crown Prince has warned me not to provoke Murong Ziying, or I will suffer the consequences. I am scared of him!” Just recalling the look in the Crown Prince’s eyes that day made her tremble. She knew he was serious—if he found out she had gone to trouble Murong Ziying, he would never let her off again.

“Nonesense! With me as your support, you have nothing to fear from anyone.”

“But…” She was still hesitant.

“Don’t worry! The Crown Prince is not in the Eastern Palace at the moment. He is discussing state affairs with the Emperor and won’t return anytime soon. We’ll use this opportunity to put her in her place—teach her to behave and stop acting like she’s above you.”

“With Your Highness behind me, I truly have nothing to fear. I’ve long wanted to vent my frustration! Today, I will make sure that wretched woman will be humiliated!” Gaining confidence from Consort Li’s support, Li Yingshui’s expression turned vicious.

With malicious intent, Consort Li and Li Yingshui stormed into Murong Ziying’s chambers.

Murong Ziying was in the midst of reciting poetry when she saw Consort Li and Li Yingshui appear, and a sense of ominous feeling gripped her heart.

“I did not know Your Highness would grace my humble quarters with your presence. I failed to welcome you properly—please forgive my insolence.” She immediately knelt and saluted Consort Li.

“Hmph! No need for that! You are the Crown Prince’s favored concubine now—how could I possibly expect you to greet me?” Consort Li sneered, making it clear she had come with ill intent.

Murong Ziying felt uneasy. “Your Highness should be joking,” she said carefully, remaining on her knees, not daring to rise.

“Yingshui, do you think I am joking?” Consort Li deliberately turned to Li Yingshui.

Li Yingshui immediately played along. “Her Highness never jokes.”

Only then did Consort Li turn back to Murong Ziying with a cold smirk. “Did you hear that? I never joke. Yingshui is my niece—she knows me best.”

Murong Ziying’s legs were beginning to go numb from kneeling, so she shifted slightly to ease her discomfort.

“How dare you! I did not give you permission to rise!” Consort Li seized the opportunity to lash out, assuming Murong Ziying was trying to stand.

Frightened, Murong Ziying forced herself to endure the pain and remain still. “Your Highness, this is a misunderstanding. I wouldn’t dare.” So it was true—Consort Li had come to cause trouble for her.

“Wouldn’t dare? I think you’re incredibly bold! How dare you bully Yingshui—”

“Yingshui, slap her! Such an insolent woman who tried to interrupt me while I speak!”

With a look of triumph, Li Yingshui stepped forward. “Let’s see if you dare to talk back again!” She ruthlessly slapped Murong Ziying twice, enjoying the moment. Finally, she had a chance to release her pent-up resentment.

Wretched woman! she thought. How dare you steal Yi Han and the position of Crown Princess from me! Don’t even dream about it! Soon, I will take everything back and remove you from the Crown Prince’s side!

“I didn’t do anything!” Murong Ziying protested anxiously.