Chapter 165 – Nothing Excites Her More Than This
Old Madam Lu did not speak a word on their way out of the palace. With Ye Zhen in tow, they left the vicinity in uncomfortable silence, until they boarded the family carriage.
As soon as the curtain of the carriage was lowered, Ye Zhen’s tense expression loosened, and she threw herself into the Old madam’s arms. She sobbed, “Grandma.”
Initially, Old Madam Lu suspected that Lu Yaoyao must have had done something wrong. Yet, now, hearing her granddaughter’s choked voice, her heart suddenly softened, “Yao Yao, tell grandma, what happened?”
Ye Zhen took a deep breath. Her whole body trembled as she clenched her teeth to stay silent.
“Did the w.a.n.g fei hit you?” Old Madam Lu asked in a sympathetic voice.
“The w.a.n.g fei misunderstood.” Ye Zhen uttered with difficulty. She then told Old Madam Lu that she went to the little prince as told by the dowager, met the Chief princess on her way back to the Cining palace, and was slapped by Lu Wushuang.
She omitted the part when Mo Rongzhan saved her from falling into the pond.
After hearing this, Old Madam Lu shook her head and sighed, “Yaoyao, I have wronged you.”
When she saw Lu Wushuang leave in rage, she felt that something would happen, and yet, Old Madam Lu did nothing. She, among everyone, watched the w.a.n.g fei grow up, and therefore, she knew Lu Wushuang’s true nature.
Lu Wushuang loves to look dignified and virtuous, but she easily condemns those who displease her.
Most of all, she was raised to believe that no one else could be better than her.
However, the Old madam didn’t expect Lu Wushuang to go as far as hurting Ye Zhen physically.
Ye Zhen shook her head in disagreement. “Grandma, you did nothing wrong. The Emperor only tasked me to treat the little prince of his sickness. I … I didn’t know it would upset the w.a.n.g fei.”
“Hush, child. I don’t blame you for this. The w.a.n.g fei misunderstood the situation. Don’t take it to heart. I’ll speak to your cousin for you.”
What’s the use of making Lu Wushuang understand? She already believed that Lu Yaoyao was seducing Mo Rongzhan. Thus, her heart was now determined to find a way to deal with her.
Pertaining to this, Ye Zhen felt no fear of what Lu Wushuang could do. The best course of action is to reverse the cards–make the w.a.n.g fei lose the support from Lu Lingzhi.
One’s best revenge is to use one enemy to deal with another.
And nothing excites her more than this thought.
Ye Zhen looked up and smiled at Old Madam Lu, full of trust and expectation. “Thank you, grandma.”
In response to the innocent gesture, the Old Madam Lu smiled lightly and touched her red and swollen face. “Does it hurt?”
“I feel no more pain.” Ye Zhen cheekily smiled.
“You should use the snow lotus ointments given by the dowager and the Emperor. It will reduce the swelling.” Old Madam Lu initially preferred Lu Wushuang most amongst her grandchildren, but now she has a kind granddaughter like Ye Zhen and feels a little dispute in her heart.
Nonetheless, a grandmother’s love for her grandchildren is immeasurable. In her heart, she only wanted peace between Lu Yaoyao and Lu Wushuang.
It pained her to know that Lu Wushuang has grudges towards her younger cousin. She just hoped that Lu Wushuang would listen to her before her temper destroys her.
The imperial palace was nothing like the Lu family mansion where everyone values and cherishes Lu Wushuang. If she refuses to change her temper, the Emperor will reject her even more.
Old Madam Lu didn’t know the crime Lu Lingzhi and hiss sister did to the late w.a.n.g fei Ye. She always thought that the Emperor was smitten with Lu Wushuang, hence, he appointed her as the highest-ranking imperial concubine.
“Don’t say any of this to anyone when we go back home.” Old Madam Lu said.
Ye Zhen nodded gently. Of course, she wouldn’t say anything.
Sure as fate, Lu Wushuang’s a.s.sault of her would come out sooner or later.
Returning to the Lu mansion, Ye Zhen proceeded to her chamber first. After was.h.i.+ng her face, she applied the ointment and put a drop of the miraculous liquid. In an instant, the redness and swelling abated.
However, if one looks closely, it is still noticeable.
Except for the Eldest Madam Liu s.h.i.+, all the family members were present in the upper hall to welcome Ye Zhen and Old Madam Lu.
And of course, Lu Lingzhi was present.
His eyes rested on Ye Zhen’s face intensely. When he finally withdrew his sight from her, he asked the Old madam, “Grandma, I heard that the Chief princess also visited the palace today.”
When reminded of the Chief princess’ visit, the smile on Old Madam Lu’s face faded instantly, “I met her at Cining Palace and exchanged a few words.”
Her grandma’s answer was vague, but Lu Lingzhi could only nod thoughtfully. The Chief princess’ despise for the Lu family was no secret, and Princess Liu Hua’s defeat against Lu Yaoyao must have put her in a fit of anger.
It was only natural for him to think that his grandma meeting the Chief princess in the palace would likely lead to a disaster.
In a different light, Old Madam Lu told him that their visit went just fine, and again, Lu Lingzhi nodded and seemed to believe her.
But in truth, he didn’t.
Beyond the Old madam’s awareness, his eyes were sharp, so he easily saw through the thick rouge applied on Ye Zhen’s face.
Is it the Chief princess or her daughter who slapped Yao Yao?