Chapter 87a: She’s Best at Suppressing People
Seeing the servant by Luo Qing Shuang’s side coming over, raising her hand, she was about to slap Hongyu’s face, when Luo Qing Luan, who was rushing over from behind, immediately yelled, “Stop!”
Even though Hongyu was Luo Cheng’s concubine, and also a woman from the courtesan house, in Luo Qing Luan’s heart, she was actually someone worth a.s.sociating with. At least she’s much better than that older sister of hers.
Who could have imagined. Luo Qing Luan already spoke, but that servant girl acted as if she didn’t hear and as before, raised her hand to strike out ferociously. The sharp and clear sound of a slap sounded. Hongyu’s delicate and fair immediately immediately displayed the shape of a palm.
Only when that servant girl finished slapping, did she turn around and curtsied before Luo Qing Luan while saying, “Miss Luo, I’m sorry. The Imperial Side Concubine told me to slap. I have no choice but to act. This slave servant belongs to the imperial side concubine. I can only listen to Her Ladyship’s words. If Miss Luo is not happy about it, please just punish this slave servant. I won’t dare to complain in the slightest.”
After she finished speaking, she stood before her submissively, as if she was waiting for Luo Qing Luan’s punishment.
“What’s your name?” Luo Qing Luan asked insipidly.
This servant girl had apparently been trained with utmost care by her Elder Sister! Not only was she loyal, she was also daring. Even her status as the future Prince of Chu was useless. Moreover, she already said clearly and distinctly that she followed her mistress’ command. This was the devotion required of a servant towards her mistress. No matter who it was, n.o.body could say that she was wrong.
If she truly were to thus punish this servant, even if her anger could be a.s.suaged, if Luo Qing Shuang were to spread word outside, very likely every one would feel that she, Luo Qing Luan relied on her status as the Princess of Chu to ride roughshod over people. The reputation that she worked so hard to clean would be ruined again.
“My name is Yingxiu.” Her voice and speech was light and easy as she continued to lower her head.
Invigorated, Luo Qing Shuang came over, a smiling expression in the depths of her pupils as she watched Luo Qing Luan, “Don’t tell me that Younger Sister has taken a liking to this servant of mine? Heh heh, if you like her, Elder Sister can gift her to you, no matter.”
Once Luo Qing Luan heard this, she smiled indifferently, “How can I dare to want Elder Sister’s servant. I’ll just thank you for your good intention.”
She wouldn’t feel at ease retaining Luo Qing Shuang’s confidant by her side and harboring a spy instead.
No longer paying attention to the mistress and servant duo, Luo Qing Luan looked at Hongyu before her and asked, “Hongyu, does it hurt?” Her gaze fell on the latter’s face. In but a short moment, that palm print already appeared very clear. It seemed that just now, Yingxiu struck ruthless enough, not holding anything back.
No matter how much it hurt, she still wouldn’t say it. Hongyu shook her head. When she originally agreed to be Luo Cheng’s concubine, she already antic.i.p.ated that these things would happen. But this life was a choice she made herself and couldn’t be blamed on others. If a person wanted something, they had to fight over it themselves.
“It’s nothing, Miss Luo. In a moment, it won’t hurt anymore.”
Hongyu also heard the conversation just now. She had to endure this slap without complaint.
Even though her opponent was Luo Cheng’s oldest daughter, she was truly, genuinely a sheltered precious young lady, not to mention presently, she’d become Fifth Prince’s side consort. She didn’t recognize the other person’s ident.i.ty, so naturally, she ought to be slapped.
However, she’d just finished speaking when she heard Luo Qing Shuang open her mouth again, with an indifferent tone of voice which left no room for argument, “I heard that Father took in a few concubines. It seems that you’re one of them, right?”
Even though her name wasn’t called, it was clear that these words were directed at her. Hongyu at once and answered, “Yes, Hongyu greets Madam Luo.”
“Hongyu? I recently heard that Heavenly Dream Tower has been very lively. Three new young ladies had arrived. You’re one of them, right?”
“In reply to Madam Luo, yes.”
Watching Hongyu bow in front of her, Luo Qing Shuang suddenly felt an intense burst of rage. She recalled that a few days before their wedding, Nangong Chen actually visited Heavenly Dream Tower. Once she thought of how the man that she was fond of actually longed for this kind of pleasure place, moreover, maybe he had even spent thousands in gold on this Hongyu, she could not stop herself from shuddering. She wished that she could beat the woman before her to death.
Nangong Chen was fond of her. Now, even her father was fond of her. This Hongyu was reputed to have maintained her purity, but who knew whether it was true or not? Maybe Nangong Chen already had his way with her early on. Presently, she had been taken in by her father. This kind of relationship was simply utterly filthy!
Clenching her teeth tightly, the hand withdrawn into her sleeve also clenched finger by finger. Luo Qing Shuang endured as best as she could, and p.r.o.nounced each word slowly and coldly, “Hongyu, right? Just now, I heard you play the zither. It really sounded unpleasant, simply grating to the ears. Do you know how to do anything else?”
This voice was br.i.m.m.i.n.g with chilliness, as if the person speaking was spitting out each word through gritted teeth. Hongyu shivered all over and immediately answered, “This servant also knows how to dance.”
Sweeping her gaze past, Luo Qing Shuang glanced at Luo Qing Luan and said, “It’s great that Younger Sister happens to be here. I suddenly feel interested. How about the two of us sit down and watch Hongyu’s dance?”
“Elder Sister, this isn’t too good, right?” Luo Qing Luan’s eyebrows creased, “Hongyu is serving Father. I’m afraid it’s not appropriate for us……”
“What’s not appropriate about it!” Sudded, Luo Qing Shuang raised something and coldly replied, “I’m the stately Fifth Prince’s Imperial Side Consort. My wanting to watch her dance, a minor concubine, is already an honor for her. If Younger Sister doesn’t like it you can just leave. Elder Sister will just watch by herself.”
Immediately, that Yingxiu called someone to bring a chair at once. Luo Qing Shuang sat down and looked at Hongyu coldly. “Go ahead and start. If you dance well, you’ll naturally be rewarded.” The implication was that if she was dissatisfied, then a punishment would be dished out.