Reborn in the Cold Palace: The Emperor's lie

Upon arriving at the side courtyard, Baili Zan and the injured Yang Qiong had been watching the commotion for a while. Baili Zan, as a guest scholar trusted by Cui Yi, tried to mediate—though to no avail. Yang Qiong, with one hand still bandaged, couldn't even approach. The maidservants had warned him about Xie Yuchan's vicious nature, telling him never to cross her.

"What happened?" Chi Ying strode towards the octagonal pavilion where the incident occurred. Xie Yuchan leaned against the railing, while Nongyue knelt before her, slapping her own face.

Xie Yuchan glared at Chi Ying hatefully, not bothering to greet her. She arrogantly snorted.

Chi Ying sternly ordered Nongyue to stop, "Stop hitting yourself." Then she turned to Xie Yuchan, "Miss Xie, Nongyue is my maid. Shouldn't you ask me before punishing her?"

Xie Yuchan contemptuously glanced at her and ignored her.

Chi Ying told Nongyue, "Get up."

Nongyue was about to thank her and rise when Xie Yuchan angrily shouted, "Who allowed you to get up? Kneel!"

Chi Ying's temper flared, matching Xie Yuchan's, "Outrageous! Who gave you the authority to rule in the Wu King's residence?"

"You're outrageous? Ask yourself who's really outrageous!" Xie Yuchan jumped up from the railing, pointing rudely at Chi Ying, "My destined match with Yingrong was heaven-sent. If it weren't for you, seducing him, he wouldn't have abandoned me. Ruling here is my right. Everything here belongs to me. You stole my things and now act superior. Today, I'll punish your maid however I like!"

Since New Year's Eve, Xie Yuchan had been confined to the side courtyard. Cui Yi feared Chi Ying might plead for leniency, so he ordered the servants not to inform her. Unaware, Xie Yuchan's resentment grew deeper, finally erupting today.

Knowing Chi Ying didn't fully trust her, Nongyue stayed away from the main courtyard and worked in the kitchen. After lunch, she and another maid brought medicine to Yang Qiong. Spotting them from afar, Xie Yuchan summoned them to serve her. Nongyue didn't realize she was already a thorn in Xie Yuchan's side. Upon reaching the pavilion and asking what she needed, Xie Yuchan told her to replace the cold tea. Just as Nongyue picked up the teapot, another maid tripped her, spilling the tea onto Xie Yuchan's feet.

The maid who accompanied Nongyue recounted the incident. Chi Ying sneered, "It seems I've been too lenient with Miss Xie. It's fine if you look down on me, but Nongyue was requested by the King from Concubine Duan, making her effectively the King's person. By beating her, you're insulting the King and Concubine Duan. Don't you understand the saying, 'Beat the dog after seeing its master'?"

Xie Yuchan, spoiled since childhood, had never considered such consequences. Now reminded, she felt fear. Though stubborn and arrogant, she wasn't stupid. Knowing both Cui Yi and the Emperor disapproved of her, Concubine Duan was her only support. Offending her would leave her nowhere to go.

"You... You can't threaten me with Aunt! Of course, Aunt stands by me. Even if I beat her servant, so what? Servants make mistakes, and it's natural to punish them," Xie Yuchan retorted weakly.

Chi Ying looked at her pityingly, "It's not up to you to punish her. Nongyue used to be a senior nanny and held a rank equivalent to a sixth-rank official in the inner palace. Try slapping a sixth-rank official in court and see what happens."

Xie Yuchan showed fear, trembling slightly, but still defiant, "So what if she's sixth-rank or first-rank? That's all in the past. She's just a maid now. What if I beat her? Are you going to punish me?"

Chi Ying smiled gently, "Punish you? Not at all, but I can certainly ask you to leave the residence."

Xie Yuchan's face turned pale, jumping up and shouting, "You dare! You shameless vixen! If you dare throw me out, I won't let you off! My father is a governor, and my aunt is an imperial concubine..."

Chi Ying smiled, "Come, gather Miss Xie's belongings and escort her out."

The maidservants were thrilled, rushing to pack Xie Yuchan's things. Xie Yuchan pointed at Chi Ying, stuttering in rage, then suddenly lashed out, kicking Chi Ying in the stomach.

"Your Highness, be careful!" Baili Zan and Yang Qiong, witnessing this, were terrified and rushed forward. Xiaoqiu, quick to react, pushed Xie Yuchan back, yelling, "Don't touch my lady!"

Though Xie Yuchan's kick grazed Chi Ying, even a slight impact could be dangerous for a pregnant woman. Chi Ying winced in pain, clutching her abdomen.

Xiaoqiu, horrified, helped her up, "Your Highness, don't scare me! I'll take you back!" Baili Zan scooped her up and rushed back to the main courtyard.

By the time Lady Cheng arrived and administered emergency treatment, stopping the bleeding, over an hour had passed. The entire residence was in chaos. The inexperienced maidservants didn't know what to do, but thanks to Nongyue's experience, she took necessary measures before Lady Cheng's arrival, ensuring the baby's safety.

"The Wu King's residence can't have a peaceful day? One falls sick, another gets injured," Lady Cheng packed her medical kit, sitting beside the bed, chiding, "Some accidents are unavoidable, but what were you doing this time? You failed to expel her and ended up nearly miscarrying. I was scared half to death."

Chi Ying lay in bed, still feeling a dull ache in her abdomen, and apologized humbly, "I was careless and troubled you again."

Lady Cheng sighed, "It's fine, but you need to rest in bed for a while. Xie Yuchan's actions were too reckless, kicking you in the stomach. That's life-threatening. What kind of upbringing leads to such malice?"

Chi Ying smiled, saying nothing. Lady Cheng added, "But I think she's learned her lesson."

"How so?"

"When Xiaoqiu pushed her back, she hit her head on the stone table, cutting her forehead badly. No one cared, and it was Yang who called for a doctor to treat her wound. Otherwise, she might have died in that courtyard."

Chi Ying nodded, understanding. At the time, she was focused on her pain and didn't notice Xie Yuchan's condition. Hearing Lady Cheng's account, she felt it was karma catching up. She merely said, "It's better she didn't die."

Lady Cheng snorted, "Indeed, if the daughter of Governor Xie died in the Wu King's residence, the Xie family wouldn't let you off. If it escalated, even the King might not protect you."

Just then, Cui Yi returned.

"Chi Ying!" Cui Yi burst in, knocking over a servant without noticing, rushing directly to the inner chamber.

Lady Cheng smiled, "The King is back, see how worried he is."

Seeing Lady Cheng, Cui Yi's heart settled, breathing a sigh of relief, "How is she? Is she okay?"

Chi Ying saw the sweat on his brow and the worry etched on his face, feeling a warmth in her heart, and the pain in her abdomen seemed less severe. She smiled, "Thanks to Sister Cheng, I'm fine now."

Cui Yi nodded, thanking Lady Cheng, "Thank you, Lady Cheng."

Lady Cheng waved her hand gracefully,

Chi Ying lay in bed, still feeling a dull ache in her abdomen, but her mood lightened seeing his concern. The pain seemed less severe. She smiled, "Fortunately, Sister Cheng was here, everything is fine now."

Cui Yi acknowledged with a nod, expressing gratitude to Lady Cheng, "Thank you, Lady Cheng."

Lady Cheng smiled warmly, waving her hand dismissively, "It's nothing, but you need to rest in bed for a while. Xie Yuchan's actions were too reckless, aiming at your stomach. That could have been fatal. What kind of upbringing leads to such malice?"

Chi Ying smiled, remaining silent. Lady Cheng continued, "But I think she's learned her lesson."

"How so?"

"When Xiaoqiu pushed her back, she hit her head on the stone table, causing a deep cut on her forehead. No one paid attention to her, and it was only because Yang Qiong called for a doctor that she received treatment. Otherwise, she might have died in that courtyard."

Chi Ying nodded, understanding the situation. At the time, she was too focused on her own pain to notice Xie Yuchan's condition. Hearing Lady Cheng's account, she felt that it was a case of retribution. She simply remarked, "It's better she didn't die."

Lady Cheng snorted, "Indeed, if the daughter of Governor Xie died in the Wu King's residence, the Xie family wouldn't let you off. If things escalated, even the King might not be able to protect you."

At that moment, Cui Yi returned.

"Chi Ying!" Cui Yi practically broke the door down, knocking over a servant without even noticing, rushing straight to the inner chamber.

Lady Cheng smiled, "The King is back, see how worried he is."

Seeing Lady Cheng, Cui Yi's heart settled, and he breathed a sigh of relief, "How is she? Is she okay?"

Chi Ying saw the sweat on his brow and the worry etched on his face, feeling a warmth in her heart. The pain in her abdomen seemed less severe. She smiled, "Fortunately, Sister Cheng was here. Everything is fine now."

Cui Yi nodded, expressing gratitude to Lady Cheng, "Thank you, Lady Cheng."

Lady Cheng waved her hand gracefully, "It's nothing, but you need to rest in bed for a while. Xie Yuchan's actions were too reckless, aiming at your stomach. That could have been fatal. What kind of upbringing leads to such malice?"

Chi Ying smiled, remaining silent. Lady Cheng continued, "But I think she's learned her lesson."

"How so?"

"When Xiaoqiu pushed her back, she hit her head on the stone table, causing a deep cut on her forehead. No one paid attention to her, and it was only because Yang Qiong called for a doctor that she received treatment. Otherwise, she might have died in that courtyard."

Chi Ying nodded, understanding the situation. At the time, she was too focused on her own pain to notice Xie Yuchan's condition. Hearing Lady Cheng's account, she felt that it was a case of retribution. She simply remarked, "It's better she didn't die."

Lady Cheng snorted, "Indeed, if the daughter of Governor Xie died in the Wu King's residence, the Xie family wouldn't let you off. If things escalated, even the King might not be able to protect you."

"His Highness is too kind. Both Chengying and the child are fine now. Just take care of them for a few days, remember to take the medicine, and if there are any changes, just send someone to call me."

"Thank you. Shall I arrange a carriage to send the lady back?"

"That's not necessary. The Cheng residence's carriage is waiting outside the back gate," Lady Cheng winked at Chengying, "I will go back now. Your Highness should stay here and take good care of Chengying."

After Lady Cheng left, Cui Yi sat down beside the bed and gently held Chengying's hand that was resting on the blanket: "You almost scared me to death."

Chengying smiled faintly, returning his grip. His large, rough, warm hand made her feel very reassured.

"It's my fault. I've made Your Highness worry again." Chengying said.

Cui Yi frowned in displeasure: "The servant told me that you were hit by that Xie girl. What happened? I confined her to the side courtyard, how could she still hit you?"

Chengying then briefly recounted the events of the afternoon to him. As he listened, Cui Yi's face darkened. By the time she finished, it was almost as black as coal. If it weren't for the patient in front of him, he would have erupted into an ancient fire-breathing beast, flattening the entire side courtyard.

"She dared to be so arrogant and reckless!" Cui Yi roared, "Who gave her the courage to disregard even this prince? Come here!"

Xiaoqiu stood nearby and quickly stepped forward when she heard the call: "Your Highness, what do you command?"

Cui Yi gritted his teeth and ordered: "Throw that Xie girl out of the mansion! No, throw her out of the city! And her brother Xie Yong, throw him out as well!"

Xiaoqiu was stunned for a moment and hesitated: "Throwing out... Miss Xie is still unconscious..."

Cui Yi raised an eyebrow, puzzled: "Unconscious? What happened to her?"

"I... When she kicked the lady, I accidentally pushed her, and she... she hit her head..." Xiaoqiu, though eager to protect her mistress, was somewhat afraid because Xie Yuchan had not woken up. According to the laws of Great Chu, killing someone meant paying with one's life.

Cui Yi narrowed his eyes but didn't say anything. Xiaoqiu knelt down in fear: "Your Highness, please spare me! I was only thinking of protecting the lady and accidentally pushed her..."

"Good push."

Xiaoqiu was momentarily stunned: "Huh?"

Chengying laughed helplessly: "Your Highness, don't joke around. If something happens to Miss Xie, the Xie family won't let it go easily. It will cause more trouble if things escalate. We can't really throw people out like that; we need to give Consort Duan some face."

"Then what do you suggest?" Cui Yi looked aggrieved, "Thinking about it, wherever I go, others always follow my orders. Now, this Xie Yuchan has made me retreat again and again. In the past, I would have killed her on the spot. How could I let her run rampant in the palace?"