Chapter Fourteen: The King of Yan Arrives

“No, young master, she didn’t bully me…” Luo Yunzhen’s eyes were red as she hurriedly explained, but her appearance only confirmed to the two men that Luo Yunqiao had indeed mistreated her.

“I’m going to settle this with her now!” Luo Zefeng shouted angrily, ready to confront Luo Yunqiao, but the Third Prince stopped him.

“There’s no need to see her. Just have someone bring her here!” The Third Prince gestured behind him, and two attendants promptly stepped forward.

“You two, fetch Miss Luo here. Make sure to treat her well!” The men nodded and left.

Luo Yunzhen’s heart leapt with joy—this time, she would make that scoundrel Luo Yunqiao suffer a little. She quickly suppressed the slight upward curl of her lips.

“Young master, Your Highness, this really isn’t my sister’s fault. Please don’t bully her. I… I wasn’t even born into the Luo family, so a little hardship is nothing to me…” Luo Yunzhen lowered her head, concealing the barely restrained triumph in her eyes.

Meanwhile, the two attendants barged into Luo Yunqiao’s small courtyard.

“What are you doing? Get out now!” Yin Xin and Jin Xin immediately stepped forward to block them, only to be pushed aside.

Both were already struggling with painful legs, and the shove sent them crashing to the ground.

Luo Yunqiao looked up as the two attendants grabbed her arms and pulled her outside. The brush she was holding slipped onto the rice paper, smudging the freshly written characters.

“Miss!” Yin Xin and Jin Xin, ignoring their pain, hurried after them.

“Let go of my lady!” Yin Xin shouted, rushing forward, only to be kicked away, landing curled up on the ground.

Jin Xin was left at a loss.

“Jin Xin, go find the matriarch. Go find the matriarch.”

Jin Xin knew she couldn’t catch up to the attendants dragging Miss Luo, so she turned to look at the fallen Yin Xin.

“Will the matriarch really help?” Jin Xin’s anxiety grew, but she had no choice but to head to the old residence to find her.

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Luo Yunqiao was roughly dragged into the garden by the two attendants.

Inside the pavilion, two men were gently coaxing a woman, making her laugh softly. The scene looked idyllic.

If only the people inside weren’t the usurping Luo Yunzhen, the blind and foolish Luo Zefeng, and the utterly stupid Third Prince, it would have been perfect.

As she thought this, a strong push came from behind, causing Luo Yunqiao to stumble and fall hard to the ground.

“Ouch—”

A sharp pain shot through her palm. She looked down to see a large scrape bleeding profusely on her fair hand.

“Sister…”

Luo Yunzhen’s face showed feigned concern as she looked at the woman on the ground.

Luo Zefeng turned his face away in disgust, as if unwilling to see her.

The Third Prince, however, smiled slyly.

“Luo Yunqiao, you plotted against me before, but I didn’t take you into the palace or let you have your way. So now you’re bullying Zhen’er even more.”

“A woman as cruel as you isn’t even worthy to be the prince’s bed warmer!”

At these words, Luo Zefeng frowned slightly. No matter how malicious Luo Yunqiao was, such insults were excessive—after all, she was still family.

But that was all the attention he gave.

Luo Yunqiao slowly stood up, her thin figure remarkably upright.

“Your Highness, you’re overthinking. I never sought to cling to you, nor did I ever want any connection to the royal family!” she retorted mockingly.

The Third Prince snorted in disdain, unwilling to believe her. If her words were true, why then would she have plotted that scheme before?

“Guards! The legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Jing’an, Luo Yunqiao, has insulted the royal family. Thirty slaps as a warning!”

Two attendants immediately grabbed Luo Yunqiao.

She felt a sharp blow to the back of her knees, her legs giving way as she knelt. When she tried to stand, she was forced down, powerless to resist.

Meanwhile, Jin Xin had returned through the back door and quietly approached the rear garden. Seeing Luo Yunqiao pressed to the ground, she was on the verge of tears.

“Marquis of Jing’an, I’ve heard your rear garden is exquisite. I happen to be planning to renovate my own palace garden, so I came here for some advice!” Xiao Muyuan said cheerfully as he approached the garden.

Luo Chao was startled but quickly followed. He had no idea what the Prince of Yan’s intentions were or why he suddenly showed up.

Now, all he could do was take things one step at a time.

---

As they arrived at the rear garden, the commotion grew louder. Xiao Muyuan gave Luo Chao a half-smile.

“Looks like there’s quite a show at the Marquis of Jing’an’s residence. I do love watching dramas!”

Watching Luo Chao hurry toward the noise with a grim expression, the prince’s own smile deepened. Luo Chao, heavyset and out of breath, dragged himself after him.

“Third Prince, young master, Sister Yunqiao really didn’t mean to cause trouble. Besides, I was the one who took her things, and I returned them. As long as young master and your highness still care for me, Zhen’er is content!” Luo Yunzhen said, tears streaming down her face. A beauty’s tears always seemed more appealing, especially from a delicate woman, evoking sympathy.

At this moment, the Third Prince and Luo Zefeng’s hatred for Luo Yunqiao peaked.

“Guards, give her the slaps! I want to teach this wild girl a lesson!” the Third Prince shouted, ordering his men to carry out the punishment.

“Wow, number three really knows how to put on a show, huh?” a voice interrupted, instantly cooling the prince’s fury.

He turned to see Xiao Muyuan standing there, his expression turning grave.

“Your Royal Uncle? Nephew greets Your Royal Uncle!” the Third Prince quickly saluted.

Xiao Muyuan waved dismissively, barely acknowledging the prince, and looked instead at the Marquis of Jing’an.

“I’ve heard your residence is well-regulated. When a woman errs, she is made to kneel in the classics as punishment,” Xiao Muyuan said with a faint smile, though his eyes were icy and unfathomable.

Luo Chao’s face changed dramatically.

“That was my daughter’s mischief. She made a mistake, but I would never let her suffer such a harsh penalty!” Luo Chao wiped the sweat from his brow, his gaze toward Luo Yunqiao tinged with some disdain.

If it weren’t for her, the prince wouldn’t be causing trouble here.

“Third Uncle, don’t be fooled by this woman. She even tried to set a trap to get me into bed!” the Third Prince complained to Xiao Muyuan.

“Besides, every time I meet her, she bullies her own sister!” he said, pointing behind him at Luo Yunzhen, her eyes red.

Xiao Muyuan sneered, “Only the incompetent are easily tricked into bed. Especially someone as petty and narrow-minded as you, who bullies a defenseless woman afterward to prove your worth by oppressing someone weaker.”