CHAPTER 188: CHAPTER 188 DISCRIMINATION

Phoenix Palace.

The Empress leaned on the Imperial Concubine’s Couch, her hand touching her cheek.

Her noble and elegant face was full of anger.

She was so furious that the hands of the Imperial Physician taking her pulse were trembling.

Unluckily, this Imperial Physician was the same one who had removed cactus spines from Xie Jinyu a few days earlier.

The last time he had thought the Eldest Young Madam of Duke Zhen’s Mansion was ruthless.

Now he felt that the word "ruthless" was simply inadequate to describe her.

She had infuriated the Empress so much that she literally got a fever—

She had a toothache.

The Empress had been in charge of the inner palace for over ten years, and no one had ever angered her like this before.

Anyone who slightly upset the Empress would be quickly dealt with by a host of people eager to please her, ready to become her blade to vent her anger.

But in the presence of the Eldest Young Madam of Duke Zhen’s Mansion, those sycophants vanished without a trace, and the hornet that ran amok in the Imperial Palace was a nightmare for everyone there.

The Imperial Physician withdrew his hand and then wrote a prescription.

The moment the Imperial Physician left, Princess Shouning entered and said, "Mother Empress, are you alright?"

The Empress didn’t want to speak at all due to her toothache.

Every time she thought of that female bandit, her anger surged, worsening her toothache.

Princess Shouning fumed, "Mother Empress, Father Emperor is so biased towards that female bandit, I’m starting to wonder if she’s his illegitimate daughter!"

A few days ago, she nearly caused Xie Jinyu to fall on a cactus and almost ruined her face.

Today, she came to the palace to borrow the ice well from Father Emperor, and when she couldn’t, she recommended someone else.

Whatever she says, Father Emperor believes her!

Even if Mother Empress mentioned that Father Emperor wanted to eliminate Duke Chong with Marquis Dongxiang’s support, would he really indulge Marquis Dongxiang’s daughter this much?!

The Empress said, "She cannot possibly be the Emperor’s illegitimate daughter."

Bandits from Qingyun Mountain, robbing silver, stealing grain and grass, have long been a source of irritation for the Emperor.

Over the years, the Emperor has sent numerous troops to eliminate them, but Qingyun Mountain’s natural fortifications make it easy to defend and hard to attack, which is why the bandits haven’t been eradicated.

Were it not for the troubles in the Northern Desert, the Emperor would have sent Duke Zhen to quash the bandits this time.

If victorious, the Qingyun Mountain bandits would be eliminated.

If defeated, it would damage the military reputation of Duke Zhen.

Either way, it would be beneficial for Duke Chong’s Mansion.

With the chaos in the Northern Desert, outside threats had to be prioritized before internal issues.

But unexpectedly, before Duke Zhen could return to the Capital from the border, those Qingyun Mountain bandits saved the Emperor’s life and were pacified and made nobility.

If she were the Emperor’s daughter, how could he do such a thing?

The Empress’s words further inflamed Princess Shouning, "Even if she isn’t Father Emperor’s illegitimate daughter, Father Emperor dotes on her more than on me, his own flesh and blood!"

Nanny Zhou comforted, "Marquis Dongxiang offended the Duke. He sent grain and grass to the border. The Duke’s Mansion won’t let him return to the Capital alive. Once Marquis Dongxiang is dead, the Eldest Young Madam of Duke Zhen’s Mansion will lose her backing and won’t pose a threat. By then, she’ll be at the Commandery Princess’s mercy, not being able to escape or resist."

"Letting her escape or resist is too lenient!" Princess Shouning’s eyes were cold.

"I want her to taste what it feels like to be stung to death by hornets!"

Duke Chong’s Mansion.

The Emperor’s investigation of the Ice Well Supervisor had already reached Duke Chong.

The Ice Well Supervisor was not a significant position, and Duke Chong didn’t pay much mind to it, but he couldn’t ignore the disgrace.

Moreover, Su Jin’s determined approach of delivering ice blocks to the Imperial Palace with intentions of mutual destruction was terrifying to Duke Chong.

Currently, Marquis Dongxiang hadn’t yet fully established himself; if he truly grew powerful, he would certainly be a major threat.

At this moment—

A pure white pigeon landed on the window.

The man standing beside Duke Chong went over, caught the pigeon, and glanced at its leg.

Excitedly, the man said, "My Lord Duke, it’s news from the border, and it’s a good report."

A delighted smile crept onto Duke Chong’s lips.

The man retrieved the letter.

After releasing the pigeon into the air, he handed the letter to Duke Chong.

Opening the letter, Duke Chong’s smile slowly vanished.

The letter contained only a few words:

Marquis Dongxiang went to battle and has been missing for two days.

The message sent back by pigeon takes at least five days.

Which means Marquis Dongxiang has been missing for seven days.

Duke Chong’s hand clenched into a fist, turning the letter into dust.

What kind of good report is this?!

The man’s face stiffened as he asked, "Did Marquis Dongxiang die in battle?"

Even he wasn’t confident in his question.

Despite Marquis Dongxiang’s bandit background, he had saved the head of Duke Zhen’s Mansion and had marriage ties there.

With such connections, how could they let him be in danger? He was just transporting grain and grass to the border.

His disappearance must involve a conspiracy.

Duke Chong’s fist tightened, "It seems Marquis Dongxiang knew I would send someone to assassinate him, so he returned to the Capital quietly!"

"What should we do now?" the man asked.

"Have people wait on the route he must take to return to the Capital. If he makes it back alive, you better bring me your head!"

Duke Chong’s eyes glinted with murder.

"Understood," the subordinate replied.

...

On this day, the weather was fine.

After breakfast, Su Jin took Xingxing to pay respects at Qihao Hall.

The Third Madam looked at her and said, "Did not Prince NanAn publicly announce that Song’s Ice Shop would close within three days? Yet Song’s Ice Shop hasn’t closed at all."

Su Jin smiled faintly and said, "As far as I know, Song’s Ice Shop hasn’t sold a single ice block in three days. They insist on selling at two taels of silver per piece, stubbornly avoiding a price drop or closure. There’s nothing I can do about it."

The Second Madam chuckled, "Thanks to your excellent conscience, the ice shop has been booming with business these past three days, selling tens of thousands of ice blocks. Where did the Eldest Young Madam get so many ice blocks to sell?"

This question lingered on everyone’s minds, refusing to go away.

Tens of thousands of ice blocks, whether carved or transported into the Capital, couldn’t have been done without making some noise.

Princess Nanzhang had just reached the screen when she overheard the Second Madam’s question and halted her steps.

Su Jin laughed, "The excellent business at the ice shop is all thanks to Mother and the strong support of Song’s Ice Shop."

As for where the ice blocks came from—

Su Jin kept her lips sealed.

Without her speaking, the Second Madam couldn’t inquire further. The Third Madam then asked, "Isn’t your coal shop about to open as well?"

"It opens tomorrow."

"...."

"In such a rush?" the Second Madam was startled.

Su Jin smiled slightly.

Then—

She sneezed.

Tianxiang Building, backyard.

Chu Shun and his people knew the shop was opening the next day and, being worried, came to take a look.

Just as they were about to enter the backyard, they saw a stone erected beside the crescent-shaped arch at the entrance.

Four words were inscribed on it—

No Men Allowed.

Prince NanAn immediately flared up, "Who put this stone here?"

The servant timidly said, "It was the Eldest Young Madam of Duke Zhen’s Mansion."

Prince NanAn remarked angrily, "Even father indulges her more than his own daughter!"

Nanny Zhou comforted, "Don’t worry, Commandery Princess. With Marquis Dongxiang having enraged the Duke, and since he sent grain and grass to the border, he won’t return to the Capital alive from there. Once Marquis Dongxiang is dead, the Eldest Young Madam of Duke Zhen’s Mansion will lose her support and will not amount to anything. Then, she will be like meat on the Princess’s chopping block, at her mercy to be flattened or rounded."

"It would be too easy to flatten and round her!" Princess Shouning’s gaze was icy.

"I want to taste what it’s like to be stung to death by a live hornet!"

"""