Chapter 887: Chapter 39: Willing to Give and Take
On the way back to the mansion, everyone from the Crown Prince Mansion had a sour look on their face.
Lady Chi Bi was particularly restless, unable to describe the feeling inside her heart.
Yun Shengâs casual remark, "What a pity, this is my favorite piece of clothing," seemed offhand, yet the intent laced in the inner strength was quite malicious.
Dugu Xiu, without a word, crippled Qing Mengâs right hand.
He knew well that in a few days, there would be a banquet at the Imperial Palace, and Qing Meng, as the Empressâ nephew and Consort Qingâs brother, would definitely attend, yet he still did it.
In his heart, Yun Shengâs position had reached such heights.
"Wear a veil when you go out in the future," Dugu Xiu said after escorting Yun Sheng to the outside of Taxue Garden, and left in a huff with the Iron Blood Guards.
Lady Chi Bi cast a look at Yun Sheng and gave a cold smile before hastily chasing after Dugu Xiu.
"Yun Sheng, the arrangements have been made, we will go look for Hu Sheng another day," Donghuang Lingling sighed in relief; on the way back, Dugu Xiu did not utter a word, leaving everyone unsure of what he was thinking.
Yet, Dugu Xiu actually acted merely on Yun Shengâs single remark, casting aside his own cousinâs hand, even Donghuang Lingling found it quite astonishing.
"Indeed, the background of Hu Sheng is quite mysterious, it needs thorough investigation. After tonightâs incident, Consort Qing likely wonât let it rest, we should stay low for a few days and not step out," Yun Sheng, despite reprimanding Qing Meng, was quite surprised by Dugu Xiuâs way of handling matters.
Dugu Xiuâs approach had escalated to a rather extreme level; Yun Sheng thought of the silver mark on her arm and felt inexplicably restless.
Engulfed in a frosty aura, Dugu Xiu returned to Yu Yu Pavilion.
"Crown Prince, you went a bit too far tonight, you know very well that Yun Sheng is not someone easily bullied," Lady Chi Bi followed closely behind Dugu Xiu. She couldnât believe that Dugu Xiu would fail to notice the peculiarity of tonightâs event.
Who is Yun Sheng?
Even Lady Chi Bi had suffered losses at her hands before.
Even if a tiger has been deprived of its teeth, it remains a tiger; this principle Lady Chi Bi understood, and Dugu Xiu naturally understood without being told.
Qing Meng may be a bit unruly, but he wouldnât speak randomly.
For him to suddenly say something about a female slave from the Beidou Auction, it must mean Yun Sheng and her companions went to the auction.
But why Qing Meng mistakenly thought Yun Sheng was a female slave was something Lady Chi Bi decided needed investigation.
"I understand," Dugu Xiuâs words surprised Lady Chi Bi; if the Crown Prince understood, why did he still proceed?
"Yun Sheng may not be easily bullied, but... knowing this, I still cannot bear for her to be wronged, not even a little bit," Dugu Xiu said in a suffocated voice.
There was also a hint of confusion in his eyes.
Even he didnât understand what he was feeling.
That woman clearly didnât have him in her eyes.
She was clearly using him, yet he resigned himself to it willingly.
God knows, when she rushed to his side, he had an impulse to hold her tightly.
If she were willing, he would hold the world in his hands, just for a hint of a smile from her.
Lady Chi Biâs heart tightened, a pain like wildfire spreading in her chest.
She looked at Dugu Xiu as if she had seen the most terrifying thing in the world.
She knew, if that woman, with a dagger in her hand, approached, Dugu Xiu would probably welcome her willingly.
Lady Chi Bi didnât know how she walked out of Yu Yu Pavilion; her mind only stopped on Dugu Xiuâs expression at that time.
"Lady Chi Bi, itâs so late, why are you coming from the Crown Princeâs place?" a slightly jealous voice interrupted her thoughts.
Qing Qiang, accompanied by a maid, was walking toward Dugu Xiuâs courtyard.
Tonight, after hearing that the Crown Prince hadnât summoned any woman to his bedchamber, she took it upon herself to prepare some tonic soup and went to see the Crown Prince.
Lady Chi Bi gave a sardonic smile, "Consort Qing, instead of trying to please the Crown Prince, youâd better go to the Qing Residence and check on your brother. Today, he did something good, daring to flirt with Princess Donghuang and getting caught by the Crown Prince, who, in a fit of rage, crippled his hand."
Upon hearing this, Qing Qiangâs eyebrow twitched, and seeing Lady Chi Biâs expression, she knew it was true.
Inwardly cursing her good-for-nothing brother, she thought she had sent him to the Beidou Auction to buy the Ruyi Bow, how did he end up entangled with that calamity Donghuang Sheng.
With her brotherâs dissolute nature, meeting a beauty like Donghuang Sheng, who knows if he really did try to harass her.
The Crown Prince must be furious right now, and Qing Qiang dared not provoke him at the moment.
Feigning gratitude, Qing Qiang said, "Thank you for your concern, Lady Chi Bi, I will head to the Qing Residence right away to see him."
Qing Qiang left the mansion that night, heading straight to her maiden home, the Hou Qin Invincible General Mansion.
Upon entering the General Mansion, she saw several martial artists, beaten half to death, being carried out.
From her brotherâs courtyard came the sound of a womanâs wailing.
Seeing such a chaotic scene filled Qing Qiangâs heart with further conviction.
Entering the courtyard, she found her sister-in-law, the Young Madam Qing, sitting there wiping tears, while her brotherâs wives and concubines were squabbling over changing Qing Mengâs bandages.
Qing Meng leaned weakly against the bed, long gone was his usual arrogance; he groaned in pain, with his right hand bandaged up.
"Enough already, heâs not dead yet, why are you all crying and making a fuss," Qing Qiang snapped at the group of histrionic women, feeling irritated.
Though the Crown Prince Mansion had many women, none dared to behave recklessly in front of Dugu Xiu. Her brother, on the other hand, couldnât even control the women in his own residence, yet dared to provoke that Donghuang Sheng.
"Sister, youâre here, thank goodness. You must avenge your brother," Qing Meng and the Young Madam Qing both looked at Qing Qiang like she was a savior, one wiping tears, the other groaning.
Although Qing Qiang scolded them, she still felt pity for her brother; stepping forward to examine Qing Meng closely, her expression immediately changed.
Qing Mengâs right handâs bones were completely shattered by fighting spirit, and the only one capable of such a feat was Dugu Xiu.
"Brother, what exactly happened? You went to the Beidou Auction properly, how did it end up like this?" Qing Qiang looked into it, knowing it was no small matter.
Dugu Xiuâs combat skills were formidable; even if the bones were healed using an elixir, that right hand might never fully recover.
Dugu Xiu, this time, truly intended to render Qing Mengâs hand useless.
Thinking of this, Qing Qiangâs grip involuntarily tightened.
"Sister, not so hard," Qing Meng winced in pain.
"What really happened? What about the Ruyi Bow I wanted? How did you get involved with Donghuang Sheng?" Qing Qiang gave a look, signaling all the other women in the room to leave.