Concubine Zhao couldn't help but show a hint of annoyance on her face. She sneered and said, "The former Third Miss was indeed timid, but the current Third Miss is quite different."
"First, His Highness the Fifth Prince pleaded for you in person. Then, the Marquis of Dingyuan supported you. When I said I wanted to conduct a search, even the little maid beside you dared to shout at me."
"Is this still being timid? Humph, I've never seen anyone as bold as the Third Miss!"
Bai Zheng maintained the posture of kneeling and saluting, but her neck was held straight. "Your Highness, what are you saying? I wouldn't dare."
"His Highness the Fifth Prince knows my character well, and Zhuling is also loyal to me. Neither of us intended to offend Your Highness. If there's any rudeness, please forgive us."
"I know I'm of little significance, and it's understandable that Your Highness doesn't take me seriously. But I'm a family member of a court official, and what's lost is a royal gift. Even if this case is to be interrogated, it should be personally handled by His Majesty."
"Even if His Majesty wants to search my body, he should give the order himself."
"Even if His Majesty is too busy with state affairs, the Queen, the mistress of the harem, should be invited to handle it."
"Your Highness is overstepping your bounds now. I'm afraid it's inappropriate!"
As soon as these words were spoken, Concubine Zhao's face immediately changed.
At this moment, Feng Jingye, who was sitting on one side, sipping tea and watching the show leisurely, couldn't help but sit up straight when he heard the words "the Queen, the mistress of the harem".
Now, Feng Jingye no longer had the intention of recruiting Bai Zheng as he did before. Especially after Bai Zheng had dealt a heavy blow to the Chu family, he even had a strong hatred for her.
Seeing Concubine Zhao making things difficult for Bai Zheng today, he was happy to watch the show.
But now, he had to admit that Bai Zheng was right.
This was a matter in the harem. Although it happened in Concubine Zhao's Wenrui Palace, it involved eunuchs and maids from various palaces in the palace, as well as the daughter of a minister.
For such an important matter, what right did a concubine like her have to handle it?
By overstepping her bounds, where did she put the Queen, the mistress of the harem?
Feng Jingye cast a glance at Bai Zheng, who was still kneeling and saluting, and frowned slightly.
He knew that Bai Zheng was clearly dragging him into this mess.
But as the son of the Queen, he had to get involved even if he didn't want to.
Feng Jingye felt frustrated and immediately said, "Your Highness, His Highness the Fourth Prince is in poor health. You've been taking good care of him, so you don't have to bother with this matter."
Hearing this, Concubine Zhao was so angry that her mind was in turmoil. She was even more furious at Bai Zheng. "It's obvious that you stole Ming Zhao's things, yet you dare to pour dirty water on me? You stole the royal gift and refused to hand it over. What's wrong with me searching your body? But you're deliberately trying to drive a wedge between me and the Queen. You're so young, but your heart is so vicious! Someone, give her ten slaps and let her know that in the imperial palace under the feet of the Son of Heaven, she can't speak rudely!"
As Concubine Zhao's voice fell, two burly old maids on one side rolled up their sleeves and stepped forward. One wanted to grab Bai Zheng, while the other raised her hand high towards Bai Zheng's face. Saying "I'm sorry", she was about to strike immediately.
"Concubine Zhao!"
Feng Jingye suddenly stood up.
He didn't expect that Concubine Zhao would be so disrespectful. Just after he said that she didn't need to interfere anymore, she insisted on slapping Bai Zheng in front of him.
This was no different from slapping the face of him, the Crown Prince, and the Queen, as well as the entire Chu family!
Feng Jingyi on one side widened his eyes and subconsciously wanted to step forward to help Bai Zheng.
But for some reason, when he caught a glimpse of Concubine Zhao's cold eyes, his feet seemed to be caught by something, and his legs were so weak that he couldn't move.
Zhuling had already been pushed away by the swarming maids and was firmly pressed to the ground. Watching Bai Zheng standing alone in the middle, and seeing the old maid's calloused hand about to hit Bai Zheng's face, she immediately cried out heart - rendingly.
"Miss—"
"Bang!"
At the same time, the door of the Wenrui Palace was suddenly opened. Everyone only felt a blur in front of their eyes, and the two old maids surrounding Bai Zheng were kicked away fiercely and fainted on the ground.
Bai Zheng had wanted to stretch out her arm to stop the two old maids, but before she could reach out, she was pulled into a fragrant embrace filled with the smell of medicine.
"Zheng'er."
A familiar and gentle voice sounded.
Bai Zheng's heart trembled slightly, and a big teardrop uncontrollably rolled down from the corner of her eye.
"Feng Linyuan... You're finally here."
Everyone stared blankly at the person in front of them. He was dressed in a moon - white robe with silver patterns embroidered on the wide sleeves, which were extremely exquisite. His black hair fell on both sides of his angular face. His thin lips were tightly pursed, his thick eyebrows were slightly frowned, and his eyes emitted a light as elegant and cold as the moonlight.
That light only became as gentle as water when it fell on Bai Zheng's face.
"The Marquis of Dingyuan? You, why are you here!" Someone exclaimed.
Feng Linyuan seemed not to hear. He just tightened his grip and hugged Bai Zheng tightly in his arms.
Bai Zheng felt an unprecedented soreness in her heart, and tears gushed out, unable to stop.
Feng Linyuan was here.
It had clearly not been ten days yet, but he still came.
For her, just because he was worried about her.
"You fool." Bai Zheng, for the first time like a young girl in love, said angrily.
Hearing this, Feng Linyuan smiled softly. He gently stroked Bai Zheng's hair and felt his heart as soft as water.
Concubine Zhao gradually came back to her senses from the shock. Looking at the two embracing in front of her, she coughed heavily twice and said with a smile, "What kind of wind is blowing today that even the Marquis of Dingyuan has been blown here. It seems that those things I placed at the door don't need their eyes anymore."
Hearing this, the few eunuchs who had just run in following him were so frightened that they immediately knelt on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly. "Your Highness, please spare our lives, please spare our lives!"
Feng Linyuan let go of Bai Zheng and protected her behind him. Because of his standing position, when he looked at Concubine Zhao sitting on the chair, there was a bit of superiority. He said coldly, "I didn't know before that Your Highness was so arrogant. Since when has Your Highness been the only one in power in the harem of the Great Zhou?"
"Now that the Chu family is in decline and the Zhao family is on the rise, Concubine Zhao naturally doesn't have a place for me, the Queen, in her eyes."
A sharp voice came from outside the palace door.
Following that was a solemn and majestic announcement.
"His Majesty the Emperor is arriving—Her Majesty the Queen is arriving—"
Concubine Zhao's face immediately changed drastically. She almost got up from the chair in a panic.
Because of her panic, she lost her balance for a moment and rushed forward. Fortunately, the purple - dressed maid was there to support her, so she managed to stand still. She performed a standard concubine's salute and said respectfully, "Your humble servant greets Your Majesty and Her Majesty the Queen."