Concubine Ning took a deep breath and slapped the guard across the face.
"Can't you understand what I'm saying? Get out of my way! I can take responsibility for whatever happens. I don't need useless people like you."
After saying that, she rushed out directly. No one knew what had gotten into the usually delicate and frail Concubine Ning today. The two guards failed to catch up with her for a moment.
By the time Concubine Ning stopped, she had already reached the Kunning Palace.
Looking at the sedan chair parked in front of the Kunning Palace, the two guards knew they were in big trouble.
They felt annoyed. This Concubine Ning really knew how to cause trouble. They should have tied her up earlier.
But there was no "what if" in this world. They could only bite the bullet and retreat first. Later, they would pretend that Concubine Ning had sneaked out.
They just hoped that the King would not punish them too severely.
Concubine Ning of course also saw the bright yellow sedan chair. She gritted her teeth and ignored the obstruction of the palace servants around her, striding into the bedroom.
The personal maid of Concubine Rui was shocked. "Your Majesty Concubine Ning, how could you just barge into the Kunning Palace like this? Our mistress has been in a coma until now and hasn't woken up yet."
"Get out of my way! I want to see if my sister is okay. Do I need your permission? Besides, my sister fainted so suddenly just now. I'm just concerned about her and came to take a look. What's the problem? You're just a lowly servant. Get out of here."
After saying that, she was about to go in directly, but the maid refused to let her go.
"Your Majesty Concubine Ning, our mistress has been in a coma until now because of you. Don't you know what you've done? Stop bullying our mistress."
Saying that, the maid actually knelt down, which was beyond Concubine Ning's expectation.
Before she could even defend herself, the voice of the man she had been longing for came from inside. But as soon as he opened his mouth, it was for another woman.
"When did you become so disrespectful of etiquette and rules? You don't look like a concubine in the harem at all. How can you set an example for the other sisters below? I even praised you before, but now you look like a real shrew."
Concubine Ning had never been scolded like this by him before. She couldn't accept it for a moment.
Tears welled up in her eyes. "Your Majesty, you used to say that I was the leader of all the well - bred ladies. Why has everything changed just because I've been away for a few days? Is it just because of Concubine Rui in there? If so, then where do you put me?"
The King of the Western Regions felt no guilt at all.
"I don't want to see your shrew - like appearance again. By the way, you'd better explain why Concubine Rui fainted and why the maid Ling'er was injured."
If he had only asked about Concubine Rui fainting, she could have understood. But why did his question also include the life and death of a little maid?
Could it be true that, as she had thought before, he had taken a fancy to Ling'er?
If so, this little maid couldn't be kept.
After thinking for a moment, she said with a gloomy face, "Your Majesty, why are you suddenly so concerned about the life and death of a maid today? Is that maid very important to you?"
The King of the Western Regions narrowed his eyes slightly, and his whole body exuded a warning.
"What do you want to say? Concubine Ning, you don't seem to know what the word 'crossing the line' means."
"I just want to ask if Your Majesty is going to add a new sister to the harem. What are you afraid of, Your Majesty?"
She was so aggressive, and in front of so many palace servants. This made the King of the Western Regions very unhappy.
"Presumptuous! How dare you talk to me like this?"
"Am I wrong, Your Majesty?"
The King of the Western Regions had a cold face. Why had he been forced by the Princess's face to take such a woman into the harem? Wasn't this just asking for trouble?
It was too late to regret now. He closed his eyes. "I'll deal with the matter of Concubine Rui later. You're still under house arrest. Who allowed you to run out privately?"
As soon as he finished speaking, several old nannies beside him stepped forward and grabbed Concubine Ning.
"Your Majesty Concubine Ning, you're now defying the order. His Majesty is kind - hearted and doesn't want to argue with you. Come back with us quickly. Don't cause trouble for His Majesty here."
At this time, Concubine Ning knew that she had completely angered this man. She was unwilling and still wanted to fight for herself one last time. At least, she didn't want to be blamed for Ling'er's matter. Otherwise, her position would be in jeopardy.
"Your Majesty, for the sake of our many years of husband - and - wife relationship, you must believe that I had nothing to do with Ling'er's matter."
"Humph, it seems that you're admitting what you've done by saying so?"
The King of the Western Regions became even more angry. She was not only jealous but also as cruel as a snake. She had laid such a heavy hand on a maid.
"Shame on you, the daughter of the Grand Tutor. The Grand Tutor has a good reputation all his life, but you've completely ruined it. I'll spare you for the Grand Tutor's sake, but your house arrest period will be extended. You can only come out when I allow it. Send people to guard strictly. Absolutely don't give Concubine Ning any chance to escape again."
Just like this, because of her impulsiveness, Concubine Ning dug another big hole for herself.
Even though she regretted it deeply in her heart, she couldn't say a word. Now she could only hope that her elder brother would enter the palace soon.
Just like this, as Concubine Ning was looking forward to it, Du Heng, the eldest son of the Grand Tutor, entered the palace early in the morning. As a general with great military achievements, he had established his own family and was no longer just the eldest son of the Grand Tutor.
When facing the King of the Western Regions, he restrained his aura and his tone was respectful.
"Your Majesty has been busy with state affairs outside for many days. It's really not worth getting angry because of these harem matters when you finally return to the palace."
"It seems that you're also here for your sister's matter. In that case, sit down first."
Before long, the eunuch brought up hot tea. Du Heng didn't touch it at all and looked worried.
"My younger sister has been brainless since she was a child. She always follows others' orders and only knows how to make up for her mistakes after she's done something wrong. Such a temper has offended many official ladies. If it weren't for Your Majesty's protection, she would only be a despised young lady now."
After hearing what he said, the King's anger disappeared.
"You're quite sensible. You're different from your younger sister since childhood. Otherwise, I wouldn't have valued you so much before."
"I've always been loyal to Your Majesty and never asked for any conditions. But I'm going to disappoint Your Majesty this time. My younger sister is the apple of our family's eye. She can't have anything happen to her. She made such a big mistake this time. I'll definitely discipline her and make her admit her mistakes and correct them. She should use her brain in the future."
The King of the Western Regions didn't answer directly but gently tapped on the table with his hand.