13 Qi Xiu’s Warning

Due to some mishaps within the prime minister's mansion, the Princess was allowed to return to the palace until she decided to leave again.

According to He Chunhua, Yan Zemin had humiliated her by bringing a mistress into the household on the first day of their marriage. Until Yan Zemin apologized and begged the Emperor to let him reconcile with He Chunhua, she wouldn't be willing to return.

While some people were on her side, the older generation believed He Chunhua was simply making a big deal out of nothing. It was custom for men in families to take in more than one woman, why was she allowed to be the exception? She wasn't even the Emperor's biological sister!

So while the Princess was being talked about behind her back, she was currently strutting her way to the Emperor's bedroom, demanding she be able to see her brother.

"Where is imperial brother?! I have to speak to him!" She shouted when she was in the courtyard. Because she hadn't brought any servants with her to the palace, there was no one following her.

Suyin came out nervously in an attempt to calm this Princess down.

"His Majesty is out taking care of some matters." Suyin trembled.

"You didn't inform him that I'd arrive today?! You useless bitch!" He Chunhua felt provoked so she slapped Suyin as hard as she could, causing Suyin to cry out in pain. When she went to slap her again, Pan Fengge grabbed her thin arms and prevented her from landing another hit.

"My lady, the Emperor has forbidden violence against his servants." He coldly declared, his piercing gaze filled with disdain. He pulled Suyin behind him and caressed her swollen cheek that had just been hit.

"A-Feng...!" Suyin was surprised and grateful that he intervened.

"Yin'er, are you okay?" Pan Fengge's voice was full of affection.

"How dare you ignore me?!" In front of them, He Chunhua screamed. "I'll order imperial brother to kill both of you!"

It was then that a light figure poked his head out from the door.

"Suyin, what's going on?" Qi Xiu asked. He had heard voices yelling outside and was wondering what the commotion was, so he came out here just to see three people standing about.

"You...! Why is he here?!" Upon seeing him, He Chunhua whipped her head to look at Suyin. Suyin reflexively hid behind Pan Fengge.

"He... he's His Majesty's beloved concubine, so he's allowed to stay here..." She clutched her clothing, her heart beating rapidly from fear. What if her words unintentionally put Qi Xiu in danger? She couldn't go against the Princess, but if anything were to happen to Qi Xiu, the Emperor wouldn't spare her either!

"Why can't I be here?" After looking at Suyin's swollen cheek that had red handprints on it, Qi Xiu finally understood the situation. "Take Suyin inside please, Pan Fengge."

Pan Fengge was reluctant to do so, but he eventually gave in because he was worried about Suyin's well being.

After the two had gone inside, Qi Xiu glared coldly at He Chunhua. She flinched and stepped back subconsciously.

"You...! You dare to be arrogant! Wait until I tell my imperial brother!" She was hysteric as she threatened him. She couldn't understand why a lowly concubine like him caused her to be so afraid.

"I wouldn't recommend doing that. I'm His Majesty's lover after all, do you think he will do anything to me?" Qi Xiu bluffed. Truthfully, he didn't know if He An would punish him or not, but there was still a sense of superiority dwelling within him knowing that He Chunhua was no longer He An's concerns.

He knew that as long as He An was oblivious to the sinister thoughts he kept hidden inside, the Emperor wouldn't leave him.

"Hah! You're just a mere concubine, and I'm his sister. What can you do? You're replaceable!" She sneered.

Qi Xiu clenched his fist before smiling.

"That may be true, but you aren't related to him by blood either." His words seemed to have hit He Chunhua in her sensitive spots because in the next second she was lunging at him.

Unluckily for her, Qi Xiu was quick to dodge and he pushed her down instead. She fell to the floor with a thump and she almost went mad with rage.

"You slave!" She spat words of venom.

"Consider this a warning." Qi Xiu ignored her insults and was just about to head back inside when he saw He An, who had just returned from the war meeting, walking in their direction.

Qi Xiu paused. He turned to look at the Princess on the ground and thought for a moment.

Suddenly, he helped He Chunhua up, fell to the floor on his own, and scratched himself on the face.

He Chunhua: ???

Qi Xiu put on a miserable facade as He An approached the two of them, anger clear on his face.

"He Chunhua! I tolerated what you did at the wedding banquet because you and I are siblings, but you dare to bully Qi Xiu?" He An's words were cold and unforgiving and He Chunhua shivered.

"Imperial brother, this isn't—"

"Your Majesty..." Qi Xiu mewled in pain, tears forming in his eyes. He An panicked and quickly went to pick the cub up in his arms before turning back to He Chunhua, frowning.

"You will return to the prime minister's manor tomorrow." He angrily stated.

"Imperial brother, you're taking that slave's side?! He's clearly not the one who needs your help!" He Chunhua shrieked. She was seething with anger to the point her entire body was shaking. That bitch dared to pin the blame on her!

"He Chunhua!" He An threatened. "If you dare to insult him again, I won't let you off with just returning to Yan Zemin's side."

After saying so, he went to go inside, where he was planning to yell at Pan Fengge next for not properly protecting his cub. Unbeknownst to him, Qi Xiu was sneering mockingly at He Chunhua behind his back.

He An could feel Qi Xiu snuggle into his arms and he sighed in relief. Thank the heavens he had arrived in time. Any later and his cub could have been devoured by that evil woman.

He Chunhua, cursing He An's blindness: Who's the one devouring who?! If I'm simply evil, then Qi Xiu is the devil!