This incident naturally shocked Imperial Concubine Xiao.
The charming Xiao-niangniang was dancing gracefully at this moment, but once she heard the news, she made a wrong step and twisted her foot.
The YaoChi (jade lake in mount Kunlun) Palace was also in an uproar. The imperial doctors just came out of CiâAn Palace, but before they could return to the medicine hall, they were stopped again and were led to the YaoChi Palace.
When the emperor heard that his beloved concubine twisted her foot, he wished to fly over immediately. He managed to lift his butt but then sat back with a cry from the Empress.
Indeed, this involved the Empress Dowager, so he couldnât be in a hurry.
At the same time, Imperial Concubine Xiao was lying on the soft couch, waiting anxiously, and letting a trusted maid find Xiao Ting.
The Empress Dowager, Empress, Xiao Gufei, and Ninth Prince sent people out to find Xiao Ting.
At this moment, the person mentioned was standing leisurely and enjoying the flowers in the imperial garden.
When she saw the little palace maids picking the flowers about to bloom, she asked, âWhat do you want this for?â
The palace maids looked at her luxurious dress and hair combed in a married womanâs hairstyle. Although they didnât know the womanâs identity, one of them immediately responded: âMadam, this servant is picking flowers to make into incense.â
âIt turned out thereâs such a purpose, then let me help you!â
The palace maids didnât dare agree, but Xiao Ting didnât care. Looking at the clothes on her body, she took off her coat and hung it on the tree. She then rolled her sleeves and started doing it.
The palace maids were shocked and trembled. They didnât know where she came from, but they didnât dare talk too much.
Not long after, there were hurried footsteps behind them, then someone shouted, âHurry up and find the Ninth Princess. Otherwise, be careful of your life.â
Xiao Tingâs body stiffened. Your mom, they were looking for her.
At that moment, she stopped picking the flowers and slipped to the other side after crossing the rockery.
âYou guys, have you seen the Ninth Princess?â
Someone came to ask those palace maids, and everyone said theyâd never seen her before. However, someone spotted Xiao Tingâs coat with sharp eyes.
âCommander, this is what the Ninth Princess was wearing.â
The several palace maids were shocked. They didnât expect that the innocent madam they just met was actually the Imperial Cityâs famous little witch.
Before the person could ask for it, the commander had already ordered.
âQuickly retrieve it.â
Xiao Ting muttered. Could the matter be that big? Did the Empress Dowager die, so the Emperor was looking for her for revenge?
Shaking her head, Xiao Ting found that many people were looking for her all the way, which felt terrible.
It shouldnât be possible to leave the palace.
Itâs better to hide for now.
Not long after, she followed all those people and watched them inspect a quiet courtyard before ducking in.
The moment she closed the door, she looked at the courtyard but was stunned. The overgrown weeds didnât look like itâs part of the palace.
As soon as she walked inside, she heard two people talking.
âFourth Brother, why did you sneak in here again. If Imperial Father knew, you would be punished again.â
A dissatisfied girlâs voice persuaded.
âIf youâre afraid of punishment, just stay away from me.â The young manâs voice was cold, full of resentment and anger.
âFourth BrotherâŚâ
When the girlâs voice filled with grievance reached her ears, Xiao Ting had already seen the two people in front of her.
âFourth Prince, Zhao Hua is doing this for your own good. Even if you donât appreciate it, if you still complain like this, you have a problemâŚâ
The sudden voice surprised the two people.
The Fourth Prince was surprised, but Zhao Hua was happy.
âXiao Ting, why are you here?â
Princess Zhao Hua and Xiao Ting knew each other. The two girls were about the same age and had the same temperament. Princess Zhao Hua was the little overlord in the palace, and when they first met, they refused to accept anyone above them. They fought and finally became friends.
Xiao Ting liked this princessâ temperament very much, so even if she wasnât the original owner, she still wanted to speak on her behalf.
Xiao Ting stepped forward, looked at her, then said, âItâs fine if people donât accept your affection. Even if theyâre good for nothing, you just have to follow them and go for it!â
Zhao Hua blushed in embarrassment. She held her hand and said, âFourth Brother is also very pitiful.â
The Fourth Princeâs face went cold, âI donât need your sympathy, just go away.â
âGet lost, your sister.â Xiao Ting couldnât take relatives bullying each other. For her, relatives were the most precious.
âYou, you dare scold this Prince?â
The Fourth Prince was shocked, but Zhao Hua merely covered her face since she couldnât bear to look.
âYou are the one scolding. Returning to the prince, you think you have a standing in this palace, ah? Youâre so petty. It seems like you didnât learn well. For you to pose and have this resentment, did Zhao Hua owe you?â
âAh?â
With that, Xiao Ting picked up the cushion next to her and smashed it to the Fourth Princeâs, Xiao Junâs, face.
The Fourth Prince resisted and also grabbed things to throw at her. Zhao Hua persuaded them to stop. After a while, the dilapidated palace returned to calm.
Their clothes were a bit messy. The Fourth Prince was especially pitiful. His belt was torn off, his clothes hung loosely on his body, his hair messed up into a chicken coop, and there was a bruise on his forehead.
Zhao Hua also had a messy hair bun, while Xiao Ting remained the same, but she sat on the dusty ground indifferently. They looked at each other, then laughed.
Zhao Hua said: âFourth Brother, you laughed, you laughed.â
Zhao Hua was the same age as Xiao Ting and the Fourth Prince. Hearing that, the Fourth Princeâs face became stiff as if he wanted to laugh but couldnât. Xiao Ting glanced at Xiao Hua, âDonât laugh. When the Fourth Prince laughs, itâs worth money, but when you laugh, itâs terrible.â
âWah, Tingâer, youâre too much. I fight with you.â