Good Ending: She Swears She Will Not Let Him Die!

Chapter 192: Chapter 191: Provocation

Mu Lianhui looked up, silently meeting Princess Yunhua’s gaze, her eyes as calm as water, without a trace of guilt or anxiety.

After a long while, her gaze slowly moved away and settled on the teacup at her feet.

The teacup, once filled with hot tea, had been knocked over, wetting the floor, and when it rolled to Mu Lianhui’s feet, it was already empty, thus not wetting her shoes.

Mu Lianhui bent down, leaned forward slightly, pinched the teacup with her slender fingers, then stood up and handed the empty cup to Princess Yunhua.

Princess Yunhua’s dark eyes suddenly tightened.

The Princess did not receive it, but Mu Lianhui didn’t mind, turning to offer it to Suiyu.

Suiyu’s heart pounded wildly, as she clearly saw that Princess Yunhua was already extremely furious.

She had just kicked over the chess pieces, and who knows, she might kick the leg of Suiyu next. Suiyu’s legs trembled, but she couldn’t ignore Mu Lianhui, so she shakily reached out her hand to take the teacup.

Mu Lianhui curved her lips, with a faint smile said, ”What trouble has the County Princess stirred up to be remembered even by Caiwei?”

Princess Nanyan met Mu Lianhui’s gaze and smiled faintly.

Du Yunluo was right; both of them understood Mu Lianhui well. At this moment, Mu Lianhui appeared very composed, but in reality, she was provoking.

If Mu Lianhui had done this, she would be as calm as still water, without showing any sign of wavering. If she wanted to muddle through, she had the ability to face any interrogation with an unchanging face.

Just like the events in Wangmei Garden, even with the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Consort convinced in their hearts, Mu Lianhui didn’t say a single incorrect word when replying. If she didn’t want to admit, she would never let anyone catch a flaw in her words or expressions.

But now, Mu Lianhui chose provocation because she was certain of her innocence, thus setting a trap for Princess Yunhua.

Princess Nanyan and Du Yunluo exchanged a subtle glance.

Du Yunluo thought silently that earlier, when following Princess Yunhua to ride horses, Mu Lianhui must have suffered, making her want to turn the situation around in the matter of Caiwei.

The more suspicious the Princess was of her and the angrier she got, venting on Mu Lianhui, by the time the person plotting against Princess Nanyan was found, the Princess’s position would become more delicate.

Even if infuriated, the Princess couldn’t relentlessly pursue Mu Lianhui, lest word reach the Empress Dowager or the Empress, leading to a reprimand for the Princess.

For Mu Lianhui, even if it couldn’t guarantee permanent peace, at least it could ensure a few days of calm, especially during these days at the hunting ground, allowing her some comfort.

After all, it couldn’t get any worse than it was now.

Mu Lianhui bowed to the Princess and exited.

Princess Yunhua, unable to vent her anger, raised her hand and smacked the teacup out of Suiyu’s hand.

With a crash, the porcelain shattered.

Suiyu jumped in fright and instinctively stepped back, stepping on a shard, causing her to wince in pain.

Du Yunluo, noticing this, asked, ”Are you hurt?”

Suiyu dared not speak, responding with hesitation.

Princess Yunhua waved her hand: ”Hurt? Then leave! Are you waiting for me to serve you?”

Suiyu, with her head lowered, apologized repeatedly and limped out.

Princess Yunhua sat back in her chair, stifled and speechless.

Nanyan called two Palace Attendants from outside to clean up the mess.

Du Yunluo quickly followed Suiyu.

Suiyu found a secluded spot to sit, removed her shoe to check her injury.

”Is it bad?” Du Yunluo approached Suiyu.

Suiyu was startled, hurriedly tried to stand, but lost her balance, and if not for Du Yunluo’s quick reflexes, she would’ve fallen hard onto the ground.

”Checking the injury is more important,” Du Yunluo said softly.

Suiyu, with reddened eyes, nodded and removed her sock to reveal a reddened bloodstain on the back of her heel.

Du Yunluo glanced; Suiyu had bad luck stepping on a sharp shard, piercing through her shoe and sock, embedding into her foot. Fortunately, it hadn’t gone in deeply, just a small cut, but walking would definitely hurt.

”You probably won’t be able to serve the Princess for the next couple of days,” Du Yunluo remarked.

Suiyu bit her lower lip and shook her head: ”The servants familiar with the Princess are just a few who came to the hunting ground; I can’t shirk my duties.”

Du Yunluo smiled: ”You’re not shirking work. Are you worried they won’t serve the Princess well?”

Suiyu lowered her head and sighed: ”The Princess is difficult to serve... especially these days, even more so...”

Du Yunluo further asked, ”These days, you mean since Princess Nanyan got married?”

Suiyu frowned tightly, reluctantly murmuring a response after a while.

As a servant, Suiyu didn’t dare openly criticize the Princess. Even saying this much was her limit; asking her to speak more plainly was impossible.

Du Yunluo understood and didn’t press further, gently consoling Suiyu before returning to the Princess’s tent.

Just as she approached, she saw Princess Nanyan stepping out of the tent.

The two avoided others, and Du Yunluo whispered to Princess Nanyan, ”You know those around the Princess better than I do.”

Princess Nanyan nodded slightly: ”Yes, it was somewhat expected.”

Having grown up in the palace as an orphan, Princess Nanyan was more pitied than envied by others. No one would willingly trade their family for a title like County Princess, understanding that it’s all superficial. Only with family and lineage backing you stand firmly.

Marrying Li Luan as his principal wife garnered envy from many, but envy doesn’t drive someone to harm, does it?

Among the noble women, ladies, and young women who came to the hunting ground, Nanyan considered them one by one and found none with whom she had significant enmity.

Aside from Mu Lianhui, she really hadn’t offended anyone.

Thus, she focused her suspicions on the people serving around the Princess.

Du Yunluo had the same thought, which is why she questioned Suiyu. Suiyu was honest, not young, and in half a year could leave the palace, unlikely to engage in foolish acts.

It was rather a few younger ones who were more impulsive.

Having a direction, further investigation required patience; considering Princess Yunhua was still inside the tent, Princess Nanyan didn’t want to delay and walked back with Du Yunluo.

As they reached outside the tent, they heard Princess Yunhua’s voice.

”Does Suiyu usually teach you this way?” Cold, devoid of warmth, like a blade scraping over skin—not cutting, but chilling enough to cause anxiety.

Nanyan and Du Yunluo entered one after the other.

Inside the tent knelt two young palace maids, heads lowered, not daring to respond.

Princess Yunhua raised her eyebrow, pointed at the setting and said, ”Nanyan, arrange it for them to see.”

Nanyan glanced at the setup: freshly served teapots and cups, snack trays, fresh fruits neatly arranged, but not in the precise order Princess Yunhua preferred. The Princess was particular about these details, like the order of snacks—getting it wrong upset her.

Nanyan stepped forward to adjust each item and then smiled lightly: ”Qing Yan, Lu Chun, make sure to remember this.”