A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1077: Turning the Tables (2)

Concubine Lan shot her a fierce glare.

"What would you possibly know?"

The maid grew even more confused and whispered under her breath.

"Isn’t it simply a bargain with Princess Hai Feng!"

"She aided you in becoming a consort, and you assisted her in raising Miss Xia!"

"Even this servant is aware of it!"

"But miss, this isn’t the proper way to raise someone!"

"We mustn’t entangle ourselves in this either!"

The maid felt deeply wronged.

With such a method of upbringing, the master would surely lose favor!

Concubine Lan snapped at her once more.

"Be quiet!"

"The walls have ears—do you wish for my death?"

The maid immediately hushed.

Concubine Lan gazed anxiously through the window.

Though somewhat uneasy, she still pondered with a sense of superiority.

’Even if disfavored, she remains a consort.’

A consort differs vastly from a mere concubine; concubines lack standing, but consorts possess it!

In the Prince’s Mansion rear courtyard, her position ranks just below the Princess Consort.

Favored or not, her days stay comfortable.

Thus, regardless of circumstances, she must cling to her status at all costs.

And this status...

came from the secrets of Empress Dowager Zhen’s tastes disclosed by Princess Hai Feng, which she learned meticulously to exploit.

Otherwise, how could the lawful daughter of a mere seventh-rank official claim the prized role of Prince’s Side Consort?

With such powerful leverage held by another.

Could she dare to refuse obedience?!

The maid nearby realized her words fell on deaf ears and held her tongue.

Concubine Lan reclined on the soft couch for a short rest.

Then rose to hone her cooking techniques and tea ceremony skills.

Although she had entered the mansion claiming expertise in these arts, she truly knew little and needed practice to prevent embarrassment!

...

Meanwhile.

At last, Xia Ruyi earned the Prince’s favor, and in the days that followed.

She stayed by the Prince’s side nonstop, enchanting the Sixth Prince until he was completely smitten.

With his favor secured.

Her demeanor grew far more confident.

This morning at dawn.

She rushed to the Prince in tears to complain bitterly.

Claiming her maid had mistreated her and taken her possessions.

The Sixth Prince flew into a rage at the news.

"This is unacceptable!"

"Which servant dares bully my beloved beauty!"

From youth, the Sixth Prince had been spoiled rotten by Empress Dowager Zhen.

Fierce-tempered, irresponsible, lazy, lustful, and self-indulgent.

Though talentless, he adored acting the dashing hero.

Before his cherished concubine, he refused to appear weak.

Thus, he bellowed commands to drag the maid forward.

"Is this the one?"

Xia Ruyi looked utterly wronged.

"Yes! She’s the only one attending me—who else?"

After saying this, she wailed piteously.

"Pan Zhu, we grew up together, yet I never imagined you’d betray me like this!"

"Not just bullying me, but thieving my items too! You’ve... truly let me down!"

Pan Zhu stared in shock, quaking with terror.

"Miss, don’t accuse me falsely—what have I stolen??"

Xia Ruyi sobbed in misery.

"Prince, look, she refuses to confess!"

"I saw with my own eyes her carrying my Pear Blossom Hairpin to the Princess Consort’s courtyard!"

"Still denying it!"

"I wouldn’t lie—send someone to search, and the truth will emerge!"

If the Sixth Prince had any wits, he’d see the claim was ridiculous.

Why would the Princess Consort desire a concubine’s trinket?!

Regrettably...

He possessed zero reason, his thoughts consumed by fury for his darling.

So he gestured dismissively.

"You lot!"

"Search the Princess Consort’s courtyard—leave no stone unturned!"

The servants below exchanged baffled glances.

"Search... the Princess Consort’s courtyard?!"

Dispatching male servants to rifle through the female master’s quarters was utterly inappropriate!

The Sixth Prince paid no mind.

"That’s right! Search now—report back swiftly!"

With that, he turned to comfort Xia Ruyi, eyes narrowed in affection.

"My beauty, describe the hairpin."

"So these fools know exactly what to hunt for!"

Xia Ruyi, inwardly thrilled, detailed the hairpin’s features precisely.

At last, she flashed a seductive smile.

"Prince, so wise and heroic—this lowly concubine admires you greatly!"

Basking in the beauty’s flattery, the Sixth Prince beamed with satisfaction.

Delighted, he drew nearer, collapsing onto the bed for intimate pleasures.

The servants below scampered away.

In the courtyard, several stewardesses watched the spectacle, all furrowing brows: Still daytime!

’The Prince grows ever more shameless!’

...

Now at Lady Zhu’s quarters.

Having barely finished her morning meal, a band of servant boys stormed in aggressively.

She jumped in fright.

"What... what brings you all here?"

The lead steward bowed and announced.

"Reporting to the Princess Consort: by the Prince’s command, we’ve come to inspect your courtyard!"

"Search my courtyard?"

Lady Zhu’s eyes bulged in shock.

"Why? What justification?"

"What offense has this Consort committed?"

After all, as the Prince’s Mansion’s female head.

Such a grave error must have occurred to justify a blatant search?

If they truly ransacked it.

How could she hold her head high later, how manage the household?

The steward looked hesitant yet pressed on.

"Concubine Xia says her maid brought a white hairpin here after stealing it!"

"The Prince raged and ordered the search!"

Lady Zhu froze upon hearing, stupefied for a long moment before recovering.

"Lady Xia?"

"Missing a hairpin?"

The steward bowed his head mutely.

He too deemed the Prince’s order outrageous.

Yet... in this mansion, the Prince’s word was law; no choice remained.

After a pause, he steeled himself.

"Princess Consort, forgive us!"

"Begin the search, everyone!"

"Yes!"

The servants dispersed quickly, overturning every nook in the Princess Consort’s abode.

Lady Zhu paled with fear, legs buckling beneath her.

"You... all of you..."

She trembled violently, words unfinished as her eyes rolled back and she collapsed.

The maids shrieked in panic.

They rushed her to bed in disarray, fumbling to summon a doctor.

The whole main courtyard descended into uproar and disorder.

After an exhaustive search spanning half a shichen.

The white Pear Blossom Hairpin turned up at last.

The steward and servant boys gaped in astonishment.

"Did the Princess Consort really take it? Quick, inform the Prince!"

With that, they departed with their group.

Abandoning the wreckage behind.

...

Back with the Sixth Prince.

Presented with the ’proof’ hairpin and Xia Ruyi’s testimony, laced with extra flourishes.

Even if Lady Zhu drowned in the Yellow River, her innocence wouldn’t wash clean.

The Sixth Prince planned to discipline the Princess Consort; Xia Ruyi begged repeatedly.

"Prince!"

"Sister Princess Consort must have lost her senses briefly!"

"Please forgive it!"

"Such a trifle isn’t worth the trouble!"

After much coaxing, the Sixth Prince relented on punishing the Princess Consort.

But Pan Zhu faced no mercy.

The Sixth Prince swept his hand grandly.

"Sell this vile maidservant off!"

Xia Ruyi pretended dismay.

The Sixth Prince reassured her.

"Don’t fret, I’ll get you a better one!"

Xia Ruyi flushed prettily and grinned.

"Thank you, Prince..."

She cast a triumphant glance at Pan Zhu, eyes brimming with gleeful victory!