Chapter 85

Watching Xiao Liangdi run off happily, Consort Bai felt a pain in her chest once again.

She had gone to such great lengths to stage this entire scene, but in the end, the Crown Prince had only asked Xiao Liangdi a few questions and then let her go. From start to finish, there was not even a word of reprimand, let alone any punishment.

What was this all about?!

The more Consort Bai thought about it, the angrier she became, and she couldn't help but sob softly. Her frail body trembled more and more violently.

Prince Luo Qinghan watched her coldly. "I will have someone take you back."

Consort Bai struggled to sit up and choked out, "Have I offended you, Your Highness?"

"No."

"Sniff, I know I shouldn't have come to see Xiao Liangdi, but I was really worried about you! The journey to the south is long and fraught with danger. If anything were to happen to you, how could I possibly go on living?"

Prince Luo Qinghan said indifferently, "Don't worry. If I die, you will all be buried with me. You don't need to worry about how to live on."

Consort Bai was taken aback.

She then cried even harder, her tears wetting her cheeks, making her pale face look even more pitiful.

"My heart is with Your Highness. Even if I were to be buried with you, I would do so willingly. I just can't bear to see the Crown Prince suffer such a young fate. Please, don't go to the south, alright?"

As she spoke, she extended her slender, white hands and gently grabbed the sleeve of the Crown Prince's robe, her eyes full of pleading.

Prince Luo Qinghan immediately shook off her hand and asked coldly, "Do you seem to have forgotten your place? You are just a minor consort. What right do you have to influence my decisions?"

Consort Bai froze.

Prince Luo Qinghan looked at her, his eyes growing even colder. "Or do you think you have become so powerful that even I must obey your every command?"

Consort Bai's limbs turned cold, and cold sweat began to pour out.

She didn't even dare to cry anymore, letting the tears on her face gradually cool.

Seeing Consort Bai trembling and unable to speak, Liu Xu felt both heartache and urgency. In her panic, she forgot all about propriety and etiquette, and with a thud, she knelt on the ground.

"Your Highness has misunderstood. Consort Bai never had such disrespectful thoughts. She was just too worried about Your Highness. Her concern made her lose her judgment, which is why she wanted you to abandon the idea of going south."

Prince Luo Qinghan didn't even look at Liu Xu, and said indifferently, "Slap her."

Liu Xu was instantly terrified.

Two strong old women immediately stepped forward, grabbed Liu Xu's shoulders, and began slapping her.

Soon, Liu Xu's cheeks were red and swollen.

Consort Bai couldn't bear to watch and turned her head away.

After several slaps, until Liu Xu's mouth was bleeding, Prince Luo Qinghan finally raised his hand.

The two old women released Liu Xu.

Liu Xu was completely dazed, her mind blank. It took her a while to come to her senses. She wanted to cry but didn't dare, and could only kneel on the ground, her body trembling uncontrollably.

Consort Bai knew very well that the Crown Prince was deliberately punishing Liu Xu in front of her, warning her to be obedient and not to have any improper thoughts.

Because she understood this, Consort Bai felt even more wronged.

She was genuinely concerned for the Crown Prince's safety. Why couldn't he understand her?

She almost used all her strength to keep from letting her tears fall again.

Prince Luo Qinghan said indifferently, "Chang Xi, arrange for someone to take Consort Bai back to rest. She should not wander around until she is well."

"Understood."

Eunuch Chang called over a strong old woman, who carried Consort Bai out and sent her back to the Jade Lotus Palace in a sedan chair.