Chapter 138

Chapter 138 Consort Jiang's nature hadn't changed at all. The more she spoke, the more arrogant she became, even starting to accuse the Princess Consort again. Everyone assumed the Princess Consort would punish Consort Jiang. Unexpectedly, the Princess Consort said nothing at all—she merely scolded the main kitchen a few times and sent someone to comfort Consort Jiang. This was a big deal! Prince Jing's earlier punishment had suppressed Consort Jiang's arrogance. Now that the Princess Consort had taken the initiative to back down and show weakness, Consort Jiang truly became emboldened. Her courage seemed to inflate like a balloon. The next day, the main kitchen, fearing more trouble, specially sent someone to deliver meals to Songya Courtyard. Who would have thought Consort Jiang would show no respect at all—she raised her hand and knocked everything over! She waved her hand grandly and sneered, "You lowly things! You only learn who your master is after a good lesson!" "You dared to question this Side Consort arrogantly yesterday, and today you're tucking your tails between your legs?" "Too bad this Side Consort doesn't have such a good temper!" With that, she completely ignored the House Arrest order Prince Jing had left behind and deliberately led people to the main kitchen. She said with full authority, "Where is Concubine Xie's meal?" No one dared to answer her. But everyone's gaze unconsciously turned in one direction. Consort Jiang smiled arrogantly. "Not talking?" "Then smash everything for me!" She pointed in the direction everyone was looking. "Start smashing from there." The people in the main kitchen were scared out of their wits. This mistress was truly fierce—she was going to smash the main kitchen two days in a row! The steward hurriedly sent someone to report the news. A young maid from Chunsong Courtyard saw this scene and also rushed back to report. Xie Run received the news and let out a deep sigh. "I wanted to be a salted fish." But if she didn't stand up for herself, Consort Jiang's charcoal fire would burn her alive! Xie Run simply said, "Send someone to keep watch. Report back once Consort Jiang returns to Songya Courtyard." "Yes!" Xie Run then asked, "Is the small kitchen prepared?" Xiaoshu was full of fighting spirit: "Rest assured, mistress. It's been prepared for a long time." At the main kitchen, the Princess Consort was naturally alerted. The Princess Consort had let Consort Jiang off the first time, but this time she couldn't. However, the punishment was merely a verbal reprimand, along with mentioning the House Arrest and copying penalties—a light punishment. Consort Jiang wasn't afraid in the least. She puffed out her chest and left, looking very pleased with herself. Naturally, she wouldn't accept the punishment. Xie Run had already sent word to the Princess Consort in advance about what she planned to do. So the Princess Consort watched Consort Jiang's retreating figure and shook her head, perfectly happy to watch the show. After Consort Jiang returned to Songya Courtyard, Qingsong Courtyard suddenly sent word that a new batch of fabric for spring clothes had arrived. Each courtyard was to send four maids to select fabrics. Consort Jiang didn't think much of it and pointed to two senior maids and two junior maids by her side. She sneered, "The Princess Consort is nothing special—just a useless waste." "With all the trouble I've caused, she still has to rush to send me things!" With that thought, she became even more smug. Just as Consort Jiang was feeling pleased with herself, a young eunuch suddenly rushed in to report, "Mistress, Concubine Xie has brought people to the door." Consort Jiang frowned. "Xie is here to seek an audience with this Side Consort?" "Have her wait outside the door. This Side Consort doesn't wish to see her right now!" The young eunuch was at a loss for words. "Mistress, she's not here to seek an audience..." Before he could finish, Xie Run had already appeared before Consort Jiang with the eunuchs and maids of Chunsong Courtyard. Seeing the large crowd following behind her, Consort Jiang immediately frowned and shouted sternly. "How dare you! Who allowed you to come in?!" "Without this Side Consort's order, you dare to step into Songya Courtyard freely? You have no rules at all!" Xie Run smiled. "Consort Jiang, who exactly is being presumptuous here?" "Bullying a concubine, seizing a Concubine Consort's belongings, leading people to smash the main kitchen, disregarding the Princess Consort... You really are quite presumptuous!" When enemies meet, their eyes burn with hatred. Seeing Xie Run reminded Consort Jiang of the time she was punished by Prince Jing because of Xie Run. With old grudges and new grievances combined, Consort Jiang was instantly filled with murderous intent. She raged, "Who do you think you are, daring to lecture me?!" "I wouldn't dare." Xie Run said slowly. Hearing this made Consort Jiang even angrier. "Before, you relied on the goods in your belly, so this Side Consort couldn't easily touch you." "Now that you've come to my door yourself, don't blame this Side Consort for being impolite!" Xie Run stared at her quietly for a long moment, then spat out two words: "Fool!" Consort Jiang's face turned red with rage, and she said in disbelief, "You dare to call this Side Consort a fool?" "Calling you a fool is already a compliment." "Even now, you still can't see the situation clearly?" Consort Jiang was reminded and finally realized something was wrong. Behind Xie Run stood more than ten people, all standing in the courtyard, some of them holding things in their hands. Consort Jiang demanded, "What are you people planning to do?!" "Guards!" Unfortunately, two of Jiang Baobao's trusted maids had been dealt with by Prince Jing, and the other two had just been called away to select fabrics. The other young maids, seeing Xie Run's aggressive demeanor, shrank to the side without daring to make a sound, and showed no intention of stepping forward to help Consort Jiang. Only one old nursemaid who had raised Consort Jiang since childhood stepped forward. "Concubine Xie, are you planning to commit the offense of a subordinate attacking a superior?" "Don't think you can act so recklessly just because the Prince dotes on you..." Xie Run slowly curled a smile. She never fought a battle she wasn't prepared for. Ready as she was, she had no interest in listening to others bark nonsense. With an elegant raise of her hand, Xie Run said coolly, "Consort Jiang is so fond of snatching others' food, it seems she's never had a full meal in her life." "I, as a concubine, pity Consort Jiang, so I specially had the small kitchen prepare quite a few things, just to fill Consort Jiang's belly." "That way, Consort Jiang won't go hungry again in the future and have to snatch things from other concubines and concubine consorts." The moment her words fell, Zihu stepped forward in a flash and pinned down the old matron. Several maidservants then rushed up to restrain Consort Jiang's limbs. Just as Consort Jiang was about to cry out, someone grabbed her chin and shoved a specially made oil funnel into her mouth. The people of Songya Courtyard watched in stunned amazement, unable to understand what Concubine Xie intended to do. Then they saw someone carrying jar after jar of soups and liquids, pouring them into the funnel for Consort Jiang. Consort Jiang's limbs were held down by four burly matrons, and she was completely unable to struggle. Xie Run was still kind-hearted, having let all these things cool before force-feeding them to Consort Jiang. Had they been hot, one pot down and Consort Jiang would have been ruined. Jar after jar of soup, tonic, and medicinal broth went down, and Consort Jiang's belly gradually began to swell.