Smack!
A resounding slap, served with great ferocity, landed on her face. Furthermore, the purple rose was snatched back by the other person.
Jing Xuan looked painfully at the flower she painstakingly groomed for two years. She was distraught, and glared at Ji Muqing.
“From which wild mountain did that barbaric woman come from? How dare she pluck this Princess’ flower? How brazen!”
Ji Muqing was consumed by fury. All reason flew out of the window, leaving only impulsivity. She put her hand on her injured face and bellowed, “Barbaric woman! Do you know who I am?!”
“This Princess doesn’t care who you are. You took my flower – you should be beaten as simple as that!”
Smack!
Another slap ensued.
Ji Muqing’s face turned redder and her anger continued to be fuelled by Jing Xuan.
You wanted a fight? Bring it on!
“You dare hit me?! You-” She raised her hand, about to retaliate.
Unfortunately, the palace maid beside Jing Xuan timely pulled Jing Xuan away and took her place to bear the brunt of Ji Muqing’s attack. “She is a princess, but who are you? You plucked the princess’ flower, and still dare to hit her? Are you seeking death?”
Servants were almost always just like their masters. Ji Muqing suppressed her anger, but her tears kept spilling.
Jing Xuan was not a person who would simply leave things at that. She stroked her flower with regret. Her tears were as quick to trickle. Then, she glared at the other two palace maids and ordered, “Both of you, grab her. I want you to bury her here – let her be fertilizer to my flowers!”
The palace maids shook their heads strongly, unable to fulfill her order.
Jing Xuan’s temper flared. “What are you waiting for? Do you expect me to do it myself?”
“A-as you wish.” They got up promptly and were about to capture Ji Muqing, when Ji Muqing chided.
“You dare touch me!”
“Miss Ji, we…”
Jing Xuan pushed away the two maids, interrupting the other’s words. She was taking matters into her own hands.
“If you won’t do it, this Princess will!”
She grabbed Ji Muqing’s clothes and pulled them, but at that moment, Jing Yi arrived.
“Stop, Jing Xuan!”
Jing Yi came over. His face was cold and severe as usual. He exuded a masculine temperament and, coupled with his handsome countenance, it was hard for people to detach their sights from him.
Jing Xuan immediately tugged on Jing Yi’s sleeve and started to complain. She showed him her plucked flower. “Imperial Brother, look at this. I spent two years grooming it and with great difficulty, it finally bloomed today, but who would have known that suddenly a barbarian would pluck it.”
“If it has been plucked, it has been plucked. It’s only a flower, why are you making things difficult for other people? Calm down.”
“Imperial Brother…”
“Alright, don’t cause trouble.” Jing Yi then turned to Jing Xuan’s servants and ordered, “Send her back to her palace hall.”
“Yes, your Highness!” The palace maids curtsied and escorted her. “Princess, we should go.”
She got rid of their hold and shouted with anger. “Imperial Brother! Why are you helping an outsider? I am your blood-related little sister.” She turned to Ji Muqing and yelled, “You better watch out. Next time I see you, I’ll peel off you skin!” She left immediately after spitting out her threat.
Ever since Jing Yi’s emergence, Ji Muqing had been observing him without blinking.
Jing Yi looked back and asked in a cool voice, although concern could be felt in his tone, “Does your face hurt?”
She woodenly shook her head, then hurriedly curtsied. She bit her lips lightly, acting all bashful. “It no longer hurts. You must be Prince Yi? This humble girl is the Ji Family’s daughter of the main wife, Ji Muqing. I pay my respect to his Highness, Prince Yi.”