Chapter 427: The Overbearing Prince
Helian Wei Wei listened quietly, never once did she interrupted the Retired Emperor. She sat beside the Retired Emperor as she slowly drank from the cup of tea in her hands like a family member of a younger rank.
Only when she listened until the end, she gave a gentle smile saying, “Grandfather, don’t worry, should that happen someday, I will not become his weakness.”
She had never intended to be a mere consort in the harem.
Since she loved him, of course, she would love him with all of her heart.
As she thought about it, Helian Wei Wei’s voice was clearer than ever. “Be it a pawn, or a sword in his hands, my only wish is for him to think of me, Helian Wei Wei, whenever he sees the throne.”
As if astonished at her words, the Retired Emperor’s eyes seemed to flicker for a moment. “No wonder Jue Er chose you,” he said as he beamed proudly.
However, Helian Wei Wei thought nothing of it. Was it not her job as a bossy president to protect her beloved partner?
When Baili Jia Jue entered and saw the two of them having a conversation, he raised his eyebrow. “What are you two talking about?”
“Nothing.” Helian Wei Wei stretched lazily. “Where did you go just now?”
“Something came up at Eunuch Sun’s place,” Baili Jia Jue stated plainly.
“Oh, since you’re busy, let’s go back now,” Helian Wei Wei said as she stood up. “There’s this one old Lord who has been pestering for the martial practice scripts, I can get him two when I get back.”
“No need, I have tasked someone to bring it over.” Baili Jia Jue reached out to pick up his cloak that was resting on a chair as his eyes met the Retired Emperor’s eyes.
Helian Wei Wei had also turned to face the Retired Emperor. “Imperial Grandfather, we will be taking our leave.”
“Go ahead, go ahead.” The Retired Emperor waved at them, making him appear like any ordinary old man…
Helian Wei Wei was still going over the words of the Retired Emperor inside her head when her gaze fell upon the slender yet indifferent silhouette walking before her. She reached out her hand to hold his free hand that was hanging by his side.
Their fingers then interlocked.
Baili Jia Jue’s thin lips formed a crooked smile. Like leading a little child, he led Helian Wei Wei to the royal chamber.
Subsequently, he gave her a rub on her head as he spoke, “Go and sleep first if you’re tired.”
“You are heading out again?” Helian Wei Wei yawned.
Baili Jia Jue grunted as an affirmative answer. “There are some trivial issues that I need to take care of.”
“Oh.” Helian Wei Wei followed after him automatically.
Baili Jia Jue rested his eyes on her as he chuckled, “You don’t need to come with me, it’s just a small matter. When I return, I want to have some of those apricot cakes you prepared today, put out a few more pieces for me.”
“Alright.” Helian Wei Wei left Baili Jia Jue to his own business. Meanwhile, she hugged her blanket as she started searching about in her snack box.
Baili Jia Jue revealed a smile on his face until he went out into the night, cloaked in his outer shirt. The warmth and gentle expression he had just moments ago vanished from his face. “Apart from the imperial guards, order everyone in the palace to gather at the study,” he ordered his royal servants in a cold voice.
The accompanying royal servants hurried off.
Moments later.
A palace maid who was about the age of 17 or 18 was held down on her knees by two imperial guards, just before the steps outside the study. Her face was as pale as a paper while she shivered in fear.
Baili Jia Jue glared down from above. “Who gave you such courage, to go about bad-mouthing the princess consort, hmm?” He laughed coldly.
“I, I…” The palace maid had been in the palace for years now. She knew Yun Biluo and had always believed from the bottom of her heart that since Miss Yun was taking part in the secondary consort selection this time, the princess consort would have no business in the palace anymore. It would be clear for all to see when His Highness favored Miss Yun.
Which was why she tried to pave the way for Miss Yun in advance. Besides, the princess consort was ugly and everyone knew that.
She did not understand why His Highness was enraged.
However, by the time she realized it, it was too late.
Baili Jia Jue swept an icy glance over her. “Take her away.”
“Yes.” The Shadow approached nearer, quietly waiting for instructions from Baili Jia Jue. “Your Highness, the palace servants are all here.”
“Death by beating.” Three simple words were uttered by Baili Jia Jue, with neither cold nor indifferent tone.
The palace maid had not thought that Baili Jia Jue would punish her without asking further. Panicked, she began to shriek with a shrill voice, “Have mercy, Your Highness! I’ll tell!! It’s Yun…”
The palace maid was fearful at her wits’ end. She began to struggle about unknowingly but Shadow immediately struck her head with the hilt of his sword and blood started gushing out.
Baili Jia Jue began to laugh, it was the kind of cold-bloodedness that he had never shown in front of Helian Wei Wei. “Keep your movements small. Beat her slowly after you gagged her, it’s fine as long as she dies within an hour. Take her further away and do not let the princess consort hear anything.”
“Yes.” Shadow received His Highness’ order and left, knowing full well what His Highness wanted to convey.
Whoever dared to even think about harming the princess consort must die!
This was not the first time it had happened. Previously, it was settled at the White Academy and they all understood it very well.
It had been quite some time since the princess consort entered the palace and she could live in such peace not because no one talked bad about her, rather, those who were found guilty, under His Highness’ orders, would not live to see the next day.
Now, the Shadow finally understood that His Highness truly cared about the princess consort.
Baili Jia Jue turned to enter, while Helian Wei Wei was picking out the apricot cakes that were difficult to obtain for him. She had a dreamy expression while she worked at it. Once in a while, she would free up a hand to take a sip of tea from a cup.
Baili Jia Jue felt his heart softened every time he saw her puppy-like demeanor.
Just by looking at her, it was as if the cold-bloodedness in him would naturally disappear.
His little prey was so well-behaved, those fearless b*stards who still dared to talk bad behind her back were totally asking to die!
Nevertheless…
The reason for him to deal with all these people today was not solely for this matter.
Most importantly, someone was actually trying to expose the terrible things he had done on a daily basis to her.
When Baili Jia Jue thought about that possibility, his eyes darkened with frightening ruthlessness!
Sensing the vicious air around him, Helian Wei Wei looked up, still cradling her snack box. “What’s the matter?”
“Nothing.” Baili Jia Jue flashed her a smile. “I’ll go take a bath first, show Eunuch Sun to the bathroom when he arrives.”
Helian Wei Wei responded in agreement. As she looked at the figure of his back that was heading out, she blurted out, “I don’t particularly dislike the stench of blood.”
Baili Jia Jue was momentarily stunned by her words and his eyes sunk. “What stench of blood? I’m just used to taking a bath, behave while you wait for my return.” He quickly said with a half-hearted amusement in his voice before he exited the royal chamber.
She still found out, looks like I need to stand back further when taking care of such matters in the future…
Eunuch Sun had heard their conversation from outside as he went up to Baili Jia Jue. Carefully, he helped Baili Jia Jue to organize his robes while he advised him in a low voice, “If Your Highness truly loves the princess consort, Your Highness shouldn’t pamper and favor her so much. Even if so, it’s best not to let others find out how much Your Highness cares about the princess consort as it may not be a good thing.”
Baili Jia Jue smiled faintly as he slightly tilted his head up; his slender fingers were undoing the clasp of his shirt collar. The corners of his lips lifted into a malicious grin as he asked, “So, Eunuch Sun, what do you think I should do?”