Chapter 34: Another Peach Blossom Appears

“Stop! Stop this at once! How dare you rebel!” A beautiful woman dressed in palace attire hurried over and shouted to stop them.

“Greetings, Your Highness, the Imperial Consort!”

The beautiful woman was none other than the eldest daughter of the Zhao family, Zhao Mingyu’s elder sister, Zhao Sutong. Upon hearing that her younger brother had been swept into the pond in the imperial gardens, she had rushed over at once, never expecting to witness such a scene.

The Imperial Consort Zhao strode over furiously. When she saw Mo Yiran standing off to the side, she hurriedly bowed. “Greetings, Your Highness.”

“You may rise.”

“Thank you, Your Highness. Your Highness, what are you doing?”

Mo Yiran remained silent, as though he had not heard her.

“Your Highness, may I ask what mistake my younger brother made to offend you? Why must you punish him so severely?” The Imperial Consort Zhao had already guessed that Mo Yiran was responsible for what had happened to her brother, and she questioned him with a hint of reproach.

“Imperial Consort Zhao, since when have I needed to report to you whenever I punish someone, and explain why?” Mo Yiran treated Yuan Qian’er well, but that did not mean he was kind to everyone. In front of others, he was always cold, proud, and domineering.

“Your Highness, you misunderstand. Elder Sister merely wishes to find out what mistake Brother made so that she may discipline him properly!” The speaker was Zhao Mingyu’s younger sister, Zhao Suyan, who had accompanied him into the palace to visit their elder sister. Zhao Suyan had admired Mo Yiran since childhood and had always tried to make a good impression before him, hoping that he would take notice of her. How could she possibly let such a perfect opportunity pass?

“He touched someone he should never have touched. This punishment is already lenient. If Qian’er is still not satisfied, I have no objection to killing him.” The moment Mo Yiran recalled Yuan Qian’er crying so bitterly, his anger flared once more.

Only then did the two women notice Yuan Qian’er standing nearby. Instantly, their jealous gazes shot toward her without mercy. The Imperial Consort Zhao envied Yuan Qian’er for remaining breathtakingly beautiful without a trace of makeup, while Zhao Suyan envied her for being able to stand at Mo Yiran’s side and receive his affection.

Sensing their hostility, Yuan Qian’er smiled and said, “You two look as though you want to cut me into a thousand pieces. Being ugly isn’t your fault. Heaven will forgive you.”

The two sisters nearly vomited blood upon hearing this.

Suppressing the madness of jealousy in her eyes, Zhao Suyan turned to Yuan Qian’er and said, “Sister Qian’er, what are you thinking? I only looked at you a few extra times because you are so beautiful. I meant nothing by it. And if my brother offended you, I apologize to you on his behalf. I hope you will spare him this once. You are magnanimous and surely would not hold it against him, would you?”

Listen to that—how polished, understanding, and reasonable she sounded. What she really meant was that if Yuan Qian’er refused to spare Zhao Mingyu and insisted on pursuing the matter, then she would be the petty one.

“Yes, Miss Qian’er,” the Imperial Consort Zhao added, her tone carrying a faint threat. “One should show mercy whenever possible. It is best not to take things too far. If matters become irreconcilable, no one will benefit.”

Having stood at the top for so many years, she could not bring herself to humble herself and speak kindly to Yuan Qian’er.

Yuan Qian’er looked over the Imperial Consort Zhao and Zhao Suyan. The Imperial Consort Zhao was the typical kind of woman who had beauty but no brains, lacking even the patience to conceal her feelings—much like Bing Qingwan. As for Zhao Suyan, she excelled at putting on airs, pretending to be patient, and acting sensible. That was the truly troublesome one. Judging by the look in her eyes just now, she was probably interested in Mo Yiran.

At that thought, Yuan Qian’er glanced at Mo Yiran and said brightly, “Mo Yiran, another admirer has appeared. I don’t want to deal with this anymore. You handle it.”

She wanted to see how Mo Yiran would deal with the situation, and what sort of performance this hypocritical white lotus would put on.

Seeing that the girl had tossed the trouble onto him and was now watching the show with an expectant look, Mo Yiran could not help laughing.

When Zhao Suyan saw Yuan Qian’er leave the matter to Mo Yiran, she immediately put on a pitiful expression and said, “Your Highness, Miss Qian’er is no longer holding it against my brother. Please be merciful and spare him. I will repay you!”

That statement carried quite a lot of meaning. It almost sounded as though she intended to offer herself to him, didn’t it?