Chapter 26: I Heard You Lost Your Mind, So I’ve Come for Revenge

This morning, news arrived that Su Jingluo had gone mad. The snow had just been cleared to make a path, and Lin Feifei couldn't wait to hurry over to the small courtyard to see if it was true.

"Consort, why are you carrying slops and sour leftovers? The smell is overwhelming," Lin Feifei’s maid, Cuihong, wrinkled her nose as she held the food box, suspecting her mistress was up to no good again. Cuihong dearly wished her mistress would stay out of trouble. Every time they were targeted, she suffered as well. She used to hold a privileged position among the servants in the residence, but now her status had plummeted, and she was frequently fined her wages.

"It’s an offering for the princess. She’s used to living in poverty, and now that the prince merely glances her way, she can hardly bear it. This is my remedy for her," Lin Feifei replied, unwilling to behave herself. After suffering humiliation several times, she couldn't sleep at night unless she got her revenge.

"Consort... considering the prince’s attitude, perhaps we shouldn’t stir up trouble," Cuihong said nervously. She was genuinely afraid. When her mistress made trouble, she ended up confined to her quarters, scolded, or even beaten. But following her mistress, she risked a flogging herself. The consequences simply weren’t fair.

"Why are you so timid? She’s just a physician, and now she’s gone mad. What are you afraid of? I just want to see her eat sour leftovers and drink slops—let’s see how she can still enchant the prince then. Don’t you want us to regain our former favor?" Lin Feifei shot a glance at Cuihong, who, steeling herself, entered the courtyard with her mistress.

Su Jingluo had just woken and was sulking in the yard because all the snow had been cleared away. Only a few patches remained on the roof, and now she was determined to climb up and play with what little was left.

Ruihuan was there, sweating profusely as she coaxed her gently.

When Lin Feifei saw the scene, a smile crept across her face, unable to be concealed.

"My, what’s happened to Her Highness? It’s midday and she’s not eating—why is she climbing all over the place?"

"What business is it of yours? Why are you here?" Ruihuan shot Lin Feifei a glare, clearly annoyed.

"This princess is always laying down rules for me, yet those around her are so ill-mannered. Cuihong, go and slap her," Lin Feifei ordered instantly.

Cuihong was delighted. Ever since the princess had gained the prince’s favor, Ruihuan had started to think highly of herself. The other servants in the residence, eager to curry favor, all tried to please Ruihuan, which left Cuihong fuming. Now, given a command, she lunged at her.

Ruihuan had always been cautious, never daring to provoke anyone or even leave the courtyard. But ever since the princess had injured her head, her demeanor had changed drastically—she acted as if she had nothing to lose. She truly felt emboldened now. When Cuihong approached, Ruihuan didn’t wait for her to strike; she slapped Cuihong first and seized her by the hair. The two were instantly locked in a brawl, hurling insults that spared neither parents nor ancestors.

Lin Feifei walked up to Su Jingluo, her smile cold and insincere.

"Sister, let your younger sister serve you lunch," she said.

The food was all spoiled. Though Su Jingluo’s mind was childlike, she wasn’t foolish; she cried and struggled, refusing to eat. Lin Feifei’s composure vanished; she pressed Su Jingluo down, sat on top of her, and tried to stuff the sour leftovers into her mouth.

"What do you think you’re doing?" A thunderous voice rang out from outside the courtyard.

Lin Feifei jumped in fright, and in the next moment, someone yanked her off Su Jingluo so forcefully her arm ached.

She looked up to see that it was Zhuo Yuean who had grabbed her, while Xiao Jingxuan rushed to Su Jingluo’s side and helped her up.

Seeing Xiao Jingxuan, Su Jingluo burst into tears, wiping the sour food from her lips with her sleeve.

When Xiao Jingxuan saw the spoiled, foul-smelling food, a blaze of fury consumed his every last shred of reason. Step by step, he advanced on Lin Feifei.