Chapter Nine: Another Sole

"Your Highness, every time we've entered the palace before, you've taken me with you. Why are you bringing that wretched servant Su Jingluo this time?" Lin Feifei's acting was impeccable; even as she whimpered, she spat out the most venomous words.

Xiao Jingxuan frowned and shot Lin Feifei a sideways glance. Why did this woman become more intolerable by the day?

"Who are you calling a wretched servant? I'll beat you to death!" Before Xiao Jingxuan could respond, Yun Bai raised her tiny fists above her head in indignation.

"Yun Bai! Turn around!" Su Jingluo called out to her. Yun Bai was delighted to see her mother awake, but upon hearing Su Jingluo's stern tone, she pouted and hung her head, fearing she had angered her mother again.

Such matters of venting anger through violence were not suitable for children; Su Jingluo would never allow Yun Bai to be involved.

She would handle it herself.

Su Jingluo drew a deep breath. Her head no longer ached, her vision was clear, but the lack of food left her weak. With swift, decisive action, she slipped off her shoe and, jumping up, slapped Lin Feifei across the face with its sole.

With a dull thud, both Lin Feifei and Su Jingluo hit the ground—one knocked flat, the other misjudging her footing and tumbling down.

"Mother!" As soon as Su Jingluo landed, Yun Bai rushed over, trying desperately to help her up.

Lin Feifei was far less fortunate. She lay sprawled on the ground, gasping for air before finally recovering enough to begin her performance.

She bawled, wailing and screaming for attention.

"Shut your mouth!" Su Jingluo stood up, brandishing her shoe at Lin Feifei and roaring with fury.

Xiao Jingxuan furrowed his brow, looking at Su Jingluo with displeasure. "Is this what you've trained for the past five years—beating people with your shoe? Don't overdo it!"

"Overdo it? A concubine dares to call the Princess by name and utter vile insults? I showed mercy by hitting her only once," Su Jingluo retorted. She truly believed herself merciful and gentle; Lin Feifei had provoked her more than once. If she didn't discipline her now, she'd only grow more unruly.

Yet, everyone in the courtyard stuck out their tongues in disbelief. Was hitting someone with a shoe truly 'gentle'? The servants dared not agree, but who would dare to protest? Even the Prince seemed powerless.

Xiao Jingxuan was indeed at a loss. Su Jingluo slipped her shoe back on, rolled her eyes at him, and said, "If you care so much for her, take her to the palace to complain. If you take me, at least get me some food. If I faint from hunger in the palace, it won't look good for anyone."

Hearing Su Jingluo threaten him with the palace, Xiao Jingxuan's face darkened. This woman's audacity was astounding!

Su Jingluo was genuinely famished after the altercation; two or three days without food had left her weak.

Still, she wasn't finished with Lin Feifei. Turning toward her, Su Jingluo advanced. Lin Feifei's face was swollen, tears streaming silently down her cheeks—pitiful enough to tug at the heartstrings. Seeing Su Jingluo approach again, she shrieked like she'd seen a ghost and darted behind Xiao Jingxuan.

Xiao Jingxuan grew uneasy as well; if the beating continued, Lin Feifei's face would be ruined. He stepped in front of her, brows knitted.

"Are the two of you insane? I'm no demon. I only want to tell you, Lin Feifei, never behave arrogantly in front of my son again," Su Jingluo said earnestly. She was always direct, while Yun Bai was subtle, dangerous in ways Lin Feifei would never understand. If Lin Feifei died, she wouldn't even know how it happened.

Lin Feifei couldn't comprehend this as concern and sobbed even harder.

Su Jingluo couldn't care less whether Lin Feifei cried or not. She called out to the servants, "I'm hungry, bring me some food."

"Yun Bai is hungry too, I want food," Yun Bai echoed, imitating his mother. He was indeed starving; he'd spent the past two days keeping vigil at his mother's door, neither eating nor drinking. This wasn't just hunger—it was starvation.

Rui Huan was hungry as well, but dared not speak up. He only hoped the Princess and the heir would eat less, leaving a little for himself.