Chapter 2: Transmigration 2

The person blocking the path was Ouyang Jing's side consort, Lu Xin, the precious jewel of the current Prime Minister. She was naturally spoiled by nature, and even after marrying into the Prince's manor, she had not changed her arrogant and domineering ways. As soon as she learned that the Prince was to take a consort, she had been looking for an opportunity to vent her frustration.

Unfortunately, due to the distinction between social ranks, she could not cause a scene in the front hall, so she could only wait for an opportunity in the courtyard where idle people were not permitted to enter. She swore to teach the newly arrived Princess a profound lesson, so that the other woman would know her methods and not dare to compete with her for favor.

Lu Xin wore a long dress of fine gauze embroidered with gold thread, the pearls and kingfisher feathers in her hairlet making soft, tinkling sounds. Her almond eyes glared at Liu Qingcheng, her gaze filled with jealousy.

Seeing the other woman so angry, Liu Qingcheng felt a bitterness in her heart: as the victim of this political marriage, she could not even voice her grievances, and to be met with such hatred immediately upon entering the manor—was this not a cruel joke by heaven?

But she knew that any attempt at defense would be useless at this moment, so she slightly lowered her head and remained silent.

To Lu Xin, however, this movement signaled that the woman was weak-willed and would certainly not resist.

Thus, Lu Xin made a move to escalate the situation, approaching Liu Qingcheng to prepare for further mockery.

Ouyang Jing also perceived her intention and stepped in timely to take her hand, saying, "Xin'er, do not make a scene. Today is this Prince's wedding ceremony; do not cause trouble."

Having said that, he ordered a wedding maid to assist Liu Qingcheng into the sleeping quarters to rest, while he turned to lead Lu Xin back to the front hall to attend to the guests.

Though the vast sleeping quarters were decorated with lanterns and fine arrangements, they lacked any trace of life.

Liu Qingcheng sat alone on a pear-blossom soft couch. Beneath her red bridal veil, her phoenix eyes wept sorrowfully. Crystal tears flowed down her crimson cheeks, eventually dripping onto her bright red ceremonial robe, leaving moist traces behind.

She sat there quietly, listening to the lively laughter and the clinking of wine cups drifting in from outside the window. It felt vaguely like another world—a world she could never belong to.

Just as she was lost in her melancholy, the doors to the sleeping quarters were suddenly pushed open. She was startled first, then nervously gripped the brocade quilt beneath her, her teeth clenched tightly under the red veil, not knowing what to do.

However, the voice that followed in her ear was not Ouyang Jing's deep tone, but the shrill, acerbic tone she had heard in the courtyard earlier.

It turned out that Lu Xin, feeling she had not achieved her desired goal in the courtyard, had taken advantage of Ouyang Jing's distraction to slip away to Yihe Residence, where the new consort had moved in.

Since everyone was busy in the front hall, no one would notice the commotion here until evening, so Lu Xin had brazenly ignored the maidservants' attempts to stop her and burst into the sleeping quarters.

She walked up to Liu Qingcheng with an air of superiority and, without a word, raised her hand and delivered a heavy slap to the other woman's face. The bright red veil fell to the ground, stained with a layer of dust.

Liu Qingcheng clutched her stinging cheek, leaning against the bedpost with tears in her eyes. The crimson bed curtains spilled outward, obscuring most of her face.

Lu Xin indignantly grabbed her arm and yanked her from the couch to the floor, sneering, "Even though you married into the manor in the name of the Primary Consort, if you think you can climb above me, you're dreaming! Do you understand?"

Liu Qingcheng slumped on the floor, clutching her cheek and weeping silently, forcing down the grievance and sadness in her heart as she nodded slowly.

Seeing her reaction, Lu Xin knew she was weak-willed, and the smile on her face grew even wider. "I see you are at least sensible. Since we will be serving the Prince together in the future, and I entered the manor before you, I must properly teach you the rules."

Unsure of what schemes were playing in her mind, Liu Qingcheng could only listen quietly through her tears.

Lu Xin leaned in close, her smile becoming sweet and charming, yet her gaze was as sharp as a knife as she said, "As a Princess, you must be dignified and composed to bring honor to the Prince. Sitting on the floor like this is truly undignified."

As soon as the words fell, she swung her hand again, slapping Liu Qingcheng's face once more, and grinned wickedly, "Please remember this slap, Sister, so that you do not behave so improperly in the future."