Chapter 8: Making Enemies 4

Ouyang Jing's expression darkened slightly as he asked coldly, "Did the Princess sleep well?"

"Mhm, not bad, though the bed was a bit hard. Thank you for your concern."

Liu Qinghua sat beside him, picked up her chopsticks to take a bite of food, and asked with a frown, "Why is the food cold? Have you been waiting long?"

"Not long, only an hour."

Ouyang Jing instructed the servants to take the food to be reheated, then turned to stare at the gauze wrapped around her forehead, asking, "Does the wound still hurt?"

"Much better. I estimate I'll recover after a few more days of rest."

Mentioning the wound made Liu Qinghua think of Lu Xin; she was quite curious about what this willful woman actually looked like.

She looked around and asked in confusion, "Where is Lu Xin? Weren't we supposed to have breakfast together today?"

"She caught a chill last night and has just taken medicine and gone to sleep," Ouyang Jing said opportunistically. "Why don't you go visit her on my behalf? If you can bury the hatchet, I will be at ease."

Liu Qinghua originally didn't want to agree, but on second thought, they would meet sooner or later; it was better to meet early than late.

If she could fulfill Ouyang Jing's wish and everyone could forget their unpleasantness and become friends, that would naturally be best. If not, it would at least allow her to get a sense of the other woman's temperament, making her mentally prepared for any potential overt or covert struggles in the future.

However, Ouyang Jing underestimated a woman's jealousy—or more accurately, he underestimated Lu Xin's obsession with him.

After breakfast, Liu Qinghua, led by Lv Luo, went to Lu Xin's sleeping quarters—the Warm Fragrance Pavilion.

The sleeping quarters consisted of pavilions isolated from the sky, with high eaves and intricate, interlocking architecture. The four characters for "Warm Fragrance Pavilion" on the main plaque of the palace entrance were like a phoenix dancing in the nine heavens, powerful yet flexible.

The eaves of the sleeping quarters were all cast with glazed golden tiles, and the couplets on both sides of the main entrance were made of gold paper; the Prime Minister's daughter's extravagance and indulgence were evident at a glance!

Liu Qinghua stood before the pavilion and observed the surroundings carefully, unable to help muttering to herself, "The Prince certainly dotes on her."

"That is only natural. Not only is the Side Consort lovely, but she is also the Prime Minister's precious pearl; the Prince will naturally dote on her." Lv Luo bowed respectfully to Liu Qinghua and said, "This way, Princess. Watch your step."

Led by the maid, Liu Qinghua bypassed the rose-wreathed fence in front of the pavilion, crossed a white jade bridge spanning a small river, and walked straight into Lu Xin's warm inner chamber.

Having already received word, Lu Xin hurriedly rose from her couch and ordered her maid, Hong Yu, to dress her; she did not want Liu Qinghua to see her in a weak state.

Just as she had finished tidying her messy hair, Liu Qinghua walked in gracefully.

Lu Xin felt as if she were facing a great enemy. Her almond eyes widened as she stared at Liu Qinghua, asking in an unfriendly tone, "What are you doing here? You heard I was sick, so you're very happy, aren't you?"

Liu Qinghua hadn't expected that before she could even speak, the other woman would begin questioning her motives.

She walked forward helplessly, pointed at Lu Xin's pale face, then pointed at her own forehead, and said, "Given the state of us two, neither of us should mock the other. I heard you were ill, so the Prince asked me to come see you. There's no other intention."

"Hmph, stop lying to me. You've only just married in; what right do you have to represent the Prince to care about me?"

"If you don't believe me, then forget it."

Seeing that she had no intention of making peace, Liu Qinghua was unwilling to offer warmth to a cold shoulder. She shrugged and turned to leave, but Lu Xin refused to let her go so easily.

Thinking of how last night was supposed to be their wedding night, Lu Xin was overcome with jealousy. She blocked Liu Qinghua's path and demanded, "Why did you drive the Prince out of the room? Do you know that the entire Prince's Manor is discussing this behind his back?"

"Oh?" Liu Qinghua raised an eyebrow indifferently. She crossed her arms over her chest, sized Lu Xin up with a playful gaze, and shook her head meaningfully.