Chapter 4: 004 Questioning the Guilt, A Scandal Throughout the City (1)

The dignified First Lady of the Prime Minister’s residence, clad only in her undergarments, was being held by the throat by her own daughter from a concubine, pressed right up against the front gate. Once such an absurd scandal broke out, the entire city was immediately thrown into an uproar.

At this moment, the main entrance of the Han Prime Minister’s residence was packed with people, as noisy as a marketplace, with discussions and debates erupting everywhere.

Ziqing held Madam Han by the throat with one hand, pinning her against the vermilion-lacquered main gate, standing straight as a rod. Her petite frame was wrapped in nothing but an outer robe, yet beneath the solemn and imposing gate, she did not appear small at all; rather, she possessed an aura that could not be ignored. Her cold eyes were so intimidating that the surrounding guards dared not take a single step forward.

She said coldly, "I will count to three. If you don't bring Han Xier out, don't blame me for being impolite!"

Impolite?

Everyone present couldn't help but gasp. Could what this girl was doing right now be considered anything but impolite?

If she were to be any more impolite, what else did she intend to do?

Madam Han was being choked to the point of breathlessness, unable to speak. Her terrified eyes darted toward the guards, clearly pleading for help.

Just one door away, behind the stone-carved screen inside the hall, Han Xier was pacing anxiously, her long, arched brows tightly knitted together.

"Young Miss, the Second Miss says if you don't come out, she will be impolite to the Madam!" a guard rushed in to report, kneeling.

"Useless trash!" Han Xier kicked him away and scolded, "You can't even handle a little girl? What use do I have for you?"

The guard hurriedly explained, "Young Miss, she has taken the Madam hostage; your subordinate fears harming the Madam! If you don't come out, the Second Miss will really hurt her!"

Han Xier had no time to wonder why Han Ziqing had suddenly changed her temperament and become so ruthless. This matter had already stirred up the whole city. If she showed her face, she would inevitably be dragged into the mud by that wretched girl. She was the top candidate to be the Princess Consort of Yao; she absolutely had to stay away from anything that would affect her reputation.

But if she didn't show up now, Han Ziqing might really do something to her mother. This was losing face for the Prime Minister’s residence in front of all the citizens! Moreover, Han Ziqing was shouting her name, which would also affect her image!

That lowly girl—if she had known, she should have just finished her off at the Guose Tianxiang!

"Is Father still at the palace?" Han Xier asked coldly.

"He hasn't finished the morning court session yet! Your subordinate has already sent someone to wait at the palace gate," the guard reported anxiously.

Han Xier no longer hesitated. "Go out, try your best to stall for time until Father returns!"

"Young Miss, we can't stall her! You haven't seen it—the Second Miss is like a different person! If we wait any longer, the Madam will definitely..."

Before the guard could finish, Madam Han’s shrill scream came from outside: "Ah... no... I don't want to!"

"Young Miss!" the guard cried out in alarm.

"Is the position of Princess Consort of Yao more important, or is a fading beauty like her more important? Get out! I am not at the residence!" Han Xier said coldly, then strode away through the side door.

Meanwhile, at the main gate, regardless of Madam Han’s tear-streaked face and desperate cries, Ziqing’s cold eyes remained steady and focused. With one hand, she bound Madam Han’s hands behind her back, pinning her tightly against the door. With the other, she methodically sliced through Madam Han’s undergarments, one strip at a time. Before long, the Madam’s top was shredded into ribbons, leaving her red bodice fully exposed.

"It’s actually bright red!"

Amidst the clamor, someone suddenly exclaimed, immediately drawing a wave of lewd, hushed laughter.

"Let me go, Han Ziqing! If you don't let go, the Prime Minister will definitely slaughter you!"

"Han Ziqing, you are rebellious and wicked; you will meet a miserable end!"

"Han Ziqing, even if I become a ghost, I won't let you go! Absolutely not!"

...

Madam Han tried to cover herself, but her hands were immobilized. As Ziqing’s dagger moved away for a moment, she struggled violently. Who would have thought that this struggle would cause the already tattered garment to fall apart completely, revealing everything!

"Ah... no... don't look!"

Madam Han shrieked suddenly, but even the Han family’s own guards couldn't help but look—let alone the others.

A cold sneer curled on Ziqing’s lips. Ignoring the commotion, her blade slowly hooked onto the thin strap of the bodice!

Madam Han shuddered, her scream cutting off abruptly.

However, Ziqing’s blade did not stop; it pressed against the taut strap, ready to snap it at any moment.

For a time, the entire scene fell silent. Even the guards held their breath, staring at that flash of red on the blade. Everyone knew that if that strap snapped, the consequences would be unimaginable!

The stiffened Madam Han finally couldn't help but burst out, "Xier, come out! Mother knows you are in the residence, hurry and come out! Xier, come out and save Mother! Xier, you cannot abandon Mother!"

As these cries rang out, the crowd erupted in an uproar. Could this matter really be related to the eldest Miss Han?

Just then, the sound of rapid hoofbeats approached from afar. The crowd hurriedly made way, and they saw the Prime Minister himself riding toward them...