Chapter 368: Kylin Xianrui 01

Chapter 368

A fleeting expression of resentment flashed in Consort Hui's eyes. She clenched her teeth, but instead of erupting in anger, she unexpectedly slapped herself across the face.

The force she used was no lighter than Ning Wanshuang's. As her palm landed on her already flushed cheek, it visibly swelled.

Feeling that one slap was not enough, she followed it with several harsher ones in succession.

This left Ning Wanshuang and Zhao Hua bewildered.

"What kind of despicable behavior is this? Consort Hui, you've truly opened my eyes," Consort Hui sobbed. "You're right to reprimand me. It's all because I failed to teach my son properly."

Wiping away her tears, she turned and shouted into the hall, "Chengjing! Look at what you've done to your younger sister Ruoxin! If I don't punish you severely today, who knows what mischievous acts you'll commit in the future!"

She walked swiftly towards her inner chamber, all the way to Chengjing's bedside, and abruptly pulled him up, poised to strike.

The child was terrified and burst into loud sobs. Consort Hui, her voice choked with sorrow, said, "Your unruly behavior will make Empress Chen and Empress Yi think it's your birth mother who taught you this! Watch how I discipline you harshly today!"

It was rare for her to reveal such a fierce side in front of others. She seemed truly helpless when dealing with her own son's lack of discipline.

But Ning Wanshuang and Zhao Hua were not fools.

Seeing Consort Hui's act, they couldn't be bothered to intervene and simply watched quietly from the sidelines.

Ning Wanshuang lazily brushed her temples, adding fuel to the fire. "Don't just scold him. When a child behaves mischievously, he needs to be disciplined. As the saying goes, a filial child is raised under the rod. It's not an unfounded statement. What? Are you reluctant? Shall I assist you?"

Ning Wanshuang eagerly awaited the spectacle. Consort Hui had pushed herself into a corner with this act. She had no way out.

She had no choice but to forcefully strike Chengjing's palms. While hitting him, she cried out, "I told you to behave! I told you to stop being unruly!" RêAd lateSt chapters at novelhall.com Only

She didn't hold back, and the slaps resounded crisply.

After Ning Wanshuang and Zhao Hua watched for quite some time, they yawned in impatience. "Enough already. Take your time teaching him. If you can't manage, you can always come to Yonghe Palace and ask for my advice. I have rulers and leather whips ready for you to use."

With that, they walked away without a backward glance.

Once the onlookers dispersed, Consort Hui finally released her tightly clenched grip on Chengjing's wrist.

Yun Shan quickly brought some calming incense for Zhao Hua, hoping to ease her discomfort.

Taking a moment to compose herself, Zhao Hua asked Zhang Imperial Physician, "Has her son made any progress lately?"

Zhang Imperial Physician replied, "After the acupuncture treatment, there won't be any improvements other than reduced leg pain. But Consort Hui is pressuring him relentlessly. The Third Prince, in order to avoid her, seeks refuge in dim and narrow places every day."

Lowering his voice, he added, "I've overheard the palace maids in Zhaochun Palace gossiping. They say that sometimes the Third Prince sleeps in the wardrobe or an iron trunk overnight, perhaps because he's already frightened by Consort Hui."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hua suddenly had a realization. She said, "Thank you for your efforts, Zhang Imperial Physician. Please continue to treat him."

Zhang Imperial Physician bowed and replied meaningfully, "I will do my best to treat the Third Prince and not disappoint Your Majesty."

After he left, Zhao Hua instructed Yun Shan to bring her the program list that the concubines had presented to her in the past few days.

Next month would mark Xiao Jingheng's thirtieth birthday, and in celebration of this joyous occasion, the concubines had prepared various congratulatory performances, hoping to capture Xiao Jingheng's attention and affection.

Consort Hui was also deeply involved in this matter, and the name of the performance she had prepared was called "Kirin Offering Auspiciousness."

Zhao Hua asked Xiao Fuzi, "Did you find out what this 'Kirin Offering Auspiciousness' is all about from the Mechanical Wonders Workshop?"

Xiao Fuzi said, "It's not something that can be considered prestigious. It's just a folk performance, a trick. Take a large iron ball filled with a dough made of borax and flour. Shape the dough into a Qilin, resembling a mythical beast.

Then, place the iron ball on top of a large oil pot. Once it's opened, the Qilin-shaped borax dough inside will fall into the pot and expand, transforming into various forms, as if a Qilin is walking and presenting auspiciousness in the oil pot, appearing lifelike."

"Consort Hui really put in effort to please the Emperor."

Zhao Hua sneered disdainfully, but then she quietly observed the burn mark on Ruo Xin's hand, and a deep sense of resentment welled up in her heart.

Her child, carefully nurtured by her and Sister Wan, was someone she couldn't bear to see even a slight injury on.

As such a precious pearl in her palm, why should she let others trample on it for no reason?

The more Zhao Hua thought about it, the angrier she became.

Suddenly, her eyes darkened, and through gritted teeth, she said,

"Then let that Qilin offer its auspiciousness to the Emperor."