Volume One, Chapter Eleven: A Good Dog Doesn't Block the Road

The one blocking Lin Wanxi’s path was none other than Lady Su, the secondary consort. She was dressed in a water-red embroidered gown, her skin fairer than snow, and her eyes held a hint of pride.

Lin Wanxi spoke coolly, “Lady Su, is there something you need?”

Lady Su covered her mouth with a light laugh, her gaze drifting as she feigned casualness, “Oh, sister, where have you come from? Judging by your complexion, could there be some happy news?”

Lin Wanxi smiled faintly, “I merely went to the pharmacy to ask the Prince’s pulse for his peace.”

Lady Su’s smile froze; she hadn’t expected Lin Wanxi to be so forthright.

She had assumed Lin Wanxi would be snubbed at the pharmacy and return dejected. Yet, she appeared calm and unruffled. Had she even met Murong Yunyi?

“Sister, you certainly seem in good spirits,” Lady Su said, her tone tinged with envy. “The Prince’s health is cared for by imperial physicians. You going to the pharmacy—one might think you have some expertise in medicine.”

Lin Wanxi’s eyes flashed; she could easily discern the ridicule in Lady Su's words.

Unhurried, she replied, “I do have some knowledge of medicine.”

Lady Su snorted, “Your good intentions are wasted. The Prince is of noble status—not just anyone can treat him.”

Lin Wanxi ignored Lady Su’s provocation. She knew arguing with such a person would only waste her time and energy.

She smiled lightly, “Lady Su, you’re right. A good dog doesn’t block the way. Move aside.”

With that, she skirted around Lady Su and continued forward.

Lady Su watched Lin Wanxi’s departing figure, a vicious glint flickering in her eyes.

She stamped her foot and cursed, “Wretched woman! Who are you calling a dog? You’re the dog!”

She signaled with her eyes to the maid behind her, who instantly understood and hurried ahead to deliberately bump into Lin Wanxi.

Lin Wanxi, holding several medical books borrowed from the pharmacy, was caught off guard and staggered, the books scattering across the ground.

“Oh dear!” The maid cried out, pretending to apologize, “Your Highness, please forgive me! I didn’t mean it!”

Lin Wanxi steadied herself, glanced at the scattered books, and her brows drew together slightly.

She knew this was no accident.

Lady Su approached gracefully, her face donned with false concern, “Are you alright, sister? This maid is so clumsy, bumping into you—please don’t take offense.”

Lin Wanxi bent to pick up the medical books, dusting them off, her tone tranquil, “It’s nothing.”

Seeing Lin Wanxi so composed only fueled Lady Su’s irritation.

Feigning care, Lady Su asked, “Why are you carrying these medical books? Do you truly think you can cure the Prince?”

Lin Wanxi gathered the books in her arms and looked up at Lady Su, a meaningful smile curling her lips.

“I simply wish to deepen my understanding of medical knowledge. That way, should the Prince need it, I can be useful. Why so many questions, Lady Su? Or perhaps you can’t understand medical books?”

“You!” Lady Su truly couldn’t read them.

She sneered, “You certainly are diligent, sister. But some things require more than just effort.”

She paused, her tone carrying a warning, “You’re newly arrived here. Best to behave, lest trouble finds you and regret comes too late.”

Lin Wanxi said nothing, merely gazing at Lady Su.

Lady Su grew uneasy under the stare, coughed lightly, and said, “Since you’re unharmed, I’ll take my leave.”

She turned as if to go, then seemed to remember something and looked back, “Oh, sister, best not to frequent the pharmacy so much. You might bump into the Prince…”

Lady Su then pretended to scold the maid, “You foolish girl, becoming so unruly! You bumped into the Princess—kneel and apologize!”

The maid begged pitifully, “Please spare me, Your Highness! I truly didn’t mean it…”

Lin Wanxi watched the mistress and maid perform their act and laughed coldly inside. She understood Lady Su was using the maid’s mistake to show her up, hinting that she didn’t know the rules.

Lin Wanxi stepped forward and slapped the maid twice, the sound crisp and clear. “When Lady Su teaches manners, is it only with words?”

Afterward, she bent to pick up the last medical book, dusted it off, moving with elegance and composure.

Standing tall, she cast a cold glance at Lady Su and the kneeling maid, her tone indifferent as water.

“Lady Su is right; the rules of this household are something I must learn well. Though, my memory is poor—do any of the rules state that the Princess cannot go to the pharmacy?”

Lady Su’s expression changed; she hadn’t expected Lin Wanxi to so directly refute her.

Suppressing her anger, Lady Su forced a smile, “You jest, sister. The pharmacy, of course…”

“Enough. I have no sister,” Lin Wanxi cut her off.

Lady Su’s smile froze.

Lin Wanxi paused, her gaze steady on Lady Su, her tone laced with chill and mockery, “Some people only scheme and compete for favor, yet pay no heed to the Prince’s illness.”

She walked the path of the scheming tea-green, leaving no room for the tea-green.

Lady Su’s face darkened; she hadn’t expected Lin Wanxi to be so bold as to say such things to her face.

She trembled with rage, her pointing finger quivering at Lin Wanxi, “You… you dare to slander me like this!”

Lin Wanxi met Lady Su’s gaze without fear, her voice resolute, “Every word is true. There’s no slander. All I do is for the Prince and this household. If Lady Su has a clear conscience, why so agitated?”

The maids and servants nearby were so frightened they dared not breathe. None had expected the gentle and delicate Princess to reveal such a sharp side.

Lady Su took a deep breath, struggling to control her emotions. She knew that at this moment, she could not lose composure before the servants.

She dropped her gaze, feigning grievance, her eyes reddening as she looked on the verge of tears, “Your Highness is right; it was I who misspoke. I only care for the Prince and became anxious. Please do not take offense.”

Lin Wanxi looked at Lady Su’s pitiful act with growing disgust.

She gave a cold laugh, said nothing more, and turned to leave.

Lady Su watched Lin Wanxi’s retreating figure, a trace of venom in her eyes.

She clenched her handkerchief so tightly her nails nearly pierced her palm.

She would not let Lin Wanxi off so easily.

She would make her pay the price!

Lady Su straightened her attire and hurried away with her maid.

She was going to find the Prince, to weep before him, to have him take her side.