Unexpectedly, when they first arrived at the pavilion, they bumped into Concubine Ling, who was two ranks higher than Xiao Lan. Since everyone in the palace knew about the incident in the red plum blossom garden, she became a laughing stock. Everyone knew that she could no longer be favored, naturally there were those who loved to kick someone who has fallen down.
Xiao Lan wanted to pull her daughter behind her, but Lin Feilu stayed in front of her. Although she was small, she stood up in an aggressive stance as she opened her arms wide to protect her mother. She glared at her opponents with a furious expression.
Concubine Ling screamed and shouted as she was being helped up. Her voice was sharp and high-strung, “Which blind brat dares to act so impudently!”
As soon as these words fell, a stern rebuke was heard from behind her, “The only one who is acting so impudently here is you!”
Everyone turned around and saw, it was the crown prince and the fourth prince! They hurriedly paid their respects and bowed before them.
Although Lin Qing was still a young boy, he already had some degree of authority as the master of the Eastern Palace. His angry demeanor was similar to that of Emperor Lin’s, as he continued, “Disparaging an imperial princess, bullying a concubine and causing mayhem in the Imperial Harem! Has the Empress’s teachings fallen on deaf ears?!”
Concubine Ling was viscerally trembling. She was about to give a justification when she saw that the fourth prince was gritting his teeth and glaring at her. He looked as if he wanted to rush over to slap her, so she quickly bowed her head in fear.
Lin Qing said in a stern voice, “The Emperor is busy with state affairs, while the Empress is burdened with the trivial affairs of the Imperial Harem. As a concubine, you should abide by the rules, maintain the peace, and uphold the courtly decorum of the Imperial Palace. Yet all of you here are causing a ruckus, do you think you are all above the law?”
Several concubines pleaded for forgiveness, “Your Royal Highness, please forgive us!”
Lin Qing grunted coldly, “I will be reporting this matter to my Mother. Only she can judge you!”
After all the other concubines left with their servants, Lin Feilu began to well up in tears as she turned around and took Xiao Lan’s hand and blew on it a few times. “Mother, how are your hands? Does it hurt?”
Lin Jingyuan also ran over, glanced twice, and said anxiously, “Go back and get a doctor to take a look at it!”
Xiao Lan smiled as she calmed her daughter down, “Mother is fine, it doesn’t hurt.” She greeted Lin Jingyuan and Lin Qing, “Thank you, Your Royal Highness. Thank you, Fourth Imperial Prince.”
Lin Qing nodded a little as he accepted her courtesy. He switched off his imposing aura and turned back into a modest and polite child. He said to Lin Feilu, “Fifth Sister should accompany Honorable Lady Lan back to Mingyue Palace. Make sure to summon an imperial doctor to have a look.”
Lin Feilu nodded in response, her watery eyes filled with gratitude.
Lin Qing stayed to offer a few more words of consolation before leaving by himself. Lin Jingyuan was worried that something might happen on their way home, so he simply decided to accompany the ladies on their return.
Fortunately, Lin Feilu’s interjection was timely, so Concubine Ling did not have enough time to cause irreparable damage. Xiao Lan’s fingers were injured but they were not seriously wounded, so the imperial doctor prescribed a medicinal salve for promoting blood circulation and removing blood clots in her fingers.
Lin Jingyuan was relieved. After playing with Lin Zhanyuan and the little rabbit, he finally left.
Before leaving, he was still thinking about the sachet made by his fifth sister. He stammered, “It’s not that I don’t like you giving me [The Analects], but it has a different meaning from a handmade present. I…I want something that you made yourself… as a gift.”
Lin Feilu readily replied, “Sure, I’ll make something for you!”
Lin Jingyuan then left elated.
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