The Female Psychology PhD Who Time Traveled to the Royal Harem

Chapter 276

Shortly after Jiang Xinyue was escorted back to the Changchun Pavilion by the emperor, Shuang Jiang and Xiao Xiangzi also returned.

The Xuanwu Emperor nearly spat out the flower-infused water he was rinsing his mouth with when he saw Xiao Xiangzi dressed in palace maid's clothes with rouge on his face.

Xiao Xiangzi covered his face and knelt down: "This servant has offended Your Majesty's eyes, please forgive me."

"Is this how you evaded the Pei family's pursuit?"

There was clearly hidden laughter in the emperor's voice: "This actually worked?"

Terror flashed in Xiao Xiangzi's eyes, as if saying: How did Your Majesty know?

"Don't look at your mistress. You're all being outrageously bold. Do you really think I won't punish you? When your mistress acts recklessly, you should advise against it. How dare you join in her madness?"

"Your Majesty~"

Jiang Xinyue tugged at his sleeve: "It was all my fault. How could mere servants dare to defy me? If Your Majesty is still angry, please direct your anger at me, don't make things difficult for them..."

The Xuanwu Emperor looked at her helplessly and tapped her forehead: "You have the nerve to say that? If there's a next time, I'll punish all of you together."

Jiang Xinyue pouted: "I understand, Your Majesty. I know I was wrong."

Her perfunctory attitude clearly said: I know I was wrong, but I'll dare to do it again.

"Your Majesty, Minister Pei of the Privy Council has come with his son requesting an audience."

Minister Pei and his heartless son who was still obsessed with romance despite being middle-aged?

The Xuanwu Emperor glared at Jiang Xinyue: "See? You beat up the junior, and now both seniors have come knocking. Did you think they wouldn't guess it was you just because you ran away?"

Jiang Xinyue muttered: "So what if they guessed? What proof do they have? Besides, Your Majesty will definitely protect me."

She wasn't just fearless; she even dared to say it right to his face.

The Xuanwu Emperor gritted his teeth again, getting angry at the sight of Xiao Xiangzi's powder-covered face: "Quickly go wash that off. Are you waiting for others to expose you?"

Shuang Jiang and Xiao Xiangzi hurriedly got up and ran toward the back courtyard.

Jiang Xinyue sat there motionless until the emperor gave her another "fierce" look, which scared her into quickly getting up and running after Shuang Jiang and the others.

In her panic, she bumped into a chair, rubbed her leg, and continued running.

The emperor chuckled softly. She claimed not to be afraid, but look how scared she was at hearing Minister Pei had arrived!

It's good that she knows fear. If she's afraid, she won't do such dangerous things again.

"Ahem..."

He cleared his throat, suppressed his smile, and put on a serious expression: "Summon Minister Pei for the audience."

Since Wang Dequan and Tang Shiliang hadn't returned yet, the junior eunuchs still needed the emperor's instructions for everything.

If they were here, after the Imperial Noble Consort left, they would have announced the visitors without needing the emperor's command.

"Your Highness..."

Shuang Jiang still looked frightened: "Earlier when this servant and Xiao Xiangzi were escaping, we changed into palace maid's clothes. We encountered Minister Pei's men on the way, and they stopped and questioned us. This servant is worried - what if they recognized us?"

It would be better if they only caught the two of them, as long as they didn't implicate Her Highness.

"So what if they recognized you?"

Jiang Xinyue blinked: "Three eunuchs went out, but they only found two suspicious palace maids. The numbers don't even match up. If they come to me demanding justice, people might think they're being petty, taking revenge on me just because my father took two official positions from them!"

Shuang Jiang wondered how her mistress could lie so brazenly.

If she hadn't been one of the participants, she might have believed her mistress's version of events.

When they entered the back courtyard, Nanny Xiang was already waiting there holding the Sixth Prince: "Your Highness, Miss Qin Ruofang is waiting in the side room. Would you like to see her?"

She should have been taken to the front hall, but since Her Highness was with the emperor at the time, Nanny Xiang couldn't let her disturb them, so she brought her to the back courtyard instead.

"I'll see her!"

After all, she was the emperor's desired money bag.

After two days of rest and care from the people Jiang Xinyue sent to assist her, Qin Ruofang no longer looked as disheveled as when they first met.

No wonder Nanny Xiang was wary of her; she was indeed a rare beauty.

As soon as Qin Ruofang saw Jiang Xinyue, she fell to her knees with a "thud" and pressed her forehead to the ground: "I beg the Imperial Noble Consort to save my life."

Jiang Xinyue had expected this.

When the emperor traveled, he was surrounded by layers of guards. How could a weak woman being pursued by men break through the security to kneel before the emperor?

Someone must have deliberately let her in.

Qin Ruofang heard no response from the Imperial Noble Consort, only the unhurried sound of a teacup lid touching its cup.

Cold sweat appeared on her forehead: "Imperial Noble Consort, what happened to this commoner is all true. The Guiyang County Magistrate destroyed my family, and my clan members colluded with him to force me to become his concubine so they could rightfully divide my family's property. When I refused, the magistrate placed me under house arrest. A few days ago, I was suddenly released, and someone told me that if I could find a way into the palace and gain the emperor's favor, they would help me seek revenge. However, it was Your Majesty and Your Highness who saved me, and it will be Your Majesty and Your Highness who help me seek justice. This commoner doesn't wish to damage the relationship between Your Majesty and Your Highness..."

She raised her head: "But if this commoner doesn't follow their instructions, those people won't let me go. I beg Your Highness to guide me and give me a way to survive."

"Clank!"

The teacup was set down on the table - a soft sound, yet it made Qin Ruofang's heart race.

"I deeply sympathize with your situation, but I am merely a palace consort. This matter involves the Minister of the Privy Council, and I cannot make decisions about it. However, as the victim, if you wish to seek justice, you should approach those above Minister Pei. Miss Qin, please don't take any more detours."

Qin Ruofang drew in a sharp breath. She hadn't mentioned Minister Pei at all, yet the Imperial Noble Consort was certain that the Minister of the Privy Council was behind everything.

She had seen through their scheme!

Along with her shock, Qin Ruofang also felt relieved. It was fortunate that she had chosen to be honest; otherwise, this Imperial Noble Consort would have surely destroyed her.

Suppressing her surprise, she kowtowed again: "Thank you, Your Highness, for your guidance. This commoner now knows what to do."

Jiang Xinyue nodded: "Xiao Xiangzi, Minister Pei should be finished speaking with His Majesty by now. Take Miss Qin to rest."

If it were simply about taking someone to rest, why would Her Highness mention His Majesty and Minister Pei?

She must be reminding him to attract Minister Pei's attention, to let him discover that he was the one who planted scorpions in Pei Zhishuo's room last night, causing him to rush out looking for trouble.

Then Qin Ruofang's audience with the emperor would become a natural occurrence, not something they deliberately arranged.

"Miss Qin, please follow this servant."

However, Nanny Xiang looked worried: "Your Highness, do you believe what she said? This old servant thinks this Miss Qin's eyes show no small amount of ambition."