While Qingge was busy planning her next moves, Ning Wang’s ‘compensation’ arrived, which turned out to be a camphorwood box intricately carved with a hundred birds paying homage to a phoenix.
The person who delivered this box was Cui Gugu, who claimed that this was a gift specially given by Ning Wang. “His Highness has given instruction to pick something Your Highness would like, so this servant chose this. Would you care to take a look, Your Highness?” Her eyelids were slightly lowered and her tone flat, like a child who had just learned to read, reciting an article she didn’t understand, perfunctory from start to finish.
Qingge’s face showed no particular emotion as she looked indifferently at the court lady. “Is it something I would like, or is it you who likes it?”
Hearing this, Cui Gugu looked up: “This servant doesn’t understand what Your Highness means by that. This is all done according to His Highness’s instructions.”
Qingge chuckled lightly, slightly amused to find that Ning Wang’s so-called compensation was to send her a box full of jewels and jade picked by Cui Gugu.
Cui Gugu was indeed a trusted subordinate of Ning Wang, so there was nothing wrong with her to choose a gift on her master’s behalf. But with the possibility that the hundred lashes back then might have been orchestrated by her, Qingge definitely couldn’t feel pleased. Furthermore, Cui Gugu’s perfunctory attitude was clearly looking down on the Wangfei, like she was dismissing a servant with a few pieces of silver.
Thinking like this, Qingge gave a slight nod and commanded Luo Momo: “Since it’s His Highness’s gift, I shall accept it.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Luo Momo respectfully responded.
Qingge then instructed again, “But I’m not in the mood to look at it now. Just put it in the west room for now, and I’ll open it some other day to see.”
Luo Momo again responded politely.
But Cui Gugu furrowed her brows slightly, “This is a gift from His Highness to Wangfei.”
Qingge chuckled coldly, “Why should I be so particular to my own husband? Should I enshrine every single item he gives me? There’ll be more to come, so it’s not a big deal.”
“…” Cui Gugu took a deep breath to contain her emotion, finally withdrawing without another word.
Once Cui Gugu had left, Luo Momo immediately said, “You performed excellently! That’s how it should be—that woman was too arrogant and needed to be put in her place! But Your Highness, you also need to learn when to stop. Next time, please do your best to sweet-talk His Highness. Dealing with men should be like this, give and take, advance and retreat, that’s the way to handle them.”
Qingge couldn’t be bothered with the nagging. “You may go too, I’m a bit tired and would like to rest for a while.”
“…Understood.”
Once Luo Momo left, Qingge was about to take a short rest so she could conserve her energy to deal with the upcoming challenges—especially Ye Min. Just as she lay down, a maidservant informed her that Ning Wang had come.
‘Did Cui Gugu go and complain, causing him to come and reprimand me?’ She pondered, but thought it unlikely. With Ning Wang’s busy schedule, he certainly had no time to chastise his Wangfei over a small issue.
After a brief consideration, Qingge lay back down, feigning sleep. Since she had already thrown a tantrum at him, might as well see the act through to the end.
Sure enough, after Ning Wang entered the chamber, he showed no intention of reprimanding her; instead, he appeared quite pleased and relaxed.
Listening to his light footsteps, Qingge guessed his mood was good, which meant that Cui Gugu had not yet had the chance to complain. Certainly, he was here for pleasure.
After taking a brief wash, Ning Wang lay down on the bed. Qingge could smell the faint, familiar scent of the bath beans1 from her bathroom on him.
She relaxed her breathing, closed her eyes, and pretended to sleep.
Shortly after, she sensed a hand started moving under the blanket, accurately grasping her arm.
Despite his controlled strength, his eagerness was unmistakable.
He was desiring her and had no doubt that she would obediently submit to his demand.
But Qingge did not want to; she turned over, facing away from him.
Seeing this, Ning Wang slightly exerted more strength, pulling on her arm.
The event from the last evening resurfaced in Qingge’s mind. He also suddenly came back like this, pushing her onto the mattress, thoroughly devouring her.
While she had been submissive before, she now resisted his grasp, clearly expressing her unwillingness.
Ning Wang suddenly released her and said coldly, “What do you mean?”
Qingge spoke softly, “Your Highness, this consort is quite tired; you should rest your body for today.”
Ning Wang abruptly sat up, his sharp gaze scrutinizing her from above.
Qingge remained impassive, lying with her back to him, unwilling to face him. She knew that her current status was her greatest shield. The secret guard Qingge could be whipped a hundred times over a trivial mistake, but not the Xiahou clan’s daughter. No matter how rebellious or defiant she might be, Ning Wang would never harm her—his authority would be asserted only through his dominance, not through violence. Her safety was guaranteed.
As expected, after a moment of scrutiny, Ning Wang suddenly scoffed, then turned over and got out of bed.
Qingge remained motionless. She could feel that Ning Wang was standing by the bed, his tall figure blocking the moonlight pouring from the window.
She heard him scoff disdainfully, “Xiahou Jianxue, do you think you can control me in matters of the bed? You think too highly of yourself.” Then he turned and left, his back cold and indifferent.
Qingge listened intently as his footsteps disappeared into the distance. Yes, this was how it should be. A man of excessive pride, Ning Wang would never lower his head first; after tonight, he would probably stop visiting her altogether, practically ignoring her existence.
‘Maybe that’s not such a bad thing,’ Qingge thought. No visits meant less interaction, which was exactly what she wanted. It would also minimize the chances of running into Ye Min.
Right after Ning Wang’s abrupt departure, Luo Momo rushed in and asked in a hushed tone, “What happened? How did you manage to upset His Highness?”
Qingge told the truth: “I’m not in the mood to serve him tonight, and he got angry as a result.”
Luo Momo gasped for breath, stammering in disbelief, “Y-you—!!”
Qingge interrupted, “What? I said I don’t want to, so I won’t do it. Can’t you see? He treats your precious Miss Xiahou like an object to be used. He comes back only when he wants to bed her, and if she refuses, he turns and leaves without a second thought. Do you really think this is bringing honor to the Xiahou clan, or what?”
Luo Momo’s eyes widened in shock. What a crude language!
It’s a sacred matter between husband and wife! What’s with ‘bed her’ and ‘object to be used’? How could she speak of it in such a manner?!
This woman is indeed a lowborn crude; what good could be expected from a woman who joined the army?!
The momo took a deep breath, trying to suppress her annoyance and contempt. “What do you plan to do now?” Through gritted teeth, she asked again.
Qingge turned over, pulled the brocade quilt over herself, and said lightly, “Of course I’m going to sleep.”
Luo Momo: “???”
Qingge added, “It’s late, if I don’t sleep now, what else is there to do, just stare blankly?”
Luo Momo stood there dumbfounded, staring at Qingge’s back. After a long moment, she finally said, “Understood.”
The reputation of the Xiahou clan’s daughter indeed should not be tarnished like this. Even if it annoyed Ning Wang a bit, they must not be in a hurry to make amends tonight.
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😂😂😂
LMAOOOO well deserved !! I love her so much