Chapter 2222: Avoidance

In the letter, Zheng Sangge detailed how Consort Su and Consort Fu had attempted to stir up trouble at the entrance of the Jinhua inn the previous day.

Qiao Xuan was amused by the report.

Consort Su truly lived up to her reputation as a daughter of bandits–instead of fainting herself, she made others faint. She also displayed a cunning ability to gauge situations and stop short of escalating matters too far.

Dealing with such a cunning person wouldn’t be easy.

However, it was crucial that she didn’t cause trouble in Jinhua. If she did, Zheng Sangge and his colleagues would be challenging to handle…

Consort Su and Consort Fu weren’t in a hurry. They took their time along the way, finally arriving in Huaixi province five days later.

Qiao Xuan didn’t go out to greet them personally but sent someone to escort them to the inn.

Consort Su was seething with anger. Throughout their journey, officials and locals in various regions had treated them with indifference. No matter which city they stopped in, they were greeted only by an elderly and clueless nanny.

Anyway, there’s no need to ask why they didn’t come in person. If questioned, they could simply claim they were occupied.

Another plausible excuse was that Huaixi province was economically challenged, with spring planting imminent, even officials were preoccupied. Nobody had the luxury of spare time.

It painted a picture of them being utterly idle!

However, they were guests under someone else’s roof. Consort Su weighed the consequences of causing a scene and wisely opted against it.

Even if they raised a fuss, it wouldn’t end well.

But upon arriving in the province, Qiao Xuan still dared to disregard her. What audacity!

After all, she was now the princess consort!

Consort Fu warily watched her. Seeing Consort Su’s expression change and sensing her impending outburst, Consort Fu couldn’t help but grab her sleeve and whisper urgently, “Sister, you mustn’t! There’s a crowd at the city gate. Any disturbance here will surely attract attention and bring disgrace upon us. It won’t reflect well.”

Consort Su was irritated. “What’s wrong with that? I want everyone to see how disrespectful and disobedient that Shao guy is towards the Emperor!”

“No, Sister!” Consort Fu pleaded desperately, on the verge of tears. She didn’t want to embarrass herself alongside this woman of questionable background. “We are imperial concubines now, representing the Emperor’s dignity and the royal family’s honor. We can’t afford to be mocked and gossiped about. Even the Emperor would be ashamed!”

“Moreover, this is Huaixi province’s city. It’s… it’s Shao’s territory. The people here might have been swayed by him long ago and are all on his side. Wouldn’t it be even more embarrassing if we caused a scene here?”

These words struck a chord with Consort Su. After a moment’s thought, she frowned dismissively. “Fine then, if that’s the case, so be it! Sometimes, I just don’t understand you people. Always afraid of everything. It’s so tedious to be so timid! Can’t you just endure a few glances and a few words from others? As long as we can unsettle the other party, isn’t that enough?”

Consort Fu breathed a sigh of relief and forced a subservient smile. She wouldn’t dare argue with Consort Su. If she provoked her and Consort Su changed her mind, it would spell disaster.

She silently mused, ‘You’re a woman born into a bandit clan, emanating a crude and tasteless air. It’s fortunate you don’t understand…’

“If it weren’t for the current circumstances, even appearing in front of the Emperor would besmirch his eyes. You’re hardly fit for the Emperor’s harem!”