Chapter 005: Treading

"Gui Xin, you have watched me grow up, and I am reluctant to punish you," Huo Chen said, but his foot was already pressing down on Mu Wanqing's left hand

She was walking briskly when suddenly a sword blocked her path, forcing her to stop. Turning her head, she saw a man with piercing eyes staring intently at her. She recognized him as Chu Qing, the personal guard of Huo Chen, and immediately lost all fondness for him

Upon returning to the Green PIng Courtyard, Zhi Ning had not yet awakened. She cleaned the shoe print off her left hand and applied a towel to it. Looking at her swollen left hand, she pondered when she would no longer have to endure such torment.

Mu Wanqing shot a covert glare at Huo Chen before slowly standing up and hurriedly running outside

"Get out of here already," Huo Chen said with disdain

Gui Xin was clearly in a hurry, beads of sweat appearing on her forehead. She tightly held onto Mu Wanqing and said, "Madam, what has happened to you?"

"He has a temper; do I not have a temper?" Mu Wanqing couldn't help but mutter.

She looked up at the azure sky, wondering why she could not escape this cage. Her eyes gazed at the birds flying back and forth in the sky, filled with envy, and suddenly a glimmer of brightness shone in her eyes

Oh dear! What happened to your hand?! At this moment, Gui Xin finally noticed that her left hand was swollen and had shoe prints on it, and she immediately understood why Mu Wanqing was trembling all over at that time. She sighed; the prince usually treated people well, but he had always targeted Mu Wanqing.

There are several guards stationed at the entrance of the Wangfu, and she only needs to take a few more steps to walk out of this cage

I know his temperament, which is why I want to leave; I do not wish to be a beauty with a tragic fate. Mu Wanqing touched her left hand. When she first occupied this body, the injury on her forehead had not healed, and she was sent to the kitchen to wash dishes. After two days, she was sent to the laundry room. It was only with the pity of Aunt Guixin that she was allowed to stay in Tonghua Residence. However, she forgot that there was a great demon, Huo Chen, there. No matter how strong her mind was, her body would eventually be left battered and bruised.

"My lord, everything this old servant has said is true," Gui Xin said, bowing her head.

Mu Wanqing grimaced in pain, tears nearly spilling from her eyes. After a considerable time, Huo Chen finally released her foot, and she immediately withdrew her hand, gasping in cold air; the pain was unbearable. It felt as if the bones in her left hand had shattered, and she didn't even dare to touch it again.

Only then did Gu Xingu, holding a small broom, come in. She quickly knelt down and said, "Your Highness, this incense burner was accidentally knocked over by this old servant just now; this matter has nothing to do with the lady."

A determination was evident on her face; if she continued to stay here, she would either die or become psychologically distorted

Huo Chen kicked the incense burner, which rolled to the front of Mu Wanqing, causing her to shiver all over, unable to calm down. She lowered her head and saw Huo Chen's shoe slowly approaching her. She wanted to escape, but she found herself unable to make any move to resist.

Mu Wanqing knew that this middle-aged woman was called Aunt Dou, who mainly managed the trivial matters in the Wang residence and was considered somewhat prominent among the maids.

Huo Chen continued to exert force, his expression unchanged, and said: "Next time, do not be so foolish. This prince has spared you once, but will not spare you a second time"

Chu Qing was taken aback, not expecting her to be so sarcastic towards the prince. He saw Mu Wanqing still oblivious to the situation, attempting to bypass him. Just as he was about to act without mercy, Mu Wanqing was held back by Gui Xin

Everything about her was met with disdain in Huo Chen's eyes

Mu Wanqing saw it was Aunt Gui Xin. Thinking of how she had just helped her out of a difficult situation, her anger completely dissipated. She lowered her head and said, "Aunt..."

Gui Xin then said: "You go back to the Green PIng Courtyard first, I will go get that ointment for you."

Thank you, Your Highness. Gui Xin quickly expressed her gratitude, then glanced at Mu Wanqing again, noticing that she was trembling all over, evidently very frightened

Huo Chen's gaze was profound as he stood up, staring at Gui Xin: "Gui Xin, is everything you said the truth?"

Chu Qing suddenly stood in front of Mu Wanqing and said, "Madam should be aware of the prince's temperament"

Chu Qing sheathed his sword and glanced at Mu Wanqing: "The prince has stated that the lady is not permitted to step outside the palace. If something were to happen to the lady, she should simply instruct the servants to make the purchases."

Since he feels that she has lost his face, why not simply divorce her

"I want to go out and buy something." Mu Wanqing replied irritably

I can wait, but can the masters wait? Hurry up, or else there will be no food later!" Aunt Dou snorted.

Gui Xin glanced at Chu Qing, then pulled Mu Wanqing away from there, saying as they walked, "You are so foolish; what will we do if you anger the prince again?"

Mu Wanqing nodded slightly; within the Wang residence, only Aunt Gui Xin treated her with some kindness

Mu Wanqing followed behind silently, wishing that Huo Chen would drive himself away. She would rather leave the Wang residence to fend for herself than stay with him.

"Perhaps you lived a life of luxury in the Xiang residence, but here is the Duke of Zhuang's mansion, and you are no longer the lofty young lady. If you wish to survive, you must temper your temper and learn to endure when necessary," Gui Xin said with a frown. "You may live humbly now, but one day you will soar to great heights, bide your time, and eventually have your day in the sun."

As soon as she stepped out of the Tonghua Residence, tears could not help but fall. Her left hand was in severe pain, seemingly devoid of sensation. She crouched in the corner by the wall, continuously exhaling, hoping to alleviate the pain a little.

Mu Wanqing suppressed her anger, her left hand still in pain, and a wave of grievance surged in her heart. Her voice was hoarse as she said, "Am I not a servant? Step aside! Today, I am leaving the residence!" After speaking, she paid no further attention to Chu Qing and continued to walk forward, each step resolute.

Mu Wanqing suddenly stood up and quickly walked towards the entrance of the Wang residence

Mu Wanqing lowered her head and remained silent, feeling that everything Gui Xin said was reasonable. She possessed a beauty that could captivate a city, and she had her own advantages. It was hard to say that one day she wouldn't turn her fortunes around. For now, she could endure the situation

Lost in thought, she suddenly heard someone kick open the wooden door of her yard. She thought it was Gui Xin and hurriedly ran outside. In the yard stood a middle-aged woman, slightly plump in figure, with a somewhat sharp and acerbic appearance. Upon seeing Mu Wanqing, she bluntly said: "You are still here dawdling? We have plenty of work waiting for you!"

Madam Dou led Mu Wanqing towards the garden, and as they walked, she said: "Do you really think of yourself as a princess? You are now merely a ninth-rank concubine, and you should consider your own worth. With your faded beauty, can you truly serve as a concubine to the prince? If it weren't for your father being the prime minister, the prince would have simply expelled you from the royal residence."

"Madam Dou, can you wait for a moment?" Mu Wanqing's hand was in pain, and she certainly could not do any work. When Aunt Gui Xin arrives, perhaps she can help alleviate the situation.

Mu Wanqing glanced at Zhineng inside; at this moment, she could not help but throw a tantrum. She still remembered what Aunt Guixin had just said.

She suddenly let out a cry, cold sweat breaking out on her forehead. She slowly raised her head, only to see Huo Chen's slightly raised handsome face, as if he couldn't see what was beneath her feet at all

Gui Xin had been in the palace for many years and had long grown accustomed to such matters. She was inherently kind-hearted and, upon seeing Mu Wanqing being ostracized in the royal residence, could not help but come to her aid multiple times. However, today the prince had already warned her, and it was likely that in the future, she would find it difficult to assist Mu Wanqing again

Where does the lady wish to go? Chu Qing asked