Chapter 55: Why Should I Save Her?

Chapter 55: Why Should I Save Her?

Despite the fact that Su Youyue was no longer afraid of the Third Prince and the Third Princess, it didn't mean she wanted to constantly deal with these two unreasonable individuals.

She had indeed forgotten about this matter. The twin siblings, the Third Prince and the Third Princess, were closer than most, and unless it was a men-only or women-only gathering, they would always be inseparable.

Her previous words were only effective in front of outsiders to suppress the Third Princess. If she were to follow the Third Prince to a private place, the siblings would no longer hold back their tempers.

"Ah, Miss Su, you've made the Third Prince search far and wide!" A hint of admiration flickered across Baili Ming's eyes when he saw Su Youyue, but his anger quickly overpowered it. "Miss Su, your sister, Su Rong, has dared to offend the Third Princess. Tell me, how should this prince punish her?"

As he spoke, Hua San and the others, who had been nearby earlier, had already walked away. When Su Youyue and the others arrived, those people were also leaving, so naturally, they did not hear what was happening here.

Xiao Feiyan was surprised. How could Su Rong have offended the Third Princess? She didn't have the guts to do such a thing; it was more likely that the Third Princess had bullied Su Rong.

Just as she was about to speak, she noticed Su Youyue's subtle signal and decided to remain silent.

"It seems there is indeed an issue. In that case, I'll accompany the Third Prince to investigate. If she has truly made a mistake, I won't let her off today. Miss Xiao, weren't you interested in seeing Mister Hua San? Excuse me, then."

Su Youyue maintained her usual expression as she finished speaking.

"Push me along with the Third Prince."

She didn't mention Xie Yuan by name, but the Third Prince still looked in his direction, "So you, this despicable slave, are also here. What a coincidence! Let's go!"

With his attention on Xie Yuan, he naturally didn't pay any heed to Xiao Feiyan's departure.

Seeing Su Youyue follow the group of the Third Prince, Xiao Feiyan stood there, burning with anxiety. The Third Prince was surely going to take Yue'er somewhere private to teach her a lesson. Even if Yue'er tried to use the Emperor to intimidate them, it would be useless, as the Third Prince and Princess wouldn't acknowledge it then!

Perhaps due to her urgency, she suddenly recalled Su Youyue's words, and a spark of inspiration flickered in her mind.

Indeed, I should invite Young Master Hua San to assist me!

Master Hua San is the son of Grand Tutor Hua, who has always been the teacher of future monarchs and also the benefactor of the current Emperor and the deposed Crown Prince. Nowadays, the Second Prince has not spared any effort to ingratiate himself with Grand Tutor Hua, isn't it all for the hope that Grand Tutor Hua would take a liking to him and recommend him to the Emperor as the new Crown Prince?

Of course, the Third Prince and Third Princess wouldn't dare to sabotage the Second Prince's plans. Hence, if Mister Hua San was present, they surely wouldn't dare to act recklessly! Yue'er must be trying to convey this to me.

With this thought in mind, Xiao Feiyan immediately set off in pursuit of Hua Qingyun's earlier direction.

Su Youyue walked alongside the Third Prince for a while until they reached their destination.

This was a secluded corner of the Mei Garden, a place where casual strollers would rarely venture. As Su Youyue entered, she saw Princess San lounging on a chair with two maidservants by her side. One was brewing hot tea for her, while the other gently placed a hot water bottle in her hands.

In the garden, there were also several young ladies, including Su Qian and Lin Wanwan. They all gazed in the same direction.

Following their gaze, Su Youyue saw two maid Gong pinning Su Rong to the ground.

"Princess San, I'm sorry... Wuh... I'm a lowly servant..."

Su Rong's voice was muffled, and as soon as she finished her sentence, one of the maidservants squatting before her slapped her hard across the face. "Louder! Is Miss Su San trying to deceive Princess San with her soft voice?"

"Wuh wuh wuh... I'm sorry, Princess San, I'm a lowly servant..." Through her tears, Su Rong raised her voice slightly.

Princess Baili Wei, seated, toyed with her nails. "You're still eighty repetitions short. Keep going."

Another resounding slap echoed, causing the onlooking young ladies and their attendants to cover their mouths and giggle secretly.

"Miss Su, your turn!" The Third Prince taunted with malice.

Upon his words, everyone in the garden turned their attention to Su Youyue, exchanging knowing smiles.

"Big Sister, you're here." Su Qian rushed to her side. "Third Sister was disrespectful just now and nearly knocked over Third Princess. Please, help plead for her mercy."

Su Youyue gave her a fleeting glance.

Su Qian's heart skipped a beat, feeling as though Su Youyue had seen right through her.

But soon, she grew indignant. Why should she be afraid? It was Su Youyue, the despicable one, who should be trembling in fear!

Seeing that Su Youyue ignored Su Qian, Lin Wanwan came over to pull her away. "Qian'er, you know what kind of person Su Youyue is. She's so wicked that she might even be gloating at seeing Su Rong punished. How could you expect her to beg for mercy?"

"Exactly, Qian'er. Third Princess has already shown leniency by reducing the two hundred slaps to a hundred because of you. It's only right that she be punished for colliding with Third Princess. You're just too soft-hearted," another maiden chimed in.

As Su Youyue approached, she noticed that the girl, who had been charming and adorable that morning, now appeared utterly disheveled. Her once pristine face was swollen and bruised, with dark red marks on her cheeks. Her eyes were swollen like walnuts from crying, and the pair of clean, neat buns she had worn were now disarrayed. One of the white jade rabbits hanging from them had fallen off, its corner chipped, and was trodden into the mire mixed with snowwater.

"I didn't... I really didn't hit Third Princess," the girl sobbed, as if she had been gravely wronged. She turned her head to look at Su Youyue.

"You dare to lie!" The elderly maid scolded fiercely, landing another hard slap. "It seems Third Miss believes that Third Princess is lying!"

This slap was even more forceful than the previous ones. Su Rong crumpled to the ground, convulsing and unable to speak for a long while.

Witnessing the maiden's pitiful state, though Su Youyue had yet to speak, a surge of fury stirred within her heart.

Although she did not favor her sister Su Rong, she believed that it was Su Rong who spoke the truth.

The Third Princess's venting of her anger on Su Rong undoubtedly has a connection with Su Qian, for it was clear in the past that the Third Princess knew the relationship between Su Rong and herself was very poor. How could she possibly strike Su Rong harshly just because of herself and even use Su Rong to lure her over?

The fire in Su Youyue's heart raged on, but her expression remained composed. It wasn't until she was face to face that she spoke softly, "Princess San, it is indeed appropriate for my third sister to be punished for inadvertently offending Princess San."

Su Rong, who was kneeling on the ground, had a sudden glimmer of hope when she heard that Su Youyue had arrived, thinking of pleading with her elder sister to save her. But upon hearing this, her heart suddenly turned cold.

Strangely, she felt no resentment; only utter despair.

Yes, she had thoroughly offended Third Prince and Third Princess. Why would Elder Sister save her?