Chapter 5: His Protection

Chapter 5: His Protection

Langhua deliberately lifted her dress to reveal her shoes before everyone, wiggling her feet with a sneer. "Is there something wrong with this princess's feet?"

As she spoke, she raised her eyes to look at Ran Qinggu.

Langhua was the Emperor's only princess, immensely favored and spoiled since childhood, known for her arrogance and willfulness. She was born of Consort Liu and was also the niece of Lady Liu, the secondary consort.

Ran Qinggu knew that women in the inner quarters often had their share of drama, but he hadn't expected Langhua to publicly humiliate him like this.

Li Feiluan scoffed, "What could possibly be wrong? The princess is precious; for the Heir's consort's earrings to match those on the princess's shoes is an honor for the Heir's consort."

Second sister-in-law Su Xi laughed uncontrollably. "The princess is of noble birth and priceless worth, how could there be any impropriety? Even if there were, it would be the fault of the Heir's consort."

Consort Liu scolded Princess Langhua. "How undisciplined."

Though she feigned reprimand, there was no real tone of blame in her voice, and her eyes held a hint of amusement.

She shifted her gaze to Consort Jian Zuihuan and Ran Qinggu, smiling. "Children can be undisciplined, and we didn't know how the Heir's consort would dress beforehand. Please, Your Highnesses, do not take offense."

Jian Zuihuan responded calmly. "How dare we."

The more others tried to embarrass her, the more composed she remained.

Ran Qinggu smiled faintly. "Your Highness jests. Jewels are merely embellishments; the princess is dignified and elegant, while purple pearls are too ostentatious, failing to complement the princess's beauty. Thus, they are best suited as adornments on the shoes, lest they go to waste."

Upon hearing these words, everyone exchanged glances.

The Heir's consort had actually mocked the princess's lack of grandeur in front of the virtuous consort and the princess herself, suggesting that she was unworthy of such purple jewels, which could only be wasted on her shoes.

Was this Heir's consort courting death?

Langhua's face turned ugly as she shouted, "Are you saying that these jewels are wasted on this princess?"

Ran Qinggu smiled. "How dare I? It's simply that the jewels are unworthy of the princess."

"Woof!" A snow-white puppy suddenly burst into the western hall.

Though called a puppy, it was three or four times larger than an ordinary one, yet its appearance was exceedingly adorable.

The ladies of high rank recoiled in fright, making way for the little creature.

The puppy had something tied to its feet, causing it to walk with a peculiar gait, stumbling every few steps. Coupled with its penchant for being cute, it was irresistibly endearing, drawing the attention of the ladies present.

When everyone looked over, they noticed that the puppy was wearing shoes, each adorned with a purple pearl that gradually changed color from purple to white. Could these be the Purple Heart Pearls?

To everyone's shock, the color of the puppy's shoes matched exactly that of the princess's shoes.

Princess Langhua flew into a rage, kicking off her shoes and yelling, "Impudence! Someone beat this thing to death for me."

Eunuchs, dragging sticks, were about to move forward when Shang Rongyu's voice interrupted them. "Hold on."

The eunuchs stopped and stepped back.

Shang Rongyu approached, holding the dog leash, and bowed to Consort Liu. "Forgive us, Your Highness. My second dog has grown fond of my wife after she made him a pair of shoes, so he ran from the eastern hall to the western hall, disrupting the ladies here. Shang Rongyu apologizes for this."

With that, he respectfully bowed in all directions.

The ladies were accustomed to Shang Rongyu's absurd behavior.

This man dared to get drunk and ride wildly even in the presence of the Emperor; what else would he not do?

After bowing, Shang Rongyu gave the dog's leg a mock kick and scolded, "Wretched little beast, you dare to strut around in your new shoes. If it weren't for the Emperor wanting to see you today, do you think you could enter the palace? When we return, I'll break your legs, skin you, and make dog meat hotpot out of you."

The puppy whimpered pitifully, evoking sympathy from everyone.

All the young ladies from prestigious families wanted to reach out and pet or hug it.

They had heard that the Heir of King Cheng had acquired a new favorite, a small, fierce dog.

This dog wouldn't grow much bigger, was very good at being cute, but in reality, it was exceptionally ferocious, capable of killing a wolf five times its size.

Princess Langhua's face alternated between red and white, then red again. Shang Rongyu was indirectly insulting her.

She hadn't expected that her attempt to humiliate Bai Yu would result in her own embarrassment. She pouted, grabbing Consort Liu's hand and grinding her teeth. "Mother Consort, look..."

Before Consort Liu could question anyone, Shang Rongyu preemptively apologized. "Your Highness, please understand. This dog is my nephew's new favorite. When my wife ordered shoes made for this creature, she didn't realize the princess would also adorn her shoes with jewels. There was no intention to offend the princess. However, when the Emperor heard about my nephew's new favorite, he asked my nephew to bring it to the palace for the nobles to see. To please His Majesty, my wife took out the six Purple Heart Pearls we had in the mansion, keeping only two for herself and using the remaining four to make shoes for the dog. She did this to make the Emperor happy and provide a novelty for the ministers to see."

Shang Rongyu had preserved Ran Qinggu's dignity and allowed him to shine, so he couldn't help but show his gratitude.

He bowed to Consort Liu. "Bai Yu is guilty, I beg the virtuous consort for forgiveness."

Consort Liu smiled faintly, but her eyes were cold and rigid. "What sin have you committed? Rise, there's no need for formality among family."

Consort Jian Zuihuan scolded the Heir. "How undisciplined. You're already married, yet you still play with cats and dogs."

Her tone mirrored that of Consort Liu when she had just chided the princess.

Consort Liu's face darkened instantly.

Shang Rongyu pretended to defend himself. "Mother Consort, this time it really wasn't my fault."

Consort Liu smiled. "The Heir and the Heir's consort have shown thoughtfulness. The Emperor will surely appreciate the Heir's intentions."

By invoking the Emperor, Shang Rongyu had left her with no choice but to drop the matter, lest she appear unreasonable.

Moreover, Langhua was indeed at fault first, so it was better to swallow this slight.

Furthermore, Shang Rongyu was like a mad dog on a regular basis, daring to even bite the Emperor. How could she, a mere consort, expect any different treatment?

As Langhua was about to retort, she was silenced by Empress Dowager Liu's glare and could only glare hatefully at Shang Rongyu.

Shang Rongyu glanced at Ran Qinggu, respectfully picked up the dog, and said to Empress Dowager Liu, "Then, this nephew will take his leave. The Emperor is waiting to see my new pet."

Empress Dowager Liu waved her hand. "The Heir should go report in the East Hall first. After the noon meal, let this palace also see what kind of rare treasure your new pet is."

Shang Rongyu smiled innocuously. "Yes, it's not some rare treasure, just an ordinary beast that learned how to wear shoes."

Langhua pouted. "Mother Empress."

Empress Dowager Liu glared at Langhua, signaling her to be quiet. Langhua had no choice but to return and sit properly.

Empress Dowager Liu smiled. "That's still quite rare."

Shang Rongyu: "Then this nephew takes his leave."

He turned and walked toward the exit of the West Hall, took two steps, then halfway turned back, walking to Ran Qinggu and saying, "The Emperor just bestowed rewards in the East Hall. I took a pair of earrings, thinking they would suit you well."

As he spoke, he removed the purple heart pearl earring from Ran Qinggu's ear and replaced it with the red glass plum blossom earring.

His hand touched Ran Qinggu's earlobe, causing a ticklish sensation.

The small red glass plum blossom, embedded on the earlobe, was elegant yet grand.

For Ran Qinggu, who had grown so old, this was the first time someone had touched his ear like this, and the first time someone had been this close.

The grassy fragrance from Shang Rongyu was right there, pleasant to smell, but he wondered more why Shang Rongyu was doing this?

Wasn't he supposed to despise him?

Wouldn't protecting him like this make his beloved, Miss Cang Jiao, jealous?

Everyone exchanged glances.

Was this the Consort Heir rumored to be expelled from the Prince's Manor? This clearly looked like a couple who had been together for over a decade!

Li Feiluan's eyes nearly bulged out.

How could this lowly Consort Heir from a minor family compare to her?