The prince is more stable

Chapter 82: Whipping in Anger

Regardless of age, women's focus is always very different from that of men.

Although a serious matter was right in front of her, the aunt couldn't help but ask about Zhao Xiaoqian.

Di Ying's pretty face turned red, and she was immediately caught off guard. She subconsciously wanted to introduce Zhao Xiaoqian in detail, but fortunately her reason prevailed, and she stomped her feet in anger.

"Oh, it doesn't matter. Anyway...I have to get to the bottom of Aunt Feng's matter, otherwise I will let my friend down!"

After saying that, Di Ying turned around and chased after him.

Yaohua Palace covers a large area. Although it is called a Taoist temple, its architectural specifications are like those of an imperial palace and it is divided into many separate halls and courtyards.

Some female Taoist priests who came from prominent families lived in luxurious courtyards and practiced asceticism, with delicious food and drinks served to them every day, such as Di Ying's aunt.

Some of them were just concubines and noble ladies who had committed crimes. They were thrown into Yaohua Palace and were destined to never leave. Naturally, the conditions and treatment were much worse.

Where there are people, there must be the world of martial arts, and there must be human relationships and the fickleness of the world. Even places where people practice Taoism and become monks are not immune to worldly affairs.

Buddhism and Taoism say that cultivation in the mortal world is the most difficult hurdle. That is true. Taoism is ruthless but also has feelings. It is difficult to cultivate the mind by choosing between good and evil.

Di Ying left her aunt's yard and went straight to the house where Feng lived.

Last month, Di Ying helped Zhao Xiaoqian deliver some things to Feng, so she knew the location of Feng's residence.

They rushed into Feng's residence, which was a very simple tiled house without a yard. The outer walls of the house were mottled and the roof tiles were broken. Di Ying had seen it with her own eyes.

When I broke into the house, it was empty. Feng might still be doing odd jobs in Yaohua Palace.

Di Ying took a quick look around and left in a hurry.

After leaving the house and walking onto a side path, I met a Taoist woman wearing a Taoist robe.

Di Ying grabbed her without saying a word, and dragged her to a remote corner without caring whether she knew her or not.

Kun Dao was so frightened that he didn't know who he had offended, and he kept calling out "Wulian Tianzun".

Di Ying was furious and glared at her, saying, "I don't know you, and you don't know me. I just want to know one thing from you, and then I'll let you go."

"Please feel free to ask me anything, I will tell you everything I know." Kun Dao said in fear.

"Do you know Feng, the former wife of the King of Chu?"

Kun Dao nodded: "I know her. She lives not far away. After becoming a nun, her name is 'Wu Hui'."

"Who has she offended recently? Tell the truth." Di Ying said coldly.

Kundao's face flashed with hesitation, and she was about to shake her head to refuse, but Di Ying saw her expression and said fiercely, "I'm not afraid to tell you, I'm from a military family, and I have a bad temper. I want to hit people if I don't agree with you. Think it over before you speak."

Her ferocity was a little awkwardly acted, and Kundao looked at her uncertainly.

Although his expression was awkward and fierce, his little fist was clenched tightly. Kundao hesitated for a while, thinking that it must be painful if this little fist hit him.

Besides, it’s not a big secret, so it’s okay to tell it.

Then Kun Dao said cheerfully, "Donor, why should you be angry with a monk? I will tell you what I have said."

"Wuhui, also known as Feng, offended a female official of Yaohua Palace, the 'Treasurer', who was in charge of the Yaohua Palace's storehouse inventory, such as incense, incense oils, Taoist scriptures, food, clothing, and so on."

"At the end of last month, the female official ordered several women to move the warehouse's inventory. Feng was among them. Later, when they took inventory, they discovered that 40 kilograms of sesame oil and 100 kilograms of rice and flour were missing. The next day, when they checked the accounts, they found that there was a discrepancy..."

"The female official couldn't explain clearly, so she insisted that it was Feng who did it. She stole the sesame oil and rice and resold it."

"Ms. Feng steadfastly denied the crime. After an investigation, the higher-ups realized the lost items were nothing special, so the matter was dropped. However, the female official has harbored a grudge against Ms. Feng ever since. For the past half month, she's been constantly provoking and harassing her, assigning her the heaviest and dirtiest chores every day..."

Upon hearing this, Di Ying was furious: "Aunt Feng is a lady from a prominent family and was once the wife of the King of Chu. She has a very upright character and moral integrity. How could she do such a sneaky thing? What is the name of that thief?"

"The female official's name is Cao Ning. Although her official position is not high-ranking, her father is a court official. It was her father who arranged for her to serve as an official in Yaohua Palace."

Kundao explained everything thoroughly. Now that she had opened her mouth, she might as well sell out everything about the female official named Cao Ning.

Perhaps this Kun Daoist woman also disliked Cao Ning on a daily basis, and when she saw someone trying to cause trouble, she really spoke without hesitation.

Di Ying frowned slightly: "Who is her father?"

"His father, Cao Anzhen, was the Right Censor. Although his rank was not high, his power was considerable. Even the Prime Minister was wary of him."

Di Ying frowned and said, "Although Aunt Feng became a Taoist nun, she was once the principal wife of the King of Chu and a member of the royal family. How could Cao Ning have the audacity to bully her?" Kun Dao smiled bitterly and said, "The donor also said that she was only 'once' the principal wife. Besides, before Cao Ning came here to take up his official position, I heard that he served the Grand Empress Dowager in the palace. Last year, the Grand Empress Dowager passed away, and the palace was about to lose favor, so his father used his personal connections to transfer him here."

"What does this have to do with the Empress Dowager?"

Kun Dao whispered, "The Grand Empress Dowager and the former Queen of Chu are mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, but they have always been at odds. Cao Ning was close to the Grand Empress Dowager and has been influenced by her for many years. She naturally hates Wuhui. Now that she sees Wuhui in Yaohua Palace, how can she let her off easily?"

"Besides, Cao Ning's father is the Right Censor, known for his sharp words in the court. Even the Prime Minister doesn't dare to provoke him easily. With such a person to rely on, why would Cao Ning be afraid of Wu Hui, who will never see the light of day?"

After hearing the whole story, Di Ying suddenly realized that behind the superficial reasons, there were such complicated grievances and entanglements.

After explaining everything that needed to be explained, Kundao looked around carefully. After making sure that there was no one around, he hurriedly said goodbye and left stealthily, covering his face with his sleeves.

Di Ying stood there, biting her lower lip so hard that it lost its color.

After a long time, Di Ying suddenly turned around and returned to her aunt's yard. There were two carriages parked in the yard, one of which was carrying the things Zhao Xiaoqian asked her to bring to Feng.

Without even saying hello to her aunt, Di Ying ordered the carriage to go to Feng's residence.

When I returned to Feng's residence, she was already sitting on the steps, rubbing her sore legs with a tired look on her face.

Di Ying stepped forward and bowed gracefully, but Feng said she didn't dare.

"Aunt Feng, everything in the carriage is what your son, Zhao Xiaoqian, asked me to bring to you. Please see if there's anything you need, and I'll personally deliver it tomorrow. By the way, this golden silk quilt is a valuable item, and it's incredibly valuable. You must use it for yourself and not give it away."

Feng didn't look at the items on the carriage, but asked with tears in her eyes, "Did my son Xiaoqian give it to me?"

"Yes, he is a man and cannot enter. I am his friend, so I brought it in for him." Di Ying smiled sweetly.

Feng's tears fell and she choked up, "My son has grown up and become sensible..."

"He sent a lot last month. I'm a secluded person and don't need luxury items. Miss Di, please tell him to be a good person and take care of himself. Don't worry about me and don't send me any more in the future."

Di Ying sighed softly, feeling sad for the mother and son who could not see each other, and her eyes became red.

Just as I was about to say a few words of comfort, I heard footsteps outside.

A middle-aged woman with high cheekbones and stern brows appeared in sight.

The woman, dressed in official uniform and a jade crown, walked up to Feng and said expressionlessly, "Wuhui, you haven't finished your work today. If you slack off, you'll probably go hungry for two more meals."

Feng just stood up and was about to reply, but Di Ying almost exploded when she heard this. From the sound of it, it seemed that Feng was often punished by being starved. The mother of the Prince of Chu was actually bullied like this.

Then Di Ying turned around, staring at the female official with a frosty face and asked, "Who are you?"

The female official glanced at her and saw that Di Ying was dressed in luxurious clothes and had an extraordinary temperament. She was confused about her origins for a moment and said politely, "I am Cao Ning, the treasurer of Yaohua Palace."

Di Ying's eyebrows immediately raised, and she said, "So you are Cao Ning. This thief has been looking for you for a long time!"

After saying this, Di Ying looked around and happened to see a whip on the shaft of the carriage. So he picked up the whip and without saying a word, he whipped Cao Ning hard.

Caught off guard, Cao Ning was whipped and screamed in pain. He pointed at her in shock and anger, "Who on earth are you? How dare you commit murder in Yaohua Palace? Do you want to die?"

Di Ying was filled with rage and didn't care about anything else. He just wanted to beat Cao Ning to his heart's content first. He didn't say anything when he heard this and continued to whip Cao Ning again and again.

Cao Ning could not bear the pain. As a woman born in an official family, she had never suffered such humiliation. So Cao Ning fought back, rushed forward to grab the whip from Di Ying's hand, kicking and kicking as she did so.

Di Ying was caught off guard and was kicked twice by her, which made her even angrier. The two of them started fighting.

Fights between women are really not very entertaining to watch. After a few moves, they start pulling each other's hair, ripping at their clothes, slapping each other, and scratching each other's faces.

Feng was extremely anxious and hurried forward to stop the fight, using all her strength to separate the two.

At this moment, the two of them were panting and glaring at each other, both looking miserable. Cao Ning's clothes were torn, and his face was covered with whip marks. Di Ying's beautiful cheek was also bruised, and there were some bruises at the corners of her mouth.

Cao Ning, his hair disheveled, pointed at Di Ying and screamed, "No matter who you are, if you dare to commit violence in Yaohua Palace, you will be killed today. You, your entire family, and you, Wuhui, will all be in trouble!"

As he said this, Cao Ning called for someone to come.

Di Ying stared at her and sneered, "Go ahead and call someone over and see if I'm afraid. But you're in big trouble. Aunt Feng is not someone you can bully. I'm afraid you don't realize how much trouble you've gotten yourself into, do you?"

"Cao Ning, just wait, someone will be here to take care of you soon!"

(End of this chapter)