The jade hairpin was crystal clear and exquisitely crafted, obviously a treasured item from "Feng Tang Jiao," the most renowned jade shop in Yan Jing.
The name was cleverly chosen, implying that all who wore jewelry from Feng Tang Jiao were as beautiful as phoenixes, yet their pieces were incredibly precious.
Every woman in Yan Jing dreamed of owning a piece of Feng Tang Jiao jewelry, a dream most could not afford.
As for Yun Xiao, the daughter of the current Regent, even as a fool, she lacked nothing in terms of jewelry.
At this moment, she wore a foolish grin, flaunting the precious jade hairpin.
Upon seeing the item, Noble Lady Lan completely forgot about pinching Yun Xiao. Her eyes gleamed, and she greedily fixated on the hairpin. Taking a breath, she abandoned her previous arrogance and spoke with feigned sincerity.
"Empress, this hairpin is so beautiful. May sister have a look?"
As soon as she spoke, Xiu Xiu, standing by Yun Xiao's bed, instinctively cried out, "Empress, you must not."
Her words drew a sharp glare from Noble Lady Lan, frightening Xiu Xiu into silence.
Furthermore, she knew the Empress before her was not easily trifled with, and quieted down.
Noble Lady Lan assumed Xiu Xiu was intimidated by her threat and smiled with satisfaction. She then turned back to Yun Xiao and extended her hand.
"May sister have a look?"
"Okay," Yun Xiao nodded with a beaming smile, her pupils emitting a cunning shimmer.
Unfortunately, Noble Lady Lan was blinded by the hairpin she was about to possess. She reached out to take it without a second thought.
As Yun Xiao watched the hand approach the hairpin, she let go at the opportune moment. The precious, valuable jade hairpin shattered into two pieces on the floor, witnessed by everyone in the imperial chamber.
A deathly silence fell over the surroundings. Everyone felt the pang of loss, the sting of heartache. This was wealth! Their lifetimes of toil could not match the value of this hairpin...
Noble Lady Lan was stunned. She had always dreamed of owning such an ornament, and it was within her grasp, only to be broken. She felt incredibly dejected, but she wouldn't have much time to dwell on it.
Suddenly, a shriek erupted from the imperial chamber. A dark figure leaped from the bed, charging directly at Noble Lady Lan and knocking her flying.
The shadowy figure didn't stop, but continued its assault, landing heavily on Noble Lady Lan. It then proceeded to slap her repeatedly on both sides of her face, and Noble Lady Lan's pig-like wails immediately filled the air.
"Ah..."
Her cries jolted the eunuchs and maids in the chamber. Good heavens, the foolish Empress had lost her temper! Noble Lady Lan was being struck, and not just once. It was a gruesome sight; her entire face was swollen like a pig's head.
Noble Lady Lan's accompanying eunuchs and maids, seeing their mistress being beaten, rushed forward like madmen, ready to assist her. Seeing their actions, Xiu Xiu immediately called out towards the door,
"Xiao Yuan, Xiao Zhao, hurry inside."
The two eunuchs, Xiao Yuan and Xiao Zhao, had already heard the commotion in the chamber and were nervously wondering what had happened. Upon hearing Xiu Xiu's call, they rushed in.
At a glance, they saw the eunuchs and maids brought by Noble Lady Lan attempting to pull away the Empress, who was still sitting on Noble Lady Lan, furiously beating her while shouting.
"Pay for my hairpin! Pay for my hairpin!"
My heavens, the two eunuchs gasped. The Empress was too fierce! But this was no time for admiration. The two of them, along with Xiu Xiu, quickly rushed forward to hold back the four people brought by Noble Lady Lan, repeatedly saying,
"The Empress isn't well, please don't mind her."
The imperial chamber descended into chaos. Noble Lady Lan, lying on the ground with her head ringing and stars dancing before her eyes, saw no one coming to her rescue and could only beg,
"Empress, I won't dare again, Empress, I won't dare again. Please spare me this time, just this once."
Yun Xiao only intended to teach her a lesson. Since she was begging for mercy, she would let her off this time.
Even though she was foolish, no one could bully her. This was a warning to others, a demonstration to show who would dare cause trouble in the future.
With that thought, she abruptly withdrew her hands, got off Noble Lady Lan, and moved to the side of the room. Holding the broken hairpin, she spoke with apparent sorrow, "My hairpin, my hairpin..."
Seeing that their mistress had stopped, Xiu Xiu, Xiao Yuan, and Xiao Zhao also released their grips. The four attendants rushed to Noble Lady Lan's side and helped her up, speaking with concern.
"Mistress, mistress, are you alright?"
"I'm alright?" Noble Lady Lan felt like cursing, but as soon as she opened her mouth, her face muscles ached terribly from the swelling. Tears streamed down her face.
After so long in the palace, she had never suffered such humiliation. To think she would be brought down by a fool today! The injustice of it made her resentful, and she glared angrily at the foolish Empress, who now appeared deeply saddened.
But considering the strength the fool had displayed moments ago, she was no match for her.
As Noble Lady Lan was lost in her thoughts, Yun Xiao abruptly turned her head, her pupils filled with a chilling coldness that made Noble Lady Lan tremble. She cried out repeatedly,
"Still not helping me up? Go back, go back."
The four attendants beside her quickly helped their mistress up.
Looking at Noble Lady Lan now, any trace of her previous arrogance and ferocity was gone. She was disheveled, her hair messy, her clothes askew, and her cheeks terribly swollen.
The entire entourage fled in disarray, with Xiu Xiu's cheerful voice following behind, "Xiao Yuan, see Noble Lady Lan out."
"Yes," Xiao Yuan suppressed a chuckle and respectfully followed behind the group, escorting them out.
Inside the imperial chamber, Yun Xiao calmly picked up the jade hairpin and stood up. Xiu Xiu stood beside her, "Your Majesty, what a pity about this hairpin?"
"What pity? Someone will send me another?"
Yun Xiao casually tossed the hairpin onto the nearby dressing table and looked up at Xiu Xiu, speaking gently, "Is there the Empress Dowager in this palace?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Xiu Xiu looked puzzled. What did this have to do with the Empress Dowager?
Little Zhao, standing nearby, was also filled with confusion. Their Empress was so inscrutable now. On the outside, she was completely harmless, but her true nature was terrifying. They should be cautious from now on and avoid provoking her.
"Go to the Empress Dowager immediately and tell her that the Empress wishes to return home. The reason? Noble Lady Lan broke the Empress's jade hairpin."
After speaking, Yun Xiao ignored Xiu Xiu and Xiao Zhao in the chamber, turning towards a carved table. Feeling a bit thirsty from her exertions, she poured herself some floral tea and took a sip.
Xiu Xiu and Xiao Zhao exchanged glances, a look of admiration rising in their eyes.
Their Empress had played a brilliant move! Not only had she struck Noble Lady Lan and warned the palace, but she had also ensured Noble Lady Lan would not be able to gain favor with the Empress Dowager. Most importantly, she had lost nothing herself.
Though the Empress was foolish, she was the Regent's daughter. No matter what the Empress Dowager did, she wouldn't let their Majesty return to the Yun residence. Therefore, she would surely send someone with a replacement jade hairpin.
Brilliant, truly brilliant!