5319

Chapter 5319: Fear

"Why are you here?" Upon seeing Qiao Mu, Su Xitao's face contorted with fear. A piercing scream almost split everyone's eardrums.

Su Xitao's terrified expression unsettled Prince Zheng, who, as her elder brother, felt a pang of discomfort. Su Xitao shivered, as if recalling something horrifying, her eyes wide, staring fixedly at Qiao Mu.

This Crown Princess, she would inexplicably resort to violence, and she wouldn't even dirty her own hands. She would just find a mechanical puppet to brutalize them. It was utterly vicious, beyond words.

Seeing her reminded Su Xitao of the over a month she had spent recovering in bed before she could even walk again. Yet, she wasn't the unluckiest. The truly unfortunate one was Fang Mingyue, the second young lady of the Huainan Marquis's estate, who had been ordered by the Emperor to be sent to a nunnery and still hadn't returned. Or rather, she had heard once that the second young lady had returned, and even caused a scene at the Qiao Residence. Consequently, she was once again sent to a nunnery by this ruthless Crown Princess. It was uncertain if she would return anytime soon.

Thinking of this, Su Xitao couldn't help but feel a chilling dread. She now understood clearly that this Crown Princess was someone she absolutely could not afford to offend again. This person's temper was so volatile that she might even send Su Xitao herself to a nunnery if she wasn't careful. Living a life of asceticism, with ancient Buddhas and vegetarian meals—if she were confined to a nunnery forever, her life would truly be over.

Then, reflecting further, the thought of enduring this stoic's petty annoyances and constantly having to humble herself whenever she saw her made an inexplicable surge of anger well up within her.

Why did she have to tolerate this woman's indignities at every turn? Her elder brother was Prince Zheng, after all. Her status was far superior to those ordinary official's daughters and young ladies from aristocratic families.

Why did she have to suffer such humiliation?

Though her heart was filled with intense resentment, Su Xitao's actual actions were incredibly timid. When the little Crown Princess's gaze slanted towards her, she only dared to hide behind Prince Zheng, not even daring to show her face.

Prince Zheng also harbored anger. Seeing his sister so terrified, he felt both guilt and heartache. Guilt that he, as an older brother, couldn't be a steadfast support for his sister. Heartache that his sister, upon seeing the stoic Crown Princess, reacted like a mouse seeing a cat, trembling with fear.

Prince Zheng, Mo Xikang, felt deeply uncomfortable, yet he coldly reprimanded, "Tao'er, how can you be so ill-mannered? Hurry and pay your respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess."

At this moment, the pastry shop was gradually filling with people, but the five of them were blocking the entrance, talking. Several passing commoners, hearing Prince Zheng mention the Crown Prince's title, were so frightened their legs almost gave out, and they immediately knelt to the ground.

Su Xitao wrung the handkerchief in her hand, stammering as she stepped forward and bowed, "Greetings, Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and the... Crown Princess."

Qiao Mu looked at her expressionlessly, offering no reply.

The Crown Prince said indifferently, "Royal Brother Zheng, my wife and I have an appointment with Wushuang, so we'll excuse ourselves for now."

Mo Xikang's face twitched slightly with anger. He feigned composure, cupped his hands in a bow, and then watched as the couple entered hand-in-hand, bought several bags of pastries, and left without looking back.

Su Xitao remained hidden behind Mo Xikang until the two had left the pastry shop. Only then did she seem to come alive, pouting and complaining to Mo Xikang, "Big Brother, I think those two don't have any regard for you at all."