Princess Consort Pingyang was stunned. She looked at Lianxin.
"And then?"
Lianxin glanced at Duoduo, then leaned close to the Princess Consort's ear.
"The City Defender's wife cursed the woman on the spot for being shameless. The Prefect's wife's cousin was so ashamed that she tried to kill herself, but she was stopped by the City Defender."
"Then, the City Defender said he would personally escort the woman to see the Prefect."
Princess Consort Pingyang shook her head, taking Duoduo by the hand and walking back to the Prince's estate.
Lianxin supported the Princess Consort. "My Lady, was that woman just now also arranged by His Highness?"
Princess Consort Pingyang pondered for a moment and nodded.
"Most likely."
Lianxin did not quite understand. "Why didn't His Highness just have someone teach the Prefect's wife and the City Defender's wife a lesson directly?"
"Why send women to the Prefect and the City Defender? Isn't that just giving them a reward?"
"The young princess clearly suffered grievances because of them, yet His Highness actually gave them rewards. This servant cannot figure it out."
Princess Consort Pingyang looked down at Duoduo by her legs.
Duoduo smiled up at the Princess Consort, the hair buns on her head bobbing.
"Although Xianyang is His Highness's fiefdom, even a mighty dragon cannot suppress the local snakes."
"In Xianyang City, the Prefect and the City Defender are two officials with considerable prestige."
"And their two families have always been on good terms, interacting closely."
"The Prefect is fond of women, but it just so happens that his wife at home is a fierce tigress."
"His Highness catered to his preferences and rewarded him with a woman. Not only will this bring him over to His Highness's side, but it will also cause the couple to turn against each other."
"If I am not mistaken, that woman should be His Highness's subordinate."
"The other purpose of His Highness sending her is definitely to spy on the Prefect's estate."
"If a problem can be solved with just one woman, why would His Highness need to take action personally?"
Lianxin nodded repeatedly.
"His Highness's move is indeed brilliant, but won't this make the Prefect's wife hate our Prince from now on?"
Princess Consort Pingyang stopped walking and looked at the garden full of flowers blooming vibrantly.
She plucked the most vibrant blossom and held it in her hand.
"She won't have the time for that, because soon enough, the City Defender's wife will go make a scene with her."
Lianxin was very puzzled.
"My Lady, is that cousin of the City Defender's wife also His Highness's person?"
Princess Consort Pingyang was also somewhat confused.
"I have not figured this out either. Logically speaking, why would the distant cousin of the Prefect's wife follow His Highness's orders?"
"However, I do know one thing. The purpose of this distant cousin is quite similar to that of a specially trained concubine."
As soon as Princess Consort Pingyang's voice fell, the sound of clapping rang out from behind her.
Princess Consort Pingyang's heart skipped a beat. She turned her head and saw the Prince of Pingyang standing not far behind them.
"This concubine greets Your Highness!"
Princess Consort Pingyang hurriedly pulled Duoduo to bow to the Prince.
"Daughter pays respects to Father!" Duoduo bowed very cheerfully.
Beside them, Lianxin hurriedly knelt down.
"Rise."
The Prince's tone was unusually gentle.
"Why has Your Highness come out?" Princess Consort Pingyang stood up.
"I came out for some fresh air, and then I heard my Princess Consort's grand discourse."
Princess Consort Pingyang blushed.
"It was all just nonsense from this concubine. Please forgive me, Your Highness."
Duoduo tilted her head back to look at her mother, then at the Prince.
She walked up to the Prince and knelt down before him properly.
She was only halfway down when she was caught by a pair of large hands.
"Kneeling back and forth, don't you find it troublesome? What do you want? Just say it, no need to kneel!"
The Prince let go of Duoduo, his expression turning a bit displeased.
Princess Consort Pingyang smiled and rubbed Duoduo's head. "His Highness has spoken. Hurry up and tell him, lest he changes his mind later."
Duoduo tilted her head up, looked at the Princess Consort, and shook her head.
"Father, I don't want anyfing."
"I just wanted to fank Father for venting my anger for me."
The Prince's expression softened.
"You are my daughter. I have said that I will naturally keep you safe."
"Also, I do not like people kneeling back and forth. Remember that!"
Duoduo's large eyes were filled with curiosity.
Nanny Li clearly said that the Prince of Pingyang was the person who valued rules the most.
Princess Consort Pingyang saw her husband and Duoduo staring at each other, big eyes meeting small eyes.
"Your Highness, there is something I cannot quite figure out. Was that woman also arranged by you?"
The Prince signaled Lingfeng to push him back. Princess Consort Pingyang took Duoduo's small hand and hurriedly followed.
"That was just a coincidence. She came looking for relatives, originally intending to cling to a high branch."
"Just now, I merely had my guards give her a little push with the flow."
"Since those two had physical contact, the City Defender has no choice but to take her into his estate as a concubine." Princess Consort Pingyang nodded.
The Prince shook his head. "Not quite."
"Not quite? Did this concubine guess incorrectly?"
"You only guessed half of it." The Prince stroked the jade thumb ring on his hand.
"Half?" Princess Consort Pingyang was a bit surprised. Which half?
At this moment, a guard walked in hurriedly.
"Your Highness, Lord Chen took that woman to a private residence."
Princess Consort Pingyang was astonished.
But in an instant, she figured out the key to the matter.
Since the distant cousin of the Prefect's wife wanted to climb the social ladder, once she realized that the Prefect was a dead end, she would naturally switch targets.
And the City Defender's status and position made him an excellent candidate.
Most importantly, as the cousin of the Prefect's wife, she certainly would not be willing to be just a concubine.
The Prince waved his hand, and the guard retreated.
He looked at Duoduo. "You haven't done your training for today yet."
"Train through the hottest dog days of summer and the coldest days of winter. You cannot stop for even a single day."
Princess Consort Pingyang tightly held Duoduo's little hand.
"Your Highness, the child is still small. How about letting her rest for just this one day?"
Duoduo broke free from the Princess Consort's hand. "Mother, I can do it! You don't need to worry."
After saying that, Duoduo bowed to them both and left with Lingfeng.
Princess Consort Pingyang looked heartbroken. "Your Highness, Duoduo is such a sensible child. Are your demands on her too strict?"
The Prince watched Duoduo's small receding figure.
"From the moment she chose to follow me, she embarked on a path of no return."
"Only by becoming stronger will her ability to protect herself increase."
"Has my Princess Consort not noticed that she has already changed a lot?"
"Hardship makes a person grow up quickly. Although it is cruel, it is the most effective method."
"But she is only four years old..." Princess Consort Pingyang was deeply pained.
"When I was four years old, I was pushed into the Taiye Pool by a eunuch. If I hadn't known how to swim, I would have died long ago."
The Prince's tone was cold, as if he were talking about someone else's affairs.
"This is the Prince's estate, not the imperial palace. No one would dare to do such a thing here."
Princess Consort Pingyang felt her husband was making a mountain out of a molehill.
"As a child of the royal family, learning to protect oneself is the very first skill one must master."
"She is too weak. If she were to go up against anyone in the palace, she could very well lose her life!"
A flash of ruthlessness crossed the Prince's eyes.
"Why would she ever go up against the people in the palace?"
