"How have things been with Lao Si lately? You've been with Lao Si for a while now, right? Does Lao Si often come to your room?"
Something unusual must be going on. Li Tiao listened to Consort De's voice and glanced at her kind and amiable appearance, and goosebumps rose on her skin again.
"Your Majesty, the master treats me very well."
"How good is it?" Consort De asked.
Her lips twitched. Consort De's meaning was clear: she was simply asking whether Li Tiao and the Fourth Prince had truly become husband and wife.
This was not something she could say to others, and it was also different from Consort De's usual attitude, so Li Tiao hesitated.
The strange thing is that if Li Tiao had remained silent like this in the past, Consort De would have said some harsh words. However, now Consort De did not press Li Tiao for an answer in a harsh manner, and remained gentle and kind.
"Indeed, although we are both women, the fact that I asked you this question makes it a little difficult for you to answer." Consort De's words sounded extremely considerate: "The fourth prince is, after all, my son, and his temperament... well... never mind, let's not talk about it. By the way, I heard that the crown prince and the fourth prince had a few words exchanged the other day. Have you heard about this?"
Li Tiao shook her head, but her back straightened instantly as she sat up straight. Although she didn't understand why Consort De would ask the Crown Prince, she had a premonition that Consort De's visit to her today was related to the Crown Prince.
Swallowing hard, Li Tiao said, "Your Majesty, I have been staying in the prince's quarters all day and haven't gone out. I haven't heard any gossip. However, I think the prince probably wouldn't have any conflict with the crown prince. The prince's personality is such that he wouldn't argue with anyone."
"You seem to know him quite well?"
It sounded like a joke, but it couldn't hide the sarcastic tone.
Li Tiao thought to herself, "The fox's tail has finally been revealed."
However, Li Tiao pretended not to understand anything: "Your Majesty, although I am of lowly status and it is a bit presumptuous of me to regard you as my husband, you are also my support. Since you are my support, I naturally understand you."
"You're really quick-witted. I've said all the nice things, but you..." Consort De glanced at Li Tiao with disdain: "I'm an experienced woman. I can tell whether you're a young woman or have a man just by looking at your figure."
The words were getting harsher and harsher. Although Li Tiao was still nervous and uneasy, she no longer felt the fear she had at the beginning.
This is more like Consort De.
Li Tiao continued to feign ignorance: "This servant does not understand Your Highness's meaning."
"You're still a young lady. If you don't want to be with the Fourth Prince, I'll find a way to grant your wish." Consort De glanced at Li Tiao: "To tell you the truth, the Crown Prince has taken a liking to you."
Li Tiao feigned shock and disbelief.
"Feigning innocence, your seductive appearance is truly alluring. It's amazing that you could attract the Crown Prince's attention. Li Tiao, how about we make a deal?"
Regardless, Li Tiao wouldn't dare make a deal with Consort De, who had always harbored strong hostility towards her.
But when no one could save her, Li Tiao knew she couldn't confront them head-on, so she pretended to be completely innocent and helpless.
Seeing Li Tiao's appearance, Consort De frowned impatiently and stopped beating around the bush with her.
"Tell me where the Fourth Prince has hidden the real Miss Li. I will find a way to make the Crown Prince give up his desire for you... By the way, I heard you say before that you didn't seem to want to stay by the Fourth Prince's side, right? Tell me where she is hidden, and I will find a way to send you out of the palace."
To be honest, Consort De's words were very appealing to Li Tiao.
However, since these words came from Consort De, Li Tiao, no matter how tempted she was, dared not agree.
Her silence led Consort De to believe that the bait wasn't big enough.
So Consort De gave Li Tiao another promise: "You and the Fourth Prince are still innocent. After leaving the palace, you can remarry under assumed names."
Or do you have other ideas? The Crown Prince has taken a liking to you. If you want to climb up the social ladder by becoming a concubine, it might be a bit troublesome for you to follow the Crown Prince since you were betrothed to the Fourth Prince by the Emperor.
However, it's not impossible. I will think of a way to make your wish come true.
"The prerequisite is that you first tell me where the Tibetans are located."
Heh, Li Tiao sneered inwardly. If you want to be an empress, you should cling to the Fourth Prince's leg. Following the Crown Prince will only lead to your quicker death.
Despite her complaints, Consort De's attitude made Li Tiao even more suspicious. Could it be that the Fourth Prince was adopted by Consort De? Neither Consort De's words nor her attitude seemed like what a biological mother should do for her own son.
"How is it?" Consort De asked impatiently when Li Tiao remained silent.
"Your Majesty, although I don't know why you are so insistent on knowing where the master hid the man, I do know that I absolutely cannot agree to what Your Majesty just promised me, because either of those things could cost me my head."
Despite all the kind words she had been told, Li Tiao remained stubbornly unresponsive, refusing to listen to reason. Frustrated, Consort De abruptly stood up and walked to Li Tiao:
"You think you won't lose your head now? You can pretend in front of others, but don't bother in front of me. After all, you know better than anyone whether you are the eldest daughter of the Li family or not."
Li Tiao tried her best to straighten her back, not wanting to be frightened by Consort De's sight: "Your Majesty, my identity is not important, because Your Majesty will not reveal my true identity."
"You..." Consort De was once again rendered speechless by Li Tiao's words.
Holding onto the armrests of the chair, Li Tiao slowly stood up. Although both of them were wearing platform shoes, Li Tiao was slightly taller than Consort De.
Therefore, after standing up, although Li Tiao did not look down on Consort De, she was still able to suppress Consort De in terms of imposing manner.
Li Tiao stood tall and proud: "Your Majesty, not to mention that I now know where the person is hiding, Your Majesty would be even less likely to reveal my identity."
Although Li Tiao knew nothing, and even if she did, the Fourth Prince knew where the person was hidden.
However, because Consort De cared about that person, Li Tiao's words had a fatal effect, like a fatal blow.
Seeing that Consort De had lost her usual elegance and was glaring at her with gritted teeth again, Li Tiao realized something once more.
It feels so good to threaten people!
She calmly distanced herself from Consort De, then gave her a proper bow: "Your Highness, this servant will take her leave now so as not to disturb you any longer."
Before Consort De could speak, Li Tiao stood up, turned around, and opened the door. The maids, eunuchs, and nannies who had just been dismissed by Consort De quickly came to greet her.
Hongye pulled Li Tiao out from the crowd. "Your Highness, what did Consort De say? Are you... alright?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
