Chapter 257: Dispute — Falling into the Water
“That being the case, don’t blame us servants for being rude!”
Nan Xun shrugged. “Alright, but can we negotiate? Can you let me finish using the toilet first before taking me away? Don’t worry—I definitely won’t run.”
The four palace maids went straight for her, clearly having no intention of giving her that chance.
Nan Xun’s face darkened instantly. “Damn it, you lot really don’t know when to stop pushing your luck!”
Not even letting her use the toilet—were they trying to make her burst?
Seeing the four burly maids roll up their sleeves and lunge at her, Nan Xun snapped off her sash. The white belt flicked through the air in a smooth arc, wrapping tightly around one maid’s neck and yanking her over, while Nan Xun simultaneously kicked another maid who was charging at her.
The maid caught by the belt was already sticking out her tongue, eyes rolling back, clawing desperately at the sash around her neck. The one who got kicked flew back and clutched her lower back, wailing in pain.
The remaining two maids, who hadn’t yet made a move, were completely stunned.
“Together! Grab this little slut!”
Nan Xun narrowed her eyes, deftly dodged their attacks, slapped one of them across the face several times with loud smacks, then sent her flying with a kick.
“Clap, clap, clap.” Someone nearby began applauding. “As expected of the National Preceptor’s disciple—definitely not useless. You’ve got some real skill.”
Nan Xun released the sash and tied it back around her waist, replying in high spirits, “You’re wrong. I am useless.”
Princess Yao stared at her coldly. “For a young lady to belittle herself like this—how unexpected.”
Nan Xun smiled faintly. “Your Highness may call me Gong Nineteen. That is the name personally bestowed upon me by the National Preceptor.”
Princess Yao cursed her viciously in her heart, yet her face remained dignified and gentle. “It was I who wished to see you. These lowly maids acted improperly and offended Miss Nineteen. Please don’t lower yourself to their level.”
Nan Xun replied, “As Your Highness said, they’re just lowly maids. Why would I lower myself to their level?”
Princess Yao took a deep breath, her fingers hidden in her sleeves nearly piercing her own palm with her nails.
“Didn’t Your Highness go to accompany your mother consort? Why think of summoning me now?” Nan Xun asked, raising an eyebrow.
“I have a few personal words I wish to say to Miss Nineteen. Surely Miss Nineteen won’t refuse me even this small courtesy?”
“Of course I’ll give you face,” Nan Xun said readily. “But I’m really desperate—can I use the toilet first?”
Hearing such blunt, crude speech, Princess Yao’s eyes flashed with disdain. “I only need to say a few words and then I’ll leave. Can Miss Nineteen endure it for a moment?”
Nan Xun let out a short laugh. “Fine then. Please speak quickly, Your Highness—say what you need to say and let it out.”
Princess Yao didn’t understand the latter half, but she was pleased with Nan Xun’s concession and led her toward the small pond.
“I’ve known the National Preceptor for many years. Aside from myself, I’ve never seen him主动 speak to any woman. Miss Nineteen must have something extraordinary about her, or else he wouldn’t have taken you as his disciple,” Princess Yao said as they walked.
Nan Xun lifted the corner of her mouth, her tone rising. “I don’t know what’s extraordinary about me either, but he just likes me. Sigh, I’m puzzled myself. Maybe I’ll ask him when I get back today—ask why he decided to take me as his disciple. I’ve heard he only takes two disciples per reign, and it seems he made an exception for me. Thinking about it really makes me feel… overwhelmed.”
Princess Yao’s delicate face twisted beyond recognition as jealousy burned away her reason. She wanted nothing more than to kill this wretch on the spot.
Princess Yao suddenly let out a cold laugh. “I’ve heard Miss Nineteen climbed up from a lowly gu slave to her current position. Your vitality is like that of an indestructible cockroach. You must have climbed into quite a few men’s beds along the way—otherwise, how could someone like you catch the National Preceptor’s eye?”
Nan Xun’s mouth twitched. She sighed inwardly at Princess Yao’s vivid imagination.
Since Princess Yao had deliberately dismissed the maids, she clearly had no intention of holding back. Nan Xun was no pushover either and immediately shot back, “Does Your Highness think I have no capital? Why me? Because I’m a hundred times prettier than you. Have you gone back to look in a mirror lately? Staring at that bitter gourd face of yours every day probably saves you a lot on meals—you’d lose your appetite just looking at it.”
“You! You bitch!”
Nan Xun immediately pointed at her and laughed excitedly. “Yes, yes—just like that! Your Highness, hurry and look in the mirror! You’re ugly beyond belief. There’s a pond right there—why don’t you turn around and take a look?”
Princess Yao was so furious she was on the verge of fainting. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed several figures approaching and immediately grabbed Nan Xun’s hands, creating the illusion of a heated struggle with pushing and pulling.
Who was Nan Xun? Having watched countless palace-intrigue dramas—and personally experienced them—Empress Nan Xun instantly turned the tables. The moment Princess Yao grabbed her, Nan Xun used a subtle force to switch their positions.
Splash. Splash.
Both of them fell into the water.
From afar, it looked as though Princess Yao had pushed the white-clad woman in—and then lost her footing and fallen in herself.
The palace maids waiting at a distance were terrified and immediately began screaming, “Something terrible! Princess Yao has fallen into the water—”
The figures Princess Yao had spotted earlier were none other than the old king, the National Preceptor, and several foreign envoys.
When Gong Mo Ran saw that the little girl hadn’t returned for a long time, he feared something had happened and left the banquet. As a major figure, his movement prompted the old king and the envoys to follow as well.
Officially, the envoys came out to get some fresh air and admire the scenery of the Southern Yun Kingdom’s palace. Unofficially, they all knew that the National Preceptor leaving so urgently likely meant something serious had occurred.
And now, they indeed witnessed a dispute between women—though it seemed far from the “major event” they had imagined.
The old king’s face flushed with embarrassment. Such a disgraceful scene, witnessed by envoys of three nations—utterly shameful!
He was about to order someone to rescue them when a white figure flashed past him. In the blink of an eye, that figure was already at the pond’s edge.
Splash.
Before everyone’s eyes, the lofty, untouchable, godlike National Preceptor… jumped in, without the slightest hesitation.
Gong Mo Ran swiftly scooped Nan Xun up and leapt back onto the shore, not sparing Princess Yao—who was also struggling in the water—even a glance. Fortunately, Princess Yao had some swimming ability, so she didn’t drown.
The old king stared wide-eyed at Gong Mo Ran carrying the young woman in his arms, shock beyond words.
In all these decades, when had he ever seen the National Preceptor in such a state? His entire body was soaked, his pristine white brocade robe clinging damply to him—where was even a trace of that godlike, immortal bearing?
And yet, the National Preceptor was still the National Preceptor. The moment he landed, he freed one hand and traced a complex formation in the air. In the blink of an eye, all the water on himself and his young disciple was drawn away.
The disheveled National Preceptor quickly returned to his immortal, otherworldly appearance once more.
