Chapter Four: Flipping the Table Directly

Lo Ning Sang snorted coldly. “Hmph, thank you all for your concern. I’ve never ridden in a sedan chair or carriage before; I know perfectly well. But you lot, having nothing better to do, spend your days gossiping about others—don’t you find that exhausting?”

With that, she tucked the scroll under her arm, lifted her chin slightly, ignored the crowd, and strode away.

The wind picked up, stirring the stray hairs by her temples.

Halfway along, the sound of noisy hoofbeats approached from afar. Instinctively, Lo Ning Sang stepped aside.

A group of riders on tall horses thundered past, kicking up a cloud of dust. Leading them was a man in a red brocade robe, his black hair tied neatly—a figure none other than Mo Youli.

Mo Youli pulled on the reins, his horse whinnying loudly as it lifted its front hooves high. He leaned forward to glance at Lo Ning Sang, his brows knitting slightly.

“Miss Lo… why are you walking alone? Where is your sedan chair?”

Lo Ning Sang turned her head slightly, suppressing the anger in her eyes, and feigned nonchalance. “Young Master Xiao and Miss Shen went ahead by carriage; I just decided to walk a bit myself.”

Upon hearing this, Mo Youli’s expression darkened immediately. He was well aware of Lo Ning Sang’s feelings for Xiao Ze’an but never imagined Xiao Ze’an would treat her so harshly.

Seeing her endure such grievance, a fire ignited in his chest. “The Grand Tutor’s residence treats you this way? I must pay them a proper visit.”

Lo Ning Sang raised her head to dissuade him. “Mo Youli, don’t be impulsive. It’s only a short distance. Such trivial matters are not worth my concern.”

Though she spoke lightly, inside she was already planning how to unleash her fury upon returning.

Mo Youli lowered his gaze at the stubborn look on Lo Ning Sang’s face and sighed helplessly. “Very well, I’ll accompany you.”

He dismounted deftly and handed the reins to Lo Ning Sang. “Miss Lo, ride the horse back; I’ll follow beside you.”

Lo Ning Sang waved her hands repeatedly. “No need to trouble yourself. I can’t ride; I’ll just walk back slowly.”

But Mo Youli wouldn’t relent. How could he bear to see her walk such a long way?

With patience, he taught her how to mount and hold the reins. Unable to argue, Lo Ning Sang climbed onto the horse cautiously, and Mo Youli led the reins steadily forward.

“Mo Youli, please don’t tell my father or mother about what happened today,” Lo Ning Sang hesitated, then whispered. She couldn’t let them worry over her; she could handle her own affairs.

Mo Youli replied quietly, “Princess, rest assured. I know you fear the Emperor and Empress will worry. I won’t say a word.”

“If you ever feel unhappy at the Grand Tutor’s, you can come to me—even as a friend to confide in. I will certainly help you.”

A sovereign of a nation now spoke almost pleadingly.

Such aid from Mo Youli was priceless, yet Lo Ning Sang outright rejected it.

“By the way, how did you happen to be here?”

Lo Ning Sang skirted the question. “I was passing by after finishing some errands with the guards.”

Mo Youli was somewhat disappointed, knowing she wouldn’t trust him so soon, and let the matter drop.

Behind them, two guards exchanged inner grumbles. They hadn’t just been passing by—the master had deliberately taken a detour to see the princess.

But the detour had its rewards. The master encountered the princess and even accompanied her part of the way, clearly in good spirits.

As they neared the Grand Tutor’s residence, Lo Ning Sang dismounted, handing the reins back to Mo Youli.

“I recall the princess is to dine at the palace today,” Mo Youli said, remembering that Lo Ning Sang had mentioned yesterday that she lived daily at the palace and wondered why she returned to the Grand Tutor’s.

“Yes, I’m going back to tidy up. See you later,” she confirmed.

Mo Youli’s heart felt sweet as if coated with honey.

By the time she returned to the Grand Tutor’s residence, night had fallen, lanterns lit the way.

Within the residence, bright lights shone, laughter and chatter floated out through the carved windows. Lo Ning Sang needed no guess—the household was dining.

In the past, she had stumbled upon this scene countless times.

Back then, her heart and eyes were full of Xiao Ze’an. Even as a royal princess, whenever she saw the family dining together without inviting her, she would quietly turn away and tiptoe to the kitchen like a timid little beast, afraid to disturb anyone.

In the dim kitchen corners, Lo Ning Sang would silently rummage, hoping to find some scraps to fill her stomach.

If lucky, there was half a bowl of leftover rice or a small dish. She would hide by the stove and quickly eat, soothing her growling hunger.

If unlucky, only the cold clatter of pots and pans greeted her ears, and she endured the long night hungry.

In those days, she swallowed grievances and hunger because a single indulgent glance or soft word from Xiao Ze’an made it all worthwhile.

But today was different. The fury she had suppressed all along now burned like a raging flame, nearly consuming her reason.

She took a deep breath, clenched her fists until her nails bit into her palms, and strode resolutely into the dining hall.

Everyone raised their cups, laughing and chatting, but froze in surprise at the unexpected visitor. Before they could react, Lo Ning Sang stormed to the table and slammed it over, sending the feast crashing to the floor.

For a moment, shattered cups and plates, spilled soup, and scattered delicacies lay in chaos.

“Lo Ning Sang, what are you doing!” Xiao Ze’an was the first to recover, springing to his feet with furious eyes, his handsome face flushed with rage.

Lo Ning Sang acted as if she hadn’t heard, straightening her back, her cold gaze sweeping over them. Her voice was icy.

“Grand Tutor, your household has no rules. As a noble guest, I have yet to arrive, yet you have already begun your meal.”

Seeing no one respond, she continued.

“It seems you do not regard me as worthy, nor respect the royal family. Tonight, I shall return to the palace and report your conduct to my father.”

A gleam of cold light flashed in her eyes. Her icy stare locked onto the Grand Tutor like a sharpened blade, radiating an unyielding authority.

The Grand Tutor’s knees buckled, collapsing with a thud onto the hard floor, the sound dull and heavy.

He trembled, wiping cold sweat from his brow, eyes wide with panic as they darted among the others.

Seeing this, no one dared delay; they all knelt quickly, silent as death.

Only Xiao Ze’an remained rooted to the spot, standing stiffly with furrowed brows, his face full of unwillingness and resentment.

“Princess, forgive me. I dare not neglect you. Today is a misunderstanding; please allow me to explain,” the Grand Tutor’s voice quivered, filled with supplication. The composed, strategic figure had vanished utterly.

He wondered to himself—this princess used to be like a dog to his illegitimate son. When Xiao Ze’an forbade her from joining the table, she obediently complied.

This had gone on for years, so long that everyone instinctively ignored her royal status. Why now was she suddenly so defiant, even threatening to involve the Emperor?

The Grand Tutor racked his brain for excuses, but Lo Ning Sang gave him no chance to catch his breath, pressing on.

“A misunderstanding? The imperial sedan chair granted by my father is not even mine to ride—I walk every day instead. Perhaps I should tell my father that this sedan chair serves no purpose for me, and he should take it back.”

Her fury spilled out unchecked.

The imperial sedan chair was the highest honor, and only the Grand Tutor’s residence in Yan Chi received such favor.

The officials in the court were all sharp-witted, constantly employing every means to curry favor with the Grand Tutor.

If the Emperor learned that his own princess suffered so at the Grand Tutor’s hands, the entire household would be doomed.

“Princess, please forgive us. It’s my son’s ignorance; please calm your anger,” the Grand Tutor glared fiercely at Xiao Ze’an, bared his teeth, and growled, “You brat, kneel at once!”

He reached out, tugging hard at Xiao Ze’an’s clothes.

But seeing his son unmoved, the Grand Tutor leaned close and whispered in his ear, “You’d better apologize to the princess quickly. If you don’t win her forgiveness, you and your mother are to leave this residence!”

Xiao Ze’an clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white, veins throbbing on his forehead. His jaw clenched, cheeks bulging.

He stared at Lo Ning Sang, his eyes a chaotic mix of anger, guilt, and unwillingness. His lips trembled, but no words came.

The Grand Tutor, anxious at his son's stubbornness, quickly turned back to Lo Ning Sang.

With flattering tones, he said, “Princess, please calm your anger. It was my son who offended you. Please return to your chambers to rest; I shall have him apologize to you shortly.”

He had no wish to kneel longer. His mind plotted to appease this ‘great Buddha’ first, leaving his son to deal with the mess he caused.

Lo Ning Sang snorted coldly, thinking to herself that she was pressed for time to dine at the palace and did not want to waste more energy on these people.

She lifted her chin slightly, her expression stern. “I have previously turned a blind eye to some matters, but some things must not be taken too far. I trust the Grand Tutor is a wise man…”

With that, she stepped lightly and turned to leave.

The Grand Tutor let out a long sigh upon her concession, confirming his earlier suspicion: the trouble was caused by his son’s quarrel with the princess.

Only after Lo Ning Sang’s figure vanished from the doorway did he slowly rise, rubbing his aching knees, then turned to Xiao Ze’an.

His anger flared anew as he jabbed the younger man sharply in the chest.

“You useless fool! Didn’t you say the princess obeyed you in everything? Now you’ve dragged me into this mess. Is it that Shen Shuwan? Did she upset the princess?”

Xiao Ze’an’s face flushed purple, veins bulging on his neck. “It’s got nothing to do with her! How was I to know Lo Ning Sang would lose her mind today? She’s usually as gentle as a lamb, pliable in my hands. Who expected her to change so suddenly?”

The Grand Tutor fumed, pacing angrily. “How dare you deny it! She is a princess! Royal bloodline! Our whole household depends on her. I turned a blind eye before because she didn’t care. Now look what you’ve done by mishandling things—do you realize how serious the consequences are?”

Seeing Xiao Ze’an’s sullen face, the Grand Tutor softened his tone.

“Usually, the princess ignores you and Shen Shuwan, so I said nothing. But now that she is upset, you’d better cut ties with that girl soon.”

With that, he flung his sleeves, stirring a gust of wind, and stormed off, leaving Xiao Ze’an alone, full of resentment and frustration.

Xiao Ze’an’s brows knitted tightly, his heart heavy with vexation. His thoughts tangled into a mess as his hands clenched into fists, knuckles whitening.

“This Lo Ning Sang has really gone mad. Using her status to pressure me—how ridiculous!” he muttered.

In his mind, the gentle, obedient Lo Ning Sang who once obeyed him no longer existed. This princess-turned-authority figure made him feel stifled and angry.

Memories of her past kindness flashed before him—how she quietly brought him tea and snacks when he studied late, cared for him tenderly when he caught a cold, and stood up to their father’s harshness on his behalf.

She was so devoted, so gentle then.

But what had changed?

“Father, I’m going to apologize to her,” Xiao Ze’an gritted his teeth, then set off after her.

The night was as dark as ink. The courtyard lay deep, lanterns flickered along winding paths, casting mottled shadows.

Xiao Ze’an ran swiftly and caught sight of Lo Ning Sang hurrying toward the gate. He called out loudly, “Ning Sang, stop!”

Lo Ning Sang seemed not to hear, quickening her pace.

Xiao Ze’an took a few strides, grabbed her sleeve, panting. “Did you have to make such a scene today? Are you out of your mind? Why flip out so suddenly?”

Lo Ning Sang shook off his hand fiercely, eyes blazing. “Out of my mind? Xiao Ze’an, you truly lie with your eyes open! Don’t you know what life I’ve endured at the Grand Tutor’s all these years?”

“I lowered myself, willing to be a servant just to serve you, hoping you’d spare me some genuine affection. And what did I get?”

“That imperial sedan chair, meant to uphold my dignity as a princess, has become your tool to flatter Shen Shuwan. I don’t even have the right to dine at the table, and you accuse me of being out of my mind?”

Faced with her barrage, Xiao Ze’an was momentarily speechless, his face blanching and flushing in turn.

Finally, he stammered, “I... I thought you were always magnanimous and wouldn’t mind these trifles. Besides, Shuwan—she’s just...”

Lo Ning Sang’s gaze turned icy cold, revealing unmistakable disgust. “Step aside. A good dog doesn’t block the way.”

Xiao Ze’an’s brows furrowed tightly, a flicker of anger crossed his face, but he restrained himself. “Are you going into the palace? Besides tattling, what else can you do?”

“I can explain if you dislike my friendship with Miss Shuwan. We’re innocent; she’s just a friend,” he said, standing his ground without moving.

Though furious inside at Lo Ning Sang’s outburst, he could only feel helpless and wary, recalling his father’s harsh words to “get out of the house.”

The night deepened as tensions simmered under the flickering lantern light.