Meanwhile, on the other side, everyone remained remarkably calm.
Xiao Li and his two siblings stared at the snake with wide eyes.
Even the maids, guards, and General Yun stood unfazed.
Yun Shu, too, showed no sign of panic.
It was as if the creature was no more than an ant, not worthy of her losing her composure.
The stark contrast was astonishing.
The palace attendants, who dared not move, were dumbfounded. Did the people of Dongning not fear snakes?
Suddenly, someone exclaimed, "Ah! Is this snake the Snow Spirit Snake belonging to Prince Jin? Otherwise, there wouldn't be a snake in the palace!"
"Ah, the Snow Spirit Snake? It's Prince Jin's Snow Spirit Snake? They say Snow Spirit Snakes are highly venomous! One bite, and you're done for!"
"It's so far from Prince Jin's residence, how did the Snow Spirit Snake suddenly appear here?"
"Terrifying!"
"Ah!"
The fear brought on by the Snow Spirit Snake drove Li Meng'er to the brink of madness. Everyone in the palace knew of the Snow Spirit Snake and its owner. In recent days, few had seen it, leading them to believe Prince Jin had it well under control.
Who would have expected it to suddenly appear!
How terrifying!
The Snow Spirit Snake was actually on her!
It was horrifying!
Every hair on her body stood on end. It was a fear she had never experienced before.
"Quick, someone, get rid of this snake!"
"Hurry!"
Despite the desperate plea, no one dared to step forward. They all stared at the Snow Spirit Snake in terror. Even the maids beside Li Meng'er trembled uncontrollably, their legs weak. Taking a step forward was a challenge, let alone obeying orders.
Yun Xiao Jing pouted. "The little snake is so cute, what's there to be afraid of!"
The person who had been so fierce moments ago was now about to wet her pants from fear.
Hmph!
Yun Shu stood her ground, her gaze coolly falling upon Li Meng'er and the others.
"Quick, someone, call the guards!" Li Meng'er's sisters-in-law suddenly reacted, shouting at the nearby palace attendants.
The attendants, their legs still weak, scurried out.
However, it was strange. The Snow Spirit Snake crawled on Li Meng'er, appearing almost disgusted by her. It opened its mouth several times but never actually bit her.
It looked as if it was searching for the right spot to strike.
The sight of it, like a hunter eyeing its prey, sent shivers down everyone's spines.
Li Meng'er was close to fainting from fear. "Quick... quick, someone..."
Despite her repeated calls, no one came.
The Li family daughters-in-law had specifically chosen this time to come, knowing that a banquet was being held, and most palace staff would be preoccupied.
Now, they all regretted it. While the Snow Spirit Snake was on Li Meng'er, no one knew who it would target next.
Though small, the Snow Spirit Snake was incredibly fast!
The Snow Spirit Snake had no desire to be on any woman. It wanted its young master, it wanted to be with its young master.
Suddenly, Li Meng'er's eldest sister-in-law, seeing Yun Shu and the others so calm, marveled aloud, "Why aren't you afraid? Madam of Prince Ye, do you have a way to deal with this Snow Spirit Snake?"
The Madam of Prince Ye and her companions, including the children, were all unafraid.
There had to be a reason!
Li Meng'er finally snapped back to reality and looked at Yun Shu.
Yun Shu's already captivating face was now composed and serene, making Li Meng'er's panic seem utterly pathetic. Her face flushed red, she gritted her teeth and blurted out, "Madam of Prince Ye, did you provoke this Snow Spirit Snake?"
She didn't care, just wanting to shift the blame.
If she was going to suffer, she wanted Yun Shu to suffer with her!
"The Snow Spirit Snake is on Consort Meng, and it seems quite fond of her. Is Consort Meng speaking ironically?" Yun Shu retorted with a light laugh.
At her words, the surrounding palace attendants suddenly seemed to understand.
The Snow Spirit Snake had been on Consort Meng, remaining still and not biting, looking almost docile. Regardless of whether it had anything to do with Madam of Prince Ye, the Snow Spirit Snake belonged to Prince Jin, but Consort Meng was indeed suspicious!
Sensing the attendants' gazes, Li Meng'er was furious. Her pale face turned bright red with anger.
"You! You!"
After sputtering "you" twice, Li Meng'er was too enraged to say anything more, merely glaring at Yun Shu.
She hated her.
Damn Yun Shu!
Bitch!
"Oh my, what's all this commotion? I merely went for a walk with Prince Jin and his party, and yet this small palace is so lively?"
With a flamboyant entrance, Xie Jin's equally ostentatious voice filled the air.
His question made Li Meng'er and her group blush furiously.
Xie Jin's scrutinizing gaze was unreserved.
In Dongning, Xie Jin had always been unrestrained, often making young ladies blush. His almond-shaped eyes, filled with allure, swept over the women. Even though they were married, their hearts fluttered, making them momentarily forget their fear.
Glancing sideways, Xie Jin noticed the Snow Spirit Snake crawling on Li Meng'er.
He let out a soft "yih" and glanced behind him.
That glance prompted everyone to look as well.
Upon seeing this, Li Meng'er first shrieked, "Prince Jin, is this your snake? Make it go away!" She was terrified!
Her tear-filled eyes, like clear autumn water, gazed at the suddenly appearing Zhan Tianye, portraying an image of extreme helplessness. Any ordinary man witnessing this would surely feel a surge of protectiveness, eager to rush forward.
And resolve this pitiful beauty's predicament.
However.
Zhan Tianye's icy gaze swept over Li Meng'er.
His sight then fell upon his three displeased sons.
He then looked at Yun Changfeng, whose expression was also grim.
Finally, his gaze landed on Yun Shu. Although she was smiling, he could sense that someone had upset her, making her mood sour.
Therefore, when Zhan Tianye looked at Li Meng'er again, the coldness in his icy eyes was no longer mere coldness, but rather a chilling, terrifying glare.
"I, ah!" Li Meng'er, already deeply fearful of the Snow Spirit Snake, jolted violently and took a step back upon meeting Zhan Tianye's gaze.
The Snow Spirit Snake fell from her body.