For a long time, Shen Yimin composed himself, his eyes slightly red. "I'll escort you out of the palace."
Li Yue Shu nodded, not dwelling on the previous topic. "By the way, where is Aunt Mo?"
When she came out after checking on Consort Rong, she hadn't seen her.
Shen Yimin replied, "I had A Lian take her away."
They hadn't seen each other for a long time, so naturally, they had things to talk about.
Hearing this, Li Yue Shu looked at Ying Xin, who was like a transparent person nearby. "Ying Xin, go wait for Aunt Mo. There's no need to rush them. Let mother and son chat more. A Min can escort me out."
"Yes, Miss."
Ying Xin bowed respectfully and left immediately.
Ever since she had experienced the gun in Li Yue Shu's hand, her attitude had changed.
This was a recognition of Li Yue Shu from the bottom of her heart.
Shen Yimin, holding a warm little parcel, walked out with Li Yue Shu, inquiring about the details of caring for Consort Rong along the way.
They hadn't walked far when several figures approached them.
The few behind them seemed to be palace attendants with respectful attitudes, while the woman in front, wearing a beautiful skirt, was clearly a palace concubine.
Li Yue Shu was wondering about the other party's identity when Shen Yimin quietly explained, "This is the second prince's birth mother, Noble Consort Lan."
Noble Consort Lan had a significant role in the original book, so Li Yue Shu naturally knew her title.
As they approached, Shen Yimin spoke first, "Greetings, Noble Consort Lan."
Noble Consort Lan lowered her gaze, observing the two before her with an arrogant expression. "Why is the Fourteenth Prince not in the palace guarding Consort Rong, but intending to go elsewhere?"
Just as Shen Yimin was about to find an excuse, Noble Consort Lan suddenly said, "Consort Rong is unfortunate. Her entire family suffered a disaster years ago, and she herself was framed by villains, leaving her with a chronic illness."
"I heard from the imperial physicians that Consort Rong doesn't have much time left. The Fourteenth Prince is her only child, and he should spend more time by Consort Rong's side, lest he have no chance to see her again in the future."
Even a fool could tell something was wrong with these words.
Shen Yimin was already upset about Consort Rong's situation, and Noble Consort Lan was clearly rubbing salt into his wounds!
Shen Yimin's face turned pale, and his hand, clutching the small parcel, tightened, trembling slightly.
Seeing his reaction, Noble Consort Lan looked smug and was about to say a few more words when someone suddenly interrupted her, "A Min, do you smell something?"
At these words, everyone's attention turned to Li Yue Shu.
Shen Yimin didn't understand what she meant and asked with a puzzled look, "What smell?"
"Bad breath, of course!" Li Yue Shu covered her nose with disgust, fanning herself with her hand. "It smells like someone who hasn't brushed their teeth in years. I wonder who it is!"
The air was silent for a moment.
The next instant, after realizing the meaning of her words, Noble Consort Lan's expression instantly darkened. "What lowly wench are you? Do you seek death!"
Li Yue Shu looked up at Noble Consort Lan. "Why is Noble Consort Lan so angry? I'm just stating a fact. Haven't Noble Consort Lan smelled it?"
She looked at Shen Yimin with a confused and innocent expression. "Or did I not sleep well last night and smell it wrong?"
Shen Yimin also understood her words, and his previously gloomy mood instantly vanished.
He curved his lips slightly, appearing to be a very gentle and kind person. "You must have smelled it wrong. I don't smell anything."
He then turned to Noble Consort Lan and asked, "Noble Consort Lan, did you smell it?"
Noble Consort Lan's face had turned green.
She wasn't stupid and naturally knew these words were difficult to respond to.
If she said she smelled it, knowing this woman was implying herself, she would be slapping her own face.
But if she said she didn't smell it, she couldn't swallow her pride!
Li Yue Shu and Shen Yimin both wore confused and innocent expressions, but the undisguised amusement in their eyes was obvious.
Li Yue Shu had initially thought A Min would go along with her words and scold this foul-mouthed woman.
Even if Noble Consort Lan tried to use her power to suppress them and resort to violence, she wouldn't be afraid, as she wasn't part of the imperial palace.
But this child's patience and intelligence exceeded her expectations; he chose to retaliate in another way.
Noble Consort Lan's expression shifted multiple times, but she quickly suppressed it.
After all, she was a woman who could contend with the Empress in the harem and produce a second prince to rival the Crown Prince. Noble Consort Lan wouldn't lose her composure just because she was verbally insulted.
She glared at Li Yue Shu arrogantly. "Where did this palace maid come from, so lacking in manners that she doesn't salute me upon seeing me! Steward Qian, teach her some proper etiquette!"
As soon as she finished speaking, the old steward behind her responded, "Yes."
Saying this, she menacingly walked towards Li Yue Shu.
Shen Yimin immediately stepped forward and blocked Li Yue Shu. His gentle smile was gone. "I am still here. Try and lay a hand on her!"
Looking at the figure standing in front of her, not even as tall as herself, Li Yue Shu felt a warmth rise in her heart. It seemed as if she was not the one about to be dealt with by Noble Consort Lan.
Steward Qian indeed dared not step forward but did not retreat either.
Noble Consort Lan let out a cold laugh. "I am disciplining my disobedient palace servant. Be careful not to harm the Fourteenth Prince. Come, drag the Fourteenth Prince away!"
This woman had a foxy appearance. Perhaps Consort Rong, knowing her time was short, had brought her in as a pawn to consolidate her position. She had to be eliminated!
She hadn't harmed Qin Yi, so even if Consort Rong pursued the matter, she could completely claim ignorance.
Noble Consort Lan's plan was well thought out, and the palace attendants behind her were obedient, stepping forward immediately.
Shen Yimin's expression changed, but the next moment, Li Yue Shu suddenly grabbed his shoulder, patting him reassuringly. "Don't worry, they're no match for me."
With these people who couldn't lift a shoulder or carry a load, she didn't take them seriously at all.
Shen Yimin also remembered her capabilities, and his worries lessened slightly. However, he still turned to warn Noble Consort Lan, "She is not someone you can touch!"
Given her imperial uncle's regard for her, let alone a noble consort, even an Empress would face dire consequences.
However, facing his kind warning, Noble Consort Lan not only didn't appreciate it but also said with a sneer, "I am a noble consort. Even if she is the daughter of a first-rank official's family, I can still discipline her. I can't touch her?"
Having been in Chongzhou for many years, she recognized all the family members of court officials and there was no such woman.
She didn't know where Consort Rong had found such a seductive vixen!
Noble Consort Lan's gaze turned sinister. "Today, I want to see what makes her untouchable!"
Upon receiving her command, the palace attendants no longer hesitated and reached out towards the two.
Li Yue Shu moved, about to step forward, when an icy voice rang out, "Noble Consort, you have quite the authority to dare lay hands on my person?"
Everyone's hearts jolted. They subconsciously turned around and saw the cruel and cold Regent King walking over with a stern face.
In an instant, everyone felt a chill crawl up their backs. The palace attendants who had been aggressively preparing to strike even their legs gave way and knelt down.