A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 1340: Chapter 1338: Face-Slapping 2

Old Madam Tao frowned, thinking to herself: This appearance is somewhat familiar, but I still can’t recall!

However... a vague sense of panic began to arise in her heart.

It always feels like I’ve seen this somewhere.

Consort Zheng sneered again.

"It seems the old madam’s eyes aren’t quite effective!"

She adjusted her high, tightly-bunned temples and then sneered once again.

"Oh dear, I’ve almost forgotten!"

"Eyes placed atop the head... indeed might not work well!"

"Only when they’re on the face do they work well, wouldn’t you agree, Old Madam Tao?!"

Each word she uttered carried the weight of questioning majesty, it carried the dignity of a top-tier consort of the Great Chu Royal Family.

Such dignity isn’t innate but cultivated through two decades within the palace.

No matter how wealthy ordinary families are, they cannot possess such an aura.

Thus...

Old Madam Tao’s heart began to panic inexplicably, sweat started to dot her forehead and back bit by bit.

"I..."

"You... who exactly are you?"

Consort Zheng’s sneering smile grew wider.

At this point, still asking who she is? This person must have mush for brains.

Yet it’s rather interesting this way.

Play a little more, give them a bit more suspense, let them fear a while longer, isn’t that quite nice?

"Haha... old madam, don’t be scared!"

"Take a look at my attire, guess who I might be?"

The old madam glanced towards the Princess standing aside, and then at Consort Zheng’s age and aura.

The answer was soon clear in her heart, but she still dared not be certain (actually, dared not admit).

She just stood there dumbly, feigning bumpkin ignorance, trying to muddle through.

Consort Zheng certainly wouldn’t let her succeed.

She got up and approached Old Madam Tao, leaning in very close, and smiled coolly.

"Take a guess!"

With an extremely cold gaze, she stared firmly at the other party.

With Old Madam Tao’s weak mental fortitude, she soon couldn’t hold up.

Suddenly she stood and with a puff sound, knelt down, kowtowing in greeting.

"Your servant greets Consort Zheng, all blessings to Consort Zheng!"

Maternal Aunt Tao was completely stunned!

The situation erupted so suddenly she hadn’t had time to fathom what was actually happening?

Why did the old madam suddenly fall to the ground, rolling and crawling?

So... with the old madam like this, what should she do in response?

Consort Zheng?

The legendary consort? Isn’t she only supposed to be in the palace?

She... should... should... kneel now!

Tao Hong’s body went weak, collapsing entirely.

"Consort Zheng..."

Consort Zheng exhaled deeply, straightening herself.

"Oh, so you actually know!"

"I thought you genuinely couldn’t recognize me!"

"If you genuinely couldn’t, I’d truly be disappointed!"

She stretched her body and casually waved her hand as she sat back in the chair.

"Alright!"

"I am not one to make things difficult, now arise and speak!"

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

Lady Tao was helped up by the maid.

As for Maternal Aunt Tao... no matter how much the maid tried to assist, she couldn’t get up.

Lady Tao ultimately simply said.

"Take her away!"

Her heart bore some disdain: Usually quite insolent and domineering, how now suddenly so weak?

Can’t even stand? Truly embarrassing!

"Oh no, don’t do that!"

Consort Zheng hurriedly stopped them.

"I find this woman quite familiar, could she be the so-called Maternal Aunt Tao my daughter spoke of?"

She got up and approached Maternal Aunt Tao, carefully examining her.

"Indeed! She truly is quite the beauty!"

"No wonder she was childhood friends with the Prince Consort, no wonder she bore the eldest son for the Tao Household!"

"This pretty face is truly charming!"

Maternal Aunt Tao was so frightened, she fell to her knees with a thud.

"Spare me, Your Highness, spare me, Princess!"

"A servant’s lowly life cannot bear such praise from Your Highness, please spare me!"

Consort Zheng laughed coldly, even the Eldest Princess chuckled too.

"Cannot bear such praise?"

Consort Zheng bent over, gently lifted her chin, and condescendingly questioned.

"With one compliment you falter, then how about your deeds? How can the Princess endure?"

Her tone suddenly cooled, her voice swiftly escalated.

"Seeing you come from a scholarly family, I always respected you, handing the Princess over!"

"You took advantage!"

"Not only have you failed to respect the Princess, but there is even suspicion of spoiling concubines and neglecting wives! You Tao House, truly bold!"

Maternal Aunt Tao was terrified nearly to fainting, Old Madam Tao hurriedly collapsed onto her knees again.

"Forgive us, Your Highness! Forgive us, Your Highness!"

"It was my fault for having blind dog eyes, believing this little hussy’s lies!"

"It’s all the fault of this little hussy! Please, Your Highness, judge! Please, Your Highness, discern clearly!"

Consort Zheng stood straight and looked at Old Madam Tao, filled with sarcasm.

"Oh!"

"But Maternal Aunt Tao is only a mere concubine; according to Old Madam Tao, it’s all her fault?"

Old Madam Tao quickly nodded.

"Yes!"

"It is her fault!"

"She has always coveted the rightful wife position of the Princess, audaciously plotting to use children to climb!"

"Despite my many attempts to dissuade her, she wouldn’t listen, please discern clearly, Consort Zheng!"

Originally limp on the ground, Tao Hong sprang up upon hearing this.

Like an enraged lioness, she fiercely rebuked Old Madam Tao.

"Old madam, speak with some conscience!"

"You told me the Princess couldn’t bear a son, the Tao family might end, to stop taking contraceptive soup! That’s why I dared to cease the medicine!"

"Otherwise, as a mere concubine, where would I find such audacity to stop the medicine?"

"You promised me, with two sons born to the young master, you’d elevate me as a co-wife!"

"And promised should the Princess still bear no son, to force her to adopt my son! Have you forgotten all this?"

"Consort Zheng, please discern clearly!"

With that, she turned to the Eldest Princess.

"Princess, it was all forced by the old madam, Tao Hong had no choice!"

"Please forgive, please spare!"

Every word by Tao Hong, reasoned and asserted, directly left Lady Tao enraged.

"You!!"

Consort Zheng laughed coldly, turning to question.

"Lady Tao, what do you have to say?"

"Were these all your ideas?"

Lady Tao looked hopelessly at Tao Hong, dared to lie no more, rolled her eyes and fainted.

Consort Zheng felt fulfilled, even the Eldest Princess laughed.

Quietly cursing inside: Serves you right!

...

Tao Hong was taken away, and a doctor was called for Lady Tao.

Consort Zheng left with the Princess for now.

The two exited the residence openly and headed to the nearby palace lodging not far from the Tao Residence.

Dusk was drawing near.

Upon reaching the lodging, they tidied up and bathed, dressed anew, then had dinner.

Afterwards, sitting by the window, they conversed.

Consort Zheng then asked.

"Today I provided some relief for you!"

"It seems your mother-in-law truly lacks integrity!"

"Pity I didn’t see through her nature back then!"

The Eldest Princess lowered her head, thought briefly, then spoke truthfully.

"It’s all my fault!"