Imperial Consort Jia raised her right hand into the air. The long red nails on her pale fingers glittered like blood in the sunlight. Noble Consort Lu held Imperial Consort Jia's gaze defiantly, as if daring her to make a move. Imperial Consort Jia did. Her hand came whooshing down to slap Noble Consort Lu's cheek.
"Stop!" Someone bellowed. Imperial Consort Jia felt her wrist being clamped tightly and stopped in midair.
"Who—?!" She took a good look at the newcomer. "Aiyo, isn't this the Fifth Prince, whom His Majesty sent to the borders?"
The Fifth Prince didn't answer. Instead, he squeezed Imperial Consort Jia's wrist tighter. Imperial Consort Jia's wrist was way too delicate for even a simple squeeze, and she cried out in pain. "Ah!"
