Chapter 70: Resentment

"There must be a way, Your Highness."
Xiahou Qian, in a moment of urgency, held Flower Luo's hand.
Without moving her body, Flower Luo withdrew her hand. Xiahou Qian felt embarrassed and suddenly mentioned Zhao Yue and Zhan Xing: "By the way, Your Highness, we cannot solely blame Zhao Yue and Zhan Xing for Yan Gongzi's matter. I was also present at the time, and I have a responsibility for not stopping Yan Gongzi."
"Besides, with Yan Gongzi's abilities, even if we three join forces, we would not be a match for him if he is determined to hold Muyong Zhan accountable. Moreover, everyone knows that Yan Gongzi was trapped by the emperor. Who could have imagined that he could easily break through the barrier and escape?"
"If Your Highness is still angry, then punish me along with the officials."
"Alright, I understand. It's just that through this incident, I feel like they have become a bit too spoiled by me. Giving them a punishment will help them become more disciplined. Xiahou, you have also worked hard. Go back and rest."
After speaking, Huaruo walked towards the Eastern Palace.
Xiaoqiao and Fuling saw Huaruo coming back and kneeled down on the ground, saying, "We respectfully welcome the Crown Prince."
"Where is Zhaoyue Zhanxing?" Huaruo asked.
Xiaoqiao looked up and said, "Your Highness, don't you remember? One month ago, you sent Zhaoyue and Zhanxing to do hard labor and have not pardoned them yet."
"Oh, it's been one month now, let them come back."
“是，太子殿下。”
两个侍女答应下来。
昭月和瞻星终于能从做杂役房回来。
昭月和瞻星两人都瘦了一圈，脸上也没有什么血色。
"Sister, I stayed in the servants' quarters for a month and now I truly understand what it means to experience contrasting situations. Life in the East Palace was like living in paradise. It seems like we should be more cautious in the future and avoid making Aruo angry again."
"Yes, thankfully Arlo was willing to let us out, otherwise we really wouldn't be able to bear it," Zhan Xing also sighed. "It's no wonder she was angry, we were indeed too careless this time."
瞻星问起小乔：“对了小乔，最近这段时间殿下都在做什么。”
“哦。”小乔如实回答，“两位姐姐，殿下这一个月都不在东宫，好像是和夏侯大人出去了，为了燕公子的事情奔波，据说去了好多地方呢。”
"And with Lord Xiahou..." The four words were repeated, and Zhan Xing's previously cheerful face immediately fell.
"Sister, what's wrong with you?"
Seeing Xiao Qiao leave to do her own thing, Zhao Yue quickly asked.
"Zhao Yue, did you just hear it clearly? Lord Xiahou is also accompanying His Highness."
"I heard it clearly. Um, is there a problem?" Zhao Yue looked puzzled, not knowing what Zhanxing was thinking.
"At the time when Young Master Yan went to find trouble with Murong Zhan, the three of us were all present. Ah Luo only punished us, but didn't punish Lord Xiahou."
As she said this, Zhanxing's tone suddenly changed.
"Well... regardless of whether we will be punished or not, we have finally come to an end of our hardships, haven't we? Okay, okay, it's getting late, let's go and meet His Highness quickly."
Zhao Yue dragged Zhan Xing towards the bedroom.
看见昭月和瞻星都回来了，花萝随口说了一句：“你们回来了。”
"Yes."
昭月和瞻星两人好像变得拘谨了不少。
看着两人的样子，花萝说道：“我承认，我当时是有点在气头上，不过你们的反应也的确迟钝了些。”
"Consider this a lesson learned, after all, you are my people. I hope the chores weren't too difficult for you in the servants' quarters."
"In reality, the servants' quarters treat everyone the same. Although Zhouyue and Zhanxing have noble imperial identities, the Empress has never bestowed upon them the honor of being royal consorts."
So being treated like ordinary palace maids, we are given no less work to do. But Zhāo Yuè tactfully said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. We are fine. They haven't been too hard on us, right, sister?"
Shao Yue poked Zhan Xing's arm. If it were in the past, Zhan Xing would always agree and say a few words. But today, she didn't say anything and had a cold attitude. Hua Luo didn't mind.
"You have worked hard in the menial room for so long, take a good rest these days."
When leaving, Hualuo gave them some things.
Zhaoyue happily admired these things: "Hey, sister, this hairpin is so pretty. It seems to be a pair of hairpins that Aluo used to really like. She actually gave it to both of us."
Zhanxing still had a gloomy face, with an unhappy expression: "Just give me a slap and a date, only you can be happy about it."
Zhaoyue put down the hairpin in her hand: "Why, sister, are you still unhappy? Oh, come on, don't be unhappy."
"Haha, I can't be happy."
"So, I thought the crown prince treated us well, like sisters. But after this incident, I realized that she can turn her face faster than turning a page. For people like us, as long as we make her unhappy, we could potentially face a fatal danger. Don't count on her cherishing old feelings."
"We gave our sincere hearts, but were treated like playthings, discarded when no longer happy."
"As for Lady Xiahou, didn't she say it herself earlier? She had an eight-year relationship with Lord Xiahou, what are we compared to that."
"If we were being punished together with Lord Xiahou, I could have accepted it, but this is clearly differential treatment, solely blaming us."
"Initially, I truly regarded her as my own little sister, but now... This is just how I am as a person. I treat others well and naturally hope to be treated the same way. It seems like it wasn't worth it previously."
"Zhao Yue, from now on, we will maintain a superficial relationship with her and only handle official matters. We hope that she can fulfill her promise and restore the noble and dignified status that our Wang Ji deserves after ascending to the throne."
"However, it seems that the thoughts of the imperial family are unpredictable, and they can change their minds even faster than flipping a book. There might be some unexpected variables later."
"Sister!" Zhao Yue earnestly advised, "Don't think like that. No one is perfect, and how can one always be fair? Maybe this time Aruo acted impulsively, or perhaps she has already punished Lord Xiahou without our knowledge."
"It's just occasional, not as complicated as you think. Don't take it too personally."
With a bitter smile, Zhānxīng replied, "You know, once I take something seriously, it's not easy for me to let it go. Alright, you don't have to say any more."

Zhao Yue took a glance at Zhan Xing and finally sighed.
Xiahou Qian returned to his own mansion and lay down on the bed, slowly closing his eyes.
But as soon as he closed his eyes, he would think of the scenes of him and Hua Luo in contrasting situations.

Hua Luo and Xia Hou Qian came to the lava of the iceberg, and the Icefire Dolphin soared on the cliff of the lava. The magma below was constantly turbulent, occasionally stirring up thousands of layers of spray, and sparks scattered in the air.
Hualuo stretched out her hand and conjured a magical weapon with twin blades, saying to Xia Houqian, "Xia Hou, I will take the lead, and you support me from behind."