Unbeknownst to her, it was nearly noon. Princess Jade Hayes finally looked up from the mountain of paperwork and noticed the faint sound of slapping coming from outside.
She glanced outside—Mia Qian was still kneeling in the small plaza, slapping herself across the face.
Just then, Martin Wu walked in. After discussing a few official matters with Princess Jade, her attention was drawn to Mia Qian. Martin Wu said, "Oh my, looks like Miss Mia is finally getting a clue. I passed by and saw her; her face is so swollen now she looks like a pig's head. Tsk tsk, if she'd known it would come to this, why did she go after someone else's husband in the first place? She totally deserves it!"
Martin Wu was always straightforward and never filtered her words, which made Princess Jade laugh. "Look at you, all indignant. I bet when you get married, you'll be a real tigress!"
Martin Wu just laughed heartily. "I'll take that as a compliment from Chancellor Jade! Ha! If I ever get married, anyone who dares eye my man will get a good beating from me!"
As she spoke, Martin Wu rolled up her sleeves and exaggeratedly swung her fists, making Princess Jade laugh out loud.
"Tsk, you're fierce enough even before marriage. Once you do, you'll be a real tigress." From the doorway, Simon Yu's voice drifted in.
Martin Wu turned and stared Simon Yu down. "I love being a tigress! What's it to you!?"
Simon Yu snorted disdainfully. "Why would I care? I just pity your future husband. Marrying a tigress like you—he's in for a rough time!"
Martin Wu, not to be outdone, puffed out her chest and declared, "I'm not marrying you, so why are you so worried? Besides, what's there to pity? If my future husband manages to marry someone as talented, beautiful, and capable as me, that's pure luck! Unlike you, shallow men who only like those fake, whimpering white lotus types—you're bound to get tripped up by a woman someday!"
Simon Yu glared right back. "What kind of girl I like is none of your business. I'm not marrying you, so quit meddling! Hmph!"
"Hmph!"
The two of them continued bickering in front of Princess Jade, sharp words flying back and forth at the slightest disagreement.
Princess Jade couldn't help but laugh. "Simon, I sent you to check on Quentin Qian's condition. What's the verdict? Is Quentin truly gravely ill, or just putting on an act?"
With the conversation turning serious, Simon Yu straightened up and replied, "Chancellor Jade, I just examined Quentin Qian. His symptoms are consistent with a sudden stroke brought on by rage—his blood surged and he collapsed. He's truly in serious condition, paralyzed and unable to speak."
"Oh..." Princess Jade stroked her chin, deep in thought. She'd sent Simon Yu to check Quentin Qian's pulse just to be sure he wasn't faking it and plotting something sneaky.
Now that Quentin Qian really was paralyzed by a stroke, Princess Jade could confidently detain him and Mia Qian in the Palace of Qin, and even issue orders to the Qian Family in his name.
Quentin Qian's illness couldn't have come at a better time!
"Good, thank you, Simon." Princess Jade said, "It's nearly lunchtime, so I won't keep you both."
Martin Wu cupped her hands. "Chancellor Jade, I'll get back to work now."
Simon Yu also said, "Chancellor Jade, I'll take my leave."
With that, both of them turned and hurried toward the door, as if competing to see who could walk faster.
But as fate would have it, neither was willing to lose. They tried to exit together and ended up stuck in the doorway!