Carriage Inspection
The officer noted how Princess Ling Consort was polite and cooperative, unlike some high-ranking nobles who relied on their status to dodge inspections and treated the soldiers with disrespect.
In contrast, the Princess of Chu—Princess Ling Consort—was exceptionally well-mannered. She was more than willing to cooperate.
Zhao Mingtian's eyes reddened, her expression full of humiliation. She pointed at the trunk of undergarments and said to the officer in a pitiful, miserable tone, "I know you all look down on me because of Prince Ling's rebellion. But what could I have done? I'm just a woman of the inner court—how could I know what men do outside? I am a princess of Chu, born noble and honored, yet after marrying into Jin, I must suffer such indignity! Even a mere soldier can rummage through my personal clothing in broad daylight... My heart aches so much. Why must I, an innocent princess of Chu, bear the fault of Jin’s men? Wuwuwu..."
As she spoke, Princess Ling Consort began to cry, her sobs full of grievance and indignation.
She was already beautiful and delicate, and now her tears made her seem even more fragile and pitiable. The rough officer couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt, thinking he had gone too far in bullying this poor widowed consort.
The officer hesitated, then clasped his hands and apologized, "Forgive me, Princess Ling Consort, but I must inspect your carriage as well."
Zhao Mingtian protested, tears streaming down her cheeks as she clutched her chest, voice trembling with indignation. "You rummaged through my boxes, and I cooperated, but you only searched my personal clothing chests! You could see at a glance there was nothing hidden, yet you kept digging! Now the carriage is clearly empty, but you still want me to get out—what are you really after? Do you take me for a fool? No matter what, I am Princess Ling Consort, a consort of the Jin Dynasty prince! How can you rough men insult me like this?"
Her words, full of grievance and accusation, echoed through the crowd, leaving the officer speechless and the onlookers feeling sympathy for her plight.
The officer lowered his head and clasped his hands apologetically. “Forgive us, Princess Ling Consort. We’re only following orders.”
Princess May wiped her tears and sniffled, saying, “I don’t blame you. This is your duty—I understand.”
The officer noticed the soldiers lingering over the clothes, clearly done with their inspection but reluctant to stop. He snapped, “If you’re finished, close the trunks at once!”
The young soldiers, chastised by their superior, hurried to close the trunks. The Chu guards then lifted them back onto the flatbed cart.
Zhao Mingtian said to the officer, "The inspection is finished, isn't it? Can I pass now?"
The officer hesitated for a moment, then said, "Princess Ling Consort, please step down from the carriage. I still need to inspect your carriage."
Zhao Mingtian's tears welled up instantly. She pointed at the empty interior of the carriage and protested to the officer, "Didn't you see? There's only me in here, and it's so empty you can see right through. Why do I have to get out for you to inspect it?"
The officer saw that there was indeed only Zhao Mingtian inside the carriage, but the orders he received were to inspect even the carriage thoroughly, leaving nothing unchecked.
The officer clasped his hands and said apologetically, "Forgive me, Princess Ling Consort, but I must inspect your carriage."
"You... You're being outrageous, bullying me!" Zhao Mingtian suddenly clutched her chest, tears streaming down as she pointed at the officer, her voice trembling with accusation. "You rummaged through my boxes, and I cooperated, but you only searched my personal clothing chests! You could see at a glance there was nothing hidden, yet you kept digging! Now the carriage is clearly empty, but you still want me to get out—what are you really after? Do you take me for a fool? No matter what, I am Princess Ling Consort, a consort of the Jin Dynasty prince! How can you rough men insult me like this?"