Fall In Love With A Substitute – The Princess’s Beloved Wife, Chapter 51

Feng Yuexian remained silent, her light robe sleeves brushing over the sandalwood table as she handed over the secret letter.

Song Pianxian raised her eyebrows, carefully reading through it, her expressions changing several times, sometimes surprised, sometimes understanding.

Finally, she neatly folded the secret letter again and handed it back to Feng Yuexian, her eyes warm and sincere:

“Thank you for informing me. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have expected this.”

Feng Yuexian lightly scraped the side of the teacup with her fingertip and said lightly:

“What you didn’t expect was that King Chu dared to enter the capital privately.”

As far as she knew, Song Pianxian had made quite a few preparations for tomorrow.

Song Pianxian smiled lightly:

“Nothing can escape your notice.”

Watching Song Pianxian’s delicate smile blossom like a bud, Feng Yuexian suddenly felt suffocated.

Indeed, nothing could escape her notice.

She knew that Song Pianxian had noticed her fondness for that hairpin.

And she knew why Song Pianxian had taken the item to the Eastern Palace but didn’t give it to her.

Song Pianxian dared not give it.

Because of her actions that day, how could Song Pianxian dare to let her misunderstand her intentions again?

She wouldn’t even leave herself a shred of hope.

Gentle yet resolute.

Feng Yuexian finished her tea in one gulp.

“It’s good that the Crown Prince knows. We are allies, and I must inform you about this matter.”

Feng Yuexian emphasized the word “allies.”

After saying this, before Song Pianxian could react, her own interest waned.

She stood up, and her green hair fell from her shoulder as she moved:

“I’m going back.”

“Hold on.” A voice came from behind.

The voice wasn’t loud, but Feng Yuexian couldn’t move a step.

She turned around and saw Song Pianxian hurrying into the inner room and coming out with something.

Song Pianxian handed over the item in her hand and explained:

“Tomorrow is the Dragon Boat Festival, and I was planning to give this to you tomorrow, but since you’re here…”

It was a longevity thread.

The longevity thread was woven with colorful threads, resembling a long tail feather of a colorful bird, used to tie around the arm.

“This is for you—”

Feng Yuexian paused halfway.

She had intended to ask Song Pianxian if she had made it herself, but then she remembered that Song Pianxian was currently the Crown Prince and wouldn’t have time for such things.

Sure enough, Song Pianxian blinked and said:

“This… was made by Xue Qing.”

Feng Yuexian nodded.

Indeed, it was made by Xue Qing. The attendants around her, Yin Xue and Yin Bing, also loved to make these things.

It wasn’t Song Pianxian’s creation.

As there were no expectations, there wasn’t much disappointment. Instead, because this item only symbolized auspiciousness, it was easier to accept.

Feng Yuexian reached out to take it, one end of the long thread wrapped around her fingers, the other end entwined around Song Pianxian’s hand.

Like magpie feathers floating on snow, colored threads brushed against icy silk.

Feng Yuexian’s eyelashes trembled slightly, but she deliberately avoided Song Pianxian’s fingers.

Proud yet restrained.

She lowered her head to look at the longevity thread, deeply focused.

This longevity thread was adorned with various gemstone beads, exquisitely crafted. Among them, there was a small bronze mirror hanging, which was quite unusual.

After a moment’s thought, Feng Yuexian understood that the bronze mirror symbolized “revealing the true form of evil spirits,” likely used for warding off evil, fitting for the Dragon Boat Festival.

She raised her gaze, intending to ask Song Pianxian about it.

Although she already knew, she could pretend not to.

She pinched the bronze mirror between her fingers. “What’s this?”

“I thought the mirror could be used to ward off evil spirits, which is quite meaningful…”

Under Feng Yuexian’s gaze, Song Pianxian pinched her palm, blinked again, and then said:

“… Xue Qing was instructed to add it.”

Feng Yuexian nodded, swaying slightly, and said softly:

“So it is.”

Following suit, Song Pianxian nodded, smiling calmly, her demeanor relaxed:

“I hope you like it.”

With Song Pianxian’s thoughtful effort, Feng Yuexian naturally liked it.

The next day was the Dragon Boat Festival. They had to go to Jinming Pool, so they had to start packing when it was barely light.

The gardenia in the precious vase on the table had changed to fresh branches, dripping with morning dew, sweet and intoxicating.

Feng Yuexian wore a sea-red cloud-patterned auspicious shirt and took the longevity thread, handing it to Yin Xue to tie around her arm.

Yin Xue rolled up her sleeve, revealing a piece of white, while adjusting her hand movements, she said:

“Did you get this longevity thread from the Crown Prince last night? Borrowing flowers to offer to Buddha?”

“Yeah.”

Yin Xue murmured:

“Since it’s given by the Crown Prince, Madam must wear it. Why didn’t the Crown Prince let Sister Xue Qing do it? It would be more delicate, matching your status.”

Feng Yuexian paused, her gaze falling on the longevity thread:

“Why do you say it’s not made by Xue Qing?”

“You see, there are only concentric knots on this knot. But Sister Xue Qing is very skillful; she can effortlessly create flowers, plants, figures, characters, sun, moon, stars, birds, and beasts.”

The more Yin Xue spoke, the more dissatisfied she became. She looked at the longevity thread as if it were something ugly:

“In this case, the various longevity threads we prepared for you are all useless, all replaced by this—”

“This one is excellent.”

“Huh?”

Feng Yuexian ran her fingers over the colorful thread hanging from the longevity thread, feeling the cool touch of the copper mirror between her arms.

Her eyes were bright, like flecks of gold, her red lips curved into a shallow arc, like a bend in a clear and sweet stream, or like wine that intoxicates the heart.

Feng Yuexian’s voice lightly grazed the heartstrings like feathers, her smile gentle, wrapped in a cold charm:

“It couldn’t be better.”

The Mistress bloomed with full color, even Yin Xue, who was accustomed to serving her, couldn’t help but be stunned, feeling ants crawling in her ears, extremely itchy.

By the time she came to her senses, she had forgotten what she wanted to say.

After everything was packed, they went to the main hall to dine with the Crown Prince. Even her own Mistress, unprecedentedly, took the initiative to serve the Crown Prince a bowl of porridge.

What was this?

Temporary reconciliation on such a big festival? Or is it courtesy demands reciprocity?

Yin Xue puzzled over it.

Song Pianxian was also somewhat surprised, but quickly took over.

At this moment, she was thinking about the arrangement. Today, King Chu would definitely make a move. Even though they needed to be cautious at Jinming Pool, one mistake could lead to the mission’s failure.

The mission was already over sixty percent completed. It would be a pity if it failed at this point.

As Song Pianxian ate her porridge and side dishes, her mind had already wandered far away.

When she came back to her senses, Feng Yuexian’s expression had returned to its previous calmness, as if she hadn’t been the one serving her porridge earlier.

Women were truly hard to understand.

Song Pianxian sighed inwardly. After they boarded the carriage together, she said:

“When we meet His Majesty and the court officials and subjects later, we’ll need to make a show of it to reassure them.”

Song Pianxian hinted that they needed to present a harmonious image to satisfy everyone.

Regardless of their private affairs, they had to maintain appearances.

Feng Yuexian sat upright, like a cold beauty sculpted from ice and snow. She glanced at the Crown Prince and said leisurely:

“Since His Royal Highness requests it, then so be it.”

Song Pianxian felt there was something strange about her words, but couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

The carriages converged at the palace gate, joining the procession leaving the palace. The Crown Prince’s carriage was only behind the Emperor’s.

There weren’t many people from the palace accompanying them, aside from the Empress and the Third Prince, there was only Lady He with her son and the little princess following behind.

However, many court officials came, all of whom were the dignitaries invited to the Dragon Boat Festival banquet.

The procession was grand, with guards on both sides, clearing the way, exuding solemnity and dignity.

Many commoners had already gone to Jinming Pool early to stroll in the gardens. Some were trailing behind the palace procession, happily following along.

The banquet at Jinming Pool was held in the Waterside Pavilion, a three-sided pavilion surrounded by water, with the Precious Landing Pavilion behind it for the noblewomen to rest. On the west side, there was a colorful tower.

During the banquet at the Waterside Pavilion, the musicians and dancers from the Music Bureau performed graceful dances and melodious songs. The music mingled with the sound of water, and the dancers’ graceful movements were a delight to behold.

On the north side of the colorful tower was a fairy bridge, leading to a palace in the center of Jinming Pool called the Waterside Five Halls. Originally, the Waterside Five Halls and other areas were open to the commoners for setting up stalls, but this time, the Crown Prince had ordered it to be prohibited.

Not only the Water Heart Five Palaces, but also the southern bank close to the facing Water Pavilion were cleared of people, with royal guards standing guard, their eyes sharp. Visitors could only enter from the west gate and the east gate, watching the water performances on both banks and the northern bank.

The stage was set on the water, with various dragon boats being the most magnificent display.

When the Emperor stood in front of the Water Pavilion, looking at the majestic dragon boats below, seeing the crowds on both banks, the sons and beauties, and the constant chatter of vendors, it immediately filled him with joy.

After the Dragon Boat Festival banquet began, the water performances also kicked off, with lively and exciting dragon boat races and water swings.

Then came the water puppets, controlled by artists, kicking balls, rowing boats, dancing, and fishing on the water. When the fishing puppet unexpectedly caught a silver-white live fish, cheers erupted from both banks, and the water rippled with excitement.

Song Pianxian smiled on the surface but felt tense inside.

The more lively it was, the clearer Song Pianxian’s mind became.

Beside her, Feng Yuexian stood shoulder to shoulder, her voice like a soft mosquito buzzing in her ears:

“Don’t worry, my people will cooperate with you.”

Song Pianxian felt grateful in her heart. She probably knew that Feng Yuexian didn’t want to hear her say “thank you,” so she kept it to herself and simply said:

“Okay.”

After the water performances, it was the main event, the dragon boat race.

The dragon boats were contributed by various mansions and even some private households, competing on the same stage with different styles.

The General’s Mansion’s dragon boat was rugged and bold, while the Jiangnan silk family’s was adorned with multicolored ropes, and there were children at the stern performing the scene of Lady Yang sleeping in spring, elegant and graceful.

Song Pianxian’s gaze fell on the boat of the Feng Family, and she could see the rowers on board all shining brightly, sensing something.

When the bidding boat stopped in front of the Water Pavilion, the red silk-marked bid was thrown into the water for each boat to compete for, and the dragon boat race officially began.

Above the colored building, the flute and pipe played, the music was stirring, accompanied by the drum beats and the sound of the oars hitting the water, making people’s blood boil.

The music, the sound of the oars hitting the water, the cheers, echoed in the sky.

The drum beats rose and fell like spring thunder, and the dragon boats created snow-like waves, racing towards the Water Pavilion, making it impossible to tell which one was faster and more exciting, stirring people’s blood.

The dragon boats drew closer and closer.

The drums thundered, the beats like torrential rain, growing louder and denser. At the peak moment, a change occurred!

On one of the dragon boats, sixteen rowers dropped their oars, drew out knives from beneath the boat, and, with a powerful stomp, sank the boat while launching themselves into the air. Using the water as a springboard, they brandished their knives towards the Waterside Pavilion.

Song Pianxian was waiting for this moment!

She had already ordered people to lie in ambush in the water. Now, dozens of expert swimmers emerged from beneath the Waterside Pavilion, ready to attack. But someone was faster than them—

The dragon boat from the Feng Family also stopped abruptly at the sudden change. The rowers leaped into action, and with powerful stomps, the boat emitted a mournful groan. They arrived ahead of schedule, intercepting all the assassins.

Sixteen against sixteen, blades against bare hands, yet the Feng family managed to subdue all the attackers!

There was chaos on both banks. The other dragon boats dared not compete anymore; they all circled around on the water.

The courtiers panicked, and the old Emperor was protected by eunuchs, his face dark and frantic:

“What’s happening? What’s happening!”

Song Pianxian kept her eyes fixed on the water battle. Despite her delicate appearance, she stood as steady as a pine in the snow. She calmly said:

“It’s just a few assassins causing trouble. Escort His Majesty to the Precious Landing Pavilion to rest.”

The Empress’s eyes flashed, and she followed the Emperor.

Song Pianxian glanced at her but pretended not to notice.

Most of the civil officials hurriedly followed the Emperor to the Precious Landing Pavilion, leaving only the Crown Prince’s faction behind. The military officials, eager to achieve merit or impress the Crown Prince, mostly stayed.

Whether they wanted to achieve merit or show off in front of the Crown Prince, they couldn’t leave now.

The Feng Family gathered around Feng Yuexian, but her expression suddenly darkened.

Song Pianxian had sent the old Emperor to the Precious Landing Pavilion. If there were any follow-up attacks, they would likely be directed at her alone.

Was she using her life as bait to lure out the assassins?

Was the useless old Emperor worth this?

Thinking was useless. Feng Yuexian drew her guard’s sword, took a step forward, and stood in front of Song Pianxian, wielding the sword as a barrier.

In front of Song Pianxian, there was a moment of darkness, and she stared blankly.

The woman’s shoulders were not broad, dressed in a sea-rose red dress, holding a snow-white long sword. She stood in front like a towering green mountain, beautiful yet cold.

Song Pianxian’s heart warmed.

Meanwhile, the battle was nearing its end. Most of the sixteen assassins were either dead or captured, staining the surface of the Golden Bright Pool red with blood.

As one wave subsided, another rose. Two figures leaped out from under the paddle boat, their figures flickering like ghosts, rushing to the front of the Waterside Pavilion. They were close enough to see their sinister snake-like eyes.

A military officer stepped forward to fight, but he couldn’t withstand their martial arts skills and poisoned hidden weapons. He was quickly defeated, leaving the courtiers at the Waterside Pavilion in panic, and many slipped away to the Precious Landing Pavilion.

Feng Yuexian pulled out a silver hairpin from her hair, aimed at one of the shadows, her eyes flashing with sharpness. With a flick of her sleeve, the silver hairpin shot out like a silver fish breaking through water, piercing straight towards the shadow’s back.

The shadow convulsed for two breaths, then fell into the water like a dead fish.

With one shadow left, fiercely hitting his opponent onto the water’s surface, he looked at Feng Yuexian and hoarsely said:

“Do you have a second silver hairpin?”

Feng Yuexian’s eyebrows and eyes contained a slight anger, but she still stood firmly in place, unmoved.

No one was more important than Song Pianxian.

The shadow laughed towards the sky. In a flash, he caught a little boy, the one with the Beijing opera makeup and oil paints all over his face.

“I’ve heard of the royal benevolence. As long as you fight, you can save him. Will you save him?”

Feng Yuexian remained unmoved, her eyes cold, her thin lips lightly parted:

“I won’t.”

The shadow’s smile froze.

“You, Miss Song, are you not seeking the name of kindness anymore?”

Before Song Pianxian could speak, Feng Yuexian’s gaze fell on the child and said:

“To die for the Royal Family is the greatest fortune of your life.”

“…You! Damn you!”

A faint smirk emerged from behind Song Pianxian.

Feng Yuexian stood calmly, being her unyielding mountain.

The shadow became furious, hurling the child tightly towards the pillar of the Linshui Temple:

“Useless thing! Then you go die!”

Feng Yuexian’s eyes twitched slightly, her gaze following the trace of the child flying past.

A general couldn’t bear it and jumped into the air, trying to catch the child, but was suddenly stabbed between the ribs by a dagger, letting out a scream.

The force was definitely not from the child!

The general, belatedly realizing, plummeted into the water with excruciating pain.

The assassin finally revealed his true fangs.

Feng Yuexian stared closely at the painted child—or rather, the dwarf would be more appropriate.

The dwarf’s body was extremely agile, especially in mid-air, throwing the bloodied dagger directly towards the gap on the right side, aiming undoubtedly at Song Pianxian behind her.

Feng Yuexian took two steps forward, raising her sword to block. The dagger clashed against the gleaming blade, falling to the ground with a dull thud.

Feng Yuexian felt relieved for a moment, but then tensed up again suddenly.

In her peripheral vision, the dwarf grinned sinisterly, opening his mouth and spitting out a tiny arrow.

The small arrow was incredibly fast, whistling through the air.

Before Feng Yuexian could think, she swiftly threw a dagger from her sleeve.

Clang!

In front of Song Pianxian’s eyes, the air was filled with the clash of metal, and sparks flew.

The dagger and the arrow collided in mid-air, falling to the ground.

For a brief moment, she truly thought she was about to fail the mission and leave this small world.

Song Pianxian was lost in thought for a moment.

Meanwhile, the child displayed all his skills and was jointly captured by the unoccupied members of the Feng Family.

Feng Yuexian didn’t dare to leave her side.

Song Pianxian couldn’t describe the feeling in her heart.

She squatted down, carefully picking up Feng Yuexian’s dagger and wiping it clean with a silk handkerchief.

This was a dagger that Feng Yuexian cherished, playing with it every day; it couldn’t be dirtied.

Before, she had told Feng Yuexian that she wanted to play with it, but she hadn’t expected the first time she touched it to be at such a moment.

Song Pianxian’s gaze softened, her fingers feeling the unevenness on the back of the dagger.

What is this?

Song Pianxian flipped it over to take a look.

Only two words were engraved on the dagger—

Qinglu.

As if a call came from a distant place, Song Pianxian’s mind buzzed in response.

She murmured softly:

“Qinglu…?”

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Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Ruu

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