Chapter 60

Feng Yuexian played with her silk fan, sighed lightly, and said:

“Not to mention after King Chu entered the palace, even before that, there was only the Princess and the Second Prince born under the Queen’s knees.”

She didn’t show any emotion on her face, only asked He Qiuchan, “Is Jieyu saying that this thin dragon vein has internal causes?”

“If I don’t say it, wouldn’t the Princess Consort know?” He Qiuchan covered her lips with a handkerchief. At this moment, she was completely calm, unlike her usual gentle demeanor displayed in public. Her face was calm, with a hint of sharpness in her gaze.

“Although I am foolish, just from observing the two of you after marriage, Li Zi has not had a good end, and King Chu is also constrained everywhere. I think the Crown Prince must already know about the incident where the late Emperor was harmed by King Chu.”

There was a moment of silence in the hall.

Song Pianxian spoke slowly, “If Jieyu were foolish, there would be no clever people in the harem.”

She looked at He Qiuchan. This was the first time she had encountered a passerby in the original plot, suddenly adding drama to herself.

In the original plot development, He Qiuchan had not shown any anomalies. After Song Ziyi ascended to the throne, she became a concubine in the palace because she had a daughter, living a peaceful life.

When Song Yingguang grew up, she carefully arranged for her to marry into a good family, making them the most peaceful mother-daughter pair.

It was Song Pianxian’s arrival that changed the original plot—

Even revealing another layer of hidden secrets beneath the plot.

“Jieyu can speak freely. Whatever happens today, not a word will leak outside.”

Song Pianxian made a promise first, which was considered a statement on behalf of her and Feng Yuexian, giving their own side some room to maneuver.

He Qiuchan said, “The Crown Prince holds the jades and the pearls, if it weren’t for this, I wouldn’t dare to disturb both of you with this matter.”

This sentence was half flattering and half sincere.

Glancing at Feng Yuexian, she couldn’t help but sigh. Even the unparalleled Feng Yuexian seemed willing to be taught by others in the presence of such figures.

He Qiuchan took a deep breath and said, “There is also one person I need to mention to the Crown Prince.”

“Who?”

He Qiuchan smiled coldly, “Li Fang.”

A hint of depth flashed in Feng Yuexian’s eyes, and she said in a usual tone, “Is it Li Fang, the nephew of the Prime Minister, and the commander of the Southern Army of the Capital?”

“The Princess Consort has a good memory. There is some connection between my family and the Li family. We grew up together since childhood and could be considered childhood sweethearts.”

“He had a crush on me, but I had no feelings for him. It just so happened that there was a selection in the palace, and my family sent me in.” He Qiuchan narrated.

“I entered the palace later, just as the Queen Consort was pregnant, but there was no Second Consort who could bear an imperial heir.”

“No one who was pregnant…” He Qiuchan’s tone was faint, but with one sentence, it implied the fate of how many beautiful women met tragic ends.

“At that time, Li Fang was already serving in the Southern Army. One day at a palace banquet, he asked someone to say he had a letter for me, and we met.”

“Who knew that when we met, we were seen by King Chu—now thinking back, it was just a scheme between Li Fang and King Chu.”

There was a hint of irony in her eyes. “After Li Fang left, King Chu appeared in front of me and said that if I didn’t want to be accused of corrupting the palace, I had to listen to him.”

“What did you do for King Chu?” Song Pianxian asked.

“I was favored at that time, and he wanted me to help him murder the Emperor.”

She said bluntly, “I was really foolish to listen to him. Once exposed, not only would I not have a good death, but it would also harm my entire family. Besides, once the clever hare dies, the hound is cooked. I don’t believe King Chu would spare me.”

When He Qiuchan mentioned this, she showed a different expression, the most deadly seductive look of a woman:

“To deal with men, you can’t rely on loyalty and obedience.”

“…”

This was Song Pianxian’s blind spot in knowledge.

Originally, she wanted to see Feng Yuexian’s reaction, but then she felt it was better not to.

Afraid of getting a rise out of her.

Fortunately, He Qiuchan didn’t need to play along. She continued on her own:

“If you want to talk about King Chu, he really has some issues. He likes to cuckold the Emperor. Just look at the Queen Consort, and you’ll know. He was very satisfied with my compliance—perhaps Li Fang’s relationship also played a part.”

“I pretended to be devoted to him, and he thought something had really happened. Then I acted stupid and naive, making him reluctant and afraid to harm the Emperor, fearing it would ruin his big plan.”

“How did you manage that?”

He Qiuchan touched her temples and said, “That’s my business.”

Although they were cooperating, the relationship between the two sides was not so close that He Qiuchan would reveal all her cards.

Everyone present was intelligent, so there was no need to inquire further.

He Qiuchan continued, “After that, I had Yingguang.”

She revealed her first smile of the day, charming and alluring, lightly mocking, “King Chu thought he was the father.”

This was a hidden plot. 09 listened eagerly. When she heard this, even her melon seeds fell from her hand as she murmured, “So… the green one is always green?”

“…”

“Since then, King Chu has never had any thoughts of using me again. Instead, he has confided in me a lot— even if he refuses to speak, just by looking at the birth of Song Duan by Consort Xi, one can guess a thing or two.”

“Poor Consort Xi remained faithfully devoted to King Chu, never suspecting any connection between me and King Chu.”

Upon hearing this, Song Pianxian asked, “What about Li Fang?”

She remembered from the original plot that Li Fang was truly loyal to King Chu, a thorn implanted by King Chu in the capital.

Although Song Pianxian knew the plot, she had yet to act against Li Fang—

If she didn’t leave any room for King Chu, he would surely panic and cause chaos, inevitably harming the common people and igniting warfare.

It’s better to use tactics.

He Qiuchan restrained her smile and said, “From what he said, he promised Li Fang that after he ascended the throne, he would reward me to him.”

Feng Yuexian’s voice was cold, “This man considers himself devoted, but in reality, he completely disregards your wishes. You were living peacefully in the palace, yet he conspired with King Chu against you, truly ruthless and malicious.”

“Disaster depends on fortune. If not for this, my Yingguang wouldn’t have come into this world.” He Qiuchan’s gaze softened, “Thinking about it, it’s worth it—”

“As long as King Chu dies, and Song Duan dies.”

Only the three of them were aware of this conversation.

The next day was the birthday banquet.

The small banquet was set up on a water pavilion called Lanxie, connected to a winding water corridor, with lotus flowers standing elegantly in a pool nearby.

Not far from the pavilion, musicians played music, and the ethereal sounds drifted into the water pavilion.

Ice was placed all around, and the breeze carried the mist from the lake surface, adding a refreshing touch to the summer day.

He Qiuchan accompanied Song Yingguang and did not attend the banquet. She only had the palace attendants deliver the flowers that Song Yingguang had picked yesterday.

Lady Zhaoyi played with a branch of rose of Sharon and remarked, “Looking at this reminds me of that child. It really makes people feel fond.”

“Indeed, the Third Prince is truly—”

“Today is my birthday, let’s not talk about that.” The Consort sat in the most prestigious position, smiling.

Only then did everyone start talking about other things.

Someone called for Lady Zhaoyi to come and watch the fish together.

Lady Zhaoyi leaned against the corridor, clearly not wanting to be exposed to the sun, yet insisted on smiling and saying, “I won’t go—those fish, as soon as they see me, they’ll faint and sink. How will you all watch?”

“Fainting fish? Haha.”

With this remark, it sparked more teasing, with everyone teasing Lady Zhaoyi, almost overwhelming her.

Lady Lu on the side remarked coolly, “Perhaps they’re scared stiff.”

Lady Zhaoyi playfully glared at her, her eyes shimmering, “In bed, have you never behaved like this?”

Lady Lu turned her eyes away, ignoring her, feeling a lump in her throat.

Lady Zhaoyi continued, “Am I not beautiful today?”

Lady Lu had no choice but to look at her, carefully examining her, but couldn’t find any flaws, unable to refute her.

Lady Zhaoyi felt triumphant.

Today, she dressed meticulously to outshine everyone else—mainly to steal the limelight from the Princess Consort and the Princess. She received many compliments, even from those who were accustomed to seeing her.

She looked up and saw Ning Cairen waiting on the east side of the corridor, frequently glancing towards the direction of the Eastern Palace, obviously waiting for the Princess Consort’s procession.

But Ning Yaomeng was destined to be disappointed.

From the west, the procession passed through the colorful flowers and trees, footsteps steady and orderly on the blue stone slabs.

Sharp-eyed individuals stood up.

“Is the Princess here?”

“It seems so.”

The next moment.

“The Princess Consort and the Princess have arrived—”

Ning Yaomeng, who was waiting on the east side, was stunned. How did the Princess Consort come from that direction?

Without a second thought, she saw everyone gathering in one place and followed suit.

In terms of seniority, the Princess Consort and the Princess were younger. But in terms of rank, they were far above them and deserved to be greeted.

Lady Zhaoyi stepped forward gracefully, her footsteps steady, not daring to let her hair fall out of place.

With both of them here, she had to pay attention, otherwise, she would lose.

“The Princess Consort and the Princess, may you both be blessed.”

“No need.”

The Princess Consort’s voice was as cold as the mist on ice, with a hint of a chilly charm.

Lady Zhaoyi stood up, sneakily looking over.

She saw that the Princess Consort had already stepped down from the carriage and walked to the back, as if going to help the person on the second carriage.

No need to say, it must be the Princess.

Unfortunately, Lady Zhaoyi’s view was blocked by the carriage, and she couldn’t see the Princess’s true face.

For now, she set aside her curiosity and went to see the Princess Consort of the day.

She had briefly seen the Princess Consort twice before and learned that she was extraordinarily beautiful, with a coolness that ordinary women lacked, which was extremely captivating.

At this moment, all she could see was a silhouette dressed in a thin robe with sea hibiscus red patterns and wearing a Lingzhi crystal hairpin.

Just by looking at the Princess Consort’s slender waistline, the curves outlined by the gentle ripples, and the glowing texture beneath her dress, Lady Zhaoyi felt defeated.

“It seems I can only be the second-place winner.” Lady Zhaoyi muttered to herself.

Unless the Princess Consort’s flawless face suddenly broke out in a rash, in which case she wouldn’t be surpassed, Lady Zhaoyi comforted herself.

“Be a good runner-up.” Lady Lu said.

Lady Zhaoyi was not convinced, looking at Lady Lu.

“Why do you keep saying that I’m jealous—”

“Look for yourself.”

“Fine, I’ll look.” Lady Zhaoyi said, turning her gaze.

With just one glance, she was speechless.

The woman supported by the Princess Consort as she stepped down from the carriage— or rather, the legitimate Princess of the dynasty, was truly, truly…

Exquisite features, tender and pitiable, endless charm with every smile and frown.

She seemed like a person molded from spring water and sculpted with jade, naturally making others feel inferior.

Lady Zhaoyi fell silent.

Looking at the similarity between her features and the Crown Prince’s, but even more refined.

Lady Zhaoyi used to think that the Crown Prince had a good-looking face, a face that was wasted on him. But after seeing the Princess today, she felt that between the two siblings, the Crown Prince was the one who received the short end of the stick.

As the Princess approached, everyone could see more clearly.

On her cold and fair face, her dark lashes slightly curved, her pupils were the color of tea, like a green lake under the spring sun, shimmering with watery charm.

The surroundings fell silent. Although it was courtesy, Lady Zhaoyi inexplicably felt that she was not the only one who was fascinated.

When the Princess spoke, her voice was much softer than the Princess Consort’s, like willow catkins scratching gently, light and with a smile:

“Today, accompanying the Princess Consort here, to celebrate Consort Hui’s birthday, I am also a guest. There is no need for excessive courtesy from everyone.”

Lady Zhaoyi’s ears tingled.

She hid behind, reaching out to touch her earlobes.

Lady Lu thought that the confident and self-loving Zuo Zhaoyi had suffered a blow and was upset to the point of fidgeting, rarely saying something nicer:

“In my opinion, you are not much worse than them.”

But Lady Lu was a practical and honest person, adding:

“Just a few… two, three, or four points less, I guess. Don’t look down on others in the future.”

Lu Meiren, out of habit, admonished Zuo Zhaoyi like a teacher talking to a student. Zuo Zhaoyi disliked being lectured by her, thinking she would retort again. Unexpectedly, Zuo Zhaoyi nodded in agreement and said, “Having met the Princess, who would dare to look down on others.”

Lu Meiren frowned, feeling that things weren’t so simple.

Sure enough, Zuo Zhaoyi added, “In my eyes, the Princess is indeed remarkable.”

“…”

Damn it, trying to act cute!

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Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Ruu

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